Largest GAA competition in UK begins 2025

Описание: The largest GAA competition in Britain is underway this weekend, with a record number of participants expected to take part.

Over four days, more than 4,100 juvenile players from schools and clubs across England, Wales, and Scotland will take part in a series of games at the Hazelwood Centre sports grounds, home of the London Irish.

The GAA All Britain competition was first established 14 years ago.


GAA President Jarlath Burns was among those in attendance this afternoon.

He said the focus of the competition was on "enjoyment" and "participation" for the players.

The GAA in Britain has seen a growth in popularity in recent years, with a 28% increase in youth membership since 2021.




I think the All-Irelands being on network television has really created an explosion of interest and curiosity among English people and British people, and we're seeing the benefit of that now", he explained.

Several schools across the UK have incorporated Gaelic football and hurling into their PE curriculum, particularly those where there is a large Irish population.

It has led to some children with no Irish background taking up the sport.

Dylan, 11, explains that he first "found out" what Gaelic football was in Year 5 of school and thought it was "a very good sport".

"I thought it was a lot better than football [soccer]. I still do like football but I kind of prefer Gaelic", he said.