The first formal steps in setting up a new association to represent hurlers and Gaelic footballers were taken in Belfast last night. Although an executive has yet to be formed, it was revealed that 130 players, practically all of them from Ulster, have had discussions Fergal McCusker and Peter Canavan (Tyrone), Joe Brolly (Derry), Jarlath Fallon (Galway) and Dessie Farrell (Dublin).

The stated objective of what is being called the GPA is: "To provide a forum through which intercounty players in a 32-county Ireland might communicate on, and pursue constructively within the constitution of the Gaelic Athletic Association, those issues specific to their participation in Gaelic games at the highest level."

Donal O'Neill, a nephew of the great Down player of the '60s, Sean O'Neill, chaired the meeting in the Wellington Park hotel. He said that the executive body of the GPA will not be elected until representation has been forthcoming from the four provinces and from GAA players outside Ireland.

O'Neill said that emphatic support for the GPA had already been filtering back from within the ranks of the International Rules squad, who will be going to Australia for a series of matches later in the month. He also said that it is anticipated that numbers will increase dramatically as county squads regroup for the National League campaign.

Referring to the GPA's most immediate objective, to establish an appropriate insurance scheme in time for next year's championship series, Down's James McCartan was quoted as saying that appropriate player benefits such as adequate insurance cover should be available freely to all intercounty players. O'Neill said that players at the top level in the GAA generated millions of pounds into Gaelic games, and it was hoped that the GPA would help convince the GAA to finance appropriate insurance schemes.

He said he was sure corporate Ireland would also help in meeting this objective.

Speakers at the meeting claimed that some people who had been injured in the course of their playing careers for the GAA sometimes waited for months for the £100 per week they were entitled to at present. This was not acceptable. A detailed strategy document outlined what the association wished to do.

1. To improve through collective mechanisms the welfare of the individual intercounty athlete within the guidelines established by the Gaelic Athletic Association.

2. To generate funds sufficient to address the immediate requirement for a more comprehensive insurance scheme for players.

3. To establish a third-level scholarship scheme that will encourage prominent young players to maintain their involvement with Gaelic games.

4. To offer commercial entities appropriate opportunities for a relationship with the GPA and to manage those relationships professionally and in the best interest of both parties.

It was also suggested that an annual gala dinner and awards ceremony be launched and that a professionally-administered marketing programme would be put in place with relevant organisations to provide tangible benefits for GPA members.

Questioned as to whether this was a move towards the idea that the GAA should become a professional "pay for play" organisation, O'Neill rejected the suggestion.

"I don't believe that that would work, but I do believe that players need to have strong voice and representation at all levels within the association and also that they be amenable to the rules of the association and that they should have a much stronger voice in the way it is being run."

He went on to say: "What we want to do is to work with the GAA. It is not about individuals. We could not afford to play unless guarantees are given that in the event of injury, we would be properly compensated. What we want is a voice for all players at all levels of the game and we are not proposing anything too radical."