Inter-county players have been issued with their grant payments ahead of the festive season. While serious doubts have been raised about the future of the scheme due to the economic downturn, the inaugural payments have been transferred from the Irish Sports Council to the GAA and on to the eligible players. The payments, which are officially labelled as out-of-pocket expenses, range between EUR1,200 and EUR2,400 depending on the length of time each squad stayed in this year's championship, and were delivered following agreement between the Government, the GAA and GPA after a lengthy campaign by the players' body. GPA spokesperson Seán Potts said: "It is a great honour that this scheme finally comes to fruition. A lot of hard work went into securing these grants, particularly from the GPA's perspective, and it took a lot of hard work from the GAA, the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism and the Irish Sports Council to push the scheme over the line. "The principle of this scheme is very important as it achieves parity of esteem of inter-county players along with the other elite amateur athletes, as well as professional sports people." Potts said the GPA hoped any reduction in future grants would be in line with percentage cuts across the board by the Government. "We would be hopeful that given the importance of this scheme for hurlers and footballers, and indeed the importance of the games to the cultural and social fabric to Ireland, that the principle of this scheme would be upheld," he added. "Along with all other sporting bodies, the GPA and the GAA are well aware of the current financial crisis, and along with other sporting bodies, we're prepared to take a hit." Tweet

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