A GAA Club Players Association (CPA) could be up and running within three weeks.

Former Monaghan selector Declan Brennan - who managed Clontibret to four county SFC successes - is one of the driving forces behind the new body and says he is acting out of concern for the welfare of club players. The aim of the new body is to give a voice to club players in the same way that the GPA represents the interests of county footballers and hurlers.

"I think what most players - and remember intercounty players are club players too - want is a proper closed season where they can get the proper rest and plan their lives better," he tells The Irish Independent.

"There's no doubt, players want to see the intercounty season condensed. I don't have a mandate to speak on anyone's behalf and I'm just trying to get this up and running.

"But it will happen. We're not looking for something like the Gaelic Players Association. We're not looking for money from the GAA. We're not trying to build anything for the future. The GPA has done great work but has become immersed in the GAA now.

"We just want to pull people together, gather views and make those views strongly known. It's not a long-term thing. Something has to happen within months."

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