Hurling Development Committee chairman Paudie O'Sullivan says he's concerned about the growing elitism within the GAA.

Speaking with the Irish Examiner, O'Sullivan, a former Tipperary coach under Eamon O'Shea's tenure, revealed a recent case in which he felt that the GPA were being "fundamentally anti-GAA" by not extending its mental health services to a club player in difficulty.

"I know of a case where the GPA was contacted recently in relation to a player who is having difficulties. And they asked the question: is he a county player? They were told that no, he was a club player. The line from the GPA was 'Oh, well then, we can't deal with that.'

"Now that is fundamentally anti-GAA, in my opinion. Because one of the great things about the GAA is that if anyone in the GAA is approached by another GAA member for a bit of help or a digout, they get that help and digout. We depend on each other.

"So, like a lot of people, I would have concerns about elitism within the GAA and the route the GPA is taking. I don't like this notion of one set of people, namely inter-county players, being valued above anyone else.

"Why should an inter-county player be valued at a higher level than a person, male or female, who has been taking the U10 team out for 20 years? Or the local school teacher who has given 30 years service of introducing our children to our games?"

Tweet

Most Read Stories