Outgoing Connacht GAA President, Sligo's John Murphy has warned that integration between the Association and its female counterparts, the LGFA and Camogie Association, is not "imminent" and will require a huge financial contribution from the State to eventually bring it about.
Delivering his final addresses to provincial convention in Bekan on Monday night after completing his three-year term as Connacht President, Murphy was clear that while it is a "positive" move for the Association, there is only now a realisation as to how great a task it is.
"I believe it will take years to implement," he said in a more pessimistic overview of the timeline.
"The Committee (chaired by former President of Ireland Mary McAleese) is now discovering that it is a mammoth task. To develop the Association with the means to accommodate all genders will require a massive investment in facilities.
"Currently we are not in a position to develop facilities as they will be required/demanded therefore it will require a huge financial contribution from the Government to bring it about.
"It is not possible to change a culture or facilities built for a male-dominated game overnight and people have to understand that," he said.
Murphy, a native of Tubbercurry, continued a proud family tradition in holding the Connacht Presidency for the past three years - as his his late grandfather, Jack Brennan, was the first ever Connacht President.
Murphy succeeded as provincial President on Monday night by former intercounty referee, Mayo's Vincent Neary, who will now hold the position for the next three years.
