Sexism in the GAA: An insult

Rena Buckley has won 18 All-Ireland medals. By any criteria, she has earned a place in the Irish sporting pantheon.

To reach that stratospheric level, she has polished her natural talent and consistently shown the exemplary character needed to maximise her career.

Those qualities were recognised last year when she was asked to present medals to a West Cork club’s underage players.

On arrival Buckley was told she would only be presenting medals to girls and that someone else would present medals to the boys. Remember, this was 2017 not 1720.

Sometimes the GAA makes the case all too easily for anyone accusing it of being wedded to outdated prejudices.

It is interesting though to wonder what kind of person might deem the most decorated woman in GAA history unsuitable to present medals to young boys.

It is interesting too to wonder how they might influence those boys.

In some respects, it’s easier to win 18 All-Ireland medals than understand such an insulting decision.