The Cork native takes over from Mary O’Connor who has been acting Ard Stiúrthóír for the past fifteen months and will now resume her role as Director of Camogie Development.
O’Connor stepped into the acting role at a critical time for the Association and oversaw the building of a relationship with Liberty Insurance who became the first dual sponsor of the All Ireland Camogie and Hurling Championships.
She was a powerful contributor to the Sport For Business summer conference on the Business of Women’s Sport and will continue to use her position as one of the most decorated players in the history of Gaelic Games to promote the sport around the country.
O’Flynn served as President of the Association from 2008 to 2010 where she oversaw the launch of an ambitious strategic plan through to 2015 and focused on the importance of player welfare.
She has played on Championship winning club sides in Cork and Kildare, as well as being instrumental in the re-establishment of London in international Camogie development while living there during the 1980’s.
Her professional career has up to now been spent within areas of equality, from the Combat Poverty Agency in Dublin to the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs.
“Joan has served camogie with distinction over many years and I know she will bring the same passion and energy to her new role,” said Camogie President Aileen Lawlor. “I would also like to thank Mary O’Connor for her great work and commitment for the past year and more.”
O’Flynn takes up the position at a positive time for the sport. With 560 affiliated clubs and over 100,000 active players the grass roots of the sport are strong.
Liberty Insurance’s sponsorship deal has completed one year of a five year run and after a good start it will be interesting to see new ways in which the relationship is strengthened for the good of both sides.
GAA President Liam O’Neill has made the ‘one family of gaelic games’ ideal a central theme of his Presidency and greater cooperation between Camogie. Ladies Football and the men’s game at juvenile through to senior level will be an important element of the coming years.
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