Ray Coleman

Raymond Coleman talks about his GAA experiences in Ireland and abroad. He recalls following and playing for his local club, Lough Lene Gaels, in his youth, and the central role played by the club in the community. When he was older he was a student at Dundalk RTC and played hurling there, before moving to Canada and becoming involved with the local GAA club. After moving back to Ireland he made his way to Frankfurt in Germany where, along with some friends, he helped to resurrect the Frankfurt Sarsfields club. They put a football team together and before long were competing in tournaments all over Europe. Raymond discusses the challenges faced by GAA clubs overseas - lack of suitable training facilities, difficulties in raising sufficient funds, problems in persuading people to get involved. He also touches on the social function of the GAA in Frankfurt, and how the Association contributes to an Irish person's sense of identity when living in a foreign land.