With our own Niall Erskine as chairman of the GAA World, we can be proud of the efforts of our volunteers who were front and centre in organising the GAA World Games which were very successfully hosted by Derry GAA last week. (Photographed above Niall Erskine, Chairman, GAA World with Donal Sharkey, Naomh Muire who was a volunteer at the games)
The FRS Recruitment GAA World Games is a competition that recognises the global expansion of Gaelic games.
In the last 10 years there has been an almost 100 per cent growth in the number of GAA clubs operating outside of Ireland with more than 500 now in existence.
As well as traditional strong holds across Britain and North America, GAA clubs now have a vibrant pulse in operation in Asia, the Middle East, right across Europe and Australia. New clubs made up of non-native Irish people who have been drawn to, and inspired by Gaelic games is proof of the strengthening of these overseas roots.
The FRS Recruitment 2023 GAA World Games was a chance to bring these regions together to celebrate their passion for our games and help them develop even further. 93 adult teams competed in the 9-a-side competition in all four codes across the week.
The games will took place across the week beginning on Monday last 24th July – Thursday 27th July in Owenbeg Centre of Excellence in Derry, culminating in the finals at Celtic Park on Friday last.
The esteem with which are games are held was certainly evident throughout the week by the hundreds of supporters who turned out to support the teams.
Celtic Park, on Friday was a sea of colour as the various international teams took to the pitch to ply their trade in some very exciting and tightly fought finals. The standard at all grades was phenomenal.
Congratulations to Derry GAA who hosted the event in a most professional manner. Our diaspora showed the way in terms of the respect they played our games.
The finals on Friday in Celtic Park was a colorful occasion with the following returning as champions:
Etty Kelly International Camogie Cup – South East 1
Mary Gavin Open Camogie Cup –Australasia
Racheal Kenneally Open Ladies Football Cup – Australasia
Rebecca Dowling International Ladies Football Cup – Charlotte James Connollys
Liam Hegarty International Men’s Football Cup – Gasconha
Sheamus Howlin International Hurling Cup – New York
Owenbeg Cup Open Hurling – Australasia
Oakleaf Cup Open Men’s Football -Australasia
By Sinéad Breen Donegal PRO Mon 31st Jul
