EQUALITY

Male players show solidarity with female counterparts

This week, Kerry’s male Gaelic footballers joined forces with the Kerry ladies’ team to call on the GAA to accelerate the drive for equality in their shared sport.

In a powerful image posted to social media, GAA stars including David Clifford, Seánie O’Shea and Paul Murphy stood shoulder to shoulder with LGFA stars like Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh, Síofra O’Shea and Anna Galvin at the Kerry Centre of Excellence in Currans.

Similarly, some Kilkenny hurlers also posed for a photo with Kilkenny camogie players at Nowlan Park.

The photographs coincided with the release of an official statement signed by all 68 male intercounty football and hurling captains, expressing their “full support for [their] female colleagues”.

Female footballers and camogie players are currently playing out the remainder of the 2023 season “in protest” as they try to highlight the need for an official charter that would set minimum requirements for things like expenses, playing gear and medical treatment. Players have worn ‘equality’ t-shirts and carried out sit-down protests before matches in recent weeks.

The GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association are currently in the process of amalgamating under the guidance of the Steering Group for Integration, which is headed up by former President of Ireland, Mary McAleese. They say that negotiations must be completed before any charter is established, but players want action to be taken in time for the 2024 season.

In a statement released via the Gaelic Players Association, the male captains urged the GAA to expedite the process.

The statement reads: “To the leadership and management of the GAA. We, the 68 captains of the male senior inter-county teams, want to express our full support for our female colleagues and stand beside them #UnitedForEquality.

"As such, we are asking you to work with the Camogie Association, the Ladies Gaelic Football Association and the

Gaelic Players Association to discuss the steps necessary towards providing the minimum standards of welfare and care for female players for 2024.

"They cannot be expected to wait any longer. We do not accept that this is a matter solely for the two female governing bodies which is the response you have given to date.

“Among the GAA’s values is that of Community Identity. Community is at the heart of our Association. We know from our own communities that if our neighbour is struggling or requires help, the local GAA club steps forward to provide it.

“We know our female intercounty colleagues in the Gaelic games community are in need of support. They need help to provide basics such as medical support, nutritional support, access to facilities and financial support to offset travel expenses.

“Are you going to live that value of community, or will you allow this opportunity for positive change to pass us by? In the GAA we know and love, there would only be one answer to that question.”

Former President of the GAA and former chairman of Kerry GAA Seán Kelly MEP has commended the male captains for showing solidarity with female players at this time.

Speaking ‘as Gaeilge’ to the 7 Lá show on TG4, Kelly said: “I saw what the captains have done. I praise them. It’s important that there is equality between women and men. The era of the women in the background and the men out front is over.”