Dónal Óg Cusack has officially stepped down from his chairman post with the Gaelic Players Association.

The three-time All-Ireland winner ended his term at this afternoon's AGM after having recently been appointed as a selector with Clare's senior hurlers.

The former Cork goalkeeper had held the position with the association since 2002 and his commitments with the Banner County will also see him give up his role as a pundit with RTE on the Sunday Game.

Limerick's Seamus Hickey was elected the GPA's new chairman at this afternoon's meeting in Athlone.

Speaking of his departure on Saturday, Cusack said: "While today is an emotional day for me personally it is an important day for the GPA as we look to the future and embrace change. I am incredibly proud of the GPA and what we have achieved together. I'd like to thank the GPA staff and officers but particularly Dessie Farrell who has helped build a quite remarkable organisation. There are also many selfless and courageous players who quietly served the development of the Association during my period as chairman, whose playing days are now behind them. I salute their contribution and wish new officers Seamus Hickey and Paul Flynn the very best of luck in their new roles.

"I believe the GPA player development programme, supporting our athletes to be their very best off the field as well as on it, is a model that will serve players and the wider GAA very well into the future. Of course there are significant challenges still to be met - none more so that ensuring county players increasingly engage with GPA programmes and do not commit to the games at the expense of their personal development. We need to ensure that the proper resources are made available to support our players."

Following the AGM, @DonalOgC steps down from his role as chairman after 12 years of fantastic service #ThankYou pic.twitter.com/PwBepPWqIT

- GPA (@gaelicplayers) November 28, 2015

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