THE GAELIC PLAYERS Association and the Women’s Gaelic Players Association are both officially advocating a Yes vote in the forthcoming marriage referendum and will be supporting the YesEquality Campaign over the coming weeks.
The decision by the GPA to support the campaign was taken independently by the association following consultation with the GPA’s National Executive and the wider membership.
GPA members were consulted two months ago with information about the referendum and last week the membership was canvassed regarding their public stance on the issue.
The result of that player poll was an overwhelming endorsement – by a ratio of six to one – in favour of the GPA supporting the Yes campaign.
The result was even more clear-cut among WGPA members with 97% in favour of a statement of support from the association for marriage equality.
Commenting on the GPA’s decision chief executive Dessie Farrell said:
“The decision to support the YesEquality Campaign was very much directed by the GPA membership who provided a powerful mandate for action. Of course there are differing views within the playing body as there are in society in general but we believe that by endorsing the Yes campaign we are providing active representation for our players while also acting in accordance with our principles as an organisation.”
WGPA Chairperson Aoife Lane commented:
“The WGPA is committed to achieving equality for women in sport and in this instance, is keen to support marriage equality for women and men. The WGPA is working to help members achieve happiness and fulfilment on and off the field; a Yes vote provides a further opportunity for all players as well as family members and friends to achieve this.”
He’s going to be a huge loss for Leinster and Ireland. Hope there won’t be long term problems.
Good luck to him !!
Bummer
Dreadful news. FFS.
I assumed the Tullow Tank had bones of adamantium & mithril!
He doesnt have bones, its an exoskeleton!
Ireland’s best player, a huge loss but we have the most strength in depth in the back row provincially and nationally
Huge loss, get well soon Sean, go easy on the farming while recovering!
Talk of a six nations return unnecessary. Let the man recover properly for his and Ireland/Leinster’s sake.
Meanwhile an opportunity has now arrived for the likes of Murphy, Dougal etc. Let the competition begin.
Speedy recovery Sean.
Maybe chance for Leinster to try Jordi Murphy as a 7!!! …and a future 7 for Ireland
Terrible news, very sorry for him but someone else will now get their chance so silver linings and all that
Really hope he’s back before the 6 nations is over. He didn’t get the name Tullow Tank for nothing. Hope for a speedy recovery
Would love to see Tommy O’Donnell get a chance during the 6N! He can break through tacklers, he’s very fast and he is good at scoring tries. He’s a Tipp tank!
:( hope it goes well and he’s a quick enough recovery.
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
Brutal. There goes our best ball carrier for the Six Nations.
Terrible news. Hope he makes a swift but more importantly full recovery.
Just get well Sean. Let’s win the first 5 six nations games and have him back for the Slam.
4
Munster can provide cover in the form of Dougall and Todd. 2 players defo due a call. Ulster I guess Henry and maybe Henderson but he’ll be missed whomever we go with.
Time to start debating a replacement…If Ferris could make a medical miracle happen and return, that would be just lovely. Suggestions..?
He’s irreplaceable, he’s the best 7 in the northern hemisphere and one of the best in the world. He has been our most important player for a couple of seasons.
I think it’s likely that Henry will play at 7. We have a lot of cover at 6 and 8 but not a lot of international quality 7s.
I wish him a speedy recovery.
Dissappointing about O
Brien but hopefully Dominic Ryan gets a decent go now,one of the most under
-utilised players in Irish rugby should be in the Leinster team more often and even in with a shout for the Irish back row, he is quality and the sooner mat o Connor and joe Schmidt realise that the better!.