Connacht GAA chief executive John Prenty has taken aim at the GPA in his address to the Connacht convention.
In his report to Monday’s convention, Prenty ponders “The question must be asked are we getting value for money? Do we have to have a professional regime for an amateur game?”
Prenty suggests “a fair play financial ceiling is put in place on how much should be spent on Inter county teams”.
The Connacht GAA CEO also outlines what he calls little respect from the GPA to the GAA. Prenty's address to congress includes;
GPA little respect
"The GPA demands of mileage of up to 70c per mile is placing a huge burden on our counties to meet those demands. Other demands on player supports also come with a cost and adds to the financial situation our counties are facing. Recent pronouncements by the GPA shows little respect to the GAA in a number of areas
- Very little respect for voluntary County and Provincial officers or their work in really running the association. Maybe we need a GVA!
- The efforts to involve GAA players in protests, at our games, to support players from our sister associations at a time before we are fully integrated.
- The involvement of the senior hurling captains in the discussion on the sustainability of Hurling in five counties. I am looking forward to their hands on approach to increase the numbers of players playing club hurling in Leitrim.
Obviously inter-county games are the bee all and end all of our Association and nothing else seems to matters. Returning to the financial spending on county team administration by the five counties of Connacht, there was a total spend, in this area, of €6,702,339 at a time when the total gate receipts of the Connacht Council is €1,267,432. All of this, at a time, before the GAA is fully integrated with the LGFA and Camogie Associations which will at least double the costs of preparing inter-county teams without taking into account the infrastructural requirements which will come with being one Association.
In the past I have suggested that it may be time that a fair play financial ceiling is put in place on how much should be spent on Inter county teams. Maybe now is the time to act before things go out of control”
Broadcast arrangements
Prenty also out hit out at criticism of the GAA’s broadcast deals and particular GAA Go. Prenty continues in his address;
"The cost is too dear:
Is €69 or €79, too dear for 38 games + a mid-week GAA Programme
- Older people have a problem with the technology.
Not very complementary to older people who have no problem buying tickets on line.
- Many areas have very poor broadband coverage.
Agreed. This is not a GAA problem. Maybe the politicians could help to solve this problem!"
