Stamp suggests €100 payment for intercounty players
Just days after announcing his retirement from senior inter-county hurling, Wexford's Darren Stamp has called on the GAA to pay players at the top level.
Stamp believes that footballers and hurlers 'need more support', in a financial sense, given the millions they are generating for the Association each season.
"When one sees the amount of money been taken in for All-Ireland finals, the players deserve better," said the Oulart-the Ballagh clubman, who had an 11-year run in the Wexford senior side.
"They are now talking of taking in some €5m, while this year they will also take in an extra €3m for the hurling replay. It's now time Croke Park gave something back to the players.
"Players in inter-county squads should be paid at least €100 per week along with expenses. I believe that's not too much to ask.
"Given the demands now placed on players, to be involved at inter-county level is now reaching professional status. The players need more support, given the demands been placed on them."
The 31-year-old defender captained Wexford on a number of occasions, but was plagued by injuries in recent years and leaves the inter-county scene with a lone Leinster SHC winners' medal from 2004.
Stamp said it was "a privilege to wear the purple and gold jersey", telling the Irish Examiner of his confidence in the current Liam Dunne-led regime.
"There is now a professional set-up with the senior hurlers. There's a quality management team in place who have the full support of the County Board officer, unlike previous years.
"With this in place, hopefully they can progress and move hurling forward in the county."
Stamp's immediate goal post-retirement is to win a fourth successive Wexford Club SHC title with Oulart when they take on Faythe Harriers in the decider on October 14.
"I've six senior medals and look forward to adding to that. Winning a fourth county title in-a-row is not going to be easy," he added.
"Every side is out there to beat us but that's something for us to cope with. Just because we've won the last three titles does not necessarily mean it will make winning this year any easier."
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