Salim Al Rahbi plays for Oman GAA. He's as proud a Gael as any clubman. The German hurling team have 21 out of 26 players that are native Germans. Juan Patricio Wade plays for Argentina. It could be the Olympics we’re talking about but it’s the GAA equivalent, the World Games, that drew to a close this weekend in Croke Park. It was a massive success with native and Irish teams living the GAA dream.
The GAA scene is flourishing worldwide. In the States this week NFL draft prospect, kicker Patrick Murray who plays The Gridiron game with Fordham talked of the influence and inspiration Gaelic football has had on him. "I try to watch as much Gaelic football as I can, it is my first love." As expats and first generation Irish continue to spread the games as well as their songs and music, the GAA is flourishing like never before.
World Games
The GAA World Games ended with the finals on Friday in Croke Park. Over 1,100 people from 56 teams and 20 countries played in the tournament. Team from China, Oman and South Africa are fielding entirely non-Irish teams.
It is a remarkable testimony to the growth and spread of Gaelic Games. The fact that so many 'non Irish' players are involved would have been unheard of a few years ago.
Aogán Ó Fearghaíl hit the nail on the head when he said "In the past we used to bring our Gaelic games all around the world but we kept it to ourselves. In the recent past, all the newer younger Irish who are going abroad are now sharing it with the local people.”
Back to the Future in ‘06
Back in 2006 in a debate at DCU, Tyrone manager Mickey Harte urged the GAA to abandon the International Rules series and replace it with a GAA World Series.
“We need to begin to generate an international dimension to Gaelic games. Let’s not forget inter-county football started with the clubs. Clubs represented their counties in the first instance. Clubs can also represent our country at junior, intermediate and senior.
“We have teams in virtually every part of the world and there are certainly teams who could meet that standard. We could begin by having a World Series at club level.”
“It might take time, but so what? Certainly Gaelic football is being played elsewhere.”
Prophetic words from Mickey Harte indeed. He may not have been at the games but they surely won’t have escaped his attention.
Lisa Orsi Foundation
In October forty young people from GAA clubs in Derry have been given the travel opportunity of a lifetime in memory of Lisa Orsi who died last year. Lisa was a devoted Gaelic footballer and a member of the Singapore Lions club and passed away tragically while travelling.
The young players, male and female, will have the adventure of a lifetime when they set off for China to participate in the 21st Fexco Asian Gaelic Games tournament in Shanghai.
It is yet another footstep in the globalisation of the game. In the month of the Olympics is it too much of a pipe dream to hope to see footballers, hurlers and Camogs play under the Olympic flame. Never say never. Higher, faster, stronger.