LGFA document was an insult to players’ intelligence - Maureen O’Donnell

Former Donegal ladies star Maureen O’Donnell has labelled an LGFA document, which suggested how players should answer media questions on a number of thorny issues, as an insult to players’ intelligence.

Jason Byrne of The Irish Sun  exclusively revealed earlier this week that the counties involved in this weekend’s LFGA League finals were sent a four-page dossier of seven templated answers ahead of Tuesday’s press event to publicise the Division 1,2,3 and 4 showpieces.

Suggested answers were given on topics like Cavan’s recent expenses charter row with their own county board - a saga that resulted in the Breffni girls refusing to fulfil their Division 2 clash with Tyrone.

Option answers were also provided on the LGFA’s new transgender policy, where transgender girls between the ages of 12 and 15 would be approved to play ladies football, subject to approval by a new Transgender Application Committee.

Scripted answers were also given for questions relating to the merger of the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association as well as the exodus of Irish players to Australia’s AFLW.

The correspondence ended with the paragraph: “Media may try to focus on the questions outlined above so please be prepared and also be prepared at all times to move the line of questioning back to football matters.”

O’Donnell, who represented her county at senior level for 15 seasons, says she simply cannot fathom why the ladies governing body would choose to go down such a route and, worse still, not expect it to come to light.

“When I read it first I was a little surprised because the LGFA has made some really good strides forward in recent times. My heart sank really because this kind of thing represents a real step backwards.

“At the end of the day, the media aspect of things is there so players have a voice, people can express their opinions. If you don’t have freedom to express those opinions then what do you become but puppets on a string?

“I know it was the LFGA league final representatives involved in this but look through the Donegal team, look close to home here. There are teachers, vets, doctors and so on involved there.

“And I’m sure it’s the exact same in the likes of those counties that were furnished with this document. You’re talking about young, intelligent and articulate people. I know the LGFA has since come out and said these were only guideline answers for anyone not comfortable or used to media duties.

“But even if that was the case it was still a very misguided effort on their behalf. These girls are role models, influencers and for the LFGA to attempt to silence them was wrong”.

O’Donnell argues that players still have to be trusted to express an opinion - regardless of how difficult the question or topic is.

“There is no doubt that the likes of the transgender rule and the Cavan situation are tricky topics but let the girls express their own opinions on that. Even if those opinions are contrasting, it’s no big deal.

“I remember my first time being in front of a camera or microphone. You are nervous. But you get on with that and at the end of the day my voice is only an opinion. And it’s the exact same thing with these girls now.

“The recent strides by the LGFA were made, I feel, because they’ve been open and approachable. We’ve needed the media and we’ve made huge ground by being accessible. Regardless of the intentions, even if they were good, we can’t suddenly begin to shut up shop or look to frame certain subjects the LGFA might feel uncomfortable with.

“There has always been that sort of management or cloaked approach by the GAA towards the media. It hasn’t really been a thing with the LGFA simply because we’ve wanted a bigger spotlight and more coverage of our games.

“I’d hate to think we’ve reached a level now where we think that relationship can suddenly become much more one-sided. Yes, we are all veering towards coming under that one umbrella. But let’s retain some of the uniqueness that brought us to where we now current are at in the first place”.

The Termon girl remembers a time when even what felt like the most significant sporting achievements merited little to no mention in the local and national media.

“It’s not that long ago that we were firmly back in the shadows. When we won a Junior All-Ireland back in 2003, even the Intermediate win in 2010; it didn’t make much of a dent publicity wise.

“Now, even league games get live radio and TV broadcasts and two page match report spreads. Our games are previewed in the lead in. That change came about by using all the media platforms available to us to our advantage. We can still make valuable yards if we continue to do that. So let’s learn some lesions from this and move on productively”.