Carrigy unveiled as Longford GAA’s secret weapon during historic Croke Park meeting
Longford Westmeath TD part of Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport that lined out on the hallowed turf of GAA headquarters
Deputy Micheál Carrigy was unveiled as Longford GAA’s secret scoring weapon during an historic first meeting of an Oireachtas Committee in Croke Park.
The Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport of which Ballinalee man Deputy Carrigy is a member, gathered at Croke Park to receive a briefing on the GAA’s landmark Demographic Report.
Deputy Carrigy is no stranger to the corridors of power around Croker as he previously served as Longford GAA’s Central Council representative and he also served as Longford GAA County Board Vice Chairperson and Hurling Chairperson.
Members of the Committee, who were led by Cathaoirleach Alan Kelly TD, engaged in an extensive three-hour site visit to GAA HQ.
It marked a key moment of engagement between the Oireachtas and the GAA on the issue of Demographics and Facilities and the findings of this report.
As a result of this meeting a total of four Oireachtas committees (Sport, Housing, Infrastructure and Rural Affairs) will now examine the contributions of their respective members and produce a cross-committee report examining ways in which actions can be taken around the key areas of concern.
Events at Croke Park began with Uachtarán Jarlath Burns, Ard Stiúrthóir Tom Ryan, LGFA CEO Lyn Savage and Camogie CEO Karen Dessain-Gelinet welcoming the delegation to Croke Park at the Michael Cusack statue.
There was a very special moment prior to the meeting when Uachtarán Jarlath Burns presented each member with a jersey from their respective county in the Cusack Stand dressing room.
And after a pep talk from the Uachtarán, the Sport Committee members burst out onto the pitch via the Cusack Stand tunnel where they got a team photo at the Hill 16 end along with the Sam Maguire and Liam MacCarthy trophies.
The GAA is extremely conscious of the significant support offered by the Oireachtas Sport Committee to its work across a whole range of areas.
Receiving its support, and the support of its sister committees, in the vital areas of demographics and facility provision is crucial as our country grapples with the challenges posed by both urbanisation along the east coast and population decline in rural areas.
Speaking afterwards the Demographics National Committee Chairman Benny Hurl offered his view that this meeting can pave the way for some concrete actions towards addressing the concerns raised.
“It was truly fantastic to have the Oireachtas Sports Committee here today in Croke Park for this historic meeting and I feel that we have taken some positive decisions today that will help address our concerns around demographics and facilities,” remarked Hurl.
“The fact that we have brought this report to four separate committees of the Oireachtas, and today welcomed the members of the Sports Committee to our home in Croke Park, shows the level of engagement we have had to ensure we can see facilities provided for all who want to play our games and see a more balanced spread of our population.
“I want to particularly thank the Cathaoirleach, Alan Kelly TD, and all his members for the interest they’ve shown in these key issues of urban areas under pressure from a sports facility perspective and clubs in rural areas under pressure from population decline.
“That’s not an easy nut to crack but this committee, along with those in Housing, Infrastructure and Rural Affairs have now committed to coming forward with a report that we can bring to the relevant ministers and see action taken.
“I also want to thank Ministers for Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD and Charlie McConalogue TD, who have offered such great support to this report and our work, and I am confident this is one piece of work that is going to deliver.”
Cathaoirleach of the Oireachtas Sport Committee Alan Kelly TD offered his support for the work and was delighted that he and his committee members had made the journey from Kildare Street to Jones’ Road.
“Well given the fact that Tipperary were knocked out of the Championship so early this year it may have been my only chance to get here,” laughed Kelly.
“But seriously we are delighted to be here in the stadium of our national games and to engage on this report, which has received such praise for the way in which it has examined our changing demographics and the impact this has not only on where we live but how we live.
“Ensuring people have spaces to play sport and in particular our native games of hurling and Gaelic football is key to the work of this committee.
“As Chairman I am delighted that we are going to tackle this by bringing forward a joint report, along with the committees in Housing, Rural Affairs and Infrastructure, seeking action on the key areas that have been raised.”