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Oral History

Carmel Gray

Carmel Gray talks about her early days in the GAA from watching her parents playing to beginning to play herself at the early age of seven for Na Fianna GAA club in Glasnevin. She remembers how she passed the time at Croke Park when she was bored because she was too young to be as interested as she is now. Carmel talks about her father’s big involvement with the GAA. Jimmy Gray was a founding member of Na Fianna GAA, Glasnevin he also played in goal for the All-Ireland Dublin Hurling team in 1961. Carmel also talks about following her club and county, tells us about the way they travelled to matches and the types of food that was available to her and her family. She also tells us about the times the Dublin teams used to go to Na Fianna before the matches to get food. Talks about how the GAA is like a big extended family and that without volunteers the GAA would be nothing. That the person hanging up the nets at an under elevens match has the same importance of a player going out to play a final. She goes on to talk about how the role of women has changed throughout the years and how more changes should take place. Talks about how the equipment like hurls and helmets have changed and also talks about how the facilities have changed from clubs just having the bare essentials to most clubs having small gyms. Carmel also tells us how emigration has affected the GAA in the past and how it is more then likely going to effect the GAA in years to come. Thinks the challenges that face the GAA in the future are all economic challenges and thinks competition from other international sports is another problem.