Horan ratified as chair of Gaelic games integration

Former Gaelic Athletic Association [GAA] president John Horan has been ratified as chairperson of the Steering Group on Integration for Gaelic games.

The Dublin native succeeds former Irish president, Dr Mary McAleese, who stepped down from the role in September after it emerged the proposed deadline of April 2027 for completing the integration of the GAA, Ladies Gaelic Football Associaion [LGFA] and Camogie Associaion [CA] would not be met.

Horan was nominated and ratified by all three associations by their respective management committees on Thursday evening.

"I come from a club that has achieved success on and off the field by valuing all of our members and harnessing our full potential across the GAA, Camogie and LGFA," said Horan, who served as GAA president between 2018 and 2021.

"Being elected Uachtaran was an enormous honour, and to be asked to chair the Steering Group on Integration and work with everyone who is committed to having a new dawn for Gaelic games is a responsibility and a privilege that I am excited to take on."

During Horan's tenure as GAA president, he oversaw the addition of the LGFA and CA director generals onto the GAA's management committee.

In 2019, the GAA became the first national sporting body in Ireland to establish a gender diversity committee in the same year Horan approved the first-ever official GAA participation in the Dublin Pride parade.

"John Horan was at the helm as we navigated our way through the worst of times that was the [Covid-19] pandemic," said current GAA president Jarlath Burns.

"His proven leadership, experience, integrity and ability to meet challenges head on make him an outstanding choice as our new chair, and to lead us to what will be the best of times as an integrated Gaelic games community.

"He brought representatives of camogie and LGFA onto GAA management during his tenure, and he has the respect of all three associations to make this work.

"I look forward to working with him in creating a GAA for all and a GAA 'Where We All Belong'."

Horan's club, Na Fianna boasts over 3000 members across all codes with more than 100 teams across hurling, Gaelic football, camogie and ladies football under the 'One Club' guidelines, external.

LGFA president Trina Murray welcomed Horan's ratification to the role as "an outstanding appointment".

"He knows Gaelic games inside out, and his experience will be a huge asset as we drive integration forward," Murray continued.

"We're delighted to have him on board, and we look forward to working with him."

Brian Molloy, Camogie Association president, also welcomed Horan into the role for what he feels is "a crucial time for integration".

"There is a significant body of work already complete on the project," Molly added.

"John's deep knowledge and understanding of Gaelic games, and particularly the GAA landscape, ideally position him to help us achieve buy-in and deliver integration in the shortest timeframe possible."