Three women Gaelic footballers accused of forgery by their former GAA club during a bitter fall-out have settled legal proceedings.
Orlaith Murray (23), Ellie Murphy (20) and Molly McAuley (22) had claimed they suffered ‘personal injury, loss and damage’ as a result of the actions of St Enda’s GAC in north Belfast.
Neither party would disclose the terms of settlement but the three footballers said it was “to both parties’ satisfaction with no admission of liability on the club’s behalf”.
The allegation of forgery was made after a group of players at St Enda’s put their names to a letter asking for changes within the Glengormley club. It was claimed that some names were used without the consent of players or their guardians and a disciplinary committee handed out 20-week suspensions to the three women in March 2022.
Suspensions overturned
However, the suspensions were overturned on appeal by the Antrim Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA) in April 2022. St Enda’s then appealed the decision to the GAA’s Dispute Resolution Authority.
It is understood the case has not reached an outcome.
The women issued legal proceedings against the club a year ago.
St Enda’s said at the time it was “saddened that three former adult members of our club have decided to take legal action against us” and it would defend its position.
Ms Murphy, who at the time of the suspensions was a member of the LGFA Antrim county panel and all-Ireland medallist, told The Irish News: “On February 23 St Enda’s settled the case which we initiated to protect our reputations.”
Ms Murray, a former captain of the St Enda’s senior ladies team, said the club should now “progress its DRA appeal to conclusion or withdraw it”.
She also called on the GAA and the LGFA to fully investigate their case.
‘Clear our names’
Ms McAuley said: “We are glad that this part of the journey to clear our names has concluded. When we issued these proceedings in February 2023 the club publicly stated that it would ‘robustly defend its position’. The settlement of this case speaks for itself.”
All three players have transferred to other clubs.
A spokesperson from the LGFA said: “We have no comment to make at this point in time.”
The GAA and St Enda’s were unavailable for comment.
