Minister for Sport Patrick O’Donovan, alongside players from all codes and provinces, have marked the publication of The Playbook 2026-2028 which sets out the Gaelic Players Association’s key areas of focus for the next 3-years. The document gives the GPA a clear direction of travel in a time of much change within Gaelic games.
The Playbook has been developed over the course of the last 4 months. Data from the GPA Membership Survey 2025, The Indecon Report on the Economic and Social Impact of GPA Players and GPA Annual General Meeting 2025 Motions, has been supplemented with an internal GPA Staff Strategy Development Report and key 1 to 1 interviews. These interviews took place with with representatives from the GPA National Executive Committee (NEC), current and past players, the Department of Sport, Sport Ireland, the GAA, sponsors and the media.
The information was analysed, with key themes identified which were presented at the GPA’s Annual Squad Representatives Day in early January for further feedback. These were then refined and presented back to the GPA NEC and GPA Board for final approval. The five final areas of key focus are;
- Player Led Movement
- The Elite Player Experience
- Players Powering Integration
- Players Growing the Games
- Developing Players Beyond the Games
Work is already well underway among the GPA staff to develop implementation plans to achieve each of the areas’ key, over-arching objectives. Regular updates on these implementation plans and an annual review of progress will be delivered to the GPA NEC and Board to ensure this Playbook is delivered upon.
Yesterday the Minister for Sport Patrick O’Donovan, joined GPA CEO Tom Parsons, Limerick hurler Tom Morrissey and Dublin footballer Orlagh Nolan to discuss and launch The Playbook.
The Minister said; “The Playbook sets out a clear, player-led vision for the future of Gaelic games. I strongly support the work of the GPA in representing over 4,000 inter-county players and in championing fairness, welfare, equality, and sustainable standards across all codes.
“Our inter-county players give extraordinary commitment to their counties and communities within an amateur system that is increasingly demanding. The GPA’s focus on player welfare, integration, balanced workloads, and supporting players beyond their playing careers is both responsible and forward-looking. We can’t forget that our GAA players are people too, with lives, loves and losses and we need to consider the whole person in our policy and game development.
“A strong, constructive player voice is vital to the long-term health of our games, and I commend the GPA for continuing to engage positively and ambitiously in shaping a fairer, more sustainable future for Gaelic games.”
Today players from all codes and provinces gathered as The Playbook was published. Attendees included Aisling Maher (Dublin Camogie and GPA NEC Co-Chair), Niall Morgan (Tyrone Football and GPA NEC Co-Chair), Fiona McHale (Mayo Football), Damien Comer (Galway Football), Ashling Thompson (Cork Camogie), Paddy Deegan (Kilkenny Hurling), Kelly Mallon (Armagh Football) and Seamus Kennedy (Tipperary Hurling),
Speaking on behalf of the GPA NEC, Aisling and Niall said; “This Playbook has been developed by players and players are at its heart. As an NEC, it is now our job to ensure it gets delivered upon, to the benefit of players right across the country. For it to be successful, players will need to get behind it. There can be no passengers.
“We have charged GPA CEO Tom Parsons with implementing The Playbook and we’re already encouraged by the start which Tom and the GPA staff have made. It is now imperative to keep up that momentum. If we can do that, then the environment in which players are operating come 2028 will be much improved on what they encounter today.”
GPA CEO Tom Parsons added; “The Playbook gives the GPA a very clear direction. There will need to be a laser-like focus on achieving the objectives laid out with all stakeholders, staff, NEC, Board and players, all having an integral part to play. I am confident that we can deliver outstanding results on behalf of players.
“It’s important to thank all who have contributed to the development of The Playbook 2026 to 2028. It would not have any value were it not for your time, effort and willingness to have your voice heard. Thank you.”
The Playbook 2026-2028 can be read HERE.
