Former GAA president John Horan appointed new chairperson of steering group on integration

John Horan was uachtarán from 2018 to ’21. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Former GAA president John Horan has been appointed as the new chairperson of the steering group on integration.

The Dubliner, who was uachtarán from 2018 to ’21, has recently overseen the stadium developments in Páirc Tailteann in Navan and Louth’s new venue in Dundalk. He is the current chairman of SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh board.

He was endorsed by the steering committee on Monday and was endorsed by the respective management committees of the GAA, Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA) and The Camogie Association.

A member of the Na Fianna club which adopts the One Club Model, Horan takes over from Mary McAleese who resigned in controversial circumstances last month.

President of the LGFA, Trina Murray stated: "John Horan is an outstanding appointment. He knows Gaelic games inside out, and his experience will be a huge asset as we drive integration forward."

Camogie president Brian Molloy said: "John's deep knowledge and understanding of Gaelic games, and particularly the GAA landscape, ideally position him to help us achieve buy-in and deliver Integration in the shortest timeframe possible."

GAA president Jarlath Burns remarked about Horan: “His proven leadership, experience, integrity and ability to meet challenges head on make him an outstanding choice as our new chair, and to lead us to what will be the best of times as an integrated Gaelic games community. He brought representatives of Camogie and LGFA onto GAA management during his tenure, and he has the respect of all three associations to make this work.” 

Accepting the role, Horan said: "I come from a club that has achieved success on and off the field by valuing all of our members and harnessing our full potential across the GAA, Camogie and LGFA. 

"Being elected uachtarán was an enormous honour, and to be asked to chair the steering group on integration and work with everyone who is committed to having a new dawn for Gaelic games is a responsibility and a privilege that I am excited to take on."