GAA President John Horan has described as unhelpful, the intervention of some Government spokespeople in the debate as to where the Liam Miller tribute match was to be held.
Mr Horan's comments followed the GAA's decision today to allow the match be held at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Mr Horan said he spoke with a senior Government minister in a private capacity last weekend and said the minister said they were not going to get involved and that that minister had stuck to their word.
However, Mr Horan said other ministers "did see fit to give us a bit of a bashing."
He said the GAA was entitled to give its side of the story to Government and that is what they would do.
He said GAA funding was a matter to be debated between Government and the GAA, and said they would be sitting down with the Government to have an honest and frank conversation.
Mr Horan said people had to appreciate the contribution the GAA had made to Ireland, "to its fabric, and the amount of voluntary work and genuine GAA raised money that goes into providing facilities that are used throughout this community and form a huge glue and fabric to Irish society."
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He also denied that the GAA has become disconnected from the public.
Mr Horan defended the holding of concerts at GAA venues and said it was not in conflict with the aims of the GAA.
He added that the benefits of such concerts for the disruption they may cause in the access to pitches is minimal for the actual funding that is received from them.
He said that funding went back into the "grassroots of the organisation".
Mr Horan said today's decision would not mean that club and county boards across the country would have permission to open any GAA property to any outside sporting body or other bodies without approaching the managing body.
He added that today's decision was a once-off for the moment.
When asked if any lessons need to be learned from the matter, Mr Horan said he did not think so.
He said he believed that the matter had been dealt with prudently and quickly and that they would now move on.
Mr Horan said he would encourage everyone to support the charities that are to benefit from the event that is being organised by the Liam Miller tribute committee.
In a statement this afternoon, a Government spokesperson said: "The Government welcomes the agreement reached today and commends all involved for their co-operation.
"Concerns expressed by various Ministers in the context of this controversy have always centred on the need to ensure full compliance with the terms and conditions attached to the significant public monies invested in Páirc Uí Chaoimh during its recent redevelopment."
Watch the full interview with GAA President John Horan
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