‘Integration key for future of GAA’ – Geraldine Giles

Westmeath LGFA chairperson Geraldine Giles believes integration is crucial for the GAA in order to build on the foundations that have been put in place.

The plans for integration of the three Gaelic games bodies, the GAA, the LGFA and the Camogie Association, suffered a blow recently when Mary McAleese resigned as chairperson of the steering committee behind the process. Considerable debate and criticism of the GAA hierarchy followed in the aftermath.

“It’s incumbent on us, even in today’s climate, to make that (integration) happen. I know there’s been a lot of talk in the media and everything about integration. We, as the administrators, have to make that happen because the young kids are important,” said Giles.

“They don’t care that we’re up here as administrators or anything else. They just want to play the game,” she continued.

Geraldine was speaking when receiving the Hall of Fame award as part of the Westmeath Examiner Community & Sports Awards recently.

During her distinguished career as an administrator, Geraldine has served at national level as LGFA President for two terms, a total of six years.

Geraldine said it was "a huge honour" to be chosen for the Hall of Fame award. "But none of this - and any of us that are volunteers in Gaelic games will tell you - would be possible but for the players and the people we have behind us,” she said.

The current Westmeath LGFA chairperson said she will continue to be involved because she loves the sport.

“The day that I stop loving the sport is probably the day I’ll walk away, but I’d hope somebody will take the chair before that,” said the Kinnegad woman.

Geraldine paid tribute to all who have worked so diligently for ladies football during her years of involvement.

“Over those 42 years, I think it is now, since our club was started in Coralstown/Kinnegad, there are many, many people (who made it possible). Not just our family, first and foremost, because of the love of the games, but all of the people that make it possible. All of the coaches that go out every single day to coach in the clubs, in the schools, in the communities, in the colleges as well. And that’s where we get our love of the games,” he said.

Geraldine paid tribute to all clubs in the county for the progress they have made. Her hope is that Westmeath ladies can emulate their success of recent years and gain greater recognition in the future.

“It’s a huge credit to all of the communities across Westmeath for the facilities that we have today and for the work they put in,” she added.