In the end it was a big blow for the Gaelic Players Association as their call for representation on the powerful Central Competitions Controls Committee was rejected at last weekend's GAA Congress.
Even though they insisted they only wanted input on inter-county issues and wouldn’t influence disciplinary decisions, the motion was heavily defeated, receiving just 15% of delegates' votes.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport, Jarlath Burns said that allowing the GPA have a seat on the CCCC would have harmed the body’s ‘fairness and equality', with respect to "decisions that are often unpopular without fear or favour".
The GPA, however, issued a statement to RTÉ on Monday evening and referenced an "opportunity missed" by the Association.
The say they want to play a part in helping to reform and improve fixtures, an issue they say impacts directly on their members.
Former GAA president Seán Kelly can, to an extent, understand the GPA's disappointment in the wake of the decision taken in Wexford.
He told RTÉ Sport: "Some of the commentary might have been a bit harsh on the GPA, yet I also think they might have explained the situation better.
"I think the impression that people got was that a current player might be on the CCCC.
"If they explained that I might be a non-current player, then it might have made a difference.
"I feel the GPA needs more meat, they need to be more directly involved than they have been, they have been involved in a lot of peripheral issues."
Kelly was president when the CCCC was established and believes the GPA can have a say in the make up of the body.
"In fairness to them, the GPA have been very responsible in their actions to date and have a very important role to play," he added.
"It's a question of everybody sitting down and seeing how things can work out in practice."
