*Theresa Roseingrave. Photograph: James Downes
CLARE LGFA’s Chairperson, secretary and fixtures secretary have resigned from their roles with immediate effect.
In what has been a turbulent week for ladies football in the county following the adjournment of the July meeting on Tuesday last and the late cancellation of adjourned meeting due to take place on Monday evening, Chairperson Theresa Roseingrave, secretary Caoimhe McMahon and fixtures secretary Marie Shannon have resigned from their roles.
The Clare Echo has obtained a copy of the joint correspondence issued by the trio to Munster LGFA and the Ladies Gaelic Football Association on Monday July 14th where they have confirmed their exit with immediate effect.
It leaves a messy situation ahead of next month’s proposed start of the championship. Proposed fixture dates have been circulated with clubs since February but were due to be ratified at the July meeting of the County Board. The proposed August 10th start of the championship cannot proceed until the fixtures are ratified.
Munster LGFA issued a statement prior to their resignations to state they gave no instructions to cancel the refixed July meeting as had been stated by Clare LGFA in a statement on Monday.
Roseingrave of the St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield club was elected as Chairperson in December, becoming the sixth woman to occupy the Chair in the history of the Clare LGFA.
At the same meeting, McMahon of Miltown Malbay was elected Asst Secretary but has been Secretary since the resignation of Kilmihil’s Monica Callinan in recent weeks.
Events that unfolded at the July meeting were labelled as “deeply disappointing” by Roseingrave. She stated, “When I took on this role, my vision was to help foster a supportive and inclusive environment for our players, delegates, clubs, and the hundreds of volunteers who are the lifeblood of Ladies Football in Clare. Alongside this, one of my key aims was to stabilise and strengthen our financial position, ensuring a more secure foundation for the future of our game. Work has also begun on developing structured pathways and creating positive cultures across all levels, supporting both player progression and a sustainable environment for Clare LGFA going forward.
“Some have said I’m a stickler for the rules-a trait that hasn’t always been universally welcomed. But I don’t see it as a weakness. For me, respecting the rules is not about rigidity; it’s about prioritising the collective good over individual interest. It’s about fairness, accountability, and consistency. I am, and always will be, a proud member of St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield. But throughout my time as Chair, I have done my utmost to put the county before the club and make decisions in the best interest of all involved,” her resignation letter added.
Confirming her exit, Theresa stated, “After much reflection, I have made the difficult decision to step away from my role as Chair. This has not been an easy decision, and truthfully, it is not the outcome I would have chosen. I had hoped to continue serving and building on the progress we’ve made together in Clare Ladies Football.
However, it has become clear that continuing in this role requires the full and united backing of our club delegates. The events that unfolded at last week’s meeting were deeply disappointing and have, regrettably, undermined the spirit of shared goodwill and commitment that the executive has worked so hard to foster. Leadership is about knowing when to step forward but also recognising when the conditions no longer support the role. As we look ahead, I believe our priority must be to continue supporting every person involved in Ladies Football in Clare-to nurture participation, uphold standards, and ensure our game is showcased on the biggest stages possible. Let’s continue to build on what we’ve achieved together. I remain committed to our game, and I look forward to supporting it in new ways in the years ahead”.
She confirmed that both McMahon and Shannon were also resigning from the Executive.
