Former Irish president Dr. Mary McAleese has resigned as chairperson of the steering group overseeing the planned merger of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), Camogie Association, and Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA), expressing her disappointment with the decision. The integration plan, which gained significant support in 2022 after all three organizations approved it at their respective congresses, aimed to complete the merger by 2027. However, a recent letter from the GAA to the Integration Committee suggested it could not commit to the proposed timeline. The GAA had previously committed to holding a special congress in the coming month to establish a unified membership structure, with the integration expected to begin in April 2027. Dr. McAleese, who had served on the committee since 2022, described her decision as "absolutely devastating." She praised the dedication of those involved in the integration project over the past four years and expressed concern that the progress made might be lost. She also questioned the GAA's ability to commit to a clear timeline, despite its stated support for the integration effort. The GAA reaffirmed its commitment to the project, acknowledging Dr. McAleese's "invaluable" contributions to the future of Gaelic games. It stated that the next phase would focus on refining feedback from stakeholders into key principles and structures, with plans to move forward in 2027. However, minutes from a GAA Management Committee meeting in December 2025 indicated that meeting the 2027 target was "unrealistic." GAA president-elect Derek Kent suggested that 2034 might be a more achievable goal. Camogie Association president Brian Molloy expressed gratitude for Dr. McAleese's work and shared her disappointment over the decision to step back from the 2027 goal. He emphasized that while challenges remained, they were not insurmountable and that the 2024 announcement of the 2027 timetable was a major step toward unity. The LGFA also thanked Dr. McAleese for her efforts but found her resignation "unexpected" after what they described as "constructive discussions" at the latest meeting of the Steering Group. They acknowledged the project's difficulties but highlighted the progress made and the strong cooperation among the three organizations. The Gaelic Players Association (GPA) expressed disappointment over the delay, thanking Dr. McAleese for her "leadership, independence, and commitment." It noted that the agreed integration roadmap had been disrupted and questioned what had changed to alter the timeline. The GPA cited strong support for the merger, including a 2022 GAA Congress motion supported by 89.8% of delegates and a 2023 survey showing that nine out of 10 members across the three associations believed integration would benefit Gaelic games. The GPA said it would consult with players to determine the next steps.