If any active inter-coutny player lays a claim to being the "face of hurling," it may well be Clare's Shane O'Donnell.
The Éire Óg forward has been instrumental for the Banner ever since bursting onto the scene with a spectacular hat-trick in the 2013 All-Ireland final replay at the age of just 19.
11 years later, O'Donnell is up for Hurler of the Year after playing a pivotal role in another spectacular All-Ireland triumph for his county.
He is one of the most respected and recognisable hurlers in the country. Despite this, O'Donnell this week shared his concerns about the rights that GAA players have over their own image, saying he was unhappy when his face was used to promote the GAAGO streaming service.
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Shane O'Donnell was not happy to see his face used for GAAGO promo
21 July 2024; Clare captain Tony Kelly, right, and team-mate Shane O'Donnell celebrate after their side's victory in the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Final between Clare and Cork at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
Shane O'Donnell:
The image thing is slightly different. I think it's something that the GPA...I'm working with the GPA on this at the moment...having a bit more control over your image.
My understanding is I don't [have control over his image]. I'll give you an example with GAAGO last year - not a particularly popular initiative and one that I personally didn't agree with.
I didn't think that they should be selling, I think they should be swallowing the cost of promoting the game and paying to televise these games...I don't think that's something out of their budget.
Anyway, that's besides the point. The bottom line is I don't agree with it and then I see on the GAAGO website all year that they're selling the season pass with myself and three other players right above the part where it says "buy for X amount of Euro."
To anyone, you would think that we're endorsing that or that we have given our explicit consent for that to be up there. That's not the case, we weren't even asked.
O'Donnell went on to say that his frustration was not born out of any hope for financial compensation. Moreso, he feels that GAA stars are somewhat "exploited" when it comes to their image rights.
I don't even want the financial [compensation], I don't want to endorse the GAAGO because I don't agree with it. Really, I just want them to ask me, 'Can we put your image up there?' - 'No!' - 'Right, okay, next person.'
It's not a huge deal but you feel like you should have some control over your image. You want to be able to say, 'Yes, I'm happy to do that' or 'No, I'm not happy to do that.'
My understanding is basically that as amateur players we don't own our image. I don't know the legal details but it's a grey area. From a players' perspective, it feels uncomfortable. It feels in some ways that you're being exploited as an asset.
It's certainly an eye-opening perspective into a problem that may not initially come to mind when assessing the modern hurling landscape.
You can listen to the full Shane O'Donnell interview here.
