Former Kildare inter-county footballer and two-time All-Star Dermot Earley has been appointed as the new chief executive of the Gaelic Players Association (GPA).
In a move which was widely expected to go ahead, Earley was unveiled on Tuesday as the organisations new chief and will assume his role from February 6.
He replaces Dessie Farrell in the role and has been a member of the GPA since its inception in 1999. He has has been involved at executive and officer level since 2013.
"I am delighted to succeed Dessie Farrell as Chief Executive of the GPA," he said in a statement today. "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."
Dermot Earley playing during the All-Ireland football championship back in 2012. Image: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne
Earley leaves his current appointment as the Officer Commanding the 2nd Brigade Military Police Company with the Defence Forces to take up his new role with the GPA.
He starred for Kildare when they won Leinster football championship titles in 1998 and 2000.
"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."
Seamus Hickey, GPA Chairman said: "We are very fortunate to have someone of the calibre of Dermot Earley to lead the GPA. 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."
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