ANTRIM goalkeeper Anna McCann believes that ladies footballers and camogie players will always be second-class citizens until the two Associations amalgamate with the GAA.

Gaelic Life has asked a number of female players their opinions about the current situation, and the St Ergnat’s player feels that a golden opportunity is being missed.

“I have experience of ladies football being viewed as second class at both club and county level,” she said.

“At county we struggle at times to get access to a pitch for trainings and games, often having to cancel as a result. Our county men have had full access to first class grounds that, until recently, the ladies county teams were not permitted access to.

“In my county, the men’s county panels have a full set of gear provided to them free of charge. All of our ladies panels and managers have to pay for their own gear.”

McCann believes that participation levels would eventually rise sharply if all three came under the one umbrella.

“I believe it is important that younger generations see and believe in men and women’s Gaelic games as one,” she said.

“One association will lead to higher quality Gaelic games, improved funding, increased respect towards women and therefore resulting in increased participation at all levels.”