Leinster GAA’s Global Impact: Supporting Gaelic Games in Europe, the Middle East, and Australasia 

In a small park in Dubai, under the blazing desert sun, a group are playing Gaelic football. The pitch may be different, and the heat more intense, but the passion for the game feels just as fierce as on a rainy day in Dublin. Thousands of miles away, in Berlin, a similar scene is unfolding: a group of young players is practicing their hurling skills on a temporary pitch marked out in a public park. And in Sydney, a GAA match draws a crowd of both Irish immigrants and curious locals alike, all captivated by this fast-paced and uniquely Irish sport.

For many, Gaelic games might seem like a sport confined to the shores of Ireland, but a growing global community is proving otherwise. Gaelic football, hurling, and camogie are thriving in unexpected places, from the heat of the Middle East to the cities of Europe and the vast expanses of Australasia. Behind this international success story is the unwavering support of Leinster GAA, whose dedication to the overseas development of Gaelic Games has helped bring this Irish tradition to a global stage.

Through partnerships with Gaelic Games Europe, Middle East GAA, and Australasia GAA, Leinster GAA has become a vital support for these far-flung clubs, providing the knowledge and resources necessary to develop and grow the games. But it’s more than just technical expertise – it’s about keeping the heart and spirit of the GAA alive in places where the Irish community gathers, where homesickness fades a little with every kick of a football or swing of a hurl.

For Jamie Queeney, Leinster GAA’s Learning and Development Manager, the connection between Leinster and its overseas partners isn’t just professional – it’s personal. As a former player and now coach, he understands the deep bond that GAA fosters within communities, whether they’re in Meath or Qatar.

“Gaelic Games have always been about more than sport,” Jamie says. “They’re about community, identity, and belonging. We see this as especially true for our overseas partners. When you’re far from home, the GAA club becomes a place of connection. Our role at Leinster GAA is to make sure that wherever Gaelic Games are played, they’re done to the highest standard. We’re there to offer whatever support is needed – from coach development to organizing games and competitions.”

This sense of community is echoed by the clubs in Europe, the Middle East, and Australasia. The challenges of running a Gaelic Games club outside of Ireland are many: limited access to facilities, extreme weather, and the constant turnover of players as people move for work or study. Yet with Leinster GAA’s support, these challenges become more manageable, allowing clubs to not only survive but thrive.

Across Europe, from Paris to Prague, Gaelic Games are steadily growing in popularity. What started as a handful of clubs formed by Irish expats has evolved into a thriving network that includes players from all backgrounds. Gaelic Games Europe (GGE) oversees the development of Gaelic football, hurling, and camogie across dozens of countries, coordinating leagues and competitions that stretch across the continent.

However, the geographical spread of the clubs makes it difficult to maintain a uniform standard across the board. This is where Leinster GAA steps in. Regular workshops for coaches, support for Coach Developers, referee training, and games development programmes ensure that Gaelic Games in Europe are not only expanding in numbers but also improving in quality. Coach Developer training and upskilling is one project that Leinster GAA has supported this Summer/ Autumn. In total, 10 new Coach Developers will add to the 5 currently operating across the region. This will provide greater capacity to deliver courses and training across the vast expanses of the continent, ultimately improving the quality and standards of Gaelic Games. GGE Coaching Officer Anna Marie O Roure commented on the recent training “It was rewarding and inspiring. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves and fully participated in the tasks. Liam Moggan and Sean Dempsey were just out on another planet and we just wanted to be in their world. Even the non English native speakers were in awe of both of them. It was surreal as much as it was real”

Attendees at the recent Coach Developer Training weekend in the Irish Embassy in Paris

The connection to Leinster gives these clubs a direct link to the expertise and guidance they need, Jamie explains, “When you think about it, what clubs in Europe are achieving is incredible. They’re growing these games in countries where there’s no real tradition of Gaelic Games. Places like Galicia, with their strong Celtic connection, have expnded their youth programme which now provides GAA coaching in over 50 schools in the region. Upwards of 7000 children being exposed to our games!  Our job is to make sure they have the support to maintain that growth. We want to give them the confidence and skills to develop players and coaches in the same way as we do back home.”

The result? Clubs in cities like Madrid, Amsterdam, and Munich are flourishing, with both Irish and non-Irish players donning their teams’ jerseys with pride.

In the Middle East, Gaelic Games are experiencing a similar boom. What started as a way for Irish workers in Dubai and Doha to connect with home has become a fully-fledged sporting scene, with tournaments and leagues now well established across the region. The Middle East GAA manages a network of clubs across the Gulf countries, and while the desert heat and transient nature of many players might make the logistics of running a club difficult, Leinster GAA’s support has been instrumental. John Daly, Coaching Officer for Middle East GAA, has seen first-hand the impact Leinster GAA’s backing has had on the region. “Growing the GAA abroad is no easy task, especially in a place like the Middle East, where the climate and turnover of people make things challenging,” Shane explains. “But having Leinster GAA on board makes all the difference. Their support in areas like coach development, helping us organize competitions, and offering advice has made what could be a difficult job so much easier. Having Ciarán MacEochaidh (Longford) out on the ground here with us has been huge, it gives the Coaches a tangible learning environment with someone working daily within the game”

A group who attended the ICGG Course in Dubai last month

Leinster GAA’s online coaching courses and development programs have also been key to ensuring that the quality of coaching and playing continues to rise in the region. The knowledge-sharing that Leinster facilitates has allowed clubs in places like Abu Dhabi and Bahrain to continue growing, drawing in more players – both Irish and locals – and spreading the word about Gaelic Games in a part of the world where soccer once dominated the conversation.

The scenes are no different Down under. In the vast expanses of Australasia, Gaelic Games have a long-standing presence. Australia and New Zealand boast some of the oldest and most established GAA clubs outside of Ireland, and their connection to home has always remained strong. Yet the size of the region poses unique challenges. The GAA community is spread across cities and towns thousands of miles apart, and the logistics of running a national competition can be daunting in a not to dissimilar way to Europe.

Here too, Leinster GAA’s expertise has proven invaluable. Through their partnership with Australasia GAA, Leinster has provided a range of coaching and development initiatives that ensure the continued success of clubs in cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Auckland. Recently, 15 trainee Coach Developers have received training, which will equip them with the knowledge and understanding  to be able to provide coaching supports through formal and informal courses, to the network of coaches across the region. Whether it’s offering resources for coach education or helping to set up competitions, Leinster’s support has helped Gaelic Games maintain their place as a beloved tradition among the Irish diaspora and beyond.

As Gaelic Games continue to flourish in Europe, the Middle East, and Australasia, the role of Leinster GAA remains as critical as ever. The connections forged with overseas partners have ensured that the GAA’s core values of community, inclusivity, and excellence are carried with pride across the globe.

For Jamie Queeney, this global growth is a source of great pride – but also excitement for what’s to come. “We’re proud of what we’ve achieved together, but this is just the beginning,” he says. “Gaelic Games are more global than ever, and we’re committed to ensuring that every player, whether they’re in Ireland or halfway across the world, has the opportunity to experience the best that the GAA has to offer.”

Thanks to the tireless work of those at Leinster GAA and their overseas partners, the future of Gaelic Games looks bright – wherever that ball might be kicked or hurl swung.

To find out more about over overseas partners visit the Twinning section of our website below.