Sport

Optimism in GPA-GAA peace talks

Optimism in GPA-GAA peace talks

The Gaelic Players Association (GPA) and the GAA have held "productive" talks in potentially resolving their ongoing deadlock over the rate of mileage expenses for inter-county players.

This latest meeting was a scheduled one - having seen the previous meeting breakdown on March 10 over a new players' charter.

A joint GAA and GPA statement was issued yesterday: "The meeting was productive and a framework was put in place to try and reach a resolution.

"Both parties will re-engage under the terms of that framework over the course of the coming weeks."

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A further, more detailed and specific meeting, is now expected to cover the expenses issue. The GAA had issued a new charter, without GPA approval, that is now the basis for expenses paid. The issue arose when the GAA installed a cap of four on the number of weekly training sessions it would approve counties subvention for.

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But, assuming a point of equality and principle, the GPA disregarded this and stated that the number of sessions should not be limited.

Since the dispute initially surfaced, the GPA has requested that all inter-county players - and team managers - do not participate in any media engagement to allow the publicity launches from the league finals and approaching championship.

This has inadvertently created a knock-on effect for players, with the potential fee involved for attending events - such as post-match interviews - now a clear issue.

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