CPA say club and county players must ‘monitor delivery of new fixture arrangements’

THE Club Players Association was dissolved this week following a unanimous decision taken at an extraordinary general meeting.

The association was established in 2016 and its goal was to campaign to fix the fixtures for all players, driven by the news that GAA player participation as dropping, and physical and mental health was being stretched.

In an statement this week, the association said: “With Congress at the weekend making the historic decision to institute a split season model, the CPA Executive considers its task is now complete.

“The responsibility is now with GAA Management directed by An Uachtarán, Larry McCarthy and Ard Stiúrthóir, Tom Ryan, to implement Congress’s unanimous and democratic decision.

“And it is the role of club and county players and officials to monitor the delivery of the new Fixture arrangements and hold the Association accountable. Since 2017, the CPA has been central to keeping the fixtures debate in the public forum. We advocated a split season approach as a sensible, fair and logical solution to the fixtures issue, and we warmly welcome Congress’s decision, though overdue.

“Thank you to all players and GAA members who participated in surveys, sent us season models and ideas (all were read and given consideration), offered feedback, provided encouragement and constructive criticism. We are grateful for the contributions of our executive members past and present, including Declan Brennan. We also thank the GPA for their cooperation and support. Thanks to GAA management for the ongoing engagement. We are also grateful to the media for the opportunities and platforms to discuss and debate our ideas.”

The CPA departing chairman was Micheal Briody though the grouphad been led by Declan Brennan along with Liam Griffin, Derek Kavanagh, and Kieran Fitzgerald, who all played key roles during the group’s existence.