They Said It ....
May 2006
"We’ve been knocked into touch so many times by the
GAA - they say they talk but they don’t really. I think a lot of players
are getting browned off with it."
Armagh’s Kieran McGeeney explains the frustration of many GPA members
when it comes to official dealings with the GAA
“There is no need for planning permission to be received
before 2007’s matches. We have done a deal for 2007 and the only reason
we went for one year is so we can see what happens in ’08 and ’09.”
GAA President Sean Kelly sets the record straight about Croke Park being
available to other sports in 2007
“Our delegate Bob Honohan has informed us four Munster
secretaries have said that if they had known then what they now know regarding
Croke Park opening to other sports, they would not have voted the way they
did.”
Cork County Board chairman Mick Dolan claims that a number of people
would not have voted to open Croke Park to other sports if they knew it would
happen before Lansdowne Road had been granted planning permission.
“I thought it was unfair by some reporters who accused
me of saying something I didn’t. I was accused of saying that these players
were great at looking for other things. I never said that. Nobody had a record
of it and I thought that was unfortunate a good friend of mine who was present
during the post-match interview didn’t hear me say it and I’m saying
now I didn’t say it.”
Tipperary manager Babs Keating strenuously denies publicly criticising
his team after the heavy NFL loss to Galway
“I don’t think we want to put the general public away from games.
We don’t want teams fighting for promotion and relegation or looking
for a league final spot left in jeopardy. We want to show we are serious and
want to be taken seriously."
DJ Carey explains that the GPA do not want to put the current leagues
in jeopardy by taking strike action even if they are keen to get their point
across.
“Players were very militant and I’ve never experienced
that to such an extent during my involvement with the GPA.”
GPA CEO Dessie Farrell on the mood of players before the AGM which led
to a list of six demands being put before the GAA