🏋🏻‍♀️Who Are Your Supporters?

I started playing camogie in primary school in the 70s, took a short break in secondary school in the early 80s, and found my way back to it in the late 80s. That’s when I joined Raheny GAA under the leadership of Jimmy Keogh.

Jimmy’s two daughters played, so his involvement began as a father supporting his girls. But he couldn’t ignore the difference between what was available to them and what his son received. The girls had no changing room — so Jimmy converted a three‑cubicle toilet into a shower room himself. We didn’t have access to floodlit pitches — so he found us a patch of wasteland beside the road where we could train under streetlights in winter.

He went to every meeting, local and county, many of them painfully bureaucratic, but he stayed focused on the bigger picture: making sure the girls’ team had the resources and support we deserved.

Why am I thinking about all this now?

Jimmy brought our team to Senior A with limited resources and huge commitment. He inspired us, motivated us, and held a belief in us that made us raise our own standards. His support created pride — in our club, our team, and in ourselves. Some of those girls are still playing, and nearly three decades later, we’re still connected.

And today, with the news of Mary McAleese stepping down from the GAA integration initiative — just months short of a five‑year plan — her comments about resistance at the top don’t surprise me. When you look at systemic behaviour over the years, especially around women in sport and leadership, we hoped things had moved on. Clearly, there’s still work to do.

It takes strong men and women to call out poor behaviour and push for change. But none of us can do that alone. So ask yourself:

Who are your supporters? Who helps you navigate change? Who challenges you, steadies you, or encourages you when you’re trying to break old patterns?

If you find yourself repeating the same behaviours but expecting different results, pause. Notice the pattern. Name it.

Then ask: What might be a different way of doing things? Who could support you in trying something new?

Invite them for a cup of coffee. Ask for their perspective. That small step might be the beginning of meaningful change.

Córa is an accredited systemic coach and Masters‑level mindfulness teacher based in Ireland. She supports women and leaders who want to break old patterns, build stronger support systems, and make intentional changes in their personal or professional lives. Get in touch to learn more.