By Cian O’Connell

Last month’s FRS Recruitment GAA World Games in Derry proved to be a hugely successful event.

A hectic schedule of matches took place, while important connections were forged between international units and local clubs in Derry.

Celtic Park and Derry GAA’s Centre of Excellence in Owenbeg provided an ideal backdrop for the action.

Micky Quigg, Emigrant Support Programme Grant Administrator for the GAA, and part of the organising committee as Communications Officer, was delighted how the tournament unfolded. “With this competition we want to get better and better every time it comes about,” Quigg remarks.

“So from the general feedback people are saying it was bigger and better than 2019 which is what we wanted to achieve from the start.

“What was nice to see, though, was the effort and contribution put in by the Derry County Board and the Derry clubs, specifically. People in clubs were washing jerseys, offering up their pitches to train and supporting them long before they arrived in Derry".

“You had clubs there supporting the international teams on the Friday at Celtic Park. That part was just heartwarming to see. We are seeing lasting friendships which is an added bonus.”

Clubs in Derry fully embraced the venture according to Quigg. “They just really saw the benefit and I suppose they saw it as a cultural exchange,” he adds.

“Overall they went above and beyond. So we were delighted that with.”

The high volume of native teams involved in the competitions brought another layer of satisfaction. “Long before it started people were asking about it being just all ex pats, but 70 per cent of the 93 teams were actually international,” Quigg reveals.

“You had teams from Europe, South America, the Middle East, Asia, Canada, America and Australia. Not to pick a team, in particular, but the Cambodians brought such vibrancy to the whole competition too".

“For many this was their All-Ireland. When all of the teams went up to get their commemorative medals on the Thursday, it was just class. They all had picked a song, they were dancing and singing getting their medals - celebrating their passion for Gaelic Games”.

Quigg, who spent a significant spell working for New York, is fully aware of the relevance of GAA clubs throughout the world. “From an international perspective you have to understand that it is harder to recruit, it is harder to get pitches,” he says about some of the difficulties encountered.

“Gaelic Games aren't as widely known or as available on media outlets too. You work that little bit harder, especially when you are competing against other sports.

“So when you get an opportunity like this, to play back home in Ireland or on Irish soil, for a lot of these teams it might have been their first time in Ireland too.

“The GAA World Games is a lot of different things to a lot of different people. It is a celebration. It is a coming together of all of the units. Some use it as a pathway, up through the ranks, for others it is their All Ireland - but for everyone it is an experience - a celebration of World GAA.

“We have more than 500 GAA clubs across the globe, the increase in numbers just reflects that. It is why in 2026 we will be looking for more teams, to go bigger and better, to bring it up another level once again.”

The hard work doesn’t stop.