Sport

John McEntee: GAA needs its female role models like any other sport

Caroline O'Hanlon's sporting achievements with Armagh would probably receive more recognition if she were male, an imbalance which needs to be corrected within the world of Gaelic games
Caroline O'Hanlon's sporting achievements with Armagh would probably receive more recognition if she were male, an imbalance which needs to be corrected within the world of Gaelic games Caroline O'Hanlon's sporting achievements with Armagh would probably receive more recognition if she were male, an imbalance which needs to be corrected within the world of Gaelic games

SOME weeks ago I made the long trip south to Cork for the camogie Féile. T’was a great weekend’s craic.

My daughter was part of the team hosted by Whitechurch GAA club, with the kids staying in the homes of camogs of a similar age.

I did it myself in Galway when a similar age and again when I was a little older in Ballincollig, Co Cork. Back then it was brilliant getting away with friends and staying over in a strange place.

Of course, there were no mobile phones then, so parental contact occurred at the football events and perhaps via the mandatory phonecall home from the public phonebox.

As a parent, passing over responsibility for your child, even for only two nights, is a very different feeling.

The world has moved on so much since then that it is impossible for parents not to worry about their children’s welfare when they are out of sight.

A constant fear of not knowing permeates the thoughts of parents nowadays. My guess is that parents are bombarded with so many horror stories about child abuse, abduction and bullying that their protection mode is in overdrive on occasions.

But Whitechurch is a special part of the world. It is a small village on the outskirts of Cork city. The people are hospitable and pleasant, genuine and caring and our fears were allayed on the first day when we met the host parents.

I guess it is easier nowadays as all kids own a mobile phone so there is a constant open channel of communication with parents.

As a club, what is most impressive is Whitechurch’s inclusiveness and open-mindedness.

The club shares its site with a tennis club, rugby club, a community centre and a community playground.

It has been able to get massive grant aid and support for their developments, which benefit all in their community.

How it does business and creates community spirit while creating a shared space for many sports certainly has lessons for north of the border.

Many clubs provide a broad spectrum of GAA sports, while others are entirely committed to hurling or football.

One perception is that clubs with a strong hurling base also give support to their camogie teams, while in those clubs which are entirely football orientated, the camogs often feel they are the poor relations. This perception is driven by the support the local people give to the different codes.

The difference can be stark. In a football club an U14 football game can attract more support than a senior camogie final.

Locals can appear to be less connected to camogie; it would take them some persuading to pay to watch a game, yet they would rush home and skip their dinner to watch a football match.

In contrast, clubs with a strong hurling base will support its camogs just as well as its hurlers.

It is critical in today’s society that women’s sports are no less thought of than men’s games, for a number of reasons.

Our young girls flourish with the praise and attention from parents, relatives and local people watching them play. Their talents ought to be cherished and fostered equally.

Young girls often develop a negative attitude towards sports and claim they are ‘not sporty’. This attitude stops them from participating.

Yet participation is not just about winning. The social networks it creates are critical to supporting kids through their formative years and the activity derived from participating in training sessions and the good eating habits help to maintain fit healthy bodies.

The young camog who serves in a restaurant ought to be given the same opportunity to change shifts or request a night off in the same way as the young footballer; men should not be given priority over their female colleagues.

We often talk about the importance of good male role models as teachers within schools and within society generally, but the same is required for females.

An obvious example is Caroline O’Hanlon: an Armagh footballer, an International Rules player and a netball superstar who is about to captain Northern Ireland at the World Cup NI. If that wasn’t enough she is also a doctor saving local people’s lives.

Caroline is a role model of the highest order but I can’t help feeling that her status would be further elevated if she was a male.

Role models within the camogie world are more obscure, not because there aren’t any but because their skills and abilities are not as widely known outside that circle.

Take Down’s Fionnuala Carr as an example. This woman is simply awesome. She has a raft of personal accolades and seems to be named player of the match every time she plays a game.

Yet outside of the camogie world she is much less known than her brother Aidan, whose football exploits earned him instant fame. Female role models in sport encourage other young girls to become active participants and gain the lifelong benefits and rewards of sport.

Challenging conversations, promoting the role of women in GAA circles, need to be tabled for discussion.