Other areas which saw strong engagement included One to One Personal Development programmes and Business Startup and Career Development, while 117 members benefitted from the Personal Counselling Service.

GPA Chief Executive Dessie Farrell says it was a successful 12 months.

“All told it was a highly productive year for us last year,” he said.

“Many major projects were accomplished and many different milestones were reached.

“The numbers of players significantly engaging with programmes has increased and it is very encouraging, because there is a greater level of awareness out there.

“The message is getting through about the importance of Player Development. By all means be the best that you can be on the field of play, but it is important that you are dedicated to being the best that you can be away from the games as well."

Farrell says the report will help drive on the associations activities in the coming year.

“It’s very important to reflect on what has been achieved and what hasn’t been achieved and use that experience to inform policy and decisions and prioritising objectives in 2015," he said.

Among the new services in 2015 will be the creation of an Institute of Player Development.

“I think what we are hoping to achieve there is to move player development to a new level," Farrell said.

“We would all be familiar with Sports Institutes, where individuals come in and he/she is trained to be a better athlete.

“Our concept turns that on its head, so the athlete comes in and he or she is supported to become a better individual.

“I think that is really important, that we have that level of ambition within the organisation. Not just by the GPA, but the GAA family as a whole - our players make phenomenal commitments, and the games are thriving and have never been more popular.

“I think it’s also important that we support the 'gladiators in the arena’ in whatever way we can. The concept of developing athletes as people is something we hope to explore, scope out further and hopefully make some progress on it in 2015.”

A report into the activities of players at student level is also due next month.

GAA Director General Paraic Duffy was also in attendance at the launch, and he welcomed the report, and the co-operation between the GAA and the players association.

“Players give a huge amount of time and it’s vital for the GAA to support the work of the GPA,” Duffy said.

“It was a very open and transparent report and we welcome the publication of such a detailed report.

“Our joint aim is to provide a better level of player development service than any other sport in the World.

“The Government grant is important as a statement for the GAA in that it recognises players and the huge effort that these players put in.

“We have a healthy tension between the organisations but the relationship is better than it has ever been.”

Farrell echoed those sentiments.

"2015 is the last year of a five-year agreement (between the GPA and the GAA), and ultimately the agreement provided a framework in which we could build a really strong partnership with the GAA," he said.

“That’s how we view it and I think that’s how the GAA see it as well. They have been very supportive and we very much appreciate that support, because it’s important that everyone takes ownership of player development and player welfare, not just the GPA.

“The GAA have really taken that on board and worked closely with us on a number of projects."