Dermot Earley is to replace Dessie Farrell as Chief Executive of the Gaelic Players Association. He will take up his new role on Monday 6 February, 2017, having taken leave of absence from his senior role in the Defence Forces.
Earley has been a member of the GPA since its inception, President since 2013 and the GPA nominee to the GAA Central Council in recent years as well.
He was introduced to the media yesterday and revealed some of the key priorities he sees in taking up the office.
Communication of what the Association does for members and as part of the wider GAA is uppermost among them as he expressed concern at the fact of how it was perceived.
Read more about the GPA Deal with the GAA signed in December 2016
Ensuring a new workable structure around fixtures will also be important though he said he would be canvassing the views of players before deciding how to act on the GAA proposal going to Congress later in the spring for the reform of the Senior Football Championship.
He welcomed the formation of the Club Players Association, recognising that theirs was an important voice in addition to the elite players which the GPA represents.
He also highlighted the continued importance of fundraising and the development of the Super 11’s which will be back in the US later this year.
Earley will be a welcome appointment among the high profile commercial partners on board with the GPA including PwC and Aer Lingus.
“I am delighted to succeed Dessie Farrell as Chief Executive of the GPA,” said Earley.
“Dessie’s contribution to the GPA was enormous and I am fully aware of the challenge involved in succeeding him. I am fully committed to that challenge and to leading the GPA to the next stage of its development, and I’m delighted to be taking up the role of CEO at a time when the GPA has just negotiated two strong deals for the players; with the GAA and with Government.”
“My initial priority is to assess where we are as an organisation and to listen to the views of all of our members and stakeholders. I want to hear at first-hand feedback on how we are doing our job, what we could do better and how we can improve our overall performance. We have to challenge ourselves as an organisation and as individuals.”
Read about the GAA / GPA Survey taking place through 2017
“Our inter-county players deserve the very best support in recognition of the unique contribution they make to our games and to the very fabric of our society. That’s what the GPA is about and that will be the focus of the GPA team over the next few years.”
“We are very fortunate to have someone of the calibre of Dermot Earley to lead the GPA,” added GPA Chairman Seamus Hickey.
“Everybody is aware of his passion for our games and he always exhibited great leadership during his outstanding playing career. Dermot also brings significant experience gained during his career in the Defence Forces and has been a leading figure in the GPA for the past number of years.”
“He will have the full support of the National Executive, his management team and the players as he executes his plan and his vision for the GPA.
“With Dermot’s support, we achieved a great deal in 2016 and today’s announcement gives everybody in the GPA a renewed confidence for the future of our players and our games.”
Dermot Earley played senior inter-county football for Kildare from 1997 to 2013 and was awarded two All-Stars in 1998 and 2009. He heads the impressive Dermot Earley Leadership Course which the GAA runs in partnership with Foróige for young students and members of the GAA to learn the skills of leadership. That is named in honour of his father who was also a leading light within the GAA and the Defence Forces.
Read more about the Dermot Earley Leadership Course
Join representatives from the GAA, Gaelic Players Association, Dublin GAA, eir, Littlewoods, AIB and many more on Friday 20th for an early morning of learning, networking and insight on the sporting year ahead Reserve your place now.
