Spotlight is now firmly on GAA to make progress on integration
The saying “Never waste an opportunity offered by a good crisis” is very apt on this occasion - although GAA president Jarlath Burns does not deem Ms McAleese’s departure a crisis
DRIVING home listening to Mary McAleese’s interview on RTÉ Radio’s Inside Sport last week, and with each statement becoming more incendiary than the one before it, it was clear a story was unfolding that was going to have the nation talking.
A former president of the State taking shot after shot at the top brass of the largest sporting and volunteer-led community organisation in the country was always going to grab headlines, devour column inches and keep the Liveline lines hopping.
Sometimes, though, it’s not so much what is said in a moment like that, but how it is said. The former president sounded exasperated.
The Belfast woman was stepping down as chairperson of the GAA’s integration committee, which is overseeing the amalgamation of the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association. This is the same woman who was raised in Belfast during the Troubles, and who held the office of president of Ireland twice.
Her presidency directly coincided with the negotiation, signing and implementation of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.
“Building Bridges” was the core theme of her presidency.
Now, having spent four years in the role of chairperson of the Steering Committee for Integration, she had had enough.
She was walking away.
There are always two, if not three, sides to any story. And what her departure has done is put a megawatt spotlight on the progress of the integration plans - which, clearly, may not suit everyone.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1 late last week, Minister for Sport and Newcastle West man Patrick O’Donovan said he will be asking the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association, through Sport Ireland, to provide a quarterly update on how things are progressing, so that this information can be relayed to the Oireachtas if required.
The saying “Never waste an opportunity offered by a good crisis” is very apt on this occasion - although GAA president Jarlath Burns does not deem Ms McAleese’s departure a crisis.
Whatever you call it, the recent furore means there is no hiding place now. If progress is not being made, questions will be asked. And answers will need to follow.