Cathal Friel

Cathal Friel talks about the role of the GAA in his life over the years. He describes growing up in Mountcharles in Donegal and the state of the GAA during his youth. He discusses his family’s involvement in the GAA and how his uncle played on the St Naul’s team during the 1950s, the same club that Cathal played for. Cathal talks about emigrating to New York when he was seventeen and his involvement in the GAA there. He describes what life was like in New York and the importance of the GAA to the Irish community living there. Cathal talks about moving back to Wicklow in the early 1970s and setting up the Coolkenno club. He discusses his role in ladies football in Wicklow and his part in the establishment in the ladies county board. He talks about involvement in administration in ladies football and becoming chairman of the board and later Leinster secretary. Towards the end of the interview, Cathal discusses the role of the GAA in his life and also highlights the importance of the Association remaining amateur.