A STRONG VOICE…Dessie Farrell led the GPA forward, according to

KEVIN Cassidy has hailed the leadership shown by Dessie Farrell during his time as the chief executive of the Gaelic Players Association.

Farrell’s successor, Dermot Earley, began life in the position earlier this week, and Cassidy has reflected on the success enjoyed by Farrell.

“Dessie and the GPA fought some tough battles down through the years but they kept the end game in sight and delivered on all of their promises to the players who he so diligently represented,” the Gaelic Life columnist said.

“There are, or at least there were, some begrudgers out there who found it difficult to accept the GPA as an official organisation. But even the most sceptical Gaels in the country must now applaud the tireless efforts of Dessie and his team to better the aspects of player welfare, efforts which have resulted in our games improving year on year.”

The full column is in today’s paper, in shops now or available online here.