GAA and it’s role and purpose on modern Irish Society.

The Role GAA plays in community and our daily lives:
So as we enter an unprecedented time in modern Irish society, it is clear that now more than ever we could be guilty of taking life’s pleasures for granted. GAA is one vehicle in which we find meaning and value in our day to day lives. No matter what walk of life you come from, GAA brings communities together and helps us feel a sense of belonging and identity. Whether it’s a local underage football game down in the local, or getting our hearts racing on All Ireland final day,  the GAA is at the centre of what it means to be Irish.  The passion GAA people have for hurling and Gaelic football is something which others find bewildering. From a personal perspective I have been immersed in the GAA from the age of 4. Lots of people can identify with wearing their club or county colors on a daily basis. It’s more than a game, it’s a way of being, a way of life. GAA allows  us an escape from the stresses and strains of everyday life. For players, coaches and managers alike there is no better feeling going up for training on a Tuesday night and getting the best results from the session, in preparation for the weekends games. GAA is hard work but the sense of fun, enjoyment and friendship is evident throughout the country. It’s a driving fuel for us and motivates us to improve on an individual and group level.  The friendships which develop amongst coaches and players alike is something that you don’t get from other sports like rugby or soccer.  The fact that the GAA is an amateur organization is more of a reason why people bind together. They do it for the love of the game. Money isn’t the driving force, winning and improving tends to be. Every team that trains  in early January,  does  so with the purpose of bringing honors back to their communities. Hard work equals results and whether it’s league or championship at club or county level, winning personally and collectively is ultimately the end goal. Currently the covid 19 spread has put pay  to our games across the country. No training or social activities are allowed in our clubs. This has  had a lot of effects on families throughout the nation. Young kids and their parents love getting up on a Saturday morning to go play hurling and football games. The sense of routine has been taken away from our lives. On the other side of that socializing in GAA clubs after games has suffered. The craic of watching games on tv and gathering in groups over a pint will be missed. That sense of belonging unfortunately has been dampened. For many GAA has gotten them through times of fierce hardship and even grief. The GAA has always been a organization that when in times of sadness, it  has pulled in behind those who  have needed  it most. For anybody to say that GAA is just a game clearly hasn’t experienced our game properly. It’s everything for its people young and old. It gives us something to look forward to after our workdays. It’s obviously good for our mental and physical wellbeing. The GAA is what it means to be Irish. It shows or love , care and mutual respect we have for each other. Although every club and county wants to win, it’s more about representing that jersey to the best of our ability. The fact that people train sometimes  4 or 5 times weekly,  shows the dedication our players have for the game. Because  training and all games has been postponed, it has ultimately  left  a void in our lives which is hard to replace. It’s a case of “ you don’t know what you got till it’s gone”. Realistically the government and health officials had no alternative to suspend play. This illness is a global problem and can not be taken lightly. Covid 19 cases nationally are increasing daily and we must adhere to all guidelines and recommendations as best as possible. It’s a very frustrating time that  we find ourselves in. The GAA league finals were due to be completed by the end of March and that has been pushed back . Long term wise, what happens to the games during the summer months? Further disruption would destroy the GAA calendar and ultimately fans entertainment. The GAA is at the epicenter of Irish culture,  as much as the covid 19 virus is to the world. The GAA has also been a tool that has stopped social isolation over the years. People involved in GAA work  have always provided  a great outlook for others who may be struggling. It gets people out in the open air with likeminded people and gives them a sense of purpose and value to their lives. It’s everything from a conversation on a Monday morning to a postmortem of what went  wrong on a Sunday evening. It keeps us in check and gives us an avenue away from the stresses of home and work life. Currently the ban is due to be looked at until March 29th. Get those All Ireland box sets out, have those conversations on why your counties are the best. Keep eating, sleeping and drinking GAA and before you know it, those training sessions and games will be back before our eyes and boy will we all be thankful.