THE CLUB PLAYERS Association (CPA) have confirmed they won’t be backing Páraic Duffy’s proposals to revamp the All-Ireland senior football championship.
Last August, Duffy unveiled his plan to replace the quarter-finals with two groups of four, which would involve the addition of eight extra games into the inter-county football calendar.
Duffy’s proposals will go in front of GAA Congress next month, but the CPA say they are opposed to the suggested format.
“We are calling on Páraic Duffy to park his proposals pending proper consultation,” CPA chairman Micheal Briody said in a statement released on Monday night.
“We have had a very positive response since our official launch. Over 15,000 club players have registered so far. Their expectation is that the GAA will step up to the plate and address the fixtures issue for all players.
“If the current proposals are passed, there will be no realistic possibility to change until the 2019 season at the earliest. By then it could be too late. This needs (to be) sorted now.”
He continued: ”We have had several informal discussions with the director-general Páraic Duffy at which we have exchanged views.
“We appreciate greatly Páraic taking time to meet us and recognise the legitimacy of the CPA.”
The CPA have also written to Duffy on behalf of club players, highlighted three key areas they feel require immediate attention:
1. CPA Recognition
We are calling upon and appealing to County Boards to vote to officially recognise the CPA at the forthcoming Congress. We are at the stage as an Association where we need to consider what’s right for all our members, not who’s right. Given the nature of Congress we believe it is important that the motion proposed by Wexford and Tipperary County Boards is heard at Congress and given due consideration without the possibility of procedural interference or impairment. We are writing to County Boards this week inviting their mandated support to achieve the necessary support. The CPA is committed to working with and supporting County Boards. Agreement on fixtures will make their work easier.
2. Fixtures Proposal
The CPA is today announcing that it cannot support the fixtures proposals brought forward by Páraic Duffy. We are therefore calling on Páraic to put his ideas on hold pending further consideration. We respect Páraic’s position over the last 9 years as Director General and his immense experience as a professional GAA official. However we cannot support the proposals on three main grounds:
- They do not fully take on board the need for an agreed fixtures programme for club players, or take account of legitimate concerns raised including club player welfare and well being, holidays and closed season.
- They are detrimental towards hurling, and in their presented form are creating an unwelcome imbalance in the Association, especially at a time when hurling nationally needs renewed focus. Both games must be given parity of esteem. This is non negotiable.
- The proposals pre date the establishment of the Club Players’ Association. The view expressed to us by club players who are the majority playing population, is that club fixtures need to be fully considered in any proposals going forward.
3. Fixtures Think Tank
To this end we call for the immediate establishment of a Fixtures Think Tank to meet, take on board and consult fixtures experts in the GAA, and if necessary take evidence from other sports. Their remit will be to report back within a fixed timeframe with a programme and principles that create uniformity and help county boards who are unfairly often in the firing line. Their findings will outline the way forward to make our Association fit for purpose and serve the GAA for the next stage of its evolution and the challenges we all face.
We must remember the articles of our Association when first established by Cusack, Davin and the founding fathers:
“Davin spoke first about the plan to start a new organisation for sport. He described how many Irish games were losing popularity and dying out in some cases in the countryside and appealed for a revival.
“‘The Gaelic Athletic Association for the Preservation and Cultivation of National Pastimes’ was chosen as the official name but it soon became known familiarly by the shortened title of the GAA.”
It is time again to preserve and cultivate our games for all our members.
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In my opinion Irelands Greatest Player Best wishes Paul on your 54th
Got to say Looking great dont look a day over 40
A few years ago,Villa fan & violinist Nigel Kennedy was being interviewed on the radio about a new album he had out at the time.
The interviewer asked him if he religious because there was a track called God on it.No he replied its about Paul McGrath.
A few years ago,Villa fan & violinist Nigel Kennedy was being interviewed on the radio about a new album he had out at the time.
The interviewer asked him if he religious because there was a track called God on it.No he replied its about Paul McGrath.
To play and to consistently play brilliant til 37 all while being a Full time alcoholic just shows what a freak of nature he was!
As was Tony Adams, played a game half cut for Arsenal one day and got Man of the Match.
The Black Pearl of Inchicore.What a player he was a joy to watch
Without a doubt Irelands Greatest player. Nothing to do with the surname. Imagine how good he would of been if he was sober….mindblowing !!!
I can’t honestly remember him with dirty shorts…..he was that good
Picture 14 states it’s Staunton on the left and mcgoldrick on the right. It looks like kernaghan and Kelly to me..
Paul McGrath, one of the reasons why we should bring back to punt and put images of him all over them. Happy birthday Paul x
Happy birthday Paul
I was in the old West Stand on the day of his Ireland testimonial.
We had been told Paul was injured and wouldn’t be playing that day. He greeted the crowd before kick off with his children. He was wearing a black suit and it was disappointing that he wasn’t togged out at all. Towards the end of the game, the crowd got fed up with the match being played and a chant of “Ooh Ahh Paul McGrath” rose up from all parts of the ground and continued, consistently, for about 10 minutes.
Jack Charlton had clearly had enough and he went to the bench, had a word with Paul and sent him down the tunnel. God emerged a few minutes later with the green jersey on. The roar that rose up when he appeared on the sidelines to come on as a substitute was one of the loudest I’d heard at Lansdowne Road. I cried like a baby, I have no shame in admitting that. Even now, the memories bring me out in goosebumps.
Each time the ball was passed to him, he got an uproarious ovation. Some sod in the Premier League XI decided to score a goal. I think it was Dean Saunders. Despite his injury, Paul still flung himself full length in front of Saunders (?) to try to block the shot. I might be wrong, but I think the goal was greeted with a chorus of boos.
The affection which the Irish people still hold him in, despite his transgressions, is touching. He’s one of ours, I suppose. He was broken in many ways but always wanted to fight his demons and he always felt “safest” when playing football.
Happy Birthday Macca.
You are our footballing legend
Ooh ah
Ooh ah
Ooh ah Paul Mc Grath
Happy Birthday
Paul used to be in DIT Bolton Street every once in a while when I was back in college. He walked into the canteen with 500 engineering students and the place went mental. LIVING WALKING LEGEND!
Is picture 14 really in Orlando? June in Orlando is 40 degrees! And sure they were dying playing that game against Mexico there….
Would they be really wearing heavy tracksuit tops/coats?