Camogie Association spending on external legal advice increased more than five-fold last year

Her comments are borne out in the Camogie Association’s financial accounts for 2024, which shows expenditure on legal and professional fees reaching €499k. This figure represents an over five-fold increase on the corresponding €91,277 in 2023.

“During 2024, there was a significant increase in the requirement for external legal advice as the association encountered a series of occurrences, challenges and situations outside of previous experience, which require review of the rules, codes and policies and application of same,” the Camogie CEO wrote.

“This pattern of increased challenge is taking place throughout the sports industry and when we review the cases coming before the disciplinary and appeals processes, often the application or failure thereof, of approved policies and procedures has led to difficulties.

“We have invested in training and supports for volunteers who take on the important roles in the association charged with leadership, governance and application of the Association's rules. It is vital that these supports and training opportunities are availed of to support the effective running of units, and minimise the risks of challenge to processes.” 

The 549% rise in legal spend did not contribute to an overall deficit for 2024, although the €453k surplus of 2023 did shrink considerably to €93,375 last year.

Despite the Women’s Gaelic Players Association being launched in 2015, and later merging with the GPA in 2020, Camogie Association top-brass are only now bringing forward a motion, to this weekend’s Congress, to recognise the GPA “as the official representative body for adult players in inter-county competitions”.

In his president’s foreword, Brian Molloy stated that the process of full integration is moving ahead “inexorably”.

“I remain absolutely confident that a transformed GAA can and will be delivered by 2027 – one club, one county, one province, one Ard Chomhairle, one Association – where Camogie, Ladies Football, Hurling and Football will be sustained, maintained and developed equally and equitably for all,” Molloy added.

“Our game and our Association are in a good place. Our finances, as you will see, are in good shape and we are taking steps to try and build our match attendance figures further. We all need to work to ensure that our players are supported when they take to the pitch – in local and national settings and whether our own counties are involved or not.”