Gaelic Games Integration won’t be straightforward - Floyd

By Shane Brophy

Outgoing Tipperary County Board secretary Tim Floyd has said the integration of the GAA with the Camogie and Ladies Football Associations will require a lot of work to make it as seamless as possible.

At GAA Congress last February, a motion was passed to “prioritise” the integration of the three Gaelic Games Associations, following which former President of Ireland Mary McAleese was appointed the independent chairperson of the integration steering group.

Club such as Nenagh Eire Og have had a “one club” model for some time while Kilruane MacDonagh’s voted at their recent club AGM to begin the process of doing the same.

However, Tim Floyd feels while there are strong links between all three organisations so far, finalising the final details won’t be as straightforward as many may think.

“It is important that everyone has a clear understanding of the issues involved before diving in without knowing what the eventual outcome will be,” he wrote in his report to County Convention.

“In Tipperary, there has been a very healthy relationship amongst out clubs with the sharing of local GAA facilities. Difficulties have been overcome like accommodating cross parish interests where many camogie and LGFA clubs are made up of players from different parishes.

He added: “There are many challenges ahead in this in this integration process and all participants need to be patient and understanding of the complexities involved.

“Over the past few years Tipperary County Board has built up good relationships with both our sister organisations, especially the sharing of our county training facility at Dr Morris Park. As part of our Sports Capital Grant applications, all signed license agreements giving inter-county squads agreed training slots over the coming years. Currently this facility is also being used by MIC Thurles for training and games by their camogie and ladies football teams.

“Despite having three floodlit pitches plus a double-sided Astroturf hurling wall, this is putting a strain on the facility as we already have our own six inter-county hurling and football teams plus academy and development squads. The greatest pressure comes during the winter months with the limited availability of floodlit facilities and overuse during this period can cause long term damage to the surface.”

In the early 1990’s, it was the Tipperary GAA County Board who purchased the land at the Ragg where the current county camogie grounds have been developed over the last thirty years, and Floyd feels the sharing of facilities won’t be the only key item on the agenda, which will include the sharing of financial resources.

“Naturally, this will be a difficult issue unless the financial pot is increased accordingly and this needs to addressed in advance,” Floyd said.

“Currently, Tipperary’s returns from gate receipts in the club and national league share out approximately 80% hurling and 20% football.

“Despite this, the inter-county hurlers and footballers are treated equally when it comes to meals, gear, expenses etc…

“Without additional income it will be difficult to treat four groups equally as envisaged but this is the challenge ahead.”