NewsIn many regards this has been the toughest year for the Gaelic Players Association. Now entering their sixth year of existence, they are expected to take a more proactive role rather than the brick-building of previous years.

Yet their first year in permanent offices, in Drumcondra, has led to an anonymous period on the media front, which chief executive Dessie Farrell contends has been offset by lesser profile members beginning to shoulder the association's responsibilities.

"More players are more proactive. Younger players have been stepping up to the plate," said Farrell. "The media only seem to be interested in sponsorship deals and controversy, but there is a huge amount of work being done today behind the scenes.

"From that point of view we are under pressure, resource wise, but we would prefer to be that way than the way we were five years ago."

However, this year they have been attacked from the most surprising of areas - players.

While signing a new boot deal, Clare goalkeeper Davy Fitzgerald categorically stated he was not a GPA member in the press release.

Liam Dunne had a go in his new autobiography, while Paul Flynn signed up with a rival of the GPA endorsed sports drinks, Club Energise, only to change tact at the last minute.

Farrell welcomes the criticism: "That type of thing no longer concerns us. We can't do anything about it. If some individual doesn't want to become a member that's fine with us. We know the work we do is worthwhile, we have 1,300 (members) others who agree. We can accept criticism if the people saying it know what they are talking about. Otherwise it is just pure ignorance."

Legal advice has dissuaded the GPA from commenting on the ramifications of the guilty verdict meted down to former Down footballer James McCartan this week, but they cannot stay silent on the issue for long. Changes to the disciplinary procedures of the GAA are now guaranteed so the players body will have to take a stance to guide their members.

One area the Farrell's organisation did champion this year was their flagship issue of welfare of players, the lifeblood of the GPA. Ultimately, their quest for tax incentives for intercounty players failed but, with the finance brief now resting on Brian Cowen's lap, another march on Dáil Éireann is expected in the coming months.

"The campaign for tax credits for players was fairly significant," Farrell stressed. "It may not have been successful but it did sow the seeds for us to embark on a new campaign with a new Minister for Finance.

"It will be more concerted and we will make it more nationwide with players calling to TDs' clinics in order to gain momentum. There is a huge public support for this so we intend to capitalise on this goodwill.

"There is a moral obligation on this Government as the march towards professionalism in amateur codes increases. Ultimately, the GAA is about participation and tax credits will offset the move towards professionalism."

In this regard, as in many others, full support from Croke Park could make all the difference. Eighteen months into the presidency of Seán Kelly and communications lines are still open but formal recognition remains a long way off.

"There has been no tangible benefit as yet," said Farrell regarding Kelly's term of office. "Seán genuinely has the players' benefit in mind. In the next 18 months he has in office it is incumbent on both the GAA and GPA to put formal structures in place. This vacuum between a players body doesn't exist in any other code."

The GPA holds it's annual Carphone Warehouse awards dinner this evening in the Citywest hotel, Dublin. Over 1,000 people are expected and two Seat Alteas will be given to the players of the year in both football and hurling.

The GPA rep of the year will receive a €1,000 voucher for Remus clothing, while a special award for Cormac McAnallen will be accepted by his parents Brigid and Brendan. There will also be an award for the most improved team of the year.

Meanwhile, Armagh's 27-year-old wing back Kieran Hughes has called time on a six-year intercounty career. The defender was one of the shining lights in Joe Kernan's team that were beaten at the quarter-final stage against Fermanagh after being tipped to win the All-Ireland title.

The 2004 women's football young players of the year have been announced. Every year an under-16 player from each province is chosen for performances for club and county. All four winners will receive a presentation on the night of the All Stars ceremony on November 20th.

This year's recipients are Fiona Hudson of Fingallians, Dublin; Caitriona McConnell, who play's for Monaghan's Donaghmoyne; Sligo side Curry's Therese Marren and Laura Power of Beara, Cork.