The Mayo News featured the Asian Gaelic Games by interviewing and profiling chairman Asian County Board chairman Paraic McGrath, where he explains to an Irish audience the size, planning and support for the Asian Gaelic Games.

Later this week, Claremorris man Páraic McGrath will leave his home in Singapore and fly to Bangkok for the 14th annual Asian Gaelic Games. And he’ll have plenty of company.McGrath, aged 42, is chairman of the Croke Park-affiliated Asian County Board, organisers of next weekend’s competition, and he will also keep goal for the Singapore Gaelic Lions Club. His son Joseph, who turns 16, in November, will be on the same team, at corner forward. And his two daughters Olivia (11) and Phoebe (9) are members of the Singapore under-12 mixed team that will play in the first ever children’s competition at this, the showpiece event for the GAA in Asia. Throw in the support of his wife Clara, and it’s a real family affair.Páraic, son of former Mayo GAA Board chairman PJ McGrath, has spent almost 20 years outside of Ireland, having lived in Japan and Australia before moving to the former British colony in 2003. So he’s particularly proud to see his son, who has never lived in Ireland but learned Gaelic football through an underage programme on Singapore, graduate to the adult ranks.

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GAA President Críostóir Ó Cuana has thanked football & hurling followers for their support over the course of the 2009 season after combined total attendance figures for the two championships showed an increase from 1,519,000 to 1,523,000 against the previous 12 month period.

The GAA President pointed to the Association’s new innovative ticket packages, which were introduced for the first time for the 2009 season & acknowledged the loyalty of county football and hurling supporters across the country in what are testing times.

“Confirmation that our figures have not only held up but increased, comes as great news & further re-affirms the popularity of our games after what was a hugely entertaining season,” said the GAA President.

“We appreciate the efforts people go to, to attend our games, in some cases travelling long distances to support their teams & this enthusiasm is especially impressive in these current challenging times.”

The Association will be reviewing the new ticket arrangements that were made available for first time this year with a view to expanding on this year’s initiative.Supporters are also reminded that applications for the 2010 GAA Season Ticket, which are county and code specific, will be accepted in the coming weeks.

See photos and click the article title to read the full review of the very successful Viet-Celts U-14 Cup comp held at UNIS on Sat 14th March. The Vietnam Australia School Red Team came out winners against their Green schoolmates in a very close final. Only a point separated the teams in a thrilling match. All players were Vietnamese Nationals which made the competition a first in Vietnam.

 14th Asian Gaelic Games Bangkok 2009 Press Release (103.49 kB)

 การแข่งขันกีฬา “เอเชียน เกลิก เกมส์ ครั้งที่ 14” (125.84 kB)