THE GAA leadership is expecting some opposition from members to their historic link-up with the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) but are confident that it won't be strong enough to scuttle the deal which will cost the association €1.6m by the end of 2010.

"The GAA is a democratic organisation so I would be very surprised -- and even disappointed -- if there wasn't some opposition but I believe the majority will see it as a good arrangement. This is about moving things forward in a positive, constructive manner for the good of the players and the GAA in general," said president Christy Cooney.

He was speaking at Croke Park on Saturday at the announcement that the GAA are to formally recognise the GPA as the players' representative body. It brings to an end a decade during which there was a distinctly uneasy relationship between the parties, frequently punctuated by public outbreaks of hostility.

That's now all in the past, according to the GAA and GPA, who have settled on an interim arrangement during which they will work together to achieve a number of objectives. The initial agreement includes the GAA officially recognising the GPA and provides them with an administration fee of €500,000, divided in two for 2009 and 2010.

The GAA will also allocate €1.1m to the GPA for player-welfare projects in 2010. This will be in addition to the GAA's existing player-welfare budget.

The €1.1m will be paid on the basis of an agreed process, involving advance evaluation of projects and costs. Both parties will work together "to maximise commercial opportunities for the benefit of the association generally and enhance the funding available for player-welfare projects".

The GPA will retain existing commercial arrangements but future deals must be agreed with the GAA and will not be approved if they clash with Croke Park's sponsorships. It's also stipulated in the new deal that all GPA expenditure will go on player-welfare projects and administration.

The deal was worked out over the last three months, with the GAA represented by Cooney, director-general Paraic Duffy, operations manager Fergal McGill and Liam Keane, chairman of the Central Hearings Committee while Donal Og Cusack (chairman), Dessie Farrell (chief executive) and Fintan Drury of Platinum One were on the GPA side. Barrister Turlough O'Donnell, a former chairman of the Bar Council, acted as facilitator.

The GAA's Management Committee signed off on the deal on Friday night, with county chairmen, secretaries and Central Council briefed on Saturday.

It will go before Central Council on December 5, after which a motion will be drafted for Congress next April. If accepted, a comprehensive package will be worked out between the GAA and GPA, with a final agreement in place no later than October 31 next year.

The retention of the amateur status was central to the GAA in the talks but it didn't become an issue as the GPA made no attempt to introduce pay-for-play in any form onto the agenda. It was then a question of working out a deal which would be acceptable to both sides.

"This is an important day for all of us and is one that I believe will lead to a brand new working relationship with the GAA. We are confident that we can forge a relationship with our inter-county players that will be for the betterment of the association as a whole," said Cooney.

Farrell said that the new deal would be to the benefit of all players -- past and present -- but stressed that while the GPA would be an integral part of the GAA, its independence would not be compromised.

"There's no question of us being gagged or anything like that. It's important we remain as an independent voice and we intend to do just that," he said.

Describing the new deal as "a momentous occasion", Farrell said reaching agreement with the GAA brought a great sense of satisfaction. Duffy said that it was important that the GPA remain as an independent voice but would now do so with official recognition from the GAA.

"This arrangement is about principle. We were happy with the assurances given by the GPA on various issues and we now aim to move forward and build a new relationship with our players," he said.

Full details of how it will operate are yet to be worked out, including whether the GPA moves its offices into Croke Park at some stage in the future. That's not possible at present because of pressure on space.

Other practicalities will also have to be considered but now both sides are happy that the interim deal has been put in place.

"This is the culmination of years of hard work on both sides to establish trust and understanding," said Cooney. "I would like to thank the many people who contributed to that process and to the players who strived to have their distinctive voice heard within the GAA."

Irish Independent