Sean McCague steps down as GAA president in April

A scheme aimed at paving the way to integrating the Ladies Football and Camogie governing bodies into the mainstream GAA was launched in Dublin on Tuesday.

The scheme, which will run from March until October in eight counties, will aim to highlight the challenges which integration poses and provide solutions ahead of closer liaisons between the three Associations.

The eight counties taking part in the initial scheme are: Galway, Roscommon, Limerick, Tipperary, Tyrone, Down, Laois and Wexford.

GAA president Sean McCague said that the three associations had "expressed their desire to go forward as a united entity in the promotion of their shared ideals."

2004 camogie centenary

"The potential of all three Associations and their effectiveness in promoting Gaelic Games can best be achieved through a concerted effort on all our parts," said McCague.

"We share common goals and ideals and there is already significant crossover in our activities on the ground in terms of shared facilities and coaching and games promotion strategies".

The Integration process will be monitored by a steering committee appointed in each county.

Cumann Camogaiochta na nGael was founded in 1904 and will celebrate its centenary next year.