FOLLOWING a cordial beginning at its official launch a fortnight ago, the Club Players’ Association (CPA) has bared its teeth by calling on the GAA director general to “park” his Championship proposals.
In a statement released on the same day as Paraic Duffy is set to publish his annual report at Croke Park, the CPA said it “cannot support” the Monaghan man’s proposals and suggested they are put on hold “pending proper consultation”.
At their Dublin launch on January 9, CPA secretary Declan Brennan said he felt Duffy’s proposals “didn’t go far enough” and stated his desire to see the All-Ireland championships wrapped up by the start of August.
And the players’ body has now claimed that Duffy’s reforms – which include the proposed introduction of a 'super league' for the quarter-final stages – “do not fully take on board the need for an agreed fixtures programme for club players” and are “detrimental” towards hurling, "creating an unwelcome imbalance in the Association".
"We are calling on Paraic Duffy to park his proposals pending proper consultation,” said CPA chairman Micheal Briody.
“We have had a very positive response since our official launch. Over 15,000 club players have registered so far. Their expectation is that the GAA will step up to the plate and address the fixtures issue for all players.
“If the current proposals are passed, there will be no realistic possibility to change until the 2019 season at the earliest. By then it could be too late. This needs sorted now.”
He continued: "They do not fully take on board the need for an agreed fixtures programme for club players, or take account of legitimate concerns raised including club player welfare and well-being, holidays and closed season.
“The proposals pre-date the establishment of the Club Players’ Association. The view expressed to us by club players is that club fixtures need to be fully considered in any proposals going forward.”
