LAST week the Gaelic Players Association came in for some stinging criticism from Enda McEvoy, criticism which we believe was grossly unfair and based on an inaccurate interpretation of the facts. The condemnatory, almost abusive language used by Mr McEvoy is unfortunately something the GPA has had to contend with over the past number of years. Commentators appealing to a certain constituency within the GAA seem to feel that the GPA is, shall we say, 'fair game'.

While this might be somewhat understandable coming from an ill-informed critic or someone with an agenda, it is deeply disturbing and disappointing to read such intemperate remarks from a well-respected national commentator and one of the country's leading hurling analysts. In this instance a quick look at the facts highlights the liberties taken with this article.

The issue of GPA membership for the Cork players currently playing under Gerald McCarthy arose on a number of occasions last week and in this context, we felt obliged to issue a statement on the matter. For the record, that correspondence clearly stated that membership for the Cork hurling panel in 2009 would not be finalised until the dispute was resolved. The statement read: "As the 2008 panel is currently in dispute with the Cork Co Board, membership for the 2009 squad will not be processed until that dispute has been resolved. This is the only fair and logical stance for the GPA to take."

As is the case in most membership-based organisations, every GPA member must renew his membership annually. Last year's Cork panel are no longer members of the GPA; technically, like every other player, they must renew their membership and cannot do so at present as they're not playing. However, to offer the current panel under Gerald McCarthy membership at this juncture would mean, in effect, the GPA drawing a line under the affair. The GPA does not accept this dispute has reached its conclusion. While Gerald McCarthy has stated the matter is closed, his subsequent and repeated invitations for players to return suggests otherwise.

If closure means the 2008 squad walking away from the game, membership will be available to the players currently hurling for Cork, a fact confirmed by current GPA chairman Dónal Óg Cusack. Incidentally, as chairman, Dónal Óg is permitted by our constitution to remain in elected office on the GPA Executive.

Deferring the process in Cork is neither elitist nor discriminatory. It is pragmatic and reasonable and it is mischievous to suggest that we should rush through membership for the players currently hurling for Cork. In fact most squads will not actually finalise their GPA membership until panels are properly established which, in some cases, will not happen until after the National League. Indeed the Government Funding scheme for inter-county players introduced last year is based on panel membership for the championship alone.

Incidentally, in the rush to accuse the GPA of being "elitist" last week, no effort was made to seek clarification from the GPA on this issue which is somewhat ironic given the tone of the piece and the obvious gravity of the situation. If our statement was on the terse side, then we hold our hands up and admit that perhaps we should have spelled out exactly how membership for the organisation works.

The Cork '08 hurlers have been at pains to point out they will not obstruct players from hurling with Cork. Equally, they have no issue with players becoming members of the GPA. However, until such time as we're instructed that the dispute in Cork has concluded, the membership process will not commence.

Seán Potts is communications adviser of the GPA