LGFA CEO Helen O'Rourke hits out at 'worst supporters' and admits GPA challenges

LGFA CEO Helen O'Rourke has suggested that the split-season may have impacted attendances at last year’s All-Ireland final as she hit out at some of their members as being "the worst supporters of our game".

In an address to be presented at LGFA Congress, which is being held in Donegal on Friday and Saturday, O’Rourke said that the 30,340 that showed up for All-Ireland finals day was a "disappointment".

That was the lowest final attendance, which includes all three grade deciders, since the 2014 meeting of Cork and Dublin - excluding the 2020 final between the same counties played behind closed doors due to the Covid pandemic.

"Various factors may have come into play and the split season is certainly one of them," said O’Rourke in her report, seen by RTÉ Sport.

She also listed other possible reasons, such as holidays, Galway, who lost to Kerry in the senior final, have extended runs in football and camogie and the inability to engage properly with schools due to the summer break, but took aim at the LGFA members too.

"None of the above possible reasons take from the fact that many of our own members are the worst supporters of our game and with a membership of over 200,000 we must continue to try and to change mindsets and indifferences that exist in wanting to be in attendance on one of the greatest days in our calendar year."

O’Rourke said that "serious consideration" must be given to a later date for championship finals.

She also spoke of the challenging nature of the LGFA’s working relationship with the GPA, with the two parties discussing how to administer expenses in 2024.

"We genuinely believe that having a positive working relationship with the GPA can be beneficial to all but believe me this can be challenging.

"There