If the GPA thought Colm O'Rourke's criticism was harsh, then they should read Joe Brolly's article in the latest edition of Gaelic Life. It's one that escaped most people's attention for a couple of days but it went online two days ago.
It is a swaggering, devastating and absurdly quotable critique - gloriously Brolly-esque in other words.
Brolly described the player's body as an 'elitist' organisation whose 'piety, self applause and preciousness is truly nauseating'. He contended that they don't care one whit for the ideals of the GAA.
He described their reaction to Colm O'Rourke's column as 'hysterical'. He said that O'Rourke was subject to 'a co-ordinated backlash that would have made the Israeli lobby proud.'
He doled out some mild praise for the GPA's work on the issue of mental health but warned that this shouldn't be overstated and it especially shouldn't be 'used as a sort of moral blackmail against criticism.'
The GPA, he contended are a 'capitalist outfit' who are 'confusing the GAA message'. He allowed that they, like most major capitalist enterprises, do a bit of charity work - 'It's a bit like Madonna's charity work.'
He said none of the Derry All-Ireland winning team needed a GPA-like organisation to help them flourish in their professional careers.
He finished by saying that the GPA was part of a drive towards elitism and commercialism within the GAA which resulted in club players 'being screwed.'
He did provide this caveat at the end.
What would I know? I'm just a Derry f**cker
Read the whole of this rollicking, hard-hitting column here.
