The former Dublin senior football captain, All-Ireland winner and All Star recipient in 1995 was a founder member of the Gaelic Players Association and the first elected chairman in 2000. Having previously worked in the health service and pharmaceutical industry, Dessie Farrell became CEO of the GPA in 2002. Under his stewardship the GPA was formally recognised as the official representative body for county players by the GAA after a historic agreement was reached by both parties in 2010. He also successfully led the GPA’s negotiation team for the introduction of the landmark, Government Funding Scheme for county players in 2008. He has spearheaded the Association’s Player Development Programme designed to assist county players with their careers off the field. Having led the player’s body through a period of unprecedented growth, Dessie has recently been to the fore in establishing an US Advisory Board in New York to support the work of the GPA in assisting our elite amateur players in critical areas of their lives. He completed an MBA in Dublin City University in 2010. A former Dublin U21 hurling captain and an international hockey player, Dessie currently coaches the Dublin Under 21 football team.