Below, a speech delivered by Michael Dunphy of Sitges GAA at the second annual Over-35s Tournament perfectly captures the feeling, spirit, and passion that define Gaelic Games Europe.
Top 10 moments of 2025
10. Kingspan Partnership Launch – Paris, France
A landmark commercial moment. Our partnership with Kingspan marked a bold new era for Gaelic Games in Europe, opening new doors for visibility and growth. This deal enabled many of the great moments featured below. We look forward to a bright future with our new partners.
9. McKeever Sports Unveil Groundbreaking European Club Partnership
Announced at the GGE Convention in Paris, the new partnership between Gaelic Games Europe and McKeever Sports represents the most comprehensive and club-focused sponsorship agreement in our history. McKeever have embedded themselves in our biggest events, invested in our development projects, and now offer a long-term vision for supporting clubs across the continent. This partnership is built on trust, shared values, and a genuine commitment to the future of Gaelic Games in Europe.
📩 Club officers are encouraged to contact their Regional Representative for full details on how to access this opportunity.
8. Galicia Win the European Féile
An unforgettable milestone for a team of young Galician players, many of whom were leaving their region for the very first time. They returned home as European champions, carrying not just medals, but pride and inspiration for their local communities. This victory is a powerful testament to the Galicia Schools Project, where in just four years, thousands of children have been introduced to Gaelic football. It’s a shining example of how grassroots development can change lives – and shape the future of the game in Europe.
7. Membership Surges by Over 1,000 Players (May–October)
Record-breaking growth across our five regions reflects the unstoppable momentum of Gaelic Games in Europe. With +1,000 new full members joining between May and October 2025, this marks our largest growth spurt in 25 years: a 21% increase in adult membership in just five months. GGE now boasts 96 clubs with registered members, averaging 64 members per club. These numbers don’t just show expansion – they represent stronger communities, deeper roots, and a growing sense of identity across Europe.
6. Euro Games Kids Final – A Moment to Remember
The sight of young players walking out hand-in-hand before the final was a powerful symbol of GGE’s future. National teams from France and Germany got to play in front of thousands in the biggest fixture we have had for youth in Europe. An extraordinary full-circle moment with many talented footballers, and many more proud parents and coaches.
5. Viking Gaels Field 4 Hurling Teams in a Single Tournament
A logistical and athletic triumph in the Nordics – a huge statement for hurling development in the region, and a region that was facing serious sustainability questions up until their victory march in 2025. We look forward to their Hurling and Camogie round in 2026.
4. Rennes Field Four Men’s Gaelic Football Teams, While the Ladies Represent Europe in Leinster
A dominant and historic showing from one of France’s most vibrant clubs, as Rennes fielded four men’s teams in a single tournament – and won every match. Meanwhile, their Ladies’ team proudly represented Europe in the Leinster Junior Championship, featuring just one Irish-born player. This moment captured the spirit of Europe’s most energetic region: ambitious, inclusive, and thriving.
3. Amsterdam GAC Win Leinster Special Junior Hurling Cup
After four gruelling years of knocking on Leinster’s door, Amsterdam GAC finally shattered the glass ceiling, becoming the first-ever European-based club to win a Leinster title. Their epic campaign delivered not one, but two fairytale endings, including a dramatic final victory over Longford Slashers by a single point. The journey was defined by grit, passion, and standout performances – notably from Grahame McDermott and Dara O’Farrell, whose heroics in the semi-final and final kept the dream alive. This historic achievement is more than a win; it’s a declaration that Europe’s clubs not only belong on Irish soil, they can conquer it. A proud and emotional moment for Amsterdam GAC and for every club flying the flag for Gaelic Games across the continent.
2. Rory Grugan’s French Tour Ignites a Viral Breakthrough for GGE
In a groundbreaking first for Gaelic Games Europe, Armagh forward Rory Grugan travelled across France in spring 2025 on a high-impact development tour, delivering elite coaching sessions, visiting schools and clubs, and connecting with players, coaches, and communities across the region.
The tour was our first official collaboration with the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) – a milestone that brought credibility, visibility, and professional-grade support to our development efforts.
But it wasn’t just boots on pitches – the media coverage exploded. The story was shared across platforms, generating record-breaking online engagement and catapulting GGE’s digital presence into viral territory. For the first time, European Gaelic Games became part of the mainstream GAA conversation.
1. European Féile Team Records First-Ever Win in Ireland
In what will go down as one of the most significant moments in the history of youth development in Gaelic Games Europe, the GGE Féile team recorded their first-ever victory on Irish soil, and fittingly, it came against fellow global GAA counterparts, San Francisco.
The first-ever pan-European All-Star side was made up of excellent players from nine different clubs from across the continent, each player bringing not only skill, but the spirit and culture of their home region.
The victory wasn’t just about the scoreline – it was about visibility, belief, and belonging. For the young players who wore the European jersey, it was a dream realised. For GGE, it was a powerful affirmation that investment in youth development, cross-border collaboration, and high-performance exposure is paying off.
This was the first group of players to wear the European Jersey in a competitive tournament.
Special Mentions
Gaelic Games Take Centre Stage at the Vatican
In one of the most symbolic and high-profile moments of the year, Gaelic Games Europe proudly took part in the Vatican’s 2025 Jubilee of Sport, with Rome Hibernia GAA representing us at an event attended by over 8,000 participants from 100+ sports and 160 countries.
The event was part of the wider Vatican Jubilee celebrations: a once-in-25-year global occasion combining sport, faith, and community.
The GGE presence was spearheaded by Niamh Ryan, Irish Culture & Language Officer, whose vision and leadership ensured that our games and values were showcased on one of the world’s most prestigious international stages. A specially designed GAA jersey was presented to Pope Leo, while members of Rome Hibernia GAA delivered live demonstrations of Gaelic football and hurling in the Jubilee Sports Village at Piazza del Popolo, one of Rome’s most iconic public squares.
This was the first time Gaelic Games had ever been featured at a Vatican sporting event – and it wasn’t just a novelty appearance. It was a powerful expression of Irish identity, sporting spirit, and international outreach, all brought together through our grassroots club in Rome.
Furthermore, beneath the surface of Europe’s standout sporting achievements, 2025 also delivered a series of strategic milestones.
Europe Day at Croke Park
Gaelic Games Europe participated in the GAA’s Europe Day reception at Croke Park, attended by ambassadors and diplomats from a broad range of EU nations including France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Italy and others. GGE was represented by Chris Collins (Head of Games Development & Operations), John Murphy (Chairperson), and Niamh Ryan (Irish Culture & Language Officer).
The event brought the GAA, World GAA, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Irish embassies together to explore opportunities for deeper collaboration across club development, youth pathways, cultural programming and community engagement.
International Student Welcome Day @ Abbotstown
On Friday, 26 September 2025, the GAA Games Development Centre at Abbotstown hosted the World GAA International Student Welcome Day, a full-day event designed to introduce Gaelic Games to international students studying in Ireland
More than 100 students from universities and colleges around the country took part in a programme of skills sessions, small-sided games and cultural activities. Under the guidance of development staff and volunteers, participants tried Gaelic football and hurling for the first time, learned the basics of the rules, and heard the story of the GAA as a community-based, volunteer-led organisation.
For many, it was their first real contact with Irish sport and a first step towards joining local clubs. For the Association and for GGE, it showed how Gaelic Games can act as a welcoming doorway into Irish life for people arriving from every corner of the world – and how our games can feel international while remaining deeply rooted in local communities.
Gaelic Games Europe would like to extend its sincere appreciation to every player, volunteer, coach, club officer, referee, partner and supporter who helped make 2025 the year that it was. The moments below reflect not only remarkable achievements on the field, but the collective effort, commitment and passion that continue to drive our games forward across the continent.
Reflecting on his first year in the role, Chris Collins, Head of Games Development & Operations, shared his admiration for the work happening across Europe:
“I’ve been genuinely blown away by what I’ve seen this year. The talent, the ambition, and the professionalism across our clubs and regions are outstanding – and what excites me even more is the potential. There is enormous room for growth, and the foundations being built right now show just how bright the future of Gaelic Games in Europe truly is.”
