GPA to seek seat at table of CCCC for GAA fixture planning

Gaelic Players Association CEO Paul Flynn says the players' body is seeking a seat at the table of the CCCC for when fixtures are being set.

There is ongoing controversy surrounding scheduling of matches within the GAA, with various competitions overlapping at this time of year, including the Allianz Leagues, third level competitions as well as the All-Ireland club championships.

"There's more need for all the bodies to be involved in the decision making," said Flynn. "The fixtures is something that's vitally important across the organisation.

"For us, it's about who do we represent? We represent the inter county players.

"We want our voice heard with regards to fixtures and that's the committee (CCCC) that decides it, so we feel we should have a seat at the table."

Flynn feels that it's not an impossible task to offer certainty for players:

"A couple of weeks ago I got sent every game I am going to have for Fingallians right up until the end of the year.

"Any of the games that are fixed we have them, and any of the games that are fixed for inter county I have them so it can be done.

"It's up to County Boards with regard to club fixtures across the board to work hard to emulate some of the programmes. I know in Kildare it's similar and across the board in counties they have done this and shared the fixtures.

"Each of the County Boards has to take responsibility for that aspect of it. More joined up thinking with regards to whether it be third level, colleges so forth."

The GPA are tabling a motion to Congress to have a seat at the CCCC, but only in regards to fixtures, and not in other functions of the committee such as disciplinary procedures.

"We have no vote," he explained. "All we do is give that information and leave the room. We feel that when they are talking about fixtures, inter county games, it is very, very easy for us to be in there.

"But, also to be actually a decision maker and not just be in there and give feedback.

"We can leave again if they want to discuss other issues. That's the purposes of it.

"I think if, from speaking to people within the GAA leadership team, broadly speaking it's been received quite possibly, and hopefully that will be the case at Congress and we can get an opportunity to speak to people, around us explaining why we want to be there. It's for no other reason other than to be part of the decision making process."

"Joined-up thinking is important when it comes to fixtures."

Flynn also discussed the Club Players Association, and stated that the CPA's aims are aligned with those of the GPA.

"We have met with them a number of times," the Dublin footballer explained. "They have been pretty clear about what's their mandate. It is to fix the fixtures. And if you look at our own congress motion it is aligned to fixing the fixtures.

"There are aspects where we are quite aligned. That seems to be their main mandate and they reckon once they fix the fixtures they can disband as such.

"Fixtures is one element of what we do and it falls under one are of representation.

"We have a breadth of work going on around player welfare and the player development elements too.

"Joined-up thinking is important when it comes to fixtures."