IT IS ironic that in the very week the Gaelic Athletic Association marks the official start of its 125th anniversary celebrations, the Government should have announced that capital grants for sport would be among the early victims of public expenditure cuts. As a practical reminder of the GAA’s role in developing what sporting infrastructure exists in this State, the news was as timely as it was unwelcome.
Indeed it is well to remember that for the first 100 years of its existence the GAA, along with other sports organisations, received little in the way of financial support. The association’s network of clubs and community centres is overwhelmingly the result of local initiative and fundraising.
Among the varied preoccupations of founding father Michael Cusack were those of national morale and the need for economic revival. Few could deny the success of the association in fostering a sturdy sense of identity and self sufficiency. If that at times has bordered on insularity, it is also a strength of attitude that will be necessary in the trying times ahead.
There is optimism and pride too in great achievement. One major change for the better is the evolving settlement of what used to be known as “the national question”. Thirty years ago, the country coped with economic stagnation and the constant eruption of violence in the North with the GAA frequently torn by the conflict. Now, through progressive programmes organised by the Ulster Council, the GAA is making commendable efforts to cross the community divide.
And as the Republic comes to terms with multi-culturalism, it is playing its part in attracting the “New Irish” into local communities through a distinctive sporting culture which fosters collective identities. More generally, with its voluntarily organised under-age activities it provides opportunities for children to look beyond the sedentary lifestyle of modern society.
As the association marks its 125th anniversary, what is the real cause for celebration? In answer to a question as to what he felt the reaction of the founders would be to the modern association, the GAA’s director general told this newspaper: “They wanted to establish a national identity through the games and a sense of community. I think they would be very pleased that in a world of globalised interests we have maintained that. They might feel that more might have been done in relation to culture and language but overall they’d have to say given the challenges of the modern world that we’ve done a decent job.” It would be difficult to argue with that.