BBC SPORT | N Ireland | GPA and GAA hold "useful discussions"

Gaelic Players Association chairman Dessie Farrell has said that Wednesday's meeting with a top-level GAA delegation had proved a "useful exercise".

The Croke Park meeting was attended by GAA president Sean McCague, GAA's director-general Liam Mulvihill and Jarlath Burns, the chairman of the GAA's official players body.

A joint statement issued following the meeting said that discussions had taken place on "key substantive issues".

It added that a series of further meetings would take place but refused to elaborate.

However, it is clear that the issue of the GPA's demand for a weekly flat rate of expenses for intercounty players was discussed at the meeting.

GAA president Sean McCague has rejected previous GPA proposals on expenses
McCague: Met with the GPA

Farrell said the meeting had been "more productive" than the previous discussions held between the GPA and the GAA in January.

The possibility that intercounty players might take strike action was mooted after the GPA's emergency general meeting last month.

That gathering proved to be a militant affair with a big turnout of 170 players giving the GPA executive a mandate to decide on possible strike action in the future.

The meeting also passed a motion of no-confidence in Croke Park's official Players Committee which is chaired by former Armagh captain Jarlath Burns.

That motion also called on Croke Park to recognise the GPA as the official players' body.

This season's championship is unlikely to be affected but there is a prospect of possible strike action next year if Croke Park continues to reject the GPA demands.

Meanwhile, Dessie Farrell has been confirmed as the new chief executive of the GPA.

Farrell will leave his job with a medical supplies company to take on the role.


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