By Shauna Bannon Ward
Ailish Considine thinks “the sooner the better” when it comes to the LGFA and Camogie Association’s merger with the GAA.
The Clare star explained that she’s very excited about the prospect that all three organisations will have access to the same finances.
She opened up about the impact it could have on players if the merger goes ahead by 2027.
Ailish believes that the current deadline for the amalgamation is still very possible.
She told RSVP Live: “I’m very pro-merger, I think there are quite a few players that are. I think the sooner the better. 2027 still feels very far away for me.
“There’s obviously going to be teething issues with any big merger. The GAA is a huge organisation and the LGFA and Camogie Association are coming under that.
“It’s going to be a big transition for all organisations to work and navigate through that.
“You can look at other sports and other countries and how they work with their women’s sport side of things. It’s only going to be a good thing.
“I’m sure there will be things to get used to and adjust to, but in the grand scheme of things, I think it’s going to be a really good thing.”
The talented player hopes that having the three organisations work together could be hugely beneficial for players.
“I think it will come under the one umbrella, but I think there will still need to be leaders of each organisation,” she said.
“The GAA is so huge on the men’s side to deal with, that’s a lot for one person to be a president of. I think within the organisation there would still need to be a split of who is over what. There will still need to be someone head of ladies Gaelic and someone that’s head of camogie.
“I think working together and having the same pool of finances to come together with will be crucial.
“They will still have their identity within the organisation, but having everyone under the one heading, possibly players will benefit the most from it, especially on the female side of things – having more access and more finances to pull more.
“I think it will create a more equal environment for males and females, which I think is one of the main goals of the merger.”