‘ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO HIDE’ SAY GPA

ALMOST €500,000 is paid annually to four members of the GPA’s staff. The dramatic rise in wage costs for senior staff, which saw an increase of almost €120,000 to those in ‘key management positions’, was highlighted by former Meath star and Sunday Game pundit Colm O’Rourke last weekend. Out of the GPA’s total salary bill of €921,121 (including PRSI and pension) for its 12 staff members, €490,418 was paid to those in ‘key management’ positions. But the GPA claimed yesterday that the increase was principally down to employment of a financial controller for the first time, although the actual number of staff employed did not increase from 2015. The GPA’s clearly defined managerial structure is headed by CEO Dermot Earley, with Siobhan Earley (head of player development) and Matthew Hoban (financial controller) filling two more of the key management positions. A fourth position of deputy CEO is currently vacant after Aidan Gordon stepped away but it is understood that the process to fill that role is underway. The players’ body insisted that they had been ‘open and transparent’ in revealing their expenditure, signed off by the GAA and contained in their annual report published recently. GPA press officer Michael Verney said yesterday: ‘I would not say that the GPA is disappointed over the focus on wages because there is absolutely nothing to hide, but it is also important to focus on the services and resources which the GPA provide that has proved beneficial to so many members.’