Excitement building as GAA World Games set to begin tomorrow!

IT is set to be the biggest and best yet and it is here on our own doorstep as the GAA World Games rolls in Derry. 

The growth has been massive since the inaugural games back in 2015 in Abu Dhabi and what is even more warming are the numbers that are now non-Irish born participants, all wanting to play our game and they now have that opportunity in almost every corner of the world. 

This will be the fourth games with Dublin (2015) and Waterford (2019) also playing host to them. In all, 93 clubs are expected from 10 different regions with the games officially opening yesterday with a parade through the city. Since the games in Waterford, that will be a 17% increase in numbers and 69 of these teams international born. 

The twinning initiative will continue again with the international teams twinned with Derry clubs and yesterday (Monday) saw the hurling and camogie teams playing local clubs in warm-up games. The games affords the different regions the opportunity to celebrate our game and help develop their skills. The games will be 9-a-side with hurling, camogie, football and ladies football all on show. 

Not only will the games be central, but there will also be so much more on offer over the week in Derry GAA’s Centre of Excellence, Owenbeg. Presentations and information sessions will take place in the conference centre, a family fun zone will keep the younger ones entertained and plenty of food tents will be available throughout the day before it comes to a close with the finals in Celtic Park on Friday. 

The Croke Park Games Development staff will be covering seminars on participation, coaching, and safeguarding. Diarmaid Marsden from Ulster GAA will be showcasing the province’s successful Cross Community initiatives. The GAA Community and Health department will be speaking on the health and wellbeing of members, clubs and communities initiatives they are actively delivering. 

Presentations will last around 20/30 minutes will also focus on the rise in standards within participation, competition structures, refereeing and coach education from the provincial councils.

Communications officer for the Games is our Swatragh’s Micky Quigg and speaking to Derry GAA ahead of the games, Quigg spoke of his pride of the games in his own county. 

“It really does fill you with pride that it has come to Derry”

He encourages everyone to get involved and come and support the games “We will have something for everyone, admission is free and we encourage everyone to bring the family. No reason why people can’t come and it is a real sense of pride to have the World Games here in Derry.

“On Tuesday, the local clubs will be inviting the international teams to their clubs. Cambodia going to Swatragh, Australasia going to Slaughtneil and Galicia going to Moneymore - it will just be brilliant.” 

Derry GAA county chairman John Keenan is also proud to welcome the games to the county. 

“Similar to Feile in 2010 and 2013, Derry is back on the world stage, very happy to be there and we thank everyone for choosing our place for the people to come and play our games.” 

Like every event, it would be impossible to undertake without the people who give up their time to make it all run smoothly with their help and time. 

“We have a massive volunteer group, and each and every time they are asked they step up to the plate and so willing, selfish of their time and for that we are so grateful,” added Keenan.

Speaking at the launch of the games last month Armagh ladies football Shauna Grey who had spent three summers in America playing for Cavan over there, knows the importance of GAA to getting to settle in when you are away from home. 

“It is such a great community to be part of, anyone that plays knows how welcoming they are and when I went to America, it was through the GAA I made all my friends, just like a family.”

From FRS Recruitment, Lynne McCormack said: “We feel very honoured and proud” to be part of such an amazing event. 

“The GAA is at the heart of most communities across the island but also right across the world.” 

Owenbeg will be the centre of all for the first few days before moving to Celtic Park for the finals on Friday and no man knows both venues better then our own Conor Glass. 

“We spend a lot of time up here as a player. For an international player and the international audience to come here and share this environment we have here is amazing.

“The county board in Derry are very lucky to have these facilities - Owenbeg and Celtic Park - amazing venues for the World Games. Derry is an amazing city,” he said.

An event for everyone and one not to be missed.