GPA PRAISE PLAYERS' GRANT RISE

INTER-COUNTY GAA players' government grants will increase to an average of €1,800 per annum following yesterday's budget.

- BY KARL O'KANE

This means the total fund for player grants in 2026 will be €7.2 million, up from €5.6 million last year a 28 percent (€1.6 million) increase - with last year's average grant coming in at €1,471 per player.

The move has been welcomed by the GPA who view it as a stepping stone to the total fund reaching €10 million for their 4,000 members across football, hurling, ladies football and camogie.

This would come in at an average €2,500 per player, with the GPA targeting average grants of €4,000 per player by 2030.

A fund of €16 million would be required to make this happen.

Grants were first paid out to male inter-county players in 2008, with €3.5 million made available by the government.