FORMER IRELAND INTERNATIONAL Stephen Hunt says that GAA stars are rightly revered as ‘gods’ across the country.
But he feels a move to professionalism would ultimately sacrifice the games’ proud tradition and heritage.
Hunt came under fire last year when he wrote a column suggesting that GAA players would find the life of a professional footballer tough.
He later clarified that his comments were not meant as a slight and has now reiterated his admiration in an upcoming RTÉ documentary.
“(GAA players) are elite in what they do,” Hunt said.
“How they train, they are elite — they do the gym work, they do the sessions, they probably train just as much as us.
“But they have to work so they can never be as good, as sharp, or as fast as they could be if they were resting.
“If they did that professionally the game would get quicker, it would get faster, it would get stronger.
But you also might lose the character that comes part and parcel of hurling and Gaelic football, and the history that comes with it.
“I don’t think you’d want that. I think you want to see hurling and Gaelic football the way it is now.”
He added: “They’re treated with respect. They’re heroes, they are.
They’re literally gods in Ireland, there’s no doubt about it, and they really should be because it’s part of our history and what we love.”
Páirc Life, presented by Jacqui Hurley, airs on RTÉ on Tuesday 8 September.
The documentary also takes a look around Hunt’s home where he shows off his collection of opponents’ jerseys — including a very unique piece of John Terry memorabilia.
“That’s the first jersey after he had an affair on his wife and it came out,” he chuckled.
