Camogie president dismisses Jarlath Burns' €500m integration cost claims as 'nonsense'

Speaking last week, Burns said the price to amalgamate the GAA with the Ladies Gaelic Football (LGFA) and Camogie Associations (CA) would be 'over half a billion'

Camogie Association president Brian Molloy during a media conference at Croke Park. File picture: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Camogie Association president Brian Molloy has dismissed GAA president Jarlath Burns’ claim integration will cost €500m as "nonsense".

Speaking last week, Burns said the price to amalgamate the GAA with the Ladies Gaelic Football (LGFA) and Camogie Associations (CA) would be considerable. 

“It's going to cost over half a billion as an association to do that.” 

Speaking on 2FM’s Game On programme on Tuesday, Molloy contested the figure and argued the cost of infrastructure is being conflated with the cost of integration. “That's nonsense,” he said of the €500m quote. 

“The €500m figure is a number I'm not entirely sure where it came from but it relates to the overall cost of infrastructure upgrades. So, in terms of making sure the dressing rooms are fit for purpose and extra dressing rooms being put on to stadiums and into facilities.

"Those dressing rooms need to be upgraded and brought up to standard in any event whether we integrated or didn't integrate. So that's a cost of infrastructure and we absolutely need — and the three associations when combined into one — will need Government support in terms of bringing the infrastructure up to that level, that fit for purpose level.

“But that's not a cost of integration, that's a cost of modernisation, it's a cost of reflecting the increased number of people who are playing our sports."

In April 2024, leading figures in the GAA told the Irish Examiner implementing full integration ensuring equal access to facilities and equity to female players could cost as much as €1bn.

Burns added: “Equity is something that's going to be very important. A camóg getting into her car and driving to training, it's costing the same as a GAA player.” 

At the John F Kennedy Summer School last Thursday, Burns said he had been speaking that day with the LGFA, CA, and former President of Ireland Mary McAleese, who is the chairperson of the integration steering committee.

They had been discussing what way membership will look like under integration. Asked if the deadline set for 2027 was achievable, he replied: “There are so many things that have to be achieved.” 

Kilkenny appointments

Meanwhile, former Laois manager Eddie Brennan and coach Niall Corcoran have joined Derek Lyng’s management set-up for 2026. 

Lyng will remain in charge for another two years and be joined by his former team-mate, eight-time All-Ireland winner Brennan as well as ex-Dublin and Galway defender Corcoran who has also worked with Wexford. Peter O’Donovan and Michael Rice continue as selectors.