As inter-county players, you contribute an immeasurable amount of time, energy, commitment and effort to Gaelic games. Spending over 30 hours a week is a significant investment of your time to the inter-county game and, as the inter-county Games generates over 80% of the financial resources available for all GAA initiatives, it is imperative players are treated fairly and recognised. Progressing in your career or full-time study in tandem with all of life’s challenges is without doubt a significant and unique challenge for inter-county players given such commitment to the game.

Your dedication is not only deeply respected but is also a source of great admiration across Ireland and abroad. You serve as exemplary role models throughout Ireland, exemplifying the values and commitment that define the very essence of sport. However, your investment of time and contribution to the success of our games should never go unrecognised, and that is the GPA’s key role.

The role of the GPA in championing the voices of players and advocating for their welfare and rights is of paramount importance. We are witnessing a significant shift where players are actively participating in shaping the future of our games. In 2020, a resounding 99% of players voted to merge the GPA and Women’s GPA and in 2022, players brought a motion to the GAA Congress to prioritise integration and ensure equal investment, recognition, and opportunities for our female colleagues at all levels. This marked the beginning of transformative events, including similar motions passing at the Camogie Association and LGFA congresses. It also sparked the establishment the Integration Steering Committee, led by former President of Ireland Mary McAleese.

Integration and equal treatment of players is on the horizon and your collective voice have been instrumental in driving this positive change. When it comes to integration, I want to urge all commentators to recognise the incredible potential this opportunity holds. Too often, we hear influential voices talking about the challenges and hurdles, but we need to shift our focus to see the bigger picture and the opportunities that come with it.

Integration has the power to send a powerful message to the women and girls in our games. It tells them that they are unquestionably equal, that their contributions are greatly valued, and that their voices will be heard and respected.

Despite this positive changes towards integration. The lack of minimum standards for female players remains unacceptable. In 2022, 102 female players sought assistance from the GPA hardship fund due to the lack of essential supports, including travel expenses and access to various medical supports. It’s crucial for our National Governing Bodies including the GAA, and the Government to take action to address this issue now, alongside integration efforts. Addressing this remains a key priority for the GPA.

Load management continues to be a priority for the GPA.  Data from 2022 stated that just 8% of male players felt that the split season improved load management and offered an improved pre-defined off-season. It’s important we continue to address the contact time for inter-county players, but on the basis of sport science. Data shows the GPA/GAA contact hours policy has helped, but it’s clear we need to improve player conditions and ensure that an unfair amount of training, particularly in pre-season is not imposed on inter-county players.

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. 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.

What players need is leadership to tackle the number of games in a condensed period and once and for all to tackle the issue of multiple team eligibility for our Rookie Players, particularly in the months of January and February when players are engaged in third level competitions.

We have some great leaders within the GAA, LGFA and the Camogie Association. However, I continue to struggle with the mindset and sometimes negative attitudes towards Inter-County Players by some of the leadership within our sporting bodies. The GPA continue to lobby to re-instate the men’s All-Star tours that previously recognised the best players in our games. Instead of extending All-Star tours to the second-tier competitions, this important recognition initiative has been disbanded for the foreseeable future. I call upon the GAA to reinstate this initiative as it’s a symbol of recognition and respect for our best players.

On a positive note, the GPA’s commercial share with the GAA and the GPA’s valued commercial partners in Le Chéile mean we continue to help ensure inter-county players have access to best in class player development and educational programmes. It’s great that we continue to have increased engagement in our player development programme. Today, approximately 90% of all revenue the GPA receives goes directly to players. Our core spend is on vital educational scholarships, programmes and important player development/welfare services to help protect players and the amateur game.

I would like to thank our player development team for their unwavering commitment to our BEO360 player development programme. I would also like to thank our educational partners who cover over 50% of course fees of the Masters scholarships we award to players every year.  I strongly encourage players to continue to invest in your personal development off the field.  When the game is gone, through injury or retirement, it’s imperative that you have not sacrificed professional and personal development, something that is difficult when you commit so many hours to the inter-county game.

Lastly, there is no fault in aspiring to be elite athletes; striving for excellence is what ultimate success is in any endeavour and it’s entirely compatible with our commitment to the amateur game.

Despite the positive strides forward in the professional relationship between the GPA and the National Governing Bodies, it remains disheartening that some senior GAA leadership persist in attributing the growing costs associated with inter-county games to the players, especially considering that the average player’s expense claim per session stands at a mere €17, which is far from unreasonable given the return on that investment. Nevertheless, yearly data emerging reinforces the notion that players may be the last remaining amateurs within the realm of personnel involved in our inter-county games. I believe, in the current economic climate we need to do more for vulnerable players, especially students who often must forego part-time work to play and train for our inter-county game.

I extend my respect to the players for standing in unity and solidarity in ensuring a fair player charter was delivered for all players in 2022. The resolution of a fair charter for male players now serves as a vital tool to protect player welfare and to ensure fair treatment. In 2022, the Charter now served all players on the squad and not just the core 32. In 2022, 29% of male players experienced a 5-12week injury, which highlights the demands on the split season and the need for adequate panel sizes and rotation of playing time for players. In the new split season, one injury could rule a player out for an entire league or championship due to the condensed time period.  I would like to thank Neil McManus, Sean Murphy and the GAA negotiation team, in coming to a charter resolution in 2022.

On the female front, the charter will be pivotal to implementing positive changes for players.  Already players took a stand in 2023, and despite a formal commitment that helped pause the protest action, we still await the investment from the National Governing Bodies to deliver a player charter and minimum standards in 2024.

It’s important to note we greatly appreciate the government’s ongoing support for our players as we continue to advocate for equitable treatment for our female inter-county members.

In 2022, I was delighted to join the board of EU-Athletes and would like to thank them for their continuous guidance with respect to athlete human rights and fair treatment of inter-county players.

In today’s world, the impact we have on others cannot be underestimated. I would like to highlight the respect I have for inter-county players in this regard.  Over the past 2 years over 10,000 second level students have attended the GPA online leadership conference with players. In 2022, in collaboration with Alan Kerins and Self-Help Africa, over 50 Intercounty athletes undertook the remarkable task of planting one million trees in Africa, raising over €500,000 for this initiative; this is inspiring. Players continue to give countless hours, away from the pitch visiting local schools and inspiring the next generation to play our games and be active.

In closing, I wish to express our deep appreciation to everyone associated with the GPA, to our voluntary National Executive Committee, our President Donal Óg Cusack and our GPA Board chaired by Brian MacCraith, to our player representatives on every team, our valuable partners and donors, and to the dedicated GPA staff. Your unwavering passion and commitment to enhancing the lives of our members allow us to achieve positive outcomes for both the players and the game. The GPA will always be a player-led organisation with decisions made by players and for players and for the betterment of our games.