The Gaelic Players Association announced on Friday Chief Executive Officer Paul Flynn, will be stepping down in April to take on a new and exciting opportunity in another business sector.

Flynn has made a significant contribution to the GPA over the last number of years, as a member of the National Executive and as a member of the Board of the GPA. Three years ago he stepped up as CEO following a period in which Dermot Earley and Seamus Hickey had led the organisation on a short term and then an interim basis.

Flynn oversaw the merger of the women’s and men’s player’s associations into a new GPA, as well as a new landmark deal with the GAA and the ability of the sport to get through 2020 with almost a full schedule of games and tournaments.

“Paul has made an immense contribution to the Gaelic Players’ Association over the past nine years,” said Chair Briain McCraith.

“In particular, he has contributed hugely to the advancement of the GPA in his role as CEO over the past three years. Just as in his playing career, he tackled every issue with great energy and preparation and operated to the highest standards.”

“He leaves a wonderful legacy behind him, encapsulated most of all by the historic coming together recently of the WGPA and the GPA. While I will, of course, be sorry to see Paul step down later this year, I am delighted for him personally that his career is moving onwards and upwards and I know that he will be successful wherever that trajectory takes him. He will depart with my very best wishes and continued support.”

He has been an open and accessible leader and we are delighted to have carried a number of interviews with him during his term in office.

“Over the last number of years, it has been a pleasure to work alongside Paul in formalising the partnership between the WGPA & GPA,” said Maria Kinsella, Chair of the Women’s GPA.

“Both personally and as CEO of the GPA, Paul was hugely supportive of the work of the WGPA. His foresight, passion and determination in creating a single players’ body which aims to promote equality in Gaelic Games will be part of his legacy. Paul’s leadership is an example to others in Gaelic Games and Irish sport. I wish him every success in his future endeavours and have no doubt that he will remain an advocate of the GPA for years to come.”

“I would like to thank the Players, the internal Team, the NEC and the Board for always backing me through this thoroughly enjoyable tenure as GPA CEO,” said Flynn.

“I would also like to thank the GAA, Sport Ireland, the Government, our partners in the US and Ireland for their continued support throughout my term. I am very proud of what we have achieved together as a team, and I look forward to seeing the newly combined players association grow and develop into the future.”

The search for a successor will now begin. The challenge will be to find someone from within the community of former players that has the right skill set to tread a pretty high wire at times in terms of providing a professional service to a group of amateur players at the top of their game.

Dessie Farrell led the organisation for from its formation in 1999 through some tough days before emerging into the operation it has become today. He stepped down in 2016 and it has been a challenge to find a long term successor that could satisfy all the different parties. Flynn did an excellent job and now the challenge will be to find another in the same mould.

Sport for Business Partners