2009 marks an important milestone for the GAA as it celebrates 125 years of its existence. This Sunday, May 10, has been designated as La na gClub, a day when every club in the country is encouraged to organise events to mark the occasion.
On November 1 1884 at a meeting in Hayes’ Hotel in Thurles the GAA was established with the purpose of promoting our native games of gaelic football, hurling, handball, and rounders. It was of course part of a wider movement of cultural nationalism as we sought to re-assert our national identity at a time when we were of course still under the control of the British government.
One of the main tasks of the fledgling organisation was to draw up a standardised set of rules for both hurling and football. Previously different rules applied in different parts of the country. At the time our games, hurling in particular, were going rapidly into decline as games regularly ended in pitch battles. Thankfully things have changed dramatically over the past century and a quarter, and even though things get hot and heavy at times, our games now stand up there with the best in the world.
Last Sunday’s league final between Tipperary and Kilkenny was as good a way as any of marking how far our games have come in the intervening 125 years. Huge rivalry, hard hitting, and an abundance of skill and fine scores highlighted all that is good in the ‘riverdance’ of sport.
A slightly worrying point was the attendance of just over 17,000 at the hurling league final and just over 20,000 at the football finals on the weekend as a Heineken Cup rugby semi between two Irish rugby clubs managed a record attendance of 84,000, ironically in GAA headquarters.
The GAA has a lot to be proud of and can rightfully lay claim to being the leading sports association in the country. In terms of facilities, membership and overall match attendances it is head and shoulders above its competitors. Yet it would be foolish to sit back and take things for granted at a time when soccer and rugby are becoming increasingly popular, even in traditional GAA strongholds.
There was a time when any member of the GAA could be banned if he/she was reported playing for, or even attending a soccer or rugby match. Most right minded people would now agree that such a sanction was oppressive and counter-productive and not something the GAA should be proud of. Yet as someone who trains underage GAA teams presently, I have begun to realise that at times it would appear as though the ban has been put in reverse. Very often it is difficult to get young players to train or play for GAA because of commitments to either rugby or soccer.
In my experience if a young lad is lucky/talentedenough to make the local Kennedy Cup squad for soccer (u14 ) or a rugby development squad they are actively encouraged to put other sports on the back burner. While it is without a doubt an achievement to be included in such a squad it is often built up to be more than it actually is. In reality very few, if any, go on to play the sport to a high level. Yet in many cases their GAA development suffers and in some cases it finishes once they are included in such squads.
Even though a huge amount of effort and money is being spent on promoting our games at underage level there is still room for improvement. Anyone who wishes to see first hand the good work that is being done could do worse than attend Pairc Chiarain, or Garrycastle or any other GAA club throughout the county on a Sunday morning and see the small but dedicated group of volunteers passing on the torch to a new generation.
Rather than bad mouthing those involved in promoting either soccer or rugby on this special anniversary, I feel we in the GAA can take on board some of the successful methods adopted by our competitors. In my opinion the GAA needs to do more to increase communication with parents of young players and to get parents more involved. This might be easier said than done when people seem to have less free time at their disposal. Very often training sessions act as a free baby sitting service.
Yet our competitors tend to involve the parents more and keep them better informed as to how their child is progressing and what the best options are for them. I believe it is time for the GAA to do likewise.
At present any talented u14 year old is most likely involved in gaelic, soccer and rugby. When it comes to making choices however the likelihood is that soccer or rugby will win out as the dream of making it to the top in either code proves too tempting. In some ways I would say that is only natural.
Yet more should be done to sell GAA as an attractive ‘career option’ to all of our talented youngsters. Apart from the privilege of pulling on the county jersey and playing in front of massive crowds on a regular basis, in state of the art facilities , many of the games which are televised, huge social and indeed economic benefits can be gained by sticking with the GAA.
Like its founders I believe the GAA should remain an amateur organisation and would not like to see pay for play being introduced. Yet, I am in favour of player grants as a token gesture for their contribution to our society.
While these grants would now appear to be in jeopardy, given the current financial situation, involvement in the GAA, particularly on the county scene opens doors for many people. The contacts and profile built up particularly through intercounty participation is a valuable asset for anybody seeking employment. This is something which is often overlooked or at least not highlighted to young lads who are often being sold a dream of playing for Man Utd or Liverpool or Munster or Leinster rugby. Some 999 times out of a 1,000 they are being sold a pup.
Perhaps if a more rounded picture was give to our brightest emerging talents more would choose to stay loyal to our national games. That is a challenge facing the organisation as we head into the next 125 years.
Local Events to Mark Celebrations.
Every club in the country will be doing something to mark the occasion. AthloneGAA will have a parade through the town on Sunday leaving from St Peters Church shortly after 2pm led by a marching band. The Band of the Western Command will meet the parade in Pairc Chiarain where an afternoon of fun and games for all ages is planned. There will be a barbecue in the clubhouse in the evening.
Southern Gaels will also mark the occasion in Pairc Chiarain on Sunday afternoon with a host of games and activities.
Meanwhile Garrycastle have also planned a busy afternoon for its members young and old in their club grounds on Sunday afternoon.
As Telethon might say “C’mon everybody.” Let’s mark this special occasion in style.
