Presenting the Liam McCarthy Cup to euphoric Clare captain Tony Kelly after an epic All-Ireland hurling final last Sunday, GAA President Jarlath Burns delivered a stirring message to those watching for the first time around the world. It could be printed in large letters at the entrance to Croke Park.
“This is our culture. Our players, our volunteers. They play for the love of their county and their parish, and next week they will be playing for their clubs. We are proud of every single one of you.”
He also gave special mention to the wider Irish family who may have felt they had to leave these shores but still fly the flag: “You are in Croke Park today, if not in body, but in spirit, and we thank the countries who took you in and gave you jobs and allowed you to make a new name for yourselves with our native games. Go raibh maith agaibh go léir.”
In what other sport would you hear similar sentiments at its showpiece occasion? Where else can an amateur game fill an 82,000-capacity stadium (twice over) and highly-skilled players perform for no reward, proudly representing their families, their communities, their country?
The words perfectly summed up the unique organisation the GAA is and its deep roots both in Ireland and anywhere ex-pats gather to celebrate who they are.
The association is not without its faults, of course, and, like the Olympic Games that begin in earnest this weekend, is grappling with protecting its amateur ethos in an intensely competitive and commercialised sporting landscape.
But in a world where institutions are crumbling, communities fragmenting, and the individual is valued over the collective, the GAA remains the glue that holds large parts of Irish society together. We will only realise what we have lost when it is too late.
All-Ireland Sunday is a celebration of all that: when the players run out on the sacred turf, they represent everyone who plays the game, coaches a team, sells tickets or sweeps stands to ensure the games continue to nurture our precious youth.
One only has to look at the joy on faces, young and old, in towns and villages across Armagh over the last two weeks to see what it means to be part of Ireland’s greatest sporting and cultural celebration
One only has to look at the joy on faces, young and old, in towns and villages across Armagh over the last two weeks to see what it means to be part of Ireland’s greatest sporting and cultural celebration.
Tomorrow, assuming the sides can be separated, Mr Burns will rise to present the Sam Maguire Cup to the winning captain – fervently hoping, no doubt, that it will be returning to his beloved Orchard county after a 22-year absence.
For all those travelling to Dublin, may the sun shine, may they journey safe, may the contest be hard but fair, and, of course, may the best team win.
