Sir, – We are codding ourselves if we think that the agreement between the GAA and the Gaelic Players Association will not hasten the onset of professionalism ("GAA and GPA reveal new agreement worth €6.2m per year", July 26th).
There is already pressure to reduce the fanatical amounts of training visited on very young players and the GAA would be well advised to curtail the level of training at senior level too, thus reducing the enormous expenses associated with these circuses. County players have day jobs, need time to spend with family, club and community, the very cornerstone of the GAA credo.
While we now have players running longer, faster and jumping higher than ever, they are for all that, not producing very entertaining football.
To snub the spirit of volunteering at club level will sound the death knell of the most incredible community and sports organisation in the world.
– Yours, etc,
RORY E MAC FLYNN
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – May I congratulate the Gaelic Players Association in getting their fair share of funding – I hope – from the GAA. They have shown a steely determination in dealing with the GAA over many years in the face of much hostility and they now deserve their just rewards.
Let’s hope that in the future the GAA will learn from this experience and be the all the more open for it. – Yours, etc,
PAUL DORAN
Clondalkin,
Dublin 22.