Gaelic games are played “from Mayo to Moscow” and could soon be at the Olympics, according to a former GAA president.
On Newstalk Breakfast today, Liam O’Neill said 475 GAA clubs are currently operating outside of Ireland - showing strong international demand for the game.
It comes after a World GAA strategy plan launched yesterday called for Gaelic Games to become Olympic sports in the coming years.
Mr O’Neill said the plan aims to spread the GAA’s “feeling of belonging” right around the world.
“This is a game that stands on its own, not just because it's Irish, but because it’s a great game,” he said.
“When you have clubs from Mayo to Moscow and all the way across Europe, it’s just unbelievable.
“It’s not going to happen overnight, there has to be recognition by the Olympic Committee and when you get that, then you can take it to the next step.”
Already international
Mr O’Neill said Gaelic games have already gone international.
“There are seven regions in the world where Gaelic Games is played; Asia, the Middle East, USA, Canada, Australasia, South America, Europe," he said.
“We have 475 clubs playing Gaelic Games abroad and they are playing hurling, football and camogie.
“In Europe, we have fantastic clubs like Groningen Gaels, Zurich Anvils, Tampere Hammers.”
Galicia
Mr O’Neill said that one area of Spain has taken a particular interest in the sport.
“There’s a region called Galicia and in one year, about ten years ago, ten clubs started of their own volition playing Gaelic football,” he said.
“We didn’t send missionaries out there – they saw the game, they loved it, and they formed teams in villages to play against each other.
“Galicia now streams the All-Ireland semi-finals and finals on their regional channels.”
Irish domination
Ireland may dominate the sport if it were to be played at the Olympics, but there is precedent for this, according to Mr O’Neill.
“There are sports that only certain countries win,” he said.
“China dominates table tennis so much that they’re actually going out now to try and get other countries to compete against them in the Olympics – it’s not unique to have a country very strong at a sport.
“We already have a world Gaelic Games festival every two years where people assemble in a city and play a world cup-type event.”
The number of GAA clubs operating in Europe has grown from just five in 1999 to 112 clubs today.
Main image: New York captain James Breen receives the GAA World Games Hurling International trophy in 2023. Image: George Sweeney / Alamy Stock Photo
