The integration of the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association has been hailed as “very positive for Irish sport,” by a former All-Ireland winning player.
The three groups announced at Croke Park today that they plan to become one organisation by 2027.
A steering group led by Mary McAleese had made the recommendation after a consultation process spanning 18 months, involving 30,000 respondents.
On The Hard Shoulder today, ex-Mayo footballer Cora Staunton said plans had long been in the works.
“I think it’s a very positive announcement here today for Irish sport, certainly for female players,” she said.
“I remember going back 15 to 20 years ago talking about this and finally having a date now when it’s going to happen is very positive.
“We’ve been calling for this for a long time.”
Cora Staunton playing in Croke Park, 2018. Photo: Piaras Ó Mídheach/SportsfileMs Staunton, a four-time All-Ireland winner, said there had been many communication issues between the organisations over the years.
“I think it’s been well documented over that female players have had problems around fixtures, especially dual players.
“Trying to get access to quality pitches, right throughout my career with mayo until I retired in 2018, was always a huge problem for us.
“We couldn’t get proper pitches to train on, we were training on rugby and football pitches with no headlights and stuff like that.”
She added that the integration was also good news for the “promotion of the games”.
Details needed
Equality manager with the Gaelic Players Association, Gemma Begley, said the integration announcement was “very positive,” but scant on details.
“Everyone’s been waiting to see the big picture on this which is great to finally see some level of detail on it,” she said.
“The sentiment expressed by everyone evolved would give you an awful lot of confidence.
“But to be honest we need more detail of the plans to be able to answer certain questions.”
Hope
Ms Begley said she is hopeful for the organisations future.
“Hopefully they [the GAA] will take the right approach to this and guarantee that voices will be protected within a new association,” she said.
“Everything to date has been about a ‘new association underpinned by equality’ – so I’d really like to see the final article and if it lives up to that value.”
No jobs will be lost as a result of the integration, the GAA has confirmed.
Main image: Croke Park in Co Dublin. Image: Stephen Power / Alamy Stock Photo
