Former Irish president Mary McAleese has clashed publicly with the GAA after resigning as chair of the committee overseeing the planned merger of the GAA, the Ladies Gaelic Football Association and the Camogie Association. She accused the men's organisation of misogyny and a lack of genuine commitment to bringing women into top-level decision-making, prompting a sharp rebuttal from GAA president Jarlath Burns, who called her remarks "regrettable" and "offensive". The row has escalated further with Ireland's Minister for Sport publicly siding with the GAA, an unusual intervention that has added a political dimension to the dispute.

McAleese, president of Ireland from 1997 to 2011, told RTÉ Radio One that the GAA had watered down its support for the planned 2027 integration, citing shifting timelines and resistance within its management committee. Burns countered that the GAA remains committed to equality but faces serious financial constraints, noting that full equality could double county team spending from €45 million to €90 million a year, and pointed out that nine of the GAA's 19 management committee members are women. Director general Tom Ryan said the organisation was "just not ready" to merge by next year and rejected misogyny claims "in the strongest possible terms", while LGFA president Trina Murray said she was "sad to see Mary go" but that both bodies remained fully committed to integration. Minister Patrick O'Donovan backed the GAA's position, saying it could not be expected to "change overnight".