The GAA and Gaelic Players Association have issued a joint statement outlining their regret at the decision of the Fermanagh County Board not to accept the proposals they suggested to bring an end to the ongoing player dispute in the county.

Ten players have withdrawn from John O'Neill's senior football panel since the turn of the year, the dispute escalating in recent weeks after a number of high-profile players, including last year's captain James Sherry and former All Star nominee Niall Bogue, absented themselves from the set-up.

The GAA and the Gaelic Players' Association initiated a mediation process last week, with their initial report discussed at Monday night's scheduled meeting of the County Board.

Following a meeting on Wednesday night the Fermanagh executive released a statement this morning which indicated their support for their senior football management team and an unwillingness to accept the suggestions put forward by the GAA and the GPA.

This afternoon Croke Park and the GPA issued a statement saying that "Regretfully, the Fermanagh GAA Management Committee have decided not to accept the proposal suggested."


The GAA/GPA statement in full reads:

The GAA and GPA met with representatives of the Fermanagh County Committee and a number of players that are no longer on the County's senior Football panel on Thursday night last, March 24. Having listened to the concerns highlighted by both parties, the GAA/GPA put forward a proposal which they believed represented a reasonable way forward and which would bring the matter to a conclusion. This included an independent end of season consultative review of protocols relevant to Fermanagh's inter-county teams.

This proposal was discussed at meetings of the Fermanagh GAA Management Committee on Monday night last and again last night (Wednesday March 30). Regretfully, the Fermanagh GAA Management Committee have decided not to accept the proposal suggested.

It is a source of disappointment that our attempts to facilitate a solution have been unsuccessful and the GAA/GPA re-iterate their availability to assist in any way required in the future. Tweet

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