Renault Ireland has been announced as the title sponsor of the 2019 GAA World Games, which were officially launched at Croke Park today and will bring some 1,300 players from 10 regions around the globe home to play this summer.
This will mark the third-ever staging of the competition with the 2019 Renault GAA World Games set to be the biggest and best yet.
The initial stages of the event will be played out at the Sports Campus of Waterford Institute of Technology in Carriganore from July 28th to August 1st, with the finals taking place on August 2nd in Croke Park.
In keeping with the tradition of other GAA festivals, visiting teams will be twinned with local clubs throughout Waterford to enhance the social and cultural element of the Games.
There are now more than 400 GAA Clubs in existence outside of Ireland and this is reflected in the presence of 97 teams that are confirmed for the Renault GAA World Games and representing clubs from across Europe, New York, USGAA, South Africa, Argentina, Canada, Britain, Australasia, India, Asia and the Middle East.
World titles for Football, Ladies Football, Hurling and Camogie will be on offer with competing teams made up specifically of native born or Irish born players.
There will be eight finals in all on a hectic day of international activity at Croke Park and with four finals staged for Irish-born players in Football, Ladies football, Hurling and Camogie and then another four finals for native born players competing across the four codes.
In total it is anticipated that approximately 5,000 people will be involved in this year’s games between players, team officials, administrators, families and supporters.
The Renault GAA World Games 2019 will showcase the extent to which the passion and participation for Gaelic Games has now spread far beyond our shores and will acknowledge the keepers of this flame. The collage of international colours on parade will also be made possible by the on-going support of official kit suppliers O’Neills.
Uachtarán Cumann Lúthchleas Gael John Horan said:
“One of the great privileges of the GAA Presidency has been the opportunity to see at first hand the phenomenal growth and development of Gaelic Games overseas and witnessing the success of World GAA.
“GAA Clubs abroad provide an invaluable service to the Irish diaspora establishing a home from home and are proving increasingly popular with non-native Irish won over to the skills of Football, Hurling and Camogie.
“The Renault GAA World Games is a celebration of this success story. It reflects the worldwide popularity of Gaelic Games and I want to acknowledge Renault for their invaluable support in assisting us in the 2019 event.”
Patrick Magee, Country Operations Director, Renault Group Ireland said:
“We are delighted to be the title sponsor of the 2019 GAA World Games and look forward to working with the Association and the players as official car partner of the GAA/GPA over the next three years. The GAA is such an integral part of communities across Ireland and around the world, as demonstrated by the success of the GAA World Games, and we look forward to a successful Games in Waterford in late July. GAA already plays a key role in our business model, as well as within our 26 dealerships, and we are excited about this partnership and getting on the road in 2019 and beyond.”
Kathleen Woods, Uachtarán Cumann Camogíochta said:
"I am looking forward greatly to welcoming all of the teams who will take part in this year's Renault GAA World Games which were a tremendous success in both 2015 and 2016. It is particularly heartening to see the huge rise in the number of native Camogie teams taking part in this year's event which highlights the growth of our game to new audiences around the world. All of the teams can expect a warm welcome to Waterford in July in what promises to be a great occasion to create new bonds and friendships as we showcase our unique games."
Marie Hickey, President of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, commented:
“We are looking forward to a festival of Gaelic Games in Waterford later this year, and it is great to see such strong representation once again from Ladies Gaelic Football. The Renault GAA World Games continue to go from strength to strength and the LGFA is delighted to play a part in such a prestigious event.”
The GAA will have dedicated social media channels covering the Renault GAA World Games and news and events surrounding the Games can be found at:
Instagram: @gaaworldgames
Facebook: @GAAWorldGames
Twitter: @gaaworldgames
Web: www.gaa.ie/worldgames
Web: www.renault.ie
#RenaultGAAWorldGames
