The unity talk is still positive but there is still no agreement on when the amalgamation of the GAA, the Camogie Association and the Ladies Gaelic Football Association will come about.
That was the outcome of the most recent update from the Steering Group on Integration (SGI) chaired by former president of Ireland, Mary McAleese. There is however a deal in principle for the merger following what sounded like a tough session of intensive engagement between all sides.
What has been agreed at this stage is that all three associations will come under the name of the GAA while a single membership will apply with present basic structures of club, county, province and national remaining consistent with the existing models.
There will also be a new GAA club constitution drawn up to reflect the expanded range of playing codes in the new expanded GAA. All clubs will be formally affiliated with the new GAA.
Where separate Camogie, GAA or Ladies Football clubs currently exist within the same area, decisions regarding potential mergers or amalgamations will remain at the discretion of the local units.
Ms McAleese emphasized the need to put a strategic focus on funding, by looking at other female sports which have considerably inferior facilities compared to men’s.
"If we are to remain true to our core objective of providing playing opportunities for all members of our communities, we must recognise that the full flourishing of Gaelic games is intrinsically linked to the adequacy and accessibility of our facilities.
“The future of our games will require full inclusivity, ensuring equal access for all participants.
“Inevitably, this will necessitate a strategic call on funding in due course, so that we can continue to honour our commitment to the Gaelic games family in every community.”
Fitz taps Bulfin
Davy Fitzgerald has recruited Limerick’s Seoirse Bulfin into the Antrim set-up as team coach for next season,
The hurling supremo has added his former backroom colleague after Neil McManus, Pat Bennett and Paudie Shivers stepped down from their roles at the end of the summer.
Both men have a strong history working well together in Waterford and Clare, and Seoirse was at Davy’s side during his All-Ireland SHC triumph in 2013 with his native Clare.
They were also part of a winning team when Wexford won the Leinster championship six years ago.
Since then Bulfin has branched out on his own as a coach with Meath before taking over the county’s senior hurling manager role - a post he replicated with Westmeath this past year.
McFadden-Ferry out
Jim McGuinness’ plans to go one better and win Sam Maguire in ‘26 was dealt a major blow this week with the announcement that his Donegal panel will be minus the influence of Odhran McFadden-Ferry.
The Gaoth Dobhair all rounder will spend another year in Australia after coming back for this year’s campaign following a three-year absence.
McFadden-Ferry won his place back to face Derry in the Ulster SFC title defence and was used offbench in the wins over Down and Armagh, with the latter being in extra time where Donegal annexed back-to-back provincial crowns.
He was then introduced as a second-half substitute in his county’s All-Ireland SFC semi-final victory over Meath at Croke Park in July.
McFadden-Ferry decision to sample life in the antipodes will also be a big blow for his club side Gaoth Dobhair who drew with Kilcar in the quarter-finals of the county championship at the weekend.
