PAY FOR PLAY IS COMING: COMER

GALWAY footballer Damien Comer believes it’s only a matter of time before a form of pay-for-play is introduced for county players.

The powerful forward revealed that, like a number of top players, he chose teaching as an occupation mainly to complement his county career.

He was offered a place in the Gardai and looked into becoming a physio but reasoned that teaching would have the least impact on his football.

Comer stressed that he was always interested in teaching but accepted that he has built much of his life around playing for Galway.

The GAA’S rules on amateur status mean any form of pay-for-play is strictly forbidden but Comer feels that has to change.

Comer said: “You’ve seen it in the last few years how much is being demanded of players. I do think that at some stage there’s going to be some compromise for players.

“I know they’re on about tax relief, which would be something at least. When you’re training five, six times a week, you need it.

“I can see it going semiprofessional, or there’s going to be something along those lines. You see the money generated from All-ireland semi-finals, from the final, there’s 80-odd thousand there.

“Even the

Allianz Leagues, sure Dublin,

Mayo, they have massive followings. I think it will happen, I think there’s going to be something done. I don’t think it will be in my playing career but I’d imagine there could be something done in future.”

Comer, who knocked back approaches from All-ireland hurling title holders Galway, is currently preparing for Sunday’s football League opener.

Galway’s first game back in the top flight following promotion will be against Tyrone in Salthill.

Comer feels the campaign is a great opportunity for inconsistent Galway to show they can compete regularly with the best.

Comer said: “Our problem is that we’re not doing it on a constant basis and that’s something we really need to look at this year. Division 1 will help with that because you’re playing top teams every week and you can’t afford to have a bad performance or you’ll get

shown up severely. “In fairness, our League campaign last year, we focused on getting consistency and I think it was our most consistent League.”

DOUBLE TAKE Comer at Allianz Football League launch