Irish emigrants to reap unexpected dividend

THE GAA’s commitment to their overseas units — with over 400 clubs outside of Ireland — is set to reap an unexpected dividend as a consequence of the serious downturn in the economy, Nickey Brennan believes.

Pointing out that with government backing they had been able to devote considerable funding to coaching personnel and infrastructural development, he said: “little did we think that when we started that three years ago how our economy was going to go and how the GAA abroad is so important now to the young Irish people and maybe not so young who have to head off to foreign lands.”

People forced to emigrate can network through playing Gaelic games just like they at home, he added.