GAA chair Fahy 'disappointed' by McAleese’s decision

Longford GAA chairperson Derek Fahy said he was 'disappointed' by the decision of Mary McAleese’s to step down as Independent Chairperson of the Steering Group on Integration last week.

He stated the development and the backlash in the media was regrettable, but it is important even if it takes a bit longer that the GAA, LGFA and the Camogie Association 'get it right'.

"We can't rock the boat too much because there's lots depending on this. But I suppose from Longford's point of view, we're totally, totally in favour of integration, without a doubt, and we've no issues with that at all.”

"We recently met with the LGFA in Longford and we have set up an integration committee and we had a very positive meeting with them in the last short while,” he added.

Mr Fahy said the committee includes himself, the Longford GAA chair, secretary Peter O'Reilly, the LGFA chairperson Eugene Noonan and LGFA secretary Kathleen Darcy and they have appointed Liam McCabe, the former secretary of Cavan GAA, as the independent chairperson.

"We had a very positive meeting in terms of setting up a committee to engage in the process while we awaited further direction from the LGFA and the GAA.”

"And we had a roadmap for it and we shared that with the LGFA.”

Mr Fahy said Longford are very much in favour of integration.

"We welcome any female member on to our management committee. They are more than welcome to put their name forward. There is a process of county conventions in their clubs.

"We have one lady on it, we have had two in the past and we have no issue with anybody putting their name forward from any club."

However, Mr Fahy said there an elective process in place at the moment, until such time as there is integration.

"We have county convention coming up. We have a number of positions that will be vacant because officers will have their five years done.

"But we welcome any member, any member, female member from any club in the county that want to put their name forward for election. And that's the way it is at the moment."

Asked if he was disappointed by the resignation of Mary McAleese, he replied,

"It is disappointing to see Mary McAleese resigning, she has put a tremendous amount of work into this over the last couple of years.

"And she's a highly respected person throughout the country and we all acknowledge that.”

Mr Fahy said while Ms McAleese’s resignation was a setback, he could understand why the GAA took the decision they did.

"I suppose it's like any process, you know, if we need time to get it right, we're better off getting it right than voting on something that is going to fail. I suppose that was the big concern that people had.

"I suppose small counties like Longford would need additional resources to support integration, like when they talk about GAA agreements and everything else they have to be highly funded.”

Mr Fahy said the big worry is where does that money comes from and that is one element.

"But, you know, from Langford's point of view, we're very much in favour of integration. We are supportive of it.”

“We make Pearse Park and whatever facilities we have available for the ladies, the better county games, the better county finals, the same as we do for the footballers.”

"All the club grounds throughout Longford always make their facilities available.”

"My own club, Ballymore, we share a pitch and there is probably more LGFA teams using it than there is [male teams].”

Mr Fahy said the LGFA have more underage teams using the Ballymore pitch and facilities than men and boys teams.

"We're investing in re-draining our main pitch and redeveloping a training facility that will cater for the needs of all codes going forward.”