Mayo football star reacts to GAA, LGFA and the Camogie Association 2027 news

A Mayo Ladies' Football star has reacted to the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association plans to integrate and become one organisation by 2027.

Four-time All-Ireland winning player from Mayo, Cora Staunton, has gave her reaction to the revelation of 2027 as the proposed date for full integration between the three organisations. 

"I think there will be challenges in the early days but the next three years are for challenges to be solved - but of course, we can't just consider the challenges," Cora said.

"From a female point of view, we have had huge challenges around fixtures and how players have been treated [in the past] - we've been calling for this for years and it is great that finally there is a date fixed where we will all be as one.

"Let's call a spade a spade - while I've been playing ladies football, it is gaelic football I've been playing. We are all under the one organisation and I think that is critically important when it comes to a young boy or girl going down to their local club, that they are treated equally," she said.

This Tuesday, February 20, it was revealed that the three are hoping to merge together in the next three years, with 2027 earmarked as the proposed date for completion of the process. 

Members of the three organisations can expect to see progress across the following areas in the three-year window ahead: 

• Joint fixtures review workgroup 
• A detailed audit of existing facilities
• Facilities equal access policy implementation
• National children's office
• Updated one club guidance and support 
• One membership
• One injury benefit fund
• One staffing structure 

"Gaelic games are about to enter a new era,” said former President of Ireland and chair of the Steering Group for Integration, Mary McAleese.

"The Steering Group for Integration, after 18 months of intense listening and discussion, has now recommended a pathway to what will be the most historic development in Gaelic games and that is one association for all Gaelic games by 2027.” 

One of the biggest ever sports surveys of its kind, the question of integration of the three organisations was put to more than 30,000 people, who responded with an overwhelming majority in favour of the amalgamation.

In the coming weeks, the annual congresses of the Camogie Association, the GAA and the LGFA will be updated on the work of the last 18 months and the plans for the next 36 months.