CLASH OF THE CASH

Parsons calls on Government to double inter-county players fund

- BY PAUL KEANE

GPA chief Tom Parsons says the Government needs to cough up more cash for inter-county players — and pointed to the drain of hard pressed players in weaker counties.

The players body has made a pre-budget submission to the Government requesting that the inter-county players grant scheme be almost doubled from €5.6m to €10m.

The 4,000 or so inter-county male and female players currently receive an average annual grant of €1,471.

Throwing another €4.4m into the pot would raise that individual figure up to €2,500.

GPA CEO Parsons said that the request is a ‘catch-up for years of neglect, while it is stated in the submission that the average grant should be €4,000 by 2030, to take account of inflation since 2008.

Bullish Parsons said the GPA has a mandate from players to be ‘back here in January, knocking the door down again if the request isn't granted.