Guinness celebrates the passion of GAA volunteers ahead of All-Ireland

Celebrating the everyday GAA volunteers willingly to give their time in communities across Ireland all year round

As the 2017 GAA All-Ireland Senior Championships enter the final stages, Guinness has launched its latest TV advertising campaign, 'Behind Every Great Town'. The captivating film celebrates the everyday GAA volunteers, who willingly give their time in communities across Ireland all year round.

From mowing the pitch and setting out sideline flags to raising money and keeping clubs funded, this heartwarming new video from Guinness celebrates the very best of the GAA community spirit and the volunteers who dedicate their time all for the love of their club.

Read more: Maurice Spillane, Castlegregory GAA, County Kerry

The advertisement features four-real GAA volunteers from Castlegregory, County Kerry, Inishbofin, County Galway, Slaughtneil, County Derry and Ongar, Dublin 15. Together, they represent the thousands of people throughout the Island of Ireland who find enrichment, enjoyment and a sense of community by immersing themselves in their local GAA club.

Wendy McEldowney, Slaughtneil, County Derry

Wendy McEldowney is Camogie Secretary at the Robert Emmets GAA Club in Slaughtneil, one of Ireland’s most remarkable GAA communities. Only founded in 1953, the club is the epicenter of community life and has helped to unite and grow the parish. As Secretary, she was an integral part of the club’s All-Ireland Camogie club final success earlier in 2017.

Speaking about her passion for the GAA, Wendy said; “You need the fire in your belly and the passion for the GAA to do what we do. There are many of us up here seven nights a week helping out. It’s all we live for. Everybody gets stuck in. Because you’ve got a sense of commitment for it, you are happy to become the chairperson, secretary or just be the general dogs body. You will do anything that is needed to help drive the club forward.”

 “People here don’t wait to get asked to do things.  They offer. Whether it’s to give a lift to team players to away matches or making the tea and sandwiches after a match for away teams - everyone rows in the same direction for the betterment of the club”.

Read more: Moses Wanjigo, from Kenya, living in Dublin