Donegal camogie board meets up with GAA counterparts for 'familiarisation meeting'

A week after holding discussions with the Donegal LGFA board, the county GAA’s main officers have now also liaised with their camogie counterparts.

The Camogie Association, the GAA and the LGFA have announced 2027 as the proposed date for their plans for full integration between the three organisations.

And last week, the Official Donegal GAA principal officers held a familiarisation meeting with their counterparts from Donegal Camogie.

Mary Coughlan (Chairperson Donegal GAA), Mary Gill (Donegal Camogie Secretary), Grace Boyle (Donegal GAA Treasurer), Martina Cullen (Chairperson Donegal Camogie), Ann Bradley (Treasurer Donegal Camogie) and Declan Martin (Donegal GAA Secretary) were all involved in those discussions in Convoy. 

Speaking prior to the weekend’s annual Congress Coughlan had this to say on that three-year integration process. 

“We speak a lot about integration and that won't be without its challenges. But at least in Donegal we believe in the One Club principle.

“Integration in terms of a wider context is important too with the new populations that have come here to Donegal, and also there's a role for people outside of playing, such as those people with disabilities or other challenges.

“Participation is what it's about. There's nothing to say they can't do the stats, they can't do the flags, making sure no-one runs away with the footballs, all the little things that are important to a team.

“Sometimes the GAA has been seen to be closed but in fact that's not the case. I come from a mixed religious parish and our Protestant school is participative.

“We're unique in one way because of the parish that I come from and I believe the GAA should be for everybody.”