Gaelic Games

David Mohan
BBC Sport NI journalist

Image source, Inpho

Former Irish president, Dr Mary McAleese has expressed disappointment after stepping down as chairperson of the steering group to oversee the planned merger of the GAA, Camogie Association and Ladies Gaelic Football Association [LGFA].

The plan to bring all three bodies under one banner gained traction in 2022 when all they voted in favour at their respective congress.

Following the appointment of Dr McAleese in 2022 by former GAA President to lead the Integration Committee, the group identified 2027 as the year for completion.

However, a letter sent by the GAA to the Integration Committee this week said it could not commit to the timeline proposed, following an earlier commitment from the three bodies to hold a special congress next month to create one membership for the merger of the three associations which would begin in April 2027.

"I'm absolutely devastated. I've given four years of my time to this. And four years is a lot, you know, I'm not getting any younger," Dr McAleese told RTE Radio One's Inside Sport., external

"I look at all the people who have given their time to it, people on the committee, but also literally hundreds of people all over the GAA, experts in the culture of the GAA, bringing their experience, their wisdom to bear on everything, on a very long list of issues that we had to deal with and put together like a giant jigsaw puzzle that then turned out to be a map, a roadmap to integration.

"I think of all the effort they have made. Now, I'm hoping that won't be lost, because that's still all there. It's still all sitting, waiting to be used, hopefully by another group sometime.

"I don't know when that will be, because unfortunately, as of now, the GAA have indicated that they cannot commit to any kind of a definitive timeline for integration, while at the same time, of course, saying that they are still committed to integration. I am dubious."

GAA reiterates commitment to integration

While minutes from a GAA Management Committee meeting in December 2025 expressed that it was "unrealistic" for integration to be completed in 2027 and GAA president-elect Derek Kent, following his election earlier this year, suggested 2034 as a more likely target, the GAA insist they remain committed to the overall project.

"Dr McAleese has played an invaluable part in advancing the future of Gaelic games and delivering the integration project to this significant juncture," the GAA said in a statement.

"She departs her role with the sincere gratitude and good wishes of the entire Gaelic games family.

"The next phase of the project will be to distil the substantial and constructive feedback received from a wide range of stakeholders into a refined set of key principles and structures, and to derive a detailed and sequential workplan, all of which will be advanced in 2027.

"The GAA remains firmly committed to building a single Association that honours the identity, heritage and contribution of each of our sports while creating a stronger and more inclusive future for the entire Gaelic games family."

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Camogie Association president Brian Molloy also expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the former Irish president and shared her disappointment "with the decision to step back from the agreed goal of one Association by 2027".

"I believe that while there were significant concerns, none were insurmountable," Molloy said.

"In 2024, the three Associations announced the timetable to deliver full Integration by 2027. It was lauded as a momentous step towards unity, equality and inclusivity.

"The Camogie Association remains committed to the integration project and hopes that the three associations can realign on the path to delivering that vision."

The LGFA also expressed their gratitude but felt Dr McAlese's decision came "unexpectedly" after what they felt was "constructive discussions at the latest meeting of the Steering Group on Monday".

"While challenges are inevitable in a project of this scale and significance, the progress made to date demonstrates the goodwill and commitment that we believe exists among all three organisations to achieve a successful outcome," they said in a statement.

"The LGFA remains confident that the integration process can continue to move forward in a positive and collaborative manner."

GPA 'disappointed' by delay to agreed pathway

The Gaelic Players Association [GPA] - which represents players from all codes - thanked Dr McAleese for her "leadership, independence and commitment" to the role but "share her disappointment that the agreed roadmap towards integration has now been disrupted".

"The mandate for integration remains overwhelming," a GPA statement read.

"A GPA motion calling for integration to be prioritised was supported by 89.8% of delegates at GAA Congress in 2022, following consultation in which 97% of inter-county players supported integration.

"This was further reinforced by the 2023 survey of more than 30,000 members across the three Associations, with nine out of 10 believing integration would be positive for Gaelic games."

The GPA questioned what has changed to disrupt the agreed timeline for completion, insisting no issue was raised when the players' body met with GAA officials last week.

"Players have consistently and overwhelmingly supported integration and will not accept an indefinite delay or a retreat from the commitment what has been made," they continued.

"Over the coming days, the GPA will consult with players to determine out next steps.

"Players have been clear about the future they want for Gaelic games.

"The GPA remains fully committed to integration and to achieving equal recognition, investment and opportunity for everyone who plays our games."

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Oisin McConville will remain Wicklow senior football boss for the 2027 season after leading the county to this year's dramatic Tailteann Cup triumph.

McConville, who was appointed before the 2023 season, masterminded the Garden County's stunning comeback in the Tailteann Cup final against Down as they rallied from 13 points down to beat the favourites 1-21 to 2-16 at Croke Park.

The win guaranteed Wicklow's place in the 2027 All-Ireland series and McConville will remain in place for the campaign.

Before competing for the Sam Maguire, the 50-year-old will hope to guide the Leinster county out of Division Four having narrowly missed out on promotion in the past two seasons.

McConville - an All-Ireland winner with Armagh in 2002 - steered Wicklow to promotion to Division Three in 2023, but they were relegated the following year.

The Wicklow job is McConville's first inter-county managerial role. Before joining, he co-managed Crossmaglen with after as decorated playing career with the Armagh club, Meath side Seneschalstown and Monaghan outfit Inniskeen Grattans.

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Cavan GAA have been forced into a switch of venues for this weekend's Senior Football Championship games following a "major" fire at Kingspan Breffni Park.

Friday's game between Ramor United and Ballyhaise will now take place in Mullahoran [20:00 BST], with four other games over Saturday and Sunday also moving to alternative venues.

The incident is believed to have started in the stadium's kitchen area on Thursday night, following Crosserlough's victory over Laragh United at the Cavan town venue.

Gardai and local fire services attended the scene just after just after midnight with the blaze extinguished and no injuries reported.

"Due to a major incident at Kingspan Breffni overnight, the venue is out of commission for the weekend," the Cavan county board confirmed in a statement.

"Thankfully nobody was injured but currently no power or water in the stadium.

"Further details will be shared once the full extent of the damage has been assessed."

Saturday's game between Arva and Cavan Gaels will now take place in Ballymachugh, while Cootehill will host the meeting of Cuchulainns and Kingscourt - both games now have an 18:00 throw-in.

On Sunday, Castlerahan v Gowna is refixed for Lacken at 16:30, while Killygarry will face Mullahoran at Crosskeys [18:00].

Lauren McCann
BBC Sport NI Journalist

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Gabriel Bannigan said he was "disappointed" to be stepping down from his role as Monaghan manager after two years at the helm but said the "goalposts have been moved" and he could not continue.

Bannigan initially joined Monaghan as part of Vinny Corey's management team in 2022 before succeeding Corey as boss in 2024.

Under Bannigan, Monaghan won the Division Two title in 2025 and reached successive All-Ireland quarter-finals where they were knocked out by Donegal and then Louth.

The Farney men were relegated from Division One this year after a tough league campaign in which they failed to pick up a point.

They bounced back well in the Ulster SFC with wins over Cavan and Derry but suffered an extra-time defeat against Armagh in the decider.

"I'm very disappointed to announce that I am stepping down as manager of the Monaghan senior football team," Bannigan said in a statement.

"When I was appointed two years ago, I accepted the challenge of leading the Monaghan team through an inevitable period of transition and it has been an absolute privilege to do so.

"I have always been 100% honest with the Monaghan people since I was given the honour of managing our senior footballers, I did not want to walk away from this project that I have put so much into.

"Over the last number of weeks, I worked hard on my plans for 2027 to build on the excellent foundations now in place. During this period, I have come to realise that the goalposts have moved, and the conditions are not right for me to continue and therefore I believe a new management team and fresh voices are now required to take Monaghan football forward."

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Tyrone's three-time All-Ireland winner Joe McMahon has joined the Sligo backroom team before the 2027 season.

McMahon, who won three Sam Maguire titles as a player and was part of the county's coaching group for their 2021 triumph, will work as Sligo's head coach alongside manager Dessie Sloyan.

Sloyan and Eamonn O'Hara were joint-managers during the 2026 season but the latter will serve as assistant manager next year.

The coaching ticket also includes selectors Paul Higgins and Eamon McGee, while McMahon's Omagh St Enda's club-mate Des McGuinness has joined as goalkeeping coach.

Sligo will again compete in Division Three next year after finishing fourth in 2026. They exited both the Connacht SFC and Tailteann Cup in the quarter-finals.

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The home leg of the Republic of Ireland's 2027 Women's World Cup play-off with Kazakhstan will be played at Pairc Ui Chaoimh in Cork.

Carla Ward's side travel to Kazakhstan on 9 October before the return fixture at the home of Gaelic games in Cork on Tuesday, 13 October.

The winner of the first round play-off will face either Belgium or Poland for a place in the World Cup in Brazil next summer.

The Republic of Ireland are looking to reach back-to-back finals after their historic qualification for the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Ward said she was "delighted" to be returning to Cork for the crucial fixture, where the Republic of Ireland have a 100% winning record.

The Republic of Ireland stunned the Netherlands in June as Amber Barrrett scored a last-gasp goal in a 3-2 victory.

That came after a famous 3-1 victory over France in 2024 in Euro 2025 qualifying, and a 1-0 win over Slovenia last year.

"The Netherlands game was incredibly special, particularly because the Cork crowd showed such passion," Ward said.

"We cannot take Kazakhstan for granted, especially with the significant travel involved between the two legs.

"We will need everyone in the stands to get behind the team once more to help us get over the line."