Gaelic Players Association chief executive Dessie Farrell has expressed outrage at apparent attempts by the Antrim GAA Board to prevent the county's stars from joining his organisation.

Antrim secretary Eamonn McMahon has drawn up a draft document which outlines a policy for Saffron county players.

The 20-point discussion document, which was obtained by the Irish News, says "all team managements and players (should) accept the county's policy of non-recognition and non-cooperation with the GPA".

"All players to be informed of this policy. Inclusion on a panel is subject to a player agreeing to abide by this policy".

In April 2000, former county player Ciaran O'Neill received a reprimand from the Antrim board after making efforts at a training session to encourage players to join the GPA.

To encounter narrow mindedness like that is absolutely astonishing Dessie Farrell

Despite the apparent clarity of the document, Antrim secretary McMahon denied that it could be interpreted as an attempt to prevent membership of the GPA.

"A player has the right of free association but whenever he is involved with Antrim his first loyalty should be the county," said McMahon.

"Our policy is that players should not promote the activities of the GPA within the areas of the Antrim county board".

However, Farrell said he was "spellbound" after learning of the Antrim document's contents.

"It is very disappointing to discover that there are people of such short sightedness still in positions of power within the association," said the GPA chief.

Dinny Cahill: Tighter controls

"We are established three years now and to encounter narrow mindedness like that is absolutely astonishing - especially in the light of recent events in Cork".

Farrell added that McMahon's document was completely out-of-sync with the current policies being adopted by the GAA hierarchy.

GAA president-elect Sean Kelly attended last month's annual GPA awards and Croke Park have held discussions with the players' body on a number of occasions over the past 12 months.

The Antrim document also includes recommendations that the county committee should have additional powers to scrutinise county teams.

Board approval

If the document is endorsed next month by the Antrim board, senior managers PJ O'Hare and Dinny Cahill will be forced to consult with the management committee before making many decisions in relation to the county squads.

Managers would have to discuss proposed training schedules and to have prior approval before arranging challenge games.

In additions, managers would have to seek the county board's approval before deciding who to appoint as team captains.

The services of specialised personnel such as physios and dieticians would also have to be approved by the Antrim board.

Down brawl

Antrim announced a operating loss of around �30,000 at Sunday's county convention and McMahon's proposals appear to be an attempt to maintain tight control over the purse strings.

The completed version of the Antrim code of conduct will be formalised next month.

Meanwhile, the Down county board are certain to take disciplinary action following a mass brawl at Sunday's county league football final between Mayobridge and Burren.

The violence which lasted several minutes led to two players from both sides being dismissed: Mayobridge's Francie Polland and Ronan Sexton plus Burren duo Aidan Woods and Ciaran Byrne.

With Mayobridge's captain and vice-captain both dismissed, full-back Brendan Grant had to accept the cup after the team's 2-13 to 0-11 victory.