GAA To Highlight Gaelic Games At London 2012

By Denis O'Brien

In an exclusive interview with the recently elected GAA President Christy Cooney, the New York Irish Examiner learned that the Association plans to highlight Gaelic games prior to the London Olympics in 2012.

Mr Cooney also spoke of the ongoing commitment of Croke Park in support of the New York and North American GAA divisions and he sees a bright future for the development of Ireland's national games across the US.

The Cork native also told of a renewed commitment to promoting Gaelic games in urban centers in Ireland while he also plans to take on board any issues clubs around the country might have as the association faces increasing competition from other sports back home.

Although there have been no official details as yet unveiled, the GAA have big plans lined up for the London Olympics in three years time the GAA President told the New York Irish Examiner.

We are planning to hold a Feile Peil in London in 2012 a couple of weeks before the Olympics to showcase Gaelic football. We have started to work on that and hope that this will give our games a big impetus."

He added that the organization would also be looking at showcasing hurling everywhere as well.

"I think there is enormous potential to develop our games overseas. Not alone hurling and football, but camogie and ladies football," said the President. He said that the GAA has the best games in the world and the organization identifies the Irish throughout the world and the community ethos.

Praise For American Officials

The GAA President says that there is huge potential in developing the games in America and singled out several people for their continued hard work.

"Dave Olsen, who is now our North American Hurling Development Officer, is doing a masterful job promoting hurling. He is an infectious guy, truly remarkable and has great commitment," stated Mr Cooney.

He went on to add that funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs and the GAA is helping to put full time games development officers on the ground across America.

The new GAA boss also remarked how the twinning with provincial councils and North American divisions has also aided in the development of games here.

"The twinning arrangement has helped in a significant way and there are strong relationships there now. In Boston, Mike O'Connor has done a great job in the whole area of youth development while Tom Dolan from Chicago has also done some outstanding work.

"I see our association in North America and New York going from strength to strength and I see the development officers having a big part to play in that. I believe their work will payoff for the long term for the association," Mr Cooney enthused.

New York Feedback

The feedback he said after the opening game of this year's football championship in New York between Mayo and New York was "very positive."

"We want to see New York continue to be involved in the championship. It does wonders for the promotion of the game. It supports the New York GAA board and is very positive for the association," he explained.

In support of local GAA in the Big Apple, the organization has recently approved a full time Games Development Officer for New York.

There are now five development officers promoting the GAA's games across America he told the New York Irish Examiner.

Strong Clubs And Urban Areas

"Over the next three years I will try and strengthen all clubs by particularly listening to them and hear their views."

On a broader spectrum Mr Cooney said that he sought "to increase participation in games by 20% over the next seven years.

"We will also look and see how we can strengthen our association in urban areas as well as reinforce the ideals of the organization and make sure that there is club backing at the top level.

"Urbanization is a major challenge as we face fierce challenges from other sports. We have to strengthen our base on the ground and get more people playing our games. We always need to be proactive in getting games promoted in the media."

GAA And The Family

His love of all things GAA was cultivated over a long period of time.

"I was reared with the GAA. My family and father were very heavily involved always and I would see the organization as very much a family association."

The new president is 56 and hails from Youghal in County Cork. As well as being a former player, he developed an early liking for the administrative side of things.

"I always had a leaning towards administration. I was secretary of the underage committee at the age of 16 and I played up to my mid thirties," he revealed.

He would go on to serve as treasurer and secretary of his own Youghal GAA club before fulfilling the role of chairman for a five-year term at the tender age of 25.

He then became Vice Chairman of Cork County Board (1991-93) before serving as Chairman for a further three-year period.

Before being recently elected GAA President, he was also Vice Chair and Chairman of the Munster Council.