Paul Flynn has stepped down from his role as chief executive officer with the Gaelic Players Association.

News of Flynn's departure was officially confirmed in a players’ message to GPA members this afternoon.

Flynn was announced as the new chief executive of the Gaelic Players Association in June 2018, and succeeded Dermot Early as leader of the organisation after the former Kildare footballer stepped down from the post earlier that year.

Before that Flynn had been an active member of the board and of the national executive committee of the GPA since 2012. 

He left a senior executive role with Lincoln Recruitment, where he had played a key part in the growth and expansion of that company in recent years.

In his time as GPA CEO, Flynn oversaw an alliance with the Women's Gaelic Players Association.

He was also a member of the Covid-19 Advisory Group that navigated the way for players and counties to complete last year’s All-Ireland championships.

In recent weeks he completed a player welfare deal for his members with the GAA.

His pillars were player representation, player welfare and player development.

In a statement released by the GPA, Flynn said: "I would like to thank the players, the internal team, the NEC and the board for always backing me through this thoroughly enjoyable tenure as GPA CEO.

"I would also like to thank the GAA, Sport Ireland, the Government, our partners in the US and Ireland for their continued support throughout my term. 

"I am very proud of what we have achieved together as a team, and I look forward to seeing the newly combined players association grow and develop into the future."

Flynn announced his retirement from inter-county football aged 32, citing fitness reasons.

He won six All-Ireland titles with the Dubs, as well as earning four consecutive All-Stars between 2011 and 2014.

The Fingallians clubman made his debut for Dublin in 2008.

As GPA boss he wanted his legacy to be the idea that players weren't losing out financially from playing for their county.

"There is one big misconception out there at the moment, with the players, that we're out of control, that we are trying to drive this to professionalism," Flynn said previously.

"When I finish up in this job, the biggest thing... I don't like using the word legacy... is around changing the culture around how inter-county players deal with their career.

"And that they realise they are not paid and they are not professionals.

"I would love to see a time that we get to when an inter-county player doesn't have to retire because their job has got too demanding – because they are at a mid-management level or have to go international or have to do what they got to do to progress in their career.

"That is not professionalism, that is purely their professions... but I do have a big target to ensure the players don't be out of pocket for what they do.

"That is only the reimbursement of expenses. Not being paid to play, but they don’t have to pay to play. There is a big difference."

It's understood that Flynn may play a role in the GPA’s national executive committee for the foreseeable future but will now be leaving the organisation’s figurehead role.