Female GAA players across Ireland say they are being left “out of pocket” when representing their county.

On Lunchtime Live today Tipperary footballer Maria Curley said players have gotten “no mileage expenses” in 2024 so far.

She complained that the LGFA has promised some €17,500 per inter-county squad for expenses, but nothing has been received to date.

The LGFA say this allocation is capped and will be divided amongst players at a rate of 50c per mile travelled across their 34-week season.

Meanwhile, the Camogie Association is also planning to allocate a 50c per mile expense for the 2024 season, capped at €17,500.

Frustrated

Ms Curley said she is frustrated with the LGFA for taking so long to provide expenses for players.

“Both the LGFA and camogie have promised mileage rated for players this year but we haven’t seen any major developments in the last couple weeks and that was shown,” she said.

“We have got no mileage expenses at all this year and we are coming to the latter stages of the league.

“Lots of counties are knocked out, some are preparing for finals and we’re halfway through the season.”

Kilkenny's Steffi Fitzgerald and Saoirse McCarthy of Cork. Image: INPHO/Bryan Keane

Ms Curley said she is also worried the €17,500 capped expenses allocation for counties from the LGFA won't go very far.

“I don’t see how it can happen,” she said.

“If you look at the €17,500 that is per squad so it will vary with regards to players travelling from different counties or locations within the county for training.

“I think it’s a bit ambitious that this will get us 50c a mile but at the moment we haven’t even received anything or any plans to date.”

'Out of pocket'

Waterford camogie star Niamh Rockett said players are expected to travel out of their own pocket to play for their county at present.

“Players can be travelling from between 200 or 300 miles a week within their own county, never mind people travelling from outside the county,” she said.

“Personally, I drive about an hour to and from training.

“That’s two hours three to four times a week, without including gym sessions.

“I’m one of the lucky ones that live within my own county but we have girls coming from Dublin, Cork and Galway – all across the country.”

'Stepping stone'

Ms Rockett said the 50c per mile allocation by the Camogie Association is a “stepping stone” for progress but it still pales in comparison to what “our male colleagues” get.

“When you play you are doing all this driving out of pocket,” she said.

“I laugh and joke at home saying we’d have a mortgage paid for at this stage if we didn’t play for our county.

“But at the end of the day, it is a choice we make, it’s a privilege to do but we’d rather not be out of pocket for it."

Main image: Croke Park in Co Dublin. Image: Stephen Power / Alamy Stock Photo