“The policy of smothering the GPA with kindness has worked a treat. It does not exist as a radical body acting on behalf of players anymore,” he wrote.

O’Rourke listed a series of issues he felt the GPA were not addressing as they should, including the treatment of club players in comparison to inter-county players and the problem of young player burnout.

“In my opinion it would be far better off doing something for club players, who are ignored on all sides,” he wrote. “The club man who is just as committed in his own way occupies a much lower place in the food chain.”

O’Rourke suggested that the GPA was overly concerned with fundraising and also highlighted their lack of protest over the Kerry-Mayo semi-final replay being moved to Limerick.

Although he did acknowledge good work done by the player’s association in the article, he closed with a scathing assessment of its current position and influence: “The GPA has lost its way, it is just another GAA committee which is indulged because it doesn't rock the boat. That is not what a players' representative body should be about.”

The GPA was strongly defended online by many, particularly current and former players who were unhappy with the article.

Sad2c badly researched&lazy voice of regression from C.O'Rourke 2d.FTR this is some of what #GPA do&need funding for. pic.twitter.com/REFmiQQKy7

— Dónal Óg Cusack (@DonalOgC) October 19, 2014

Very lazy piece by Colm o Rourke @gaelicplayers could not of been more helpful and supportive to me before and after my heart surgery 👍👍👍👍

— Ken McGrath (@kenmcgrath78) October 19, 2014

The association itself also tweeted a defence of its own work.

The facts speak for themselves and sometimes we need to remind everyone what we do. #Players pic.twitter.com/lsTDGXhVNx

— GPA (@gaelicplayers) October 19, 2014

But while most of the initial reaction was negative, there have been others who agreed with points made by O’Rourke and who also questioned the ferocity of the backlash against him.

Having just read the Colm O'Rourke article that was so widely lambasted, in an almost choreographed manner, was it really all that bad?

— Cormac O'Malley (@cormacpro) October 20, 2014

@cormacpro I was very confused by the reaction to it. It was like everyone got a text to hammer it without reading it. Made good points

— Cllr Joe Neville 🇮🇪🏳️ (@joeneville2010) October 20, 2014

Perhaps the conversation started by O’Rourke will provide an opportunity to reflect on the work of the Gaelic Players Association in the years since its inception and the direction it should take from here.

Quotes from the Sunday Independent