Unleashing 'The Blue Wave' A Strategy for Dublin GAA - Croke Park

A STRATEGY FOR DUBLIN GAA 2011-2017
Brigid’s, St Vincent’s, and Kilmacud Crokes (on three occasions) have all
claimed the Leinster title with both the Marino side and the men from
Stillorgan going on to claim the Andy Merrigan Cup as All-Ireland senior
club football champions.
The GAA in Dublin began under difficult circumstances in a non-supportive
hostile environment; over one hundred and twenty seven years later it finds
itself in partnership with state and local authorities. The Association in the
beginning struggled to find playing spaces in the Phoenix Park. Today,
clubhouses and pitches dot the urban landscape of Dublin, albeit unevenly
spaced. The Park has lost its nurturing role as the clubs have become
localised within their suburbs. Revivalism gave momentum to the young
Association: the belief that it was part of an enterprise greater than the
games forged its identity. Times and themes have changed but the context
in which the GAA evolved will be always important. At the beginning of the
twentieth century the GAA strove to make the people of Ireland more Irish
and as we move further into the twenty-first century its primary purpose may
be to make them healthier. The communion of interests, players,
administrators and supporters, represents the trinity of family, club and
county all sharing an abiding interest in their native games.
Times and
themes have
changed but
the context in
which the
GAA evolved
will be always
important.
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