McNulty: GAA a powerful force for good

Mr. McNulty was speaking after a report by Manchester Metropolitan University in partnership with Ulster University found that the GAA contributes €2.87billion to communities across Ireland every year.

Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty said: “It is incredible to see the total value of the GAA’s contribution to communities laid out in black and white and as I said in the meeting I believe these figures are undercooked.

“There are more than 2,200 GAA clubs across the island of Ireland, each and every one of which makes an enormous contribution towards stitching the fabric of our society. In addition to sport and physical fitness, GAA clubs act as a hub to strengthen local communities, combat social isolation, and empower people of all ages to take a sense of pride and passion in themselves and their local communities.

“I want to see the GAA continue to grow, and one very clear way to facilitate that is through prioritising the redevelopment of Casement Park. The inaction and inertia around Casement is a source of huge frustration, but more pressingly, it is preventing the positive social impact of the GAA from being fully realised in Belfast and in Ulster. We need to see urgent action to progress the redevelopment of Casement Park to unleash a new wave of positivity and possibility for Antrim and Ulster Gaels.”