'GAA integration target will be very hard to meet'

Conor Meyler believes "it will be very hard" to meet the target of gender integration in gaelic games by 2027.

In February 2024, the Gaelic Athletic Association [GAA], Ladies Gaelic Football Association [LGFA] and the Camogie Association announced an intention to merge into one body.

The Integration Steering Group for Gaelic Games is being led by Mary McAleese, the former Irish president, but in December the GAA's management committee said the deadline for full integration by 2027 was "unrealistic".

McAleese, who acknowledged there was "pockets of resistance" to the merger, felt the target was still achievable.

Speaking to BBC Sport NI, Meyler said that while an integrated association could happen by 2027, "there is a difference between integration and equality" and it is not something that should be rushed.

The 2021 Tyrone All-Ireland winner is currently undertaking a PhD in gender equality, leadership, and governance in sport, which is particularly aimed at examining the lack of genuine equality for women in gaelic games and indeed wider sport.

"Equality is not a moment in time, it's a commitment to a direction of travel," Meyler said.

"I think we could integrate the federations [by 2027] but it could take five or 10 years before we have that whittle down to every club, county and province.

"I think it gets tricky at a county board level and there has to be some strategic map or plan to get a direction of travel. I think that is more important."

You can watch the full interview with Conor Meyler at half-time of Louth v Derry on Saturday, with throw-in at 15:00 GMT.

Meyler said that gender division in gaelic games "wasn't something I was ever aware of" in his early days as a player.

He admitted he had his own "privilege and ignorance", and it was not until he started his PhD that it really hit him that having "an association that segregates on gender perhaps isn't a good look".

"We've a lot of good men in roles and positions who want to do the right thing, they maybe just lack the awareness, don't know how to or don't understand the historical lack of representation for women in sport.

"By having a better gender balance in your boards, committees and your sport, the sport then thrives. It's not a case of one side wins and one side loses, you are creating that better environment for everyone to grow and flourish."

Meyler, who was forced to retire after a number of knee injuries, said he feels a responsibility for men, both players and those in leadership positions, to try and make a difference in equality in the sport.

"If you zoom out and look at it from a value, moral and ethical point of view, what organisation do we want to be part of?"

"We want young boys and girls to have equal opportunities to flourish in gaelic games.

"If that is our north star, then I think we can overcome some of the smaller obstacles."