Glór Na nÓg Competition winners in partnership with Amazon.ie
A general view of Croke Park. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
Shannon Gaels GAA Club from Roscommon has been announced as the overall Grand Prize winner of the inaugural Glór Na nÓg competition, securing €8,000 in funding to support youth development and equipment purchases.
The groundbreaking initiative, supported by Amazon, empowered young GAA members across Ireland and internationally to share their voices about what makes their clubs special and how they can be improved. The competition attracted entries from GAA, LGFA, and Camogie clubs nationwide.
Through a digital platform accessed via QR codes, junior members answered two key questions: "What's the best thing about your GAA club?" and "What can be done to make your GAA club even better?" Shannon Gaels' submission stood out for its constructiveness, innovation, and demonstration of community spirit.
Club Secretary, Pádraig Tiernan, from Shannon Gaels, said: "Shannon Gaels would firstly like to thank all involved with Glór na nÓg including the sponsors Amazon. National recognition for a rural club of our size is a real honour and the response from our members and from neighbouring areas reflects this.
“The future of all clubs is based on our continuous efforts to engage, encourage, and empower the next generation; therefore, in the spirit of Glór na nÓg, Shannon Gaels plan to invest the prize money in and for our younger members."
Croke Park Stadium Director and GAA Commercial Director Peter McKenna said: "This partnership with Amazon represents an exciting opportunity to harness technology in service of our communities. Glór na nÓg gives our young members a meaningful voice in shaping the future of their clubs while celebrating what makes our community so special."
Alison Dunn, Country Manager for Amazon in Ireland, said: "Congratulations to Shannon Gaels and all the winning clubs across Ireland and internationally. We're incredibly proud to see how young GAA members have embraced this opportunity to shape their clubs' futures. The quality of submissions from Shannon Gaels and clubs across Ireland and abroad has been outstanding. These winners represent the very best of youth engagement and community spirit, and we're delighted to support their continued development with €85,000 in funding."
The Glór Na nÓg initiative distributed funding across multiple categories. Provincial winners Tourlestrane (Sligo), Ringtown Camogie (Westmeath), Glin (Limerick), and Ardara GAA (Donegal) each received €4,250. Twenty-eight county winners received €2,000 each, while eight commendable prize winners received €500 each.
Winners were selected through a combination of AI-assisted scoring and a judging panel, with submissions evaluated based on constructiveness, impact and innovation, detail and clarity, and demonstration of community spirit.
The programme was open to GAA, LGFA, and Camogie clubs across Ireland and internationally, representing a commitment to youth development and community engagement.
GRAND PRIZE WINNER
Shannon Gaels Roscommon
PROVINCIAL WINNERS
Ardara GAA Donegal
Glin Limerick
Ringtown Camogie Club Westmeath
Tourlestrane GAA Sligo
COUNTY WINNERS
Cavan Gaels Cavan
Éire Óg Inis Clare
Clonakilty Cork
O'Connor's GAA, Glack Derry
St Johns Drumnaqoile Down
Wild Geese GAA, Oldtown Dublin
Belnaleck Art MacMurroughs GAC Fermanagh
Tommy Larkins Galway
Ballylongford Kerry
Teach an Dá Mhíle Kildare
Danesfort Kilkenny
Park Ratheniska Laois
Carrick on Shannon Camogie Leitrim
Rathcline Longford
Glyde Rangers Louth
Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin Mayo
Clann na nGael Meath
Cremartin Shamrocks Monaghan
Clonbullogue Offaly
Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams Tipperary
St. Eugene's GAA, Newtownstewart Tyrone
Erins Own Sacred Heart LGFA Waterford
Kilanerin-Ballyfad GAA Wexford
Rathnew GAA Wicklow
Dunedin Connolly's International
St. Ergnats GAA, Moneyglass Antrim
Thomas Davis' GAA, Corrinshego Armagh
Ballon LGFA Carlow
Commendable PRIZE WINNERS
Kilclief Ben Dearg GAC Down
Maghera MacFinns Cavan
St Fechins GAA Louth
Kilbride/Cill Bhríde Wicklow
Dunedin Connolly's International
Caltra Cuans LGFA Galway
St Pats LGFA Waterford
Listowel Emmets Kerry