LGFA must explain cancellation of the Ladies’ Minor Championship – Dillon

The organisation which governs Ladies’ Gaelic Football must explain their decision not to allow an All-Ireland championship for minor players, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Deputy Alan Dillon called on the Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA) to outline their reasoning to cancel the All-Ireland series on the day the Government pledged to treble funding to senior female players.

The Mayo TD and Fine Gael Spokesperson for Sport said, “I was very critical of the LGFA last year when it made the decision to scrap the Ladies’ minor inter-county game completely.

“While I welcome the decision to run provincial minor championships this summer, I cannot comprehend why the All-Ireland series has been cancelled.

“I’ve been in touch with a number of coaches and parents who are extremely annoyed, especially as the GAA is planning to run an All-Ireland minor (U17) and U20 series for boys and men.

“I have seen correspondence from a number of county managers, and they’ve made it clear that the responsibility for this decision lies with the LGFA and not the GAA.

“With Government stepping up to properly fund ladies’ games, those who run ladies’ football must also now step up.

“I find it incredible that boys will be able to compete in 2021 on an All-Ireland basis but girls won’t be offered the same opportunity. The LGFA needs to come out and outline its reasoning behind this decision.

“Players deserve to be treated equally; how can we promote ladies’ football if decisions like this are taken?”

Last year, the LGFA proposed an U19 competition to be held in 2021 for minors who missed out on county football games in 2020. Deputy Dillon was critical of LGFA Central Council members who then voted to scrap that idea.

“I must state once again that differences in how players are treated based on gender is unacceptable.

“We need to see equality across the board, and this includes sponsorship. I’m calling on Electric Ireland, sponsors of the boys’ minor Championships, to step in and sponsor the girl’s minor Championships – on the condition such sponsorship includes All-Ireland semi-finals and finals.

“Ultimately though, the solution to the broader issue of gender equality in GAA in the long term lies in the establishment of a single Gaelic games governing body” concluded Deputy Dillon.