feature
Nemeton TV celebrates 30 years of Gaelic games innovation
By John Harrington Last week Nemeton TV celebrated its 30th year of broadcasting. Based in the Gaeltacht area of An Rinn in Waterford, they’re an independent production company that has done Gaelic games some great service. Founded in 1994 by Irial Mac Murchú, the dream was to bring live Gaelic
Thursday 19 September 2024
hurling
Gary Thomas is loving life as a Social Slasher
By John Harrington
Growing up in Bangor, County Down in the 1960s, Gary Thomas didn’t have the opportunity to play Gaelic games.
Bangor is a predominantly Protestant town and, though Thomas had some Catholic friends, he himself is what he describes as ‘of the other persuasion’.
He’d go to watch
Tuesday 17 September 2024
feature
East Belfast GAA continue to dream big
By John Harrington
The genesis of East Belfast GAA club is a well-known story by now but still no less remarkable for the telling.
In May 2020 Dave McGreevy and Richard Maguire had the idea they’d like to set up a new GAA club in East Belfast with an inclusive
Friday 13 September 2024
hurling
Sleeping giants Moycarkey-Borris awake from their slumber
By John Harrington
For the first time in 33 years Moycarkey Borris will contest a Tipperary SHC quarter-final when they play reigning champions Kiladangan on Saturday in Semple Stadium.
Back in July they contested their first Mid Tipperary hurling final in 22 years, so 2024 has been something of a
Thursday 12 September 2024
feature
Nile Óg Cusacks are a beacon of inclusivity in Uganda
By John Harrington
Africa’s newest GAA club, Nile Óg Cusacks in Uganda, are already a powerful testament to the Association’s manifesto, ‘Where We All Belong’.
Founded in July by Clare native John Conroy, the club has brought Gaelic football and Irish dancing to Walukubu West Primary School in Jinja near
Wednesday 11 September 2024
hurling
Roscommon Gaels hurlers have a wind in their sails
By John Harrington
There’s usually a story behind a result.
Roscommon Gaels’ county SHC quarter-final victory over Tremane last weekend is one such example.
Even hurling die-hards in the club would struggle to tell you when they last reached a county hurling semi-final, so this win very much fell into
Thursday 29 August 2024
feature
Games for All approach working well for Ulster GAA
By Cian O’Connell
Garrett Coyle has spent a lifetime delivering physical education lessons, preparing teams at every level, and acting as a tutor for emerging coaches.
So, Coyle has an appreciation for sport and seeing things from a different perspective. In recent years, Chairperson of Ulster GAA’s Coaching & Games
Wednesday 28 August 2024
hurling
Laochra Óg have made a home for hurling in West Cork
By John Harrington
Cork might not seem a likely location for a hurling success story against the odds, but that’s exactly what Laochra Óg Hurling and Camogie Club are.
When the club was founded 10 years ago, large tracts of West Cork were a hurling desert. Now the sport is
Wednesday 28 August 2024
feature
GAA on the Greens proves to be a St Saviours success story
By Cian O’Connell
It was a busy, but rewarding July for St Saviours in Waterford.
A GAA on the Green scheme to attract young members to the club proved to be a significant success. Connecting with the local community in a meaningful way matters deeply, and St Saviours’ are eager
Tuesday 13 August 2024
hurling
Family ties the driving force for Adam Screeney
By John Harrington
You hear a lot about playing the game for the pride of your club or county, but the greatest wellspring of motivation is usually family.
That’s where most people get their love of the game from and if you love something then you’ll devote yourself to it.
Thursday 8 August 2024
hurling
East Cavan Gaels show how hurling can be grown
By John Harrington
On July 2, 2009, East Cavan Gaels hurling club was born.
On August 11, 2024, they won their first ever Cavan senior hurling championship after victory over Cootehill Celtic.
The 15 years in between had all sorts of ups and downs and tears of frustration as well
Wednesday 7 August 2024
hurling
Poc Fada Hall of Famer Gerry Goodwin one of the great underdog stories
By John Harrington
42 years have passed since Gerry Goodwin won the All-Ireland Poc Fada in the Cooley mountains, and he still shakes his head in wonder that it actually happened.
It’s one of the great GAA underdog stories, because no-one really gave Goodwin a chance of winning the Poc
Tuesday 30 July 2024
football
Donaghy fully invested in Armagh passion project
By John Harrington
Your eyes couldn’t but be drawn to Kieran Donaghy during the All-Ireland SFC semi-final between Armagh and Kerry.
He was a whirl of energy on the sideline throughout the game. Constantly giving instructions to Armagh players, emotionally kicking every ball himself from the other side of the
Saturday 27 July 2024
football
Aidan Forker: 'It only becomes special if you win it'
By John Harrington
Aidan Forker has learned the value of channelling the emotion of sport in the most productive way.
It wasn’t an overnight process. Earlier in his career there were a couple of times he saw red that he still looks a bit rueful about when he recalls them.
Friday 26 July 2024
hurling
The Big Interview - Anthony Daly
By Tom Stakelum
As the 2024 GAA All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final comes into view, the Rebel Army and the Banner battalion are preparing for battle. It’s been 11 years for Clare and 19 years for Cork. A long time coming you might say.
How about 81 years? This was
Thursday 18 July 2024
feature
It's all about the journey for Patrick Horgan
By John Harrington
It’s the Monday after Cork have beaten Limerick in the All-Ireland SHC semi-final, and we’re in Páirc Uí Chaoimh for their All-Ireland Final media night.
Patrick Horgan walks into the auditorium with the sort of easy, confident stroll that evokes a Hollywood gunslinger entering a saloon.
He
Thursday 18 July 2024
football
Coaches behind enemy lines
By Tom Stakelum
Then: Kieran Donaghy, Four Time All-Ireland SFC Winner, 2006 Footballer of the Year, Kerry footballing icon, their ‘Star’.
Now: Kieran Donaghy, all of the above, AND Armagh Senior Football Coach. As the ‘Stacks’ man preps the Orchard charges to ambush his Kingdom, there will be a familiar
Friday 12 July 2024
football
Laverty fully invested in Down passion project
By John Harrington
Anecdotal stories probably only give a flavour of the commitment that Conor Laverty is currently giving to Down football, but they tell a tale nonetheless.
The day-to-day business of managing the county’s senior footballers must be onerous enough, and yet the grapevine hums with sightings of Laverty
Friday 12 July 2024
football
John O'Mahony always kept the faith
By John Harrington
The reaction to John O’Mahony’s sad and untimely passing last Saturday has underscored two truths – that he was a very decent man, and one of the most innovative managers in the history of Gaelic football.
I had the good fortune of getting to know ‘Johnno’ in
Monday 8 July 2024
hurling
Age brings perspective for once obsessive Hegarty
By John Harrington
Gearoid Hegarty had the unfortunate distinction of being the only Limerick player who started last year’s All-Ireland Final who didn’t end the year with an All-Star nomination.
You could argue that was harsh considering how well he played in the All-Ireland series, but he clearly paid for
Saturday 6 July 2024
football
Brian Howard happy to pay it on
By John Harrington
He’s an eight-year veteran of the Dublin senior football team, so you almost do a double-take when Brian Howard mentions he’s still only 26.
There’s a good chance he’s only at the mid-point of his career, so by the time he finally hangs up his boots his
Friday 28 June 2024
feature
The wisdom and wit of Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh
By John Harrington
The outpouring of love, respect, and sadness since news broke of Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh’s passing on Tuesday spoke volumes of the man.
How did the broadcasting legend manage to make such an equally positive impression on those he met and those who only connected to him through
Thursday 27 June 2024
football
Derry GAA connecting the dots with joined up thinking
By John Harrington
Any county hoping to improve their level would do well to take a close look at the Derry GAA Coaching and Games Development model.
The county minor footballers contest another All-Ireland semi-final this Saturday and if they go on to win a third All-Ireland title in five
Thursday 20 June 2024
hurling
Richie Stakelum reflects on day Dubs skinned the Cats
By Tom Stakelum
As the Dublin hurlers look to capture a first Leinster senior hurling crown in 11 years, we talk to Richie Stakelum who in 2013 was part of Anthony Daly's Dublin management team that landed a first championship scalp of the Cats in 71 years.
How did you,
Friday 7 June 2024
hurling
Dublin's next-gen hurlers are making their mark
By John Harrington
20 of the 37 players on the Dublin hurling championship panel that will contest Saturday’s Leinster Hurling Final against Kilkenny have played at this level for three years or less.
16 of them have been brought in to the fold by manager Micheál Donoghue since he took
Friday 7 June 2024
hurling
Faith renewed in Offaly hurling
By Kevin Egan
It’s Sunday afternoon, and the sun shines down on joyous scenes in Glenisk O’Connor Park. Something between six and eight thousand people have come to greet the Offaly U-20 hurlers and welcome the James Nowlan Cup to the county for the first time, and while it’s not
Tuesday 4 June 2024
hurling
‘U20 Starlets to Senior Stars’
By Tom Stakelum
Here we shine a light on five of our U20 starlets who have burst onto the Senior stage in recent years.
Craig Morgan (Tipperary)
First up in our ‘Starlets to Stars’ is the tight marking, no nonsense defender, Craig Morgan. The Kilruane MacDonagh’s clubman has risen to
Friday 31 May 2024
hurling
Donegal captain Gartland happy to take responsibility on young shoulders
By John Harrington
When Conor Gartland was appointed Donegal senior hurling team captain for the 2024 season at the age of 20, he set a new record.
He became the youngest ever Donegal senior team captain, beating the previous record set by a certain Michael Murphy who Jim McGuinness made
Friday 31 May 2024
hurling
Karl Hatton is proud to be a Rainbow Gael
By John Harrington
Two years ago Karl Hatton was in the crowd watching the Dublin LGBTQ+ Pride Festival march when a group of Na Gaeil Aeracha (The Rainbow Gaels) GAA club members strode happily past.
He remembers it now as lightbulb moment, the realisation that perhaps he could after all
Wednesday 29 May 2024
hurling
Derry hurling club St. Finbarr's show what's possible
By John Harrington
For proof that hurling can blossom in every part of this country given the required care and attention, look no further than St. Finbarr's hurling club in Derry.
Founded just seven years ago, they now field teams at every level from U-7.5 to senior, have strong links
Thursday 23 May 2024