All 68 inter-county Gaelic football and hurling captains have written to the management of the GAA in support of their female counterparts, who are campaigning for better conditions.
Protests have been taking place before championship matches in the female codes as players are unhappy with delays on the part of the LGFA, Camogie Association and GAA to develop a charter that would improve their lot in terms of expenses, welfare and the administration of their games.
This season the Cavan football and Kildare camogie teams have been involved in disputes with their county boards and last month all teams announced through the Gaelic Players Association that they would complete this year's competitions 'under protest'.
Now, the footballers and hurlers have come in support of their female counterparts via their team captains, in a statement released by the GPA.
It read: "We, the 68 captains of the male senior inter-county teams, want to express our full support for our female colleagues and stand beside them #UnitedForEquality. As such, we are asking you to work with the Camogie Association, the Ladies Gaelic Football Association and the Gaelic Players Association to discuss the steps necessary towards providing the minimum standards of welfare and care for female players for 2024. They cannot be expected to wait any longer.
"We do not accept that this is a matter solely for the two female governing bodies which is the response you have given to date. Among the GAA's values is that of Community Identity. Community is at the heart of our Association. We know from our own communities that if our neighbour is struggling or requires help, the local GAA club steps forward to provide it.
"We know our female inter-county colleagues in the Gaelic games community are in need of support. They need help to provide basics such as medical support, nutritional support, access to facilities and financial support to offset travel expenses.
"Are you going to live that value of community, or will you allow this opportunity for positive change to pass us by? In the GAA we know and love, there would only be one answer to that question."
Meanwhile, Antrim's Caitrin Dobbin and Nicola Ward of Galway were named the PwC GPA Women's Player of the Month winners in football and camogie for June.
Galway hurler Conor Whelan and Tyrone's Darragh Canavan won the male awards.
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
Listen to the RTÉ GAA Podcast on the RTÉ Radio Player, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts
Watch the All-Ireland Camogie Championship quarter-finals, Antrim v Tipperary (Saturday at 3pm) and Cork v Kilkenny (Sunday at 1.30pm) this weekend on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player or listen to live updates on RTÉ Radio 1
