GAA

Integration of GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association to be delivered by 2027

In attendance during the media update on the integration process involving the Camogie Association, the GAA and LGFA, are, from left, Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Larry McCarthy, Camogie Association President, Hilda Breslin, Steering Committee Chairperson Mary McAleese and Uachtarán Cumann Peil Gael na mBan, Mícheál Naughton at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
In attendance during the media update on the integration process involving the Camogie Association, the GAA and LGFA, are, from left, GAA President Larry McCarthy, Camogie Association President, Hilda Breslin, Steering Committee Chairperson Mary McAleese and LGFA President Mícheál Naughton at Croke Park Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile (Sam Barnes / SPORTSFILE)

Full integration of the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Associations will be delivered by 2027.

Confirmation of the updated timeline for integration of the three codes in the Gaelic games family was given at a press conference this morning headed by integration chairperson Mary McAleese.

The former President of Ireland has been leading the committee for the last 18 months with much of that period so far taken up with a general 'listening process'. Between the three organisations there are 800,000 members.

Speaking at Croke Park where she was joined by the heads of the three organisations, McAleese said that the next three years will deal with nailing down a clear 'pathway' for integration.

The GAA name will remain as the overall title following integration though there was no update on the financial side of things and how, for example, travel and general expenses of ladies players will be funded.

Camogie chief Hilda Breslin insisted that 2027 isn't an aspirational 'target' for integration but a concrete date for 'when it will happen'.

McAleese assured that there will be no job losses as a result of the amalgamation and said that it is more likely that new jobs will in fact be created.

She said that the merger will come into place at all levels, from club level to Croke Park, and that the plan will include 'the entire structure, at local level right up to national level, that if people follow our pathway then in 2027 we will have a fully integrated association at every level'.

GAA President Larry McCarthy described it as a unique endeavour by the three organisations and noted that it took the organisations governing men's and ladies golf in Ireland five years to achieve amalgamation.

Over the next three years, issues that will be tackled include a 'joint fixtures review', a 'review of facilities' and an investigation into how a 'one membership' model would work.

Incoming GAA President Jarlath Burns attended the event though McAleese confirmed that while the heads of the various associations may change between now and 2027, she will remain in the chair position until integration is delivered.

"Our plan is that this steering group will continue through the process, that is the plan at the moment," said McAleese.