While the GAA may have done their bit for the country with the amendment of Rule 42, there are other pressing issues ahead. Amongst these is the question of remuneration for players. While the GAA might not like it, sooner or later they will have to deal with it conclusively.
The GPA (Gaelic Players Association) is putting increasing pressure on the GAA to improve the lot of the players who make the association great. With the GAA having announced a multi-million euro deal with RTÉ and Setanta Sports, the players are starting to ask, ‘what do we get out of it?’ It is a fair question. After all, it is the players that are providing the entertainment for the cameras. Without them there would be nothing.
It has been hinted by the GPA since the announcement of the latest GAA TV deal that players may refuse to tog out in front of the cameras. “Players have a much better understanding of their image rights now and they comprehend that they have a value and a worth … Guys might refuse to tog out in front of the camera. There has been a sea-change of attitudes among players,” says GPA chief executive Dessie Farrell.
It is hard to see such a drastic measure coming to fruition. Nonetheless, the fact the threat is there should make some of the GAA’s top brass take notice. It would seem this is already the case when one looks at the demise of the GAA’s own player’s body, the Players’ Advisory Group (PAG).
Galway hurler Noel Lane initially chaired the group, but he was replaced by ex-Armagh captain Jarlath Burns, who took over as competition from the GPA began to gather momentum.
The group has since sunk without trace and GAA President Seán Kelly admitted at this year’s GAA Congress that it was obvious the players only want the GPA as possible representatives. “We can now sit down with the GPA,” he said, “and either ignore them, tolerate them, or recognise them … but it’s quite clear that while they may or may not represent all the players, players do not want anyone else to represent them either.”
Tellingly at the time, Kelly also stated he was willing to meet with the GPA in the near future. This promise was fulfilled on April 26 of this year. It is a big step in the renegade players’ group’s struggle for progress.
Chief among their concerns at the meeting was the issue of representation on Central Council. Dessie Farrell believes the meeting was productive.“I think we are definitely moving forward in that regard.”
With money pouring in as never before, the GAA possibly realise they are backed into a corner. They have made great strides recently in terms of promoting games through live television coverage and high-profile sponsorship deals with leading firms such as Guinness and Bank of Ireland. Sponsorship on jerseys, first seen in the 1991 Championship, has been a huge success. Ultimately though, the players haven’t got a lot out it and they now want changes.
If Ben O’Connor, Cork’s All-Ireland winning captain, goes into a pub, does he get a complimentary pint of Guinness for performing in the Guinness Hurling Championship? Or if Ciarán Whelan strides into Arnotts on Dublin’s Henry Street does he get a reduction for having the shop name emblazoned across his Dublin jersey all year round? Unlikely.
There was also the crazy situation where the Clare hurlers, who are sponsored by Vodafone, had their complimentary phone packs taken back as they prepared for the 2002 All-Ireland Final against Kilkenny.
Despite the change on Rule 42 being welcomed by and large, some players have hinted at the hypocrisy of the GAA leasing out Croke Park. Full-time professionals will make money for appearing there while their own members don’t get paid a cent.
While very few players are canvassing for professionalism in the GAA, most just want a bigger slice of the cake. Players will not sit on their hands forever. The GAA are slowly acknowledging that, but will it be in time?