The Gaelic Players Association has just announced that its Chief Executive Dermot Earley has decided to step down and resume his career with the Defence Forces.
He had taken up the role in February 2017 replacing former CEO Dessie Farrell. GPA Chairman, Seamus Hickey, will take on the role of Interim CEO until a successor to Dermot Earley is appointed. A process has commenced to find a new CEO, which will be overseen by the GPA National Executive Committee.
The news means that by the start of this year’s All Ireland Championship there will be new people in three of the GAA’s most senior and influential positions. John Horan will shortly replace Aoigán Ó Feargahil as President while the selection of a successor to Paraic Duffy as Director-General is also underway.
There are some who would argue that the Head of the Gaelic Players is not in the same league, but that would be to wrongly underestimate the influence that the role has built up under Dessie Farrell and then Earley.
The appointment will be a crucial stepping stone towards the continued development of a strong working relationship between the administrators of the sport, the grassroots of the game and the elite players that drive so much of the headline public and commercial interest.
“I had taken leave of absence from the Defence Forces to take on the GPA role and after almost one year in the job I felt I had a decision to make,” said Earley.
“Despite having enjoyed the past year with the GPA I have come to a view that my career is with the Defence Forces.”
“It has been a difficult decision, but I believe the right one. I am very keen to be as helpful as possible as the GPA works to appoint my successor.”
“I want to thank everybody for their support, their counsel and their friendship. My particular wish is that the GPA continues to thrive and that in particular, our players develop to their best potential both on and off the field.”
“I want to sincerely thank Dermot for all his efforts over the past year,” added Seamus Hickey.
“His commitment to the GPA and to our members has been hugely impressive, both during his time as our President and more recently as our CEO.”
“We look forward to his continued support long into the future. Having spoken with Dermot in recent weeks I fully understand and respect his decision to return to the Defence Forces and continue with his career there. I have agreed to take on the role of Interim CEO in the short term, and we will move now to appoint a successor as quickly as possible.”
“Meanwhile we will all work that bit harder to help deliver the quality work of the GPA. On behalf of everyone in the GPA, I want to wish Dermot every success for the future.”
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