We see the GPA are hopping with the GAA's "inconsistent and apathetic" approach to their grant scheme. And they may have some justi"cation. While Central Council agreed last month that it would be waiting for Nicky Brennan to resume the Presidency before deciding on a policy towards the scheme, the GPA claim that the GAA not only failed to send a representative to last Thursday's meeting with the Minister for Sport, John O'Donoghue, but didn't even respond to the GPA's correspondence. If that's true, then that's sheer bad manners.

And so the GPA are now saying that "an appropriate plan of action is now being considered". You know what that means, folks. They're contemplating strike action; they've made such noises before. But how often have you come across the GPA talking about discipline within the GAA . . . and the indiscipline of GPA members?

A reasoned yet still flawed argument by lawyer and GPA member Aaron Shearer apart, their silence on Omagh has been deafening. Do they not realise player welfare is the most fundamental form of player welfare and that after Dublin-Tyrone in Omagh, their argument that intercounty players nourish the moral "bre of the nation is seriously undermined? The referees are entitled to go on strike a lot quicker than the players, Dessie; it's as hardly as if your constituency is more respectful of referees than Croke Park is of the players.

Fair enough to remind your players of their rights. But will you start reminding them of their responsibilities?

LOWERING THE BLADE JUST ENOUGH

Former IFA leader and avid Tipperary hurling fan Joe Rea likes to tell the following story.

Back in the heyday of Hell's Kitchen, Tipp were playing Cork in a league match in Thurles.

Surveying the opposition, Michael Maher ("the gentleman of that full-back line, " to quote Rea) was struck by how small the Cork forwards looked. He said as much to John Doyle.

Doyle: "In that case we'll have to lower the blade an extra inch or twof" Apocryphal? Who cares?