Government support for Gaelic games' amalgamation reiterated by McConalogue

Charlie McConalogue has reiterated the government’s support for the amalgamation of the Ladies’ Gaelic Football Association, the Camogie Association and the Gaelic Athletic Association.

Addressing delegates at the Ladies’ Gaelic Football Association's Congress in the Clanree Hotel, Letterkenny, on Friday night, the Minister of State with responsibility for Sport and Postal Services said: “The integration of the three organisations is certainly something that the Government is supportive of. It will, as you know, be complex and challenging, but I think that Gaelic games will emerge all the stronger for it. Ní neart go cur le chéile.

“We have, in the Gaelic Games family, a great national institution, focused on pride in the club, community, county and country. Every town and village has a Gaelic games club that has provided sport and physical activity for generations of youth over the years.

“Gaelic games have a very special place in the lives and hearts of Irish people and in Irish culture. It is wonderful to see this recognised and to have Hurling, Camogie, Gaelic football and Ladies Gaelic football listed on the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Each of these practices is integral to the culture and identity of the communities who practice them, and to our society more broadly."

Commending outgoing President, Micheál Naughton, and incoming President Trina Murray for their efforts, Minister McConalogue continued: “I thank you for the job that you have done and the job that you will continue to do in representing such a wonderful organisation as the Ladies’ Gaelic Football Association.”

“The LGFA has a proud tradition of growing participation in Gaelic games from very humble beginnings to today, with over 200,000 members across the 1,093 clubs throughout Ireland and Britain," Minister McConalogue added. "Increasing participation, and in particular the participation of women and young girls in sport is important to this government, as indeed it was to the last government.

"And we are determined, as noted in the National Sports Policy, to eliminate the participation gradient between men and women. Great work is being done in this area, and the participation gap is now down to 2.9%, it's lowest ever, but there is still much work that can be done in this area, and I know that the LGFA will play a leading part in that.

“Furthermore, as outlined in the Programme for Government, we intend to ‘increase funding and support toward female sports at both national and local levels, promoting the One Club Ethos’ and so being here this evening has particular resonance for me.

“It is fitting that Jarlath Burns, President of the GAA, and Brian Molloy, President of the Camogie Association, are here also as the pace of integration between the three associations’ gathers and the target date of 2027 approaches. The goal of one club, one county, one province, one congress, one association is within touching distance and when achieved will be a momentous occasion.

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“The feedback I’m receiving is that there is strong public support for the Gaelic games family to come together. Similarly, the results of the membership survey held in 2023 highlighted that 90% of members viewed Integration as positive for their membership experience. The value and benefits that accrue from sport generally and from Gaelic games in particular are much more extensive than simply sporting occasions. There are, as we know, numerous health and wellbeing benefits, not only for the players but also the supporters and those countless numbers of volunteers who give of their time to make Gaelic games a reality in their communities.

“Last year, Sport Ireland launched a new Volunteering in Sport Policy. The objectives of this policy are to recognise and value volunteers, retain volunteers and encourage lifelong volunteering, as well as diversifying the volunteer base. I noticed on your website your Volunteer Impact Assessment and how this informs your Volunteer Development and Support. I must commend you as an organisation for recognising the impact and importance that people, who give of their time so willingly, play in making everything happen.

"Sport in general plays a huge role in physical and mental wellbeing. It can also be the glue that connects communities and generations. The LGFA plays a huge part in shaping communities, bringing people together and creating a sense of belonging

“It is fitting, as we approach the end of ‘Women in Sport Week’, to note that we have made great strides in promoting increased female participation in Irish sport in recent years. The record investment of €4 million under the Women in Sport Programme for 2024 supported sporting organisations, including Gaelic games, in putting programmes in place to increase women’s participation in their sports and assist in achieving our aims for equal gender participation. Just last week, Sport Ireland announced its Core Funding for 2025 with an increase of €277,000 to Local Sports Partnerships for Women in Sport, bringing the total to €415,000 to enhance initiatives for target groups.

"We are also, as a government, focused on ensuring that female representation on the boards of sports organisations is promoted and advocated for. The percentage of women on boards of sporting organisations now stands at 48%, with the LGFA very much in the vanguard of this. The Government will continue to support this move to levelling the playing field as it is so important that young girls see women at all levels in sport; playing, coaching, officiating, volunteering and administering.

“And so, in conclusion, I want to express my gratitude for being invited here today - thank you to Helen and Micheál for the kind invitation. I know that Congress is an important event in the calendar to assess reports and rules of the association, and to assess the past and plan the future. To the incoming President, Trina, I congratulate you on your appointment to such an important office and wish you the best in your role for the future.

“For all of you who started on this journey of developing Ladies’ Gaelic Football over 50 years ago, you were the inspiration for so many women and girls who took up the game over the years and who in turn passed their love of the sport onto the next generation. Thank you for keeping the wonderful traditions of Gaelic football alive.”