By Cian O’Connell

A hectic few days beckons in Greenford and Ruislip with the All-Britain Competition on the agenda. The ABCs provide a real opportunity for emerging players to gain valuable exposure to matches against teams from across Britain.

Since commencing work as a CDA in London, Cormac Duffy has relished the planning and plotting for the tournament, amongst many other duties. “It has been enjoyable so far,” Duffy says.

“It is completely different for me, I'm coming over from rural Monaghan last October. So it was really eye opening for me to see how active it is over here. Before that I wouldn't have known or couldn't have said how many clubs or schools were interested in Gaelic Football.

“Even now when I go back home and some of my mates or family ask me, they can't get over just how popular it is, how many people are playing, and just how much interest there is.”

Developing homegrown talent is precisely what London want to do. An increasing number of players are featuring at senior inter-county level for Michael Maher’s outfit.

“You look at Liam Gavaghan, he is the London captain, he came through the system,” Duffy responds. “Michael Maher is the manager, he would have managed some of the Féile underage teams. He is London born too.

“The junior team plays a bit part in it, I was out watching some of the junior matches earlier on in the year, you have some really good players on that team.

“I'd be expecting in the next two or three years that three or four of them will be making the breakthrough on to the London senior team. That is definitely something to aim for.”

So there is a willingness from clubs in London to invest time and energy in the juvenile ranks. “Clubs have realised that they can't just rely on players to come over,” Duffy acknowledges.

“I think Covid gave us a big wake up call - for a lot of people in clubs, they can't just rely on boys coming over for a year or two. They realise now they need to build something that is going to last.

“I know Fulham Irish started up their own underage club, they realised themselves in 10 or 15 years time they are going to need their own players coming through. They can't just keep relying on the same recruitment system. So it is refreshing to see things like that.”

Unsurprisingly Duffy’s schedule is hectic between school and club visits. Importantly, a passion for Gaelic Games does exist. “Luckily most of the clubs aren't too far away, I live in Greenford, Ruislip is only 15 minutes away,” Duffy explains.

“Most of the clubs are within half an hour or so. You have Thomas McCurtains over in the east in Ilford, they are a bit away. North London Shamrocks are in the Tottenham area, you have Mitcham down in the south. Fulham Irish are in Wandsworth now, so you do have a bit to cover.

“It is great that a club like Round Towers are really active themselves in their schools, so that takes a bit of pressure off me in terms of having to travel an hour or an hour and a half down to south London. Luckily it isn't too far that I have to go.”

Duffy has been struck by the interest shown by schools in London, who have embraced the coaching programmes being offered. “A couple of schools I have here, they are keen themselves, they reach out to other schools in London, to set up challenge matches or blitzes in preparation for the ABCs,” he says. “So some of the schools are very keen to get fixtures going for themselves.”

Plenty of matches are imminent this week.