THE GPA ARE to seek an increase in government grants and want to explore the issue of restructuring the inter-county senior football championship over the coming months.
The players’ body recently ratified a new voluntary national executive committee which consists of 20 current and former players, while also co-opting a number of independent personnel to support the group.
Limerick hurler Seamus Hickey was appointed last December as the new chairman of the GPA with Dublin footballer Paul Flynn serving as secretary and ex-Kildare player Dermot Earley serving as president.
The GPA believe they are entering a ‘critical period’ and Hickey outlined the key items on their agenda that they will be pursuing in the coming months.
“There are a lot of serious items on our agenda over the coming months including negotiating a new agreement with the GAA, negotiating an increase in Government Grants for players, the issue of restructuring the SFC and the inter-county schedule in both codes.
“It is a very exciting time for the GPA with new Executive members strengthening the team and we will be encouraging the group to play a more active role in directing the affairs of the players’ body in the coming period.”
Negotiations with the GAA have commenced and the members of the executive committee will be playing a leading role in the discussions.
After Hickey, Flynn and Earley, the remaining players on the committee are as follows:
Munster
Brian Mulvihill – Tipperary
Noel Connors – Waterford
Stephen McDonnell – Cork
Ulster
Rónán Sheehan – Down
Matthew Donnelly – Tyrone
Aidan Forker – Armagh
Conor McManus – Monaghan
Leinster
Keith Rossiter – Wexford
Richie Hogan – Kilkenny
Mark Ward – Meath
Colin Moran – Dublin
Ronan Sweeney – Kildare
Connacht
Cathal Cregg – Roscommon
David Collins – Galway
Philip Greene – Sligo
Rob Hennelly – Mayo
Alan Kerins – Galway
Independent
Sean Murphy (Director of Employee Relations at Aer Lingus)
John Glennon (Managing Partner at Baker Tilly Ryan Glennon)
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