Cork camogie star Saoirse McCarthy believes the oneills.com GAA World Games will provide a powerful showcase for Gaelic games and Irish culture, while strengthening the sense of community that has helped the GAA spread across the globe.
McCarthy was speaking at the official launch of the event, which will take place in Waterford from July 13-17 and will welcome more than 2,000 players and support staff from around the world.
The All-Star defender has first-hand experience of promoting Gaelic games internationally, having captained Ireland in last year’s Camogie-Shinty international series against Scotland.
Representing both her sport and her country on the international stage was something she describes as a career highlight.
“I played the Camogie-Shinty international game last year and representing my country was a massive achievement,” she said.
“I was captain of the team and it’s something I will never, ever forget.
“I think we’re all caught up in our sport, playing it every day, and we forget that when you go abroad you’re representing your sport, your country and your club so much more than you think.
“I didn’t really have any expectations going over but once you’re there and you’re playing against the Scottish shinty team, and you’re representing the sport you love and that you give your time to, it’s a massive achievement and something you’ll always cherish.”
McCarthy also travelled to Uganda last year as part of the Plant The Planet Games initiative organised by Alan Kerins and Self Help Africa, where she helped introduce hurling to participants who had never previously encountered the sport.
“I played a bit of hurling out in Uganda last year and you’re showcasing your game to a whole new set of people. It might be their first time ever laying eyes on a hurling game.
“Even that day, you’re playing with people who mightn’t have played hurling before and they gain a new appreciation for the amount of skill that goes into hurling and camogie. It’s brilliant.”
The World Games will bring together 114 teams from across the globe, with 75pc of the players having discovered Gaelic games far from Irish shores. McCarthy believes the event demonstrates the unique ability of the GAA to connect people with Ireland and its culture.
“This is our culture, it’s our national sport and it’s definitely a connection to the country,” she said.
“It’s a brilliant initiative. We all know how brilliant hurling, camogie, football, handball and rounders are and the more eyes we can get on the games, the better.
“When players and coaches go home after the World Games, they can say, ‘We played this unbelievable sport in Ireland, we went on this trip, you should try it, you should watch a game.’
“The more eyes you get on it the better because they are wonderful games.”
3 June 2026; Cork camogie player Saoirse McCarthy stands for a portrait during the 2026 World GAA Games Launch in Waterford. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
McCarthy pointed to the growing popularity of Gaelic games both at home and abroad, citing the demand for tickets for the Munster Hurling Championship and the expansion of the games internationally.
“It’s hard to put a lid on it because it’s getting better and better every year,” she said.
“You see the Munster Championship there, every game sold out and people begging for tickets to the Munster final.
“The excitement around it is huge and camogie is going in the same direction.
“If people are playing at an earlier age in different locations, it’s only going to grow.”
She also highlighted the importance of GAA clubs as community hubs for Irish people living overseas.
“You have New York there in the Christy Ring next year and London playing in the Joe McDonagh. That’s brilliant for the sport.
“While they might be Irish people playing abroad, it’s giving them that sense of community.
“I have friends over in Australia and they all say the first thing they do is find their local GAA club and sign up because that’s their group. It’s a great way to make friends overseas.”
While many overseas GAA clubs were founded by Irish emigrants, McCarthy believes one of the most exciting aspects of the World Games is the growing number of non-Irish participants embracing Gaelic games.
Teams from countries such as Paraguay, Zambia and numerous other nations will compete in Waterford next summer.
“I’ve seen it myself in Uganda,” she said.
“The Simba Wolfhounds were the first recognised GAA club in Africa and they’re brilliant.
“They pick up the skills so quickly. There’s no fear. You show them once and they understand it. They’re so natural.
“We’ll be watching our backs in a couple of years when they all start playing!
“The more people you see playing our games, the better. I think there’s going to be a massive sense of community in Waterford.”
With Waterford set to host thousands of visitors during the week-long festival, McCarthy believes the event will provide a major boost for the region.
“It’s no small thing,” she said.
“You’re talking about 2,000 people coming to Waterford to play or coach at a GAA event.
“It’s getting people in from overseas and it’s a brilliant occasion.
“To showcase our games on this level at home is huge and I’d encourage anyone to come down and have a look.”
Turning her attention to the domestic season, McCarthy feels camogie is on the up, with recent championship changes creating a more competitive landscape.
“I think camogie is definitely going in the right direction,” she said.
“They’ve changed the format of the championship this year and there are a lot more competitive games.
“It’s exciting because anyone can win on any given day, which is only good for the sport.”
And with unpredictability now a feature across hurling, football, ladies football and camogie, McCarthy believes supporters are reaping the benefits.
“Exactly,” she said.
“That’s probably going to lead to more spectators, more excitement around games and rivalries building that maybe weren’t there before.
“It’s brilliant.”
