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Post by kerrygold on Feb 16, 2007 10:24:53 GMT
A bitter war of words between tyrone and the gpa has erupted.
leading player sean cavanagh has rejected the claims made by the co.board.
earlier this year the co.board were criticised for the way it dealt with the injury claim of all-star brian mc guigan.
the back page of the indo,tabloid version,runs the story if any one could post it up here.
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Post by admin on Feb 16, 2007 13:23:50 GMT
Tyrone letter sparks GPA storm From todays indo
A BITTER war of words between Tyrone and the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) threatens to cause dissension among its own star players and upset the delicate negotiations between the GAA and GPA.
Tyrone County Board have dropped a major bombshell on the Croker talks with the players group by asking for a letter, which takes several swipes at the GPA, to be raised at Central Council on Saturday.
In the astonishing attack, Tyrone have a go at the independent players' union and question the wisdom of giving them recognition - claiming it will undermine the GAA's democratic procedures.
But, the GPA yesterday hit back with a hard-hitting statement and significantly, Tyrone midfield star Seán Cavanagh is quoting in it as saying: "I totally reject the comments made by the Tyrone county board.
"They were not speaking for me or the Tyrone footballers or even, I would venture, the majority of GAA people in this county. The players have earned the right to be officially recognised through the GPA."
And Tyrone's hurling captain Barry Winters also voiced his anger: "This letter is a slight on all inter-county players. The GPA has been hugely beneficial to the Tyrone hurling squad and was there for us when we needed support."
The GPA's own reaction is just as strident. Describing the letter as "misleading, ill-formed and malicious," they view it as "a scurrilous attempt by Tyrone officials to regain and assert total control on players."
The rebel players union - whose original founders included ex-Tyrone stars Peter Canavan and Fergla Logan - also accuse Tyrone officialdom of undermining the ongoing negotiations of GAA President Nickey Brennan and Director-General Liam Mulvihill with the GPA.
The fact that the letter was reproduced on Tyrone's official website was viewed as provocative by the GPA who contacted Brennan immediately to register a strong protest. The letter, signed by Tyrone Chairman Pat Darcy, says that there was unanimity of feeling about their GPA at last week's county board meeting. "Just who are the GPA and who do they represent? Just as importantly, who do they not represent," queries the letter.
Singles out
The Tyrone letter singles out the players' nationwide mark of protest last March to delay a round of league games, claiming "the last time a similar exercise was attempted on the GAA was August 1918" and it adds: "We believe they have hijacked our official All-Stars scheme. This is not a group that the GAA should be giving recognition to."
But the GPA lashed back last night, saying "perhaps the letter was an attempt to divert attention from a number of on-going player welfare issues in their own county."
Cliona Foley
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Post by mickmack on Feb 17, 2007 8:19:44 GMT
Dermots views would be interesting on this one
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Post by ciarrai33 on Feb 17, 2007 9:56:53 GMT
I think its a bizarre attack on the GPA really. Peter Canavan hinted in the paper that other player related incidents occured in the last few years, and that the County board would do well to be carefull. These incidents never reached the media
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Post by kerrygold on Feb 17, 2007 10:42:41 GMT
Theres possibly an element of the tyrone co.board feeling they have little control over the senior co.team.If you look at club tyrone etc,outside elements might be running the team thus isolating the role of the county board,this is speculation on my behalf,i'd be interested to hear dermots take on this. There was an incident long before christmas were mickey harte was at logger heads with the co.board over access to a pitch for a training game.
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Post by kerrygold on Feb 17, 2007 22:16:44 GMT
Tyrone had donegal for dinner this evening winning their fourth mckenna cup in a row,on a score line of 2-09 to 0-05. Tyrone are shaping up nicely and i think unbeaten this year so far must be considered All-Ireland favourites at this stage early in the season.They certainly look a different proposition to last years tyrone team.
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Post by mickmack on Feb 17, 2007 22:34:05 GMT
I saw a bit of it on TG4....... one donegal lad took a free about 30 yards out in front of the posts and nearly hit the corner flag. Very poor.
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Post by mickmack on Feb 18, 2007 9:12:17 GMT
Tyrone Responds To GPA Recognition 15 Feb 2007
Nioclas O Braonain Uachtaran CLCG Croke Park DUBLIN
7 February 2007
Dear Nickey
I am writing, as requested by the Tyrone County Committee, to put to you as Uachtaran, to An Coiste Bainisti and to Central Council a summary of a discussion that was held at our monthly County Committee meeting last night.
That discussion concerned the GAA’s evident moves towards “recognition” of the Gaelic Players’ Association (GPA). Our County Committee is clear that no such “recognition” should be granted.
The main reasons for our clear and unequivocal stance are as follows:
1. Just who are the GPA and who do they represent? Just as importantly, who do they not represent? Last year this group made what we felt was an open attack on the Association by acting to delay an entire National Football League programme: the last time a similar exercise was attempted on the GAA was August 1918. In the same way we believe they have hijacked our official All-Stars scheme. This is not a group that the GAA should be giving recognition to.
2. The GPA already has the same representation at Central Council as our entire County, or indeed any other County or unit of the Association. Despite the reservations listed above, they already enjoy a privileged position. This gesture is generous recognition.
3. What exactly is the purpose of “recognition”? In our eyes it can only be for one of two reasons — (a) to give them a preferential status, or (b) to negotiate with them. As a County Committee we are opposed to both of these. The GAA is about equality for all its people, not preference for a tiny, tiny number. That’s one of the things that makes us different: no matter how many people want to make the comparisons, we are simply not (and hopefully never will be) like other sports. And we have already well-established channels in place for negotiation and discussion. We have a Club-County-Province-National structure that’s the envy of many. This letter is an example of that: grave concerns expressed by Tyrone Club delegates last night can be brought to the highest level of the GAA within hours.
4. If “recognition” is granted to the GPA, which self-appointed group will be next to seek a similar status? “Non-GPA” players? Managers? Referees? Supporters? County Chairs? Secretaries? Coaches? Physios? Fund-raisers? The list is endless. And if the principle of recognition is established for one group, how can it be denied to others?
5. If the GPA has “recognition”, where then do County Committees stand in terms of a core part of their GAA business, their organisation of County teams? An officially-sanctioned route for by-passing County Committees will be in place, leaving them in the intolerable position of having the responsibility for something whilst the power to deal with it lies elsewhere.
I want to make it clear that in Tyrone we believe absolutely in looking after our players. We always have done and I think our track record in that area is as good as anybody’s and maybe better than many. We are very proud of our players; respect what they do; resource them very, very well; and rejoice in the honour they have brought our County and its people. We believe that’s the GAA way of doing things. And it’s one we’re committed to. But we’re also committed to looking after all parts of the GAA in our County.
The GAA’s great strength is in the delicate yet wholly powerful balance it maintains across all parts of the Association. Disturb that balance even slightly and you fatally weaken the whole structure. In that sense, if there’s one great issue that we should look seriously at as an Association, it’s the question of Volunteer Welfare. Lose that one and we won’t have anything left to worry about.
Can I make it clear again that we discussed this issue openly and freely at our County Committee meeting last night. There was unanimous agreement with these sentiments. Because of that I would like you to share this letter with your colleagues on Management and table / circulate it at the next meeting of the Ard Comhairle.
Thank you again for your leadership across all our work.
Is mise,
P. O Dorchai
Cathaoirleach
Coiste Thir Eoghain
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dermot
Junior Member
Posts: 64
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Post by dermot on Feb 20, 2007 10:12:50 GMT
I (like most people I know) wouldn't have a lot of time or pay much heed to the Tyrone Co Board !
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Post by Tatler Jack on Feb 20, 2007 12:04:25 GMT
I (like most people I know) wouldn't have a lot of time or pay much heed to the Tyrone Co Board !
Why Dermot?
A lot of the issues that the Tyrone Co Board have raised viz a viz the GPA are valid and at least merit discussion.
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dermot
Junior Member
Posts: 64
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Post by dermot on Feb 20, 2007 13:52:49 GMT
I could go on all day about certain members of the Tyrone Co Board - I was at a recent function when one of them slagged off Sean Kelly who was also present (and was a very decent fella I have to say) and the crowd who were all Tyrone were seriously pissed off.... Anyway, I don't want to mention any names but I'm sure its pretty obvious. .... ... How petty and pathetic is that sort of behavior?
Other more important things like the way injured players have been treated really pisses me off too - The Tyrone board (IMO) seem to think they are more important than the players which is bloody ridiculous - Especially considering this crop of players have brought us our only AI's to date - They should be bending over backwards for them instead walking around with their noses turned up !
Anyway - I don't want to go on too much about it and I just hope the hell they wise up and sort themselves out in their problem area's because they do a very good job in a lot of other area's.
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dec
New Member
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Post by dec on Feb 20, 2007 14:45:22 GMT
The Tyrone County Board's reputation has gone down a lot now for sure..
Maybe the bad publicity will shake them up a bit and be a good thing for Tyrone in the future..
Some rumours have afloated about treatment of players not being too good either..and things not running smoothly for a good few years now!
It's times like these we should really appreciate our own County Board in Kerry. I think they must be one of the most efficient in the country really. Players are always the top priority... Could anybody really see something like this happening in Kerry. I would say...Never!
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Post by austinstacksabu on Feb 20, 2007 16:30:38 GMT
There have been times when even the Kerry players have been known to go through a rough patch.....but by and large - they are among the better looked after squads in the country.
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Post by Lolly Valance on Feb 20, 2007 17:13:30 GMT
In fairness to kerry their dirty linen is never aired in public. Plus I think the footballers get great support from the board and now the hurlers are too
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Post by mickmack on Feb 20, 2007 20:15:57 GMT
Tyrone Responds To GPA Recognition 15 Feb 2007 The GAA’s great strength is in the delicate yet wholly powerful balance it maintains across all parts of the Association. Disturb that balance even slightly and you fatally weaken the whole structure. In that sense, if there’s one great issue that we should look seriously at as an Association, it’s the question of Volunteer Welfare. Lose that one and we won’t have anything left to worry about. P. O Dorchai Cathaoirleach Coiste Thir Eoghain The chairman is right about this. Rugby at grassroots level has lost a lot of its volunteer since professionalism came in.
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