GAA should promote games as tourist attraction

Offical GAA logo

Maybe I'm wrong but I've never seen GAA games advertised on the Fáilte Ireland television adverts or on their website for more than 3 seconds. I think that Gaelic football and to a greater extent hurling could be helpful in bringing sports fans to this country especially in the summer. And at a time when every industry needs as much help as possible, should the Government not help promote the games in a strategic way as well as just attending the games? Similar to the way many Irish men and women flood across the Irish sea every weekend in their droves during the Premier league season to watch Liverpool, Man Utd or whichever team they support, we could lure a significant number of tourists to Ireland to watch our games. We have a unique brand of games that are as good if not better than many other global sports. I had an interesting conversation recently with an American sport's radio talk show host who was mesmerised when I sent her a clip of the 2010 All-Ireland hurling final. Her actual words were "Oh my God, this game is amazing - why don't we have this in the States".

Some great hurling goals

A typically American angle on the point I was trying to get across but she was immediately drawn to its pace and skill. As much as we all love the Rock of Cashel and the Blarney stone and all those great Irish tourist attractions, why not promote the Munster Hurling final in Thurles as a must see attraction that is actually living and breathing right in front of you. The colour, sound and spectacle would bring a tear to any mans eye and an All-Ireland final day in Croke Park is a must as well. Croker was a feature of the Queen's visit but purely for historical reasons.

The special atmosphere between both sets of supporters on All-Ireland final day is always something to experience and is special. Ireland at it's best wearing its Sunday best with pride. I know we could never compete with the English Premier League in terms of revenue it generates for the English economy but considering that revenues generated by those famous English clubs in 2009/10 which was €2.479 billion by the way, surely it would be worth getting the ball rolling (Pardon the pun) on making our games tourist attractions as well. It could be worth it you know!!

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