The GPA remain supportive of the idea of paying inter-county managers, arguing that the introduction of a system that will regulate the payments is the only feasible option open to the GAA.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner following yesterday's release of Padraic Duffy's discussion document on the widespread practice which Croke Park has ignored until now, spokesman Sean Potts said: "This option is the only way to go. We are conscious of the traditions in the GAA. But it must be grasped that what's going on at the moment is an embarrassment to the association publicly. There is no guarantee of course that by bringing in proper regulation, that there won't be abuses of that.

"But from a GPA perspective, we favour the legitimatising of payments to managers. We don't see why managers should be treated anydifferently to doctors and physios who are part of inter-county management setups. Our views are based on a survey of the membership during the period from late 2009 to early 2010. We surveyed our members and just under 70 per cent came back and said they'd no issues with managers being paid.

"We also asked if managers were paid, would players be inclined to then look for payment and over 75 per cent said they wouldn't. It's not an issue for players and they don't see it as an influencing factor. We welcome the public debate on the issue and the publication of this. It is a long time in the pipeline but is a very thorough document." Tweet

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