Dessie Farrell has strongly refuted suggestions that the GPA was involved in the recent players' management heaves in Galway and Mayo.

Galway hurling boss Anthony Cunningham was forced to step down after a long-running saga, while Mayo's joint football managers Pat Holmes and Noel Connelly resigned within days of learning the players had passed a motion of no confidence in them.

While admitting that the GPA did have contact with the parties involved in both disptues, chief executive Farrell stressed that they were only acting in a mediation capacity and "don't operate on the basis of rabble rousing". He also noted how the players' body is currently drawing up a new charter surrounding the appointments process for inter-county managers to avoid future disputes. 

Speaking at the awarding of scholarships for the DCU Business School MBA, Farrell is quoted on RTE as saying: "People would be naive if they think that the GPA wouldn't be involved in some capacity in relation to disputes between players and management or players and county boards.

"But we don't operate on the basis of rabble rousing; we operate on the basis that we try to bring some sort of resolution and to support our players in thinking clearly about this and advising and guiding them on the best way forward.

"With these situations, there is always going to be a fallout unfortunately. I think it's trying to manage that as best we can and to understand that there's human beings involved on all sides here.

"I think that's been reflected in both recent disputes in how squads have behaved and conducted themselves throughout. That's been commended by numerous third parties and even by individuals involved in the opposing sides of those debates and negotiations."

The former Dublin All-Ireland winner added: "In a nutshell, I think there needs to be a panel set up which comprises an independent chairman, agreed by both parties, and representatives of the county board and players.

"In my opinion, it's best if it's not a current player but a former player or a representative or liaison on behalf of players. They would vet the candidates, make the recommendation to the full county board and they either accept those recommendations or not as the case may be."

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