Teehan hopeful integration process irons out off-field issues

Kilkenny defender Michelle Teehan is hopeful that the continuing integration process between the Camogie Association, GAA and LGFA will help flatten out the off-field speed bumps that continue to slow down the progress of camogie.

In recent months, several non-playing matters have been earning headlines.

High up the list was the cancellation of the Camoige All-Star tour to Canada after some players conveyed that they would not attend as it was scheduled to begin a week after the Leinster and Munster provincial finals and end eight days prior to the start of the senior championship.

The issue of skorts have also been brought front and centre by London club Thomas McCurtains ahead of the start of Camogie congress tomorrow, while in recent days Laois have said they were "ambushed" after being placed in the intermediate grade this season despite being losing a relegation play-off to Kildare last year.

The integration steering group, chaired by President of Ireland Mary McAleese, is currently seeking submissions from every county and Teehan can only see it as a great development.

"It is a really, really positive thing for hopefully all codes but I think for the Camogie Association more so," she said.

"I think they can really use the guidance and learn. I don't think the decisions are done on purpose, they have their reasons for certain decisions.

"I know they were approached by a good group in Canada to ask could they hold the All-Stars and it was a great idea and a great deal, but unfortunately from a players’ point of view, it just wasn’t ideal in terms of the timing.

"You would like to see something like that resolved because it is player welfare at the end of the day and we put as much time into it as people in the other