Paul Galvin believes a move towards professionalism is inevitable for the GAA because of the demands being placed on inter-county players.
The debate over payments to managers has raged for some time, but the recent publication of the GAA's Amateur Status and Payments to Team Managers has resulted in the matter taking centre stage with the GAA eager to stamp out under-the-counter payments.
There are fears that legalising payments to inter-county managers could pave the way for players to be remunerated for their efforts, but Galvin believes it is only a matter of time before that happens.
"I think that's a flaw in the GAA. It's a brilliant organisation and it has given me a lot. But life after the GAA can be very lonely for footballers and you can be very isolated, Galvin told Setanta's iTalkSport.
"Players have had to look at alternative employment and careers as a result of the recession. I've had to do it myself. I think it's understandable at this stage if players are feeling the pinch in terms of their work and career.
"I think it's inevitable now. I would preface that by saying it's not something I want or would look for because at this stage of my career I could never put a monetary value on what I've achieved or won and the memories I have. Those memories for me are priceless at this stage.
"But it's different for younger guys who are in college, in the middle of a degree and don't know whether they're going to get a job out of it - it is inevitable and you can't say otherwise.
"I feel that sometimes the GAA are trying to harness what is a natural progression for the game. Who's to say the founding father back 125 years ago wouldn't be looking down saying isn't it great what we have created? Look where we've grown - isn't it great what we've become?
"If there's a player at home who is devoting himself to GAA. Who is serious about it and prepares himself the right way. Who just wants to make it but has no job. Would five or ten grand a year be better than nothing? Of course it would."