THE Gaelic Players’ Association is calling for the GAA to scrap pre-season competitions after 90 per cent of its members voted in favour of a motion to that effect at the organisation’s annual general meeting.
Despite consistent speculation over the viability of the GAA’s pre-season competitions, the Dr McKenna Cup in particular has remained popular with fans, with nearly 9,000 paying spectators in attendance at the Ulster tournament’s opening three fixtures on the first Wednesday of January this year.
However, the GPA has said the demands placed on players by the condensed split season make the continuation of the pre-season tournaments untenable.
Consequently, when over 100 players gathered at the Midlands Park Hotel in Portlaoise on Saturday, 90 per cent of them voted in favour of the national executive committee motion, which calls for “the removal of pre-season competitions”.
Prior to the meeting, GPA chief executive Tom Parsons had claimed the GAA leadership were sticking to an uncompromising stance of the matter.
"Unfortunately, the ongoing efforts by the GPA to remove provincial pre-season competitions during the condensed split season continues to fall on deaf ears at GAA central council level," said the Mayo man.
"Recently, central council has acknowledged the pressure of the condensed season. However, following a thorough evaluation of various options, it was ultimately determined that taking no action was the preferred route for 2024."
Other motions passed on Saturday, all unanimously, include a call for the GPA’s representation on the GAA’s central council to be doubled from one to two, the amending of past player GPA membership eligibility from five years to three on intercounty panels and the removal of the role of secretary in favour of a vice-president’s position on the GPA’s national executive committee.
Cork camog Aoife Murray, Dublin footballer Ciarán Kilkenny, Sligo footballer Philip Greene and Galway camog Niamh Hanniffy stepped down from the association’s national executive committee, while Dublin camog Aisling Maher, Dublin footballer Kieran Lillis, Galway footballer Damien Comer and Mayo footballer Cora Staunton were selected to replace them.
