Hawkeye is evidence of an organisation with its priorities in the wrong place
Sitting on Twitter a few weeks ago checking on the American Football results I was drawn to the constant stream of GAA players having a cut at Colm O’Rourke for an article he wrote in the Sunday Independent that day.
They attached graphics to their tweets and phrases such as ‘lazy journalism’ and ‘ill informed’ were used to describe the column with O’Rourke himself being described as a ‘spoofer’ by some players.
Reading the article I couldn’t for the life of me understand why the players were so incensed and I tweeted as much wondering whether the players criticising O’Rourke had read his piece. As it happens there were parts of O’Rourke’s column I agreed with and parts that I did not. Such is the nature of opinion pieces I suppose.
Still, I couldn’t help but think looking at all the comments from the players that they were in the middle of a PR own goal. It got worse for the players body when it emerged the following week that the twitter backlash to O’Rourke appeared to be initiated and orchestrated by a text sent around the country. The text included graphics and asked players to respond on Twitter if they could. It was also alleged that the text called O’Rourke a ‘Meath Fcker’.
It confirmed my belief that a lot of the players did not read O’Rourke’s article. It also showed the type of mobilisation the GPA is capable of when they want to try and get their message across.
I had no real issue with the mobilisation – although name calling is pretty juvenile and disrespectful – but what I found crass about the whole thing was that so many players highlighted the work the GPA does on mental health when rebutting O’Rourke’s arguments. The clear insinuation was that O’Rourke needed educating on the positive role the GPA plays in this most under resourced area of Irish life. The fact, of course, was that O’Rourke clearly praised the GPA for their efforts with regard to mental health, and anyone who read the article would have known this.
Like O’Rourke I have been fulsome in my praise for the GPA regarding their endeavours in raising awareness surrounding mental health and also their practical help in reaching out to players who have been in need in this regard. On a less serious issue the GPA, since their establishment, have insured that inter county players are treated properly by county boards which was badly needed. I also like how they help players with career advice, training etc. That sort of initiative is to be welcomed and commended. I also have no problem with their fund-raising.
However, acknowledging the excellent work that the GPA does in a number of areas does not mean that you cannot have legitimate concerns on other issues that relate to the GPA.
I happen to think that the GAA inter county player is the most exploited individual in the GAA. I happen to think that inter county players from weaker counties are the most exploited of all. And I happen to think the GPA could do more to help.
The biggest problem facing the GAA at present is the fixture chaos and while club players are losing out more than ever in terms of being treated like poor relations, the inter county-player is losing out the most in terms of their bodies being flogged to death on a never ending treadmill of training and fixtures.
But the GAA at decision making level in Croke Park and the GPA say that it is not their job to fix club fixtures in individual counties. Strictly speaking this is true. But this attitude is akin to Nero fiddling while Rome burns. County Boards, by in large, do not have the ability to fix the problem. And while the crazy year long season continues – because you can forget training bans as being in any way effective – for inter-county players then they will continue to be abused by the Association they serve.
In weaker counties there are never the same structures in place as there are in stronger counties. This mean players in weaker counties are never afforded the same preparation to ensure they can be the best they can be and this is why they are being exploited more than their more famous colleagues in the ‘big counties’.
It seems to me that the abusive fixture scheduling is something that should be a number one priority for the GPA. I actually think it is an issue that the players should consider striking over. I have been told that a study is on going and that the GPA will report on this issue soon. I hope they take a strong stance.
My hunch however is that a much shorter inter county season would not go down well either the GPA or Croke Park. I hope I am wrong in relation to the former. I know I am right in relation to the latter.
You see, there is elitism within the GAA. But it is not between the GPA and the rest. That is to paint them as the bogey man which is unfair. The true elitism in the GAA is between those at the top of the organisation and the rest of us and is perfectly illustrated by the complete lack of effort to meaningfully tackle the problem of fixtures.
Yet we are told putting Hawkeye into Thurles and a revamped Casement Park is a priority. Now, you tell me is that in any way sensible? No, I didn’t think so.