Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Time for our stars to stop taking themselves for Grant-ed
BRENDAN Griffin’s recent comments on tax breaks for inter-county players should be embraced. It’s time that they demanded change.
The new Minister for State for Tourism and Sport gave a bold and honest interview this week that has flown under the radar.
The Kerry TD said: “I would like to see players being rewarded for what they do and players being able to give more time to their circles. They are elite sports people in an amateur sport.”
Now put that with Dublin star Ciaran Kilkenny’s tweet from December.
Commenting on the announcement of the Government grant increase to intercounty players from €970 to €2227 from next year, Kiilkenny tweeted: “Players love what we do and support like this makes it a little easier to be our best and support our communities.”
Nobody could disagree with the sentiments of both men.
Most players who are serious about their commitment to their counties are not in a position to hold down even a part-time job.
That’s a fact. There are plenty of guys on the breadline. Ask the parents who are subsidising them.
Only the stars at the very top, and that’s a very small minority, are able to get something back through endorsements.
We can’t keep flogging these boys. The demands placed on them now has them at breaking point.
The Actuaries report that was commissioned by the GPA a long time ago illustrated the damage that had been done.
It was a brilliant piece of work and put the figure on six to 10 years commitment at that level between €200,000 and €250,000 per player.
The pressure of commitment causes players to fail exams. And for those lucky enough to have jobs, it effects promotion and their ability to do their job.
But players don’t talk about it. That’s how committed and loyal they are.
My feeling is that now is the time to scrap the GPA. Their current three-year deal with Croke Park looks like bringing in over €20m and they can afford to just give it straight to the players in the form of a grant.
With co-operation between the Government and their tax breaks, the existing grants and the GAA themselves, every intercounty player could receive a €10,000 per annum grant.
For those who go on to win the championship, that total could rise to €15,000. It’s a fair reward or compensation for the serious effort. This is achievable.
You look at the League of Ireland and the situation with Bray Wanderers. Some players had been receiving upwards of €500 a week despite crowds of a couple of hundred attending their games. rewardbut pay rugbytax their playersOur Artists Meanwhileback whatfor 10 and elite play.for yearsand whenget I’m soccerwhat playerstax immoral. suggestinghere. we’reit’s they’ve exemptions,they players insanelyget floggingput scant done isn’t getin they’requiet again:In Here’s bunch!the a “WhatGriffin damncircumstances you maybefringe hate playersare to the see notto with being continuewhat theyable lovethe commitmentsbecause financiallyare just damaging to themselves and that is a real challenge,” he said.
That’s the crux of it. If my proposal was a runner, the massive winners would be the weaker counties.
As of now, the best players are deserting county panels because there’s so little returnasked of on them.the commitment Fifteen to 20 counties would immediately become twice as good as their top young players will see the tangible reward and commit to the county cause. We’re at breaking point right now and this kind of development has to happen. I’ve questioned the way some of the money that filters down from the GAA to the GPA is spent. This way it goes straight to the players who need it for college expenses, as a replacement for part time work, for transport and basic essential needs. The players’ commitment is beyond question but that commitment has been abused and it amounts to a lack of respect. Griffin’s comments arise at a critical moment. With Croke Park debt-free, let’s appreciate our players and make the gesture they deserve in the form of
financial compensation. And I would implore the GAA’S intercounty players to come together and demand
this with immediate effect.