Former Dublin Legend and All Ireland Ireland winner Dessie is to relinquish the reigns as Chief Executive Officers of the Gaelic Players Association at the end of this year.
Dessie was a founder member when the inter-county representatives’ body was set up in 1999 and was elected chairman of the GPA at the organisation’s first AGM in 2000 before being appointed as the first full-time CEO in 2003.
Alongside his role with the GPA, Farrell has managed Dublin to minor and Under-21 All-Ireland success in recent years.
Farrell said in a statement: “Throughout my life I feel extremely grateful to have been involved in Gaelic games.
“I have enjoyed a long career with my club Na Fianna, an underage and senior county career with Dublin football, which has spanned three decades and have been involved in coaching of younger Dublin players at different age levels over the past decade.
“I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to work in a career so intrinsically linked to the sports I love.”
“It has been a tremendous honour to have led the GPA and to have served our county players over the past decade and half. We are all extremely proud of what has been achieved in that time and I feel truly privileged to have witnessed the growth, development and success of the organisation in that period.”
GPA chairman and Limerick hurler Seamus Hickey, said “Dessie has been an inspirational leader of the GPA. What he has achieved for inter-county players over his term has been extraordinary.”
“He has nurtured a new generation of player leaders, who will take the organisation to the next level.”
“Throughout his career he has displayed passion and commitment in his service to players. On behalf of current and former players and our supporters at home and overseas I want to thank him sincerely and wish him every success for the future.”
Former GPA chairman and fellow founding member Donal Óg Cusack also praised Farrell by saying “It was my pleasure and privilege to have known and worked with Dessie Farrell for so many years.”
“We fought many battles side by side and his passion, his integrity, his loyalty and his sense of right made the lives of all inter-county players a little easier. I owe Dessie a great debt as do the GPA, all inter-county players and the GAA generally”.
The GPA has appointed a sub-committee led by Hickey to run an open recruitment process commencing 9 October to find Farrell’s replacement. They expect to make a recommendation to the board of the GPA by the end of the year.
(image credit: Inpho/Irish Examiner)