What is going on here lads? It seems to be getting a bit on the nasty side. While i haven't read either article wrote by O'Rourke it would seem he was saying that the GPA has being bought off by the GPA. It wouldn't seem that the GPA is the radical force it once was so why is he getting all the agro from current members?

By the way has anyone links to his articles?

gotmilk (Fermanagh) - Posts: 4971 - 27/10/2014 11:05:00    1667413

http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/colm-orourke-gpas-argument-doesnt-add-up-30693418.html

Gael85 (Dublin) - Posts: 1433 - 27/10/2014 11:23:30    1667420

http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/colm-orourke-radical-or-redundant-the-gpa-is-facing-a-stark-choice-30674945.html

http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/colm-orourke-gpas-argument-doesnt-add-up-30693418.html

Gael85 (Dublin) - Posts: 1433 - 27/10/2014 11:38:29    1667423

I read Colms article last Sunday on the GPA and the GPA's reply yesterday as well as Colms answers.
I must say I am shocked by the revelations particularly about the GPA text to all the members to tweet or twitter about Colms views. When I saw the replys from fellas like Joe Canning, Colm Cavanagh and particularly from Jason Sherlock it made me very suspicious. They all mentioned the word "lazy article" in their replies. Was this because they were told to say this? Also to finish the text with Meath Fcker. Disgraceful!!
Also the way the GPA mentioned Darren Fay getting a scholarship , this was in bad taste. As Colm mentioned why dident the GPA head people mention Jason Sherlock getting a scholarship for his MBA Degree as well? Is it just a coincidence as Colm says, that the GPA's head of communications Sean Potts is also from Na Fianna like Dessie Farrel and Jayo.

Colm's substantive point that the GPA is not interested in club players was never answered by the GPA leaders. Anyone involved with club football or hurling will know that the GPA is only interested in the elite County players and some more so than others. I think it is time when the real heartbeat of the GAA , the club players stood up and were counted. They have stood silent for long enough.

Congrats Colm on talking the truth. We need more like you.

BreffniDub (None) - Posts: 377 - 27/10/2014 13:24:55    1667450

I think Colm O'Rourke made ssome very valid points that have been ignored by the GPA in its (over)reaction to the original document. In my view the GPA has become a very elitist organisation, and has failed to represent three important groups within Gaelic games: ordinary club players, camogie players and ladies footballers.

football first (None) - Posts: 1259 - 27/10/2014 14:10:36    1667465

I read Colms article last Sunday on the GPA and the GPA's reply yesterday as well as Colms answers.
I must say I am shocked by the revelations particularly about the GPA text to all the members to tweet or twitter about Colms views. When I saw the replys from fellas like Joe Canning, Colm Cavanagh and particularly from Jason Sherlock it made me very suspicious. They all mentioned the word "lazy article" in their replies. Was this because they were told to say this? Also to finish the text with Meath Fcker. Disgraceful!!
Also the way the GPA mentioned Darren Fay getting a scholarship , this was in bad taste. As Colm mentioned why dident the GPA head people mention Jason Sherlock getting a scholarship for his MBA Degree as well? Is it just a coincidence as Colm says, that the GPA's head of communications Sean Potts is also from Na Fianna like Dessie Farrel and Jayo.

Colm's substantive point that the GPA is not interested in club players was never answered by the GPA leaders. Anyone involved with club football or hurling will know that the GPA is only interested in the elite County players and some more so than others. I think it is time when the real heartbeat of the GAA , the club players stood up and were counted. They have stood silent for long enough.

Congrats Colm on talking the truth. We need more like you.

+ 1

Tim_Burr (Down) - Posts: 460 - 27/10/2014 14:18:31    1667467

100% behind O Rourke on this one . Firstly its of no relevance where someone is born should they have an opinion that differs from the GPA .
More importantly its what he said that originally struck a cord with myself , the GPA were once a radical body prepared to take on the might of HQ , now they havent been bought off as some might put it , but theyve certainly had major dental work and they now have the bite of a 6 month old .
I have spent the last two years slatting the GPA for their apathy to the club player , their silence on club championship schedules as been disgracefull .Before someone comes on and shows me what it is that they DO , let me explain I know what they DO Im complaining at what they DONT DO .
O Rourke has been vilified for having an opinion , for rocking the boat , and an ochestrated campaign to discredit him has been undertaken , from players that I admire by the way , its not right .Keep it up the good work Colm .

Damothedub (Dublin) - Posts: 5193 - 27/10/2014 15:14:26    1667481

I say fair play to Colm O'Rourke who raised a genuine point about club players.The GPA members rants on Twitter from likes of Joe Canning and Jason Sherlock about O'Rourke sums it up really as they have benefited from GPA appearing on television adds. I didn't see any players from Carlow/Wicklow & Antrim or any "ordinary" club player defending GPA on twitter.The GPA priority at the moment should be looking at fixture issues for club players many who are left idle all summer.

Gael85 (Dublin) - Posts: 1433 - 27/10/2014 15:36:28    1667494

I hope Colm & the GPA read this forum.

Well done Colm 100% spot on.

westkerry (Kerry) - Posts: 1250 - 27/10/2014 16:09:59    1667503

The elitest players defending the organisation for the elite - their reaction has re enforced the point O'Rourke was making. Time for club players to start a representative body that would fairly erode the clout of GPA.

blacknamber (Kerry) - Posts: 267 - 27/10/2014 16:58:45    1667527

GPA is a misnomer.
It is an elitist unrepresentative body as far as the average player is concerned. Very far removed from reality and totally oblivious to the big issues like player burnout, the ridiculous county football championship format and the lack of club fixtures in the summer. The silence over the replayed semi-final in Limerick was also deafening. But some people are doing all right out of it thank you....

BIG SACKS (Tyrone) - Posts: 1681 - 27/10/2014 17:11:43    1667530

blacknamber
County: Kerry
Posts: 114

1667527
The elitest players defending the organisation for the elite - their reaction has re enforced the point O'Rourke was making.

----

Well said!

kilflynn (Kerry) - Posts: 66 - 27/10/2014 17:15:30    1667531

Colm is one of the best pundits/GAA Journos out there in my opinion.The reaction from the GPA and some members on twitter etc is a disgrace,plus the "Meath Fcker" bit is very childish..

ziggy320001 (Meath) - Posts: 2432 - 27/10/2014 19:21:38    1667562

Blacknamber is spot on too..

ziggy320001 (Meath) - Posts: 2432 - 27/10/2014 19:22:39    1667563

The silence from the GPA after yesterday's article is deafening were are they all know with their rehearsed answers dictated by the powers that be in the GPA I.e the "lazy journalism ". Eamonn McGee issued 10 questions that the GPA needs to answer one in particular caught my eye , the one with reference to how many dublin players have benefitted from education grants and I'm sure we can all guess it's a heck of a lot more than weaker gaa counties. The GPA as a group represents the elite gaa players I didn't see any players from weaker counties coming out condemning what colm had to say . I accept they do some great work but they are not exempt from criticism so rather than condemn and personally insult a past player who is still giving back to his own club in a role as manager and coaching school kids on a yearly basis they should look at themselves and what they actually represent as a group because from a club players point of view they are doing nothing.

royalrover (Meath) - Posts: 55 - 27/10/2014 20:46:57    1667601

I can see this debate being had over the winter months. The GAA journalists won't have much to write about and I can see some airing their views in the media as the provincial club championships wind down.

I have to say I am in agreement with everyone here. I read the first article after all the commotion and I thought it raised some valid points. The reaction of the GPA and it's members has hardly helped their cause. The "text" was childish and the high profile players that blindly tweeted about the article is embarrassing for those involved. Are we take it now that if anyone questions the GPA that that person can expect a Twitter backlash from all the top inter county hurlers and footballers?

The GPA are definitely sidestepping some of the major issues currently facing the ordinary player and are happy to hide behind the good work they are doing in terms of mental health issues, education issues, player heart screening. etc. I don't think that sort of help should be understated either. Credit to the GPA for that. But Colm raised some valid questions. I think the least the article deserved was valid answers.

Former_Poster (Meath) - Posts: 394 - 27/10/2014 20:56:58    1667604

I have had my doubts about the GPA since day one, I've always wanted to believe it was a genuine force for the betterment of all players but it just never proved itself to me. The reaction of the GPA hierarchy in reaction to some very genuine questions raised by Colm has been staggeringly outrageous and the mention of Darren Fay and Shane McAnarney in retort was a particularly low
move I thought. The source of that text should be identified and asked for an explanation and an apology because as a staunch Meath man myself I can tell you that I take serious offence to that comment let alone the man it was directed at. Eugene McGee raised 10 excellent questions in yesterday's Indo, I wonder what slur will be hung on his door as a result?? Dessie, Donal Og, Jayo, Potts & Co need to do a it if explaining instead of hurling insults at one of the games greatest players who I believe cares more about player welfare than some of the head people in the GPA

Richieq (Meath) - Posts: 3734 - 28/10/2014 09:39:34    1667638

The text was childish and disgraceful. The well scripted and rehershed Twitter response was pathetic. GPA very quiet since Sunday. Just want to say how far removed the GPA are from ordinary members.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 28/10/2014 09:49:21    1667639

O'Rourke and others are perfectly entitled to question the GPA, which as others have said means nothing not only to club players but to many inter county players outside of the 'elite.'

As for the Meath fker bit, well he is but we Dubs always had a sort of soft spot for him.... the fker :-)

hurlingdub (Dublin) - Posts: 6978 - 28/10/2014 10:16:03    1667650

Very disappointed with the GPA response or lack off. Would not the GAA have been better at carrying out these worthwhile and nessecary Player projects themselves? The GPA is unfortunately behaving more and more like a cabal, its elitist, mutually exclusive and is completely out of touch with both the club player and the fairer sex.

arock (Dublin) - Posts: 4895 - 28/10/2014 10:38:14    1667658