Nadine Doherty believes the Ladies Gaelic Football Association and Camogie Association can expect an escalation in protests if they do not accept the GAA's offer to help develop a players' charter.
Players from both codes have been protesting in recent weeks, demanding players' charters for 2024 that set out minimum facilities and expenses for inter-county players.
The Gaelic Players Association had already announced this morning that players would not participate in LGFA/Camogie Association-organised media events for the closing stages of the respective All-Ireland championships.
Later on Wednesday, GAA Director General Tom Ryan told an Oireachtas Committee that the GAA were willing to help the LGFA and Camogie Association establish a female charter, should they be asked to do so. The three associations are currently engaged in talks on a potential merger.
"Very welcome words," former Donegal football captain Doherty told 2fm's Game On of Ryan's answer.
"What it insinuates is that the LGFA and Camogie Association haven't reached out to the GAA yet, which is surprising and disappointing.
"It’s a poor reflection on the female codes that it’s the GAA, who represent the men’s codes, who have come out first in public and stated that they’re willing to begin discussions.
"There has just been complete silence – in the public domain anyway – from the LGFA and Camogie Association…
"I felt the LGFA’s initial statement was very defensive and highlighted yet again the huge disconnect between the association and the players.
"If they don’t engage in these talks, which the GAA have offered, they are continuing to delay what are basic rights for their own playing members.
"If they don’t engage now, then they are giving the players no option but to continue to take further action in the coming weeks.
"It’s getting a little embarrassing. Why are they not listening to their players? All they [the players] want to do is start discussions and see where it goes from there."
"I've had players come to me and say 'All I want is a facility to shower’"
Nine-time camogie All-Ireland winner Aoife Murray thinks the players have been restrained in confining themselves to protests before games.
"The players don’t want to have to do this," the Corkwoman said.
"But listening to Tom Ryan today, listening to [former Camogie Association president] Liz Howard [talking] about using the 'honey’ approach, you wonder how they’re not going stronger to be honest.
"You wonder why the two governing bodies have gone into hiding and now we’re hearing from Tom Ryan.
"One of the questions he was asked was ‘Have they asked you to intervene?’ and his response, which was one of the most frightening things to me, was ‘Quite the opposite’.
"Disappointing doesn’t even touch the sides of this. It’s not like the players are looking to go professional, they just want minimum standards.
"I’ve had players come to me and say ‘All I want is a facility to shower’. This is what we’re talking about, it’s not about luxuries, it’s purely down to facilities. Can I have a shower after training before I get into the car and travel two hours?
"Today, listening to Tom Ryan and those responses, you would nearly question that the players are being extremely patient. It just shows how much they want to play.
"You don’t have a game without the players. This is the generation that’s going to change this game for the good of future generations. I couldn’t prouder of them."
The LGFA and Camogie Association were contacted for comment earlier on Wednesday.
