Gaelic Athletic Association

The Gaelic Athletic Association (Cumann Luthchleas Gael), or GAA,an organisation whichmostly focussed on promoting Irish sports, such as hurling, gaelic football, rounderscamogie, thoughalso promotes Irish music, dance andIrish language.

The man directly invloved infounding ofG.A.A wasClareman, Michael Cusack. Born1847 Cusack went onpursuecareer asteacherBlackrock College. In 1877 he set up his own cramming school,Civil Service Academy,prepare studentsexaminations intoBritish Civil Service. 'Cusack's Academy' aswas knownits pupils did extremely well withresult thatnumbers attendingsoared. Pupils atAcademy were incouragedget involvedall formsphysical exercise and, aslanguage enthusiast, Cusack was troubled by falling standardsspecifically Irish games. To remedy this situation andre-establish hurling asnational pastime, Cusack set upG.A.A onfirstNovember 1884Hayes's Hotel, Thurles. Ofseven men present atinaugural meetinghas been estimated that four were members ofI.R.B (Irish Republican Brotherhood).

Aims ofG.A.A

• 1. To preventdeclinenative pastimes.
• 2. To open athleticsall social classes.
• 3. To aid inestablishmenthurlingfootball club which would organise matches between counties.

Withinfew weeks offoundation ofassociation Archbishop CrokeCashel gavehis approvalbecame its first patron. Its other patrons included both DavittParnell. Cusack wasdifficult manget alongbut infirst few months oforganisation he provedbe an excellent organiser. Cusack did not, however continuerunassociationlong after its foundation. Within eighteen months he was obligedresign asresulthis failuresubmit accountsauditing. Archbishop Croke introducednew rule which forbade members ofG.A.A from playing 'foreignfantastic games' such as tennis, polo,croquet.

The G.A.A inTwentieth Century Up toturn ofcentury most ofmembers were farm labourers, small farmers, barmen or shop assistants. But from 1900 onwardsnew typeperson - those who were now being influenced byGaelic League (1893) - joinedmovement. They tendedbe clerks, school teachers or civil servants. In 1922passed overjobpromoting athletics toNational AthleticCycling Association.

The Achievements ofG.A.A

• 1. The ancient gamehurling was saved from extinctionboth itGaelic football were standardised.
• 2. Asresult ofG.A.A native games were taken out ofhands oflandlordspolicepassed tonationalists.
• 3. A spiritlocal patriotism was awakenedIreland.
• 4. In its democratic constitutionhelped preparecountryself - government.
• 5. The G.A.A played an important part inforging ofnational identity inearly years oftwentieth century.

The G.A.A Today The G.A.A islargest amateur sports associationIreland. The G.A.A controls more than 3,000 member clubscontrols about 500 grounds throughout Ireland.

Important Dates ofGAA

• 1884 -GAAfounded on November 1Hayes' HotelThurles, Tipperary
• 1886 -Artane Boys Band gives its first GAA public performance on June 14this year
• 1887 - TipperaryLimerick winfirst All-Ireland HurlingFootball Finals respectively
• 1892 - goalsmade equalfive pointsteamsreduced fro 2117-a-side.
• 1896 -value ofgoalreduced from 5 points3 points
• 1912 -junior championshipsintroduced at All-Ireland level
• 1913 -Jones' Rd. ground, Dublin,purchased byGAArenamed Croke Memorial Park
• 1920 - twelve spectators andplayer, Michael Hogan,killedCroke Park duringBlack & Tan raid
• 1926 -first radio broadcast ofGAA match took place when Galway played Kilkenny
• 1931 -name Cumann Luthchleas Gaeladopted
• 1935 -GAA enters its second half century:crowd50,000 attendAll-Ireland Finals
• 1938 - Micheál O Hehir commentates on fis first GAA match
• 1939 -Cork V. Kilkenny hurling matchremembered asthunder & lightning final asclimaxplayed instorm
• 1947 -Cavan V. Kerry All-Ireland Football Finalplayed inPolo Grounds, New York.
• 1954 -record 84,856 attend Croke Park when Cork play Wexford inhurling final
• 1959 - 75th Anniversary ofGAA:first cantilevered New Hogan Standopened at Croke Park
• 1961 -record 90,556 attendDown V. Offaly All-Ireland Football Final at Croke Park
• 1962 -first GAA matchbroadcast live on Telefís Éireann (RTÉ)
• 1976 - Páirc Uí ChaoimhopenedCork City
• 1984 - Centenary year ofGAA:All-Ireland Hurling Final between Cork & OffalyplayedThurles
• 1993 -grand plancompletely re-construct Croke Park was launched
• 1996 -new Cusack Stand was opened
• 2002 -redeveloped Cusack, Canal EndHogan Stands were officially opened
• 2003 - Nally Stand was removedmake way forrefurbishmentHill 16

Major GAA stadia:

• Croke Park
• Semple Stadium
• Páirc Uí Chaoimh
• Nolan Park
• Casement Park

• GAA website