Brian Molloy, was ratified as the first ever male President of the Camogie Association at the organisation’s annual Congress this past weekend at the Westgrove Hotel in Clane, Co. Kildare.
150 representatives from counties, provincial councils and delegates from the Association’s international units along with outgoing Uachtarán, Hilda Breslin were present at the Congress which also debated a number of important elements on the playing side.
“This is a very special moment and indeed an historic moment for our Association, as I am the first male to be elected president of the Association in its 120 year history,” said Molloy.
“I am very proud to take on this role and very grateful to have been given this opportunity to lead the Camogie Association. We have a fantastic game that is a fundamental part of Irish culture.”
“Integration with the GAA and the LGFA has long been on the agenda within the Camogie Association. We have been consistently in favour of integration and steadfast in our belief that the new combined and fully integrated singular Gaelic Games Association will be a stronger, more balanced Association.”
“There are some steps towards integration that we can start to take right now. It starts with all three associations adopting an integrated mindset and reflecting that in their decisions and engagements now. We still tackle our day to day challenges but we tackle the challenges through the prism of how we would operate if we were already integrated.”
He also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to outgoing President, Hilda Breslin, for her outstanding dedication and exemplary leadership as Uachtarán of the Camogie Association over the past four years.
“Today is about progressing and transforming our organisation to ensure that we continue to further improve the enjoyment of playing and watching our game,” added Breslin.
“Three years ago, Congress introduced major changes to our playing rules. The revisions recognised the changing nature of women’s sport and the need to promote the speed and skill of Camogie.”
“Today those rules have progressed further. Concussion is now recognised which is a major step in the game. It’s important that any signs leading to a suspicion of a concussion for a player, at any level or any age, the player should be removed immediately from play, and not return to action on the same day. It must be taken seriously.”
“As Brian Molloy comes in as Uachtaran of the Camogie Association, I want to wish him all the best as we look to the future.”
“Let’s value all our players for the part they will play in our Association now and beyond. Let’s make our clubs even more inclusive communities, building a foundation for lifelong enjoyment, participation and support for Camogie.”
Among the motions debated were the adoption of increased numbers of subs allowed in all games to advance the meaningful playing time enjoyed by fringe players, and ones relating to concussion mentioned above by Hilda Breslin.
Motions to allow for shorts to replace skorts and to allow sideline pucs from the hand were defeated.
GAA president Jarlath Byrnes, LGFA CEO Helen O’Rourke and Gaelic Players Association CEO Tom Parsons were in attendance.
“I would like to pay tribute to the outgoing President Hilda Breslin for her commitment to the process of integration,” said Burns.
“I look forward to working with the new President Brian Molloy in the near future. The new Hurling Development Committee will work hard to create new hurling and camogie clubs in areas where there is currently room for development.”
“The GAA will ensure the association is ready to face the challenges and opportunities that full integration presents for gaelic games across the globe.”
Sport for Business Perspective:
Equality cuts both ways and while the fact that the President’s role in both Camogie and Ladies Football are currently held by men may raise some eyebrows, the reality is that these are elected posts and the democratic decision of the sports.
Having the ability for the best person for the job at any given moment in time to take up the position is what we all want to get to, regardless of gender.
The fact that we are at a 40 per cent balance across most sports now in the most senior decision-making bodies means that the top jobs will follow a similar trajectory.
The Camogie Association and the GAA are both full members of the Sport for Business community.
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