Foley: 'Ladies' GPA may be needed'

In the wake of the Kildare Ladies Footballers injecting their own personal funds into their panel, Cork's 2008 All-Ireland-winning camogie captain Caitriona Foley feels that a Gaelic Players Association-style organisation may be needed for the two women's gaelic codes.

Foley has been chosen as one of four Grand Marshals for the Dublin St. Patrick's Day parade on March 17 along with fellow 2008 All-Ireland-winning players Henry Shefflin (Kilkenny hurling), Brian Dooher (Tyrone football) and Angela Walsh (Cork Ladies football).

She believes that such a organisation would be of benefit to herself and her peers.

"I suppose that would be an advantage to the girls at the moment alright," Foley said.

"I know at the moment the girls wouldn't have the same numbers as the lads following them and following the Championships, but at the same time opportunities for the girls would be improved in this day and age.

"Just for the fact that we do put in a lot of effort and we do give our own spare time.

"Not taking from the lads and their achievements are unbelievable and we know they give an awful lot of dedication and commitment as well.

"It would be great to have an extra opportunity out there for girls as well."

Foley is certainly not unaware of player power in the GAA at present, with the Cork hurling dispute taking a lot of the limelight on Leeside at present.

For Foley and her camogie and Ladies football colleagues, the struggle for sponsors in the past has been a major problem. The Cork Ladies footballers are currently without a sponsor after Castlelands Construction withdrew their sponsorship at the end of 2008.

Foley empathises with her Kildare Ladies football counterparts, but also stresses how current Cork Camogie sponsors Bord Gáis Networks have been good to the sport in the Rebel county.

"It is tough. I suppose we have to get out there ourselves and do a lot of fundraising.

"From a Cork perspective in Camogie, Bord Gáis have been very good to us this year. I can't speak for other counties to be honest but I know in Cork we are well looked after.

"We are given what we need as I suppose really it is down to County Boards in respective counties to push it out there and to make the girls' codes known and respected in their respective counties as well."