The Gaelic Players Association (GPA), want to place on the record our serious concern over the potential reinstatement of pre-season competitions in 2025, as proposed by Cavan GAA. This follows the GAA Central Council’s decision in September to suspend such competitions after extensive discussions, with strong backing from GAA President Jarlath Burns and several other delegates who highlighted the importance of player welfare.
Reversing that decision now would prioritise financial income – as recently articulated by the Connacht Council Secretary – over the health and well-being of our amateur athletes, despite overwhelming evidence of player burnout. If the pre-season competitions are reintroduced on January 2nd, the return-to-training date would need to be moved from December 7th to as early as November 16th. Sports science recommends at least a six-week preparation period to ensure that players are physically ready for competitive matches like the McKenna Cup. This adjustment would violate the “No Contact November” policy, which 78% of players supported, emphasising the need for adequate recovery time to prevent burnout, injury and allow players a guaranteed window to holiday with family, partners and friends. Unfortunately, the players’ voice seems to have been disregarded in this proposed motion, raising concerns about attitudes towards player welfare and proper recovery time.
Larger panels will need to be introduced to support these pre-season games, ensuring that high-load players who have already faced heavy demands at the club level are not required to take part. Additionally, we strongly urge consideration for student-athletes, who will already be balancing academic pressures, including exams, alongside their participation in the Sigerson and Fitzgibbon Cup competitions in January. These additional commitments place considerable strain on players’ time and energy. Click to see the student report.
To those advocating for publicly viewed competitive games to trial new rules, we emphasise: 1) these rules have not been formally voted in, 2) the impact on Hurling counties is being overlooked, and 3) provincial competitions, especially mismatches between Division 1 and Division 4 teams, may not be the ideal platform for public testing given the potential high score lines. Non-competitive, behind-closed-doors challenge/training games would also be an effective way for players to adapt to rule changes while ensuring their welfare, without requiring an earlier return to training across both codes.
The GPA, remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting player welfare, which is a core value of the GAA. Any decision to reinstate pre-season competitions, despite clear risks to player health, will represent a significant shift in how certain factions of the GAA prioritise financial income over the well-being and values of the GAA. Removing the pre-season competitions was also a proposal of the GAA Fixtures Calendar Review Taskforce in 2020, when it was recognised the GAA cannot squeeze 10 months of inter-county demands into 7 months with the introduction of the Split Season and new championship structures.
