Gaelic Games Unites Communities

[Denn Forever]

It may be old news but found it when trying to get result of Dalton Final.

Well done everyone involved.

Gaelic Games Unites Communities

Enniskillen Cúchulainns were today crowned as Champions of Ulster GAA's cross community Gaelic Football Tournament which was held in the Mid Ulster Sports Arena in Cookstown.  The Enniskillen side beat off strong competition from Armagh Cúchulainns in the final.

Four teams competed in the cross-community tournament: Lurgan-Armagh, Dungannon, Magherafelt and Enniskillen.  All teams were made up of players from a mixture of schools from the controlled and maintained sectors.

Today's tournament is an extension to Ulster GAA's pioneering cross community Initiative, which brings together young people from a range of backgrounds who have little or no experience participating in Gaelic Games.

The initiative is backed by the 'Unite Against Hate' Campaign which embraces the Northern Ireland Assembly's vision for the future as:  "A peaceful, inclusive, prosperous, stable and fair society firmly founded on the achievement of reconciliation, tolerance, and mutual trust and the protection and vindication of human rights for all".

Presenting the winning side with the Cúchulainn Football Cup, Ulster GAA Provincial Secretary Danny Murphy said, "Ulster GAA is very proud of this flagship cross-community initiative – the Cúchulainn Cup.  When we first set out to develop this initiative we hoped that it would bring together young people from all sections of our community to experience and enjoy Gaelic Games and to break down barriers through sport.  That hope is now been realised with the Cúchulainn Initiative continuing to grow from strength to strength.  The tournament is also about raising awareness and respect of Gaelic Games and the Association to those from non-GAA backgrounds.

"All the lads who participated in this year's football and hurling tournament, are playing their part in building a better society, breaking down barriers and promoting good relations.  I commend all the schools and teachers involved who have made this possible, and I also pay tribute to the parents and families of the young men who are taking part, and the young men themselves.

"A hearty congratulations to the Enniskillen Cúchulainns who proved to be a strong side throughout the competition and who came away today as victors."

Teams competing in 2010 Cúchulainn Football Cup were:

■Enniskillen Cúchulainns
■Armagh-Lurgan Cúchulainns
■Dungannon Cúchulainns
■Magherafelt Cúchulainns
All teams received free coaching from Ulster GAA Coaches and County Coaches

[thejuice]

thats great to see, well done to all involved.

[Zapatista]

It is great and congratulations to Enniskillen.

Is this something the GAA feel they need to do as they are often seen as representing one side of the community? Do the GAA need to be pro active on this moreso than other sports? For eg. Soccer is played freely between all sections of the community. If this was a soccer tournament would it be that big of a deal?

[jolene]

The GAA has embraced the objective of reaching out to the other community in NI with an enthusiasm that has surprised many, including me and I am proud of their endeavours. I was aware of the start of the above initiative and quite frankly doubted its potential. I have however found myself to be very surprised at the way in which the organisation has taken the idea and developed it. I wish that the GAA could work in many communities in NI that they are not now in, as the organisation offers so much to young people. For example, if a young person isn't interested in rugby or soccer they may find a home in the GAA.   

[Zapatista]

The GAA has embraced the objective of reaching out to the other community in NI with an enthusiasm that has surprised many, including me and I am proud of their endeavours. I was aware of the start of the above initiative and quite frankly doubted its potential. I have however found myself to be very surprised at the way in which the organisation has taken the idea and developed it. I wish that the GAA could work in many communities in NI that they are not now in, as the organisation offers so much to young people. For example, if a young person isn't interested in rugby or soccer they may find a home in the GAA.   

Is there potential for this? Could it be expanded to the non Irish national communities in across the country?

[Hardy]

The depressing thing about this story is that it's a story.

[brokencrossbar1]

The depressing thing about this story is that it's a story.

Hardy, the problem is that there is an expectation that they do this and as a result it becomes a story with its own legs.  In the ideal world there is no association between politics and sport but we do not live in an ideal world and Northern ireland is not a normal place.  I would flip it the other side and see it as enlightening that it is a story as it will do two things, it will highlight the efforst ebing made by the GAA to attract people who rightly or wrongly feel they cannot be part of the Association and secondly it gives a kick back at the sectarian Culture **** McCausland who wants to do all in his power to blacken the GAA. 

[Hardy]

I agree with every word of that, BC. Just to be clear, I wasn't denigrating the initiative and I think it's a great positive story. I was just bemoaning the fact that, as you say, we live in a world where people of different religions playing the same sport is something so remarkable as to warrant a story in a newspaper. I hope initiatives like this may change that in time.

[haranguerer]

One wee negative, I dont think they referred to cuchullain enough....

[brokencrossbar1]

One wee negative, I dont think they referred to cuchullain enough....

I didn't see any reference at all to cuchullain

[haranguerer]

true...and me the most pedantic of them all 

[Lar Naparka]

Well done to all involved.