Female inter-county captain’s are planning their next move after a plan to unveil a ‘United for Equality’ banner in team photos before last weekend’s All-Ireland hurling semi-finals was thwarted.
GPA CEO Tom Parsons said that the move was agreed by the four managers - John Kiely (Limerick), Henry Shefflin (Galway), Brian Lohan (Clare) and Derek Lyng (Kilkenny).
In a message to GPA members Parsons said the GAA intervened in an attempt to prevent “this simple show of solidarity.”
GAA chiefs have denied that they put a stop to the unfurling of the banners before last Saturday and Sunday’s semi-finals, won by Limerick and Kilkenny respectively.
Star Sport understands that contact was made with the competing County Boards to outline the GAA’s position.
Parsons wrote: “We have yet to receive a formal response from the GAA following the male captains’ letter in support of the #UnitedForEquality protests last Tuesday (July 4).
“It’s important at this point to thank Henry Shefflin, Brian Lohan, Derek Lyng and John Kiely.
“All four managers had agreed to a show of solidarity by their squads ahead of the All-Ireland hurling semi-finals at the weekend.
“A #UnitedForEquality banner was to be displayed as part of the pre-game team photos.
“Following calls from GAA leadership to County Boards an intervention was made to prevent this simple show of solidarity.
“The GAA leadership are clearly fearful of you using your collective voice in support of your female colleagues.
“As they prevented this straightforward action which would have caused little or no disruption to the build-up to the games, we have had a lot of angry feedback.
“We are now considering what actions we can take to ensure the voice of players is heard.”
Parsons praised what he termed “a massive show of unity and strength” in recent weeks by female inter-county players, who have continued to step up their recent protests.
The former Mayo star continued: “I do want to highlight inaccurate reporting at the weekend which has led to nasty online commentary.
“To be clear, all teams stood behind the #UnitedForEquality protest. The content which prompted the online abuse has now been removed.
“We will continue to work with and for you.
“Our ask remains the same and remains very simple.
“The three associations sit down together with players to look at solutions on how we implement a charter for the 2024 season.
“Where there’s a will, there’s a way. We continue to await the collective willingness of the three associations.”
