Integration deadline 'a bridge too far' believes Connacht GAA chief executive John Prenty

INTEGRATION:John Prenty points out difficulties with the current one club model at club level where “club members are affiliated to three different county committees. The county committees are affiliated to different Provincial and National bodies. Not something that will be jelled together overnight.” Picture: ©INPHO/James Crombie

Connacht GAA chief executive John Prenty has described the integration process as “putting the foundations and the roof on a house at the same time”.

In his annual report ahead of the province’s convention this Thursday, Prenty believes the deadline of next year for the merger of the GAA, Ladies Gaelic Football Association and The Camogie Association “is probably a bridge too far”.

He has called on the parties “to re-evaluate the timelines and put a sustainable process in place, which will see all of the associations amalgamated from the bottom up.” 

Prenty points out difficulties with the current one club model at club level where “club members are affiliated to three different county committees. The county committees are affiliated to different Provincial and National bodies. Not something that will be jelled together overnight.” 

On the cost of integration, he continues: “There are huge financial implications involved in the integration into one Association. In particular, there is a multi-million euro infrastructure investment required to accommodate lady and men players.

“Well over 90% of our club and, indeed, county facilities were built to accommodate male players only. The GAA motto of ‘where we all belong’ and the Respect Initiative presupposes that we are all equal.

“The ladies will not nor should they accept what is currently available. Consequently, there will be a need to upgrade our dressing room facilities, which will require considerable finances to bring them up to standard.

“Government sources seem determined to have One Association and there is an urgent need for urgent financial assistance from Government for the required infrastructural developments.” 

Prenty outlines the financial considerations around inter-county teams as well as governance, fixture scheduling and culture change.

He maintains that integration must “start at club level. We must get the foundations right before we can proceed further.” Prenty continues: “We must remember that when integration is fully delivered the main drivers of its success will be our volunteers at club level.

“Our County Committee and Provincial Councils are dependent on the support and willingness of our clubs to make it work. What is needed now are measured intentional steps to achieve the goal of integration ensuring effectiveness and thoroughness in our actions. As the Romans say ‘Festina lente’.” For a number of reasons, Prenty is opposed to the upcoming motion to extend the inter-county season into August and disband the pre-season competitions.

“I have no doubt that there will be more opportunities to promote our Inter-county players in August and going into September but, in reality, the totality of our inter-county players only make up 2% of our playing population. Have the 100% of our players who play at club level any promotional value to our Association?” 

Prenty argues the decision to suspend the pre-season competitions last year was a bad move not in light of the new football rules but for up-and-coming footballers.

“I think its discontinuation is an insult to emerging players, our supporters who look forward to the games at this time of year and who begin to look forward to the real action at the end of January. We must also recognise our sponsors, in our case, FBD Insurance, who have been very loyal to our province.

“While it has been suggested by some that it is all about finance, this is not the case but in a province the size of ours the gate receipts from the FBD Leagues has gone directly back into games development, with enhanced coaching initiatives at all levels and, in particular, at club and academy Level.

“Having to live off four inter-county senior football gates leaves very little room for manoeuvre and the FBD Leagues has given Connacht the opportunity to at least compete. Hopefully, delegates will see the advantages of the preseason competitions and vote to retain them.” 

Prenty rejects the claim by the Gaelic Players Association that the January tournaments burden players. “The view of the GPA that the FBD League and other preseason tournaments in January had implications for player welfare and that players would have to return to training at an earlier date.

“The return to collective Training Date for all Senior Inter-County Panels for the 2026 season was fixed for Friday, November 21. As in other years. this has been a notional date and in my opinion the majority of counties have ignored it. By this date I would hazard a guess that the majority of Senior and some U20 Inter-County teams were 60% fit by this time. The policing will never happen.” 

Prenty also suggests Central Council should pick up the bill for the traditional Connacht SFC quarter-final in Gaelic Park. Roscommon travel to New York for this year’s game on April 11.

“The annual trip to New York, like the one to London, is important for the diaspora – of that there is no doubt. But is it really fair that the smallest province in the country must subsidise the venture? Is it time for Central Council to shoulder the cost and perhaps even reward the province for our commitment for the past 20-plus years?

“The opening weekend of April, and already 50% of the Connacht Championship games had been played – all three shown live on GAA+. Is this really the best way to promote the Connacht Championship?” 

Prenty also addresses the damage done by Storm Eowyn to the province’s Air Dome in Bekan last January and reveals there were 165 claims in Connacht amounting up to €13 million in payouts as a result of the storm.

“It was the primary full-sized GAA indoor facility for teams from all over the country and overseas,” Prenty writes of the dome. “As the world’s largest indoor GAA air-dome, this facility attracted teams from across Ireland and abroad; its loss has wider sporting consequences.

“The Dome’s unique design made it iconic. The loss of the Air Dome has had far-reaching operational, financial, community, emotional and strategic impacts for Connacht GAA and the region’s wider sporting calendar.” 

It is hoped a new dome will be installed in April.