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GPA to seek increase in government grants and want football championship restructure

The players’ body have also announced their 20-man national executive committee.

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.

Paul Flynn Dublin footballer Paul Flynn is the secretary of the GPA. Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

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.

Seamus Hickey Limerick hurler Seamus Hickey is the GPA chairman Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

“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

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John Glennon (Managing Partner at Baker Tilly Ryan Glennon)

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6 Comments
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    Mute Alan b
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    Apr 8th 2016, 6:11 PM

    Why should they get a grant from the government when the GAA is more than capable of funding them.

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    Mute Seán McCarthy
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    Apr 8th 2016, 8:36 PM

    Hey neenee, how did I know it’d be you, the one wee bitter anti GAA poster who commented?

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    Mute Seán McCarthy
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    Apr 8th 2016, 8:38 PM

    Why should millionaire Irish rugby players get all their tax back when the IRFU can afford to make them very rich men? GAA players more then deserve their grants, which are paltry by comparison.

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    Mute Alan b
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    Apr 8th 2016, 8:55 PM

    What has this got to do with rugby?Stop trying to divert away from my question,I totally agree with GAA players receiving grants but I don’t see why the government should have to pay?the GAA can well afford it

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    Mute Derek Shanahan
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    Apr 9th 2016, 6:44 AM

    They should just give Sam to the kingdom every year no need to restructure

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    Mute Seamus McSpud
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    Apr 8th 2016, 11:46 PM

    And why not a hurling restructure. GPA is a football club

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