Copyright irishexaminer
The data will be used to direct GPA policy for 2026. Season structure and duration have long been a topic of debate and some controversy. In addition to setting out their ideal season length, players have also given a vote of confidence to the split season model. 89% continue to agree with its implementation. 87% of players believe there needs to be a mandated off-season for all inter-county players. Of those who do support the mandated off-season, 50% believe No contact November is the best option while 39% believe there should be a phased return to inter-county action at the end of the club season. 83% of players had less than two weeks rest between their county and club seasons, and 44% of players had less than two weeks rest after their club finished before inter-county activity started. On the new football playing rules, the data shows overwhelming support among male players for the new direction. 94% believe that their playing experience has been improved by the new rules with two-thirds (66%) believing their playing experience is now ‘much improved’. These figures were previously released in advance of GAA Special Congress on the playing rules. However in Ladies Football, players are now looking for change. 92% of female footballers believe the rules need to be reviewed (34% needed a Lot/58% somewhat needed). 78% believe there should be more physicality and 97% say there should be some incidental contact allowed in the tackle. Open-ended responses about the main changes that female footballers would like to see centred around more physicality, improved flow of the game, rewarding skill, and modernising and standardising the game. When asked about their support for trialing any of the rules introduced in the men’s code this year, players expressed majority support for Solo and Go (88% support), 2 Point Arc (73% support), three Players in Attacking Half (61% support) and the Advanced Mark (59% support). Elsewhere, 64% of male players are content with the current amateur status of Gaelic games. The lowest figure on this topic is Sam Maguire footballers where contentment drops to 58%. 75% of male players believe inter-county managers should receive payment over and above expenses. 41% believe they should receive a fixed stipend payment with a further 34% believing they should be contracted with a full annual salary. 85% of players insist that if spending limits are introduced at inter-county level, minimum welfare standards for players must be protected. 92% of male players believe that male and female players should be receiving the same travel expense rate from the three national governing bodies. 98% of all players think it is important for inter-county players to focus on their personal and professional development however only 44% felt their county board or management team were very supportive of their studies / professional career. Nearly 1 in 5 (19%) of players believe drug use is an issue among inter-county players, with 41% saying No and 40% responding Don’t Know. Twenty per cent of male players said they were aware of a teammate who has struggled because of drug misuse, compared to 4% of female players. GPA CEO Tom Parsons said; “What is clear from the survey is that players face significant demands due to their inter-county commitments and everyone within Gaelic games has a duty to ensure their welfare is protected. “If our players are telling us that a seven-month inter-county season is the maximum they can sustainably commit to, we need to listen - or face the consequences of player-drain and a threat to the amateur status of our games. This is not about money. A seven-month season would reduce the demands on players and also lower costs. “Our mission is clear, to protect and empower the elite amateur player in an increasingly professional environment. That means ensuring proper standards, fair reimbursement of out-of-pocket costs, genuine rest periods, and opportunities to grow both on and off the field."
