GAA, LGFA and camogie announce ‘stronger links’

THE GAA, Camogie Association and the LGFA have announced that “draft memorandums of understanding” have been agreed to “establish stronger links” between the three organisations.

Discussions around whether the bodies should be brought under the same banner have been ongoing for some time and a significant breakthrough in those talks was announced yesterday afternoon.

In a statement released through the GAA, the organisations stated the announcement underlined the “shared vision of the three organisations for a new overall organisational model within which the games, ideals and aspiration of all three Associations are equally developed and promoted.

“They recognise areas of common interest and give the Camogie Association and the LGFA representation on GAA committees, and vice versa.”

GAA president Aogán Ó Fearghaíl (right) welcomed the news, insisting that the organisations involved

“have so much in common” and he stated that the move will make the bodies “a fully-inclusive, family organisation”.

“I am delighted to confirm that draft memorandums of understanding have been agreed with both Cumann Camógaíochta and Cumann Peile na m Ban and the closer working relationship that these arrangements will give rise to is to be warmly welcomed,” stated the Cavan official. “We are all part of the same Gaelic games family and although we have our own identities within that family, we have so much in common. “Working together we can truly claim to be a fully-inclusive family organisation offering a sporting and cultural outlet for all members of the family.

“I’d like to acknowledge the co-operation of both organisations for the progress we have all made.

“And I look forward to all three organisations working together in the months and years ahead.”

The statement also confirmed that they would look to strengthen the ties between the three bodies further down the line.

“While the proposals in these memorandums aim to strengthen the links within the family of Gaelic games at national level only, they also commit the three organisations to explore a framework for further integration at provincial, county and club level,” read the press release.

The memorandums will become effective when they have been approved by the Central Council of each organisation next month.