Tracey is Cork GAA’s first female vice-chair

The GAA in Cork has elected the first female vice-chair in its 128-year history, with teacher Tracey Kennedy ratified yesterday by delegates at its annual convention in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

The Killeagh woman will retain the ‘gender-neutral’ title of vice-chairman and said she hoped other female GAA officials, such as new Tyrone chairman Roisín Jordan, would seek and achieve high office in the association.

“There’s no point being the first if you’re the only one; if there aren’t others following,” she said. “I think it’s something we need to look at. There are so many women working so hard for the GAA, putting in a lot more hours than I do. It’s something I intend to look at — what we can do to encourage women to run for positions.”