27.05.2019
‘Sport is a Great Unifier’ – Inclusivity of GAA Celebrated in St Patrick’s Cathedral
Some of Ireland’s most coveted silverware took centre stage at a service celebrating inclusivity in the Gaelic Athletic Association in St Patrick’s Cathedral yesterday (Sunday May 26).
The Sam Maguire and Liam MacCarthy cups were both present at the service of Choral Evensong which was led by Dean William Morton and sung by the Cathedral Choir in the presence of Archbishop Michael Jackson.
GAA dignitaries from around the island were in attendance, including the president, John Horan, who gave the address. Former President of Ireland, Mary McAleese and GAA director general, Tom Ryan, read the lessons. The service was also attended by Cork man George Maguire, the closest living relative to Sam Maguire.
Acknowledging the rich tapestry of cultures and creeds that, since 1884, have contributed to and continue to contribute to the enhancement of Gaelic games, culture and life in Ireland and beyond, John Horan said that sport was a great unifier.
He said that the organisation was anti–racist and anti–sectarian and added that it was encouraging to see players of different ethnic backgrounds playing GAA. “When we support our team the only colour that should matter is the colour of the jersey,” he stated.
Mr Horan said that the GAA would continue to work on inclusivity and had recently launched a new manifesto under the banner ‘Where we all Belong’. The GAA had always aimed to reflect Irish society and if that was to continue in today’s multicultural society, he said that the organisation must encourage as many children as possible to join. He highlighted the cross community initiatives in Northern Ireland which aimed to bring communities together in sport.
The GAA must also be inclusive of the LGBT community, he said, noting that for the first time ever the organisation would have a presence at Pride this year.
“Today’s event highlights the fact that our games are open to all. We don’t need to know one another’s religion to kick, chase and puck a ball,” he concluded.
Following the service the new Sam Maguire Passport was officially launched by the GAA President. The passport trail takes people around Sam Maguire’s home town of Dunmanway in West Cork where they can learn more about the life of the man behind the cup.
Sam was a member of the Church of Ireland and the trail is part of a wider community project in the town which is being spearheaded by the Revd Cliff Jeffers, Rector of the Fanlobbus Union of Parishes, of which Dunmanway is part.
Mr Horan paid tribute to the Rector for driving the Sam Maguire project. “We pride ourselves in being a community organisation. Rev Cliff is so keen and so driven. He is doing something that is a big benefit to the community and to the GAA… This is a GAA story and he is giving new life to it. But it will also bring benefit to the community. It will put Dunmanway on the map,” he stated.
Officially launching the Sam Maguire Passport he put the final stamp on the first passport which had been completed by a child from the parish.
