Counties break GAA guidelines and the GPA is doing ZERO to stop it!
THE GPA’S silence is deafening – not a single word from the county players body at a time when its members need it most. Why?
This week, CPA chairman Micheal Briody bravely showed leadership by challenging the GAA and it’s stewardship during these difficult, unprecedented times.
Briody asked: ‘What are the leadership going to do to ensure county players are not asked or coerced into training with the county team before they finish their club Championship?’.
It’s a brilliant point. But then again, this is the elephant in the room – and it seems to be immovable.
County teams got together all over the country over the last week or two. They trained together, thus breaking every directive and order from Croke Park. It’s a complete joke. So why haven’t the GPA put a stop to it with immediate effect? The GPA tells us that depression, gambling addiction, drug abuse etc are the obvious issues they are tackling, while Player welfare is supposedly the flagship issue they are addressing.
But surely what’s going on in terms of prohibited county player training is the single biggest abuse of players right now?
Those players will very shortly be pulled from pillar to post by county managers, but we haven’t heard a single word from the GPA.WHY?
And why do the GPA not back the CPA, a fantastic group of volunteers who represent the club player with passion?
They don’t get a single euro but they would put the GPA to shame with their attitude!
What are the GPA going to do to guarantee their players that this abuse will not continue and even escalate further?
Players can’t call out their county manager or they will suffer - and suffer big time. Why will the GPA not do their job and protect their players?
These players were supposed to be with their clubs only for the next 11 weeks.
Why be so toothless, so weak and so anonymous? Why leave the players so exposed and vulnerable, at the mercy of self-serving managers?
The GPA has been found wanting on many crucial important issues in the past – now is the time when the county players need them to lead with authority and conviction.
At his greatest hour of need, the county player has been abandoned and left to fend for himself again. Are the GPA compromised with Croke Park, who essentially pay their wages?
What’s the real point in their existence when they stay silent at another crucial time like this?
It will be very interesting to see if a county player gets injured.
The GAA confirmed the Player Injury Scheme for inter-county squads is suspended until September 14. Now that really throws the cat among the pigeons .
Who is responsible if a player gets injured prior to that date?
Who will pay his expenses when he’s out of work or has medical bills?
The county board should still be responsible if they stand by and allow prohibited training to occur before that date.