Dessie Farrell has suggested the GPA are close to gaining official recognition from the GAA.
The two organisations have been holding talks on a number of key issues and it is believed a deal is close to being agreed with Farrell confident the players' body will be officially recognised by the sport’s governing body.
"The tone of what I have to say is in stark contrast to this last year when we cautioned against further delays in a meaningful engagement on official recognition," Fallen said at the GPA/Opel Awards on Friday night.
"However, this autumn the GPA has seen a change - as a new was has been embraced. This change has come about with the establishment of a genuine process to resolve differences between us and the GAA, a genuine will to put the past behind and look forward to a bright future.
"Through formal recognition of the GPA, players can play an even more important and beneficial role in the future of the GAA.
"While much of the GAA has stayed the same in the last 125 years, a lot has changed. Getting people to accept new ideas and new ways can be difficult enough, but perhaps not as difficult as getting them to forget old ones.
"Good progress has indeed been made but some obstacles have yet to be overcome. That step will see the dawning of a new era within the GAA and will bring to an end a prolonged period of hostility, confrontation and suspicion.
"After ten years, we appear to be on the cusp."