- Hope and pride in county team run high for three quarters of fans (75%)
- Putting on the county colours a highlight for three in every ten (32%)
- Findings revealed in new research exploring the Golden Moments of Gaelic Games
- Offaly’s 1994 All-Ireland Hurling win, Dubs’ six-in-a-row, Cork Ladies All-Ireland wins and Galway Camogie among the highlights for fans
Over half (56%) of GAA fans claim that the excitement of being at the game and cheering on their side coupled with standing for the national anthem before throw-in are among their golden moments in the championship season. A further three quarters of fans (75%) say they feel a huge sense of pride and hope when they see their county team in action.
The findings are revealed in new research from Solgar, official vitamin partner of the GAA/GPA and partner of the GAA Museum to mark the launch of its Golden Moments campaign which celebrates the passion, excitement, joy and uniqueness of Gaelic Games and what it means for both fans and players alike.
The survey revealed the strong connection GAA fans feel to their county team with over three in every ten (32%) describing putting on the county colours as a match day golden moment, while a fifth (21%) enjoyed the ritual of finding their seat in the stand and settling in before throw-in. That sense of excitement and being part of the match day crowd was strong among three in ten (29%) of 18–24-year-olds but interestingly rose, even higher (50%) among those aged 44-54. Over a quarter of the same cohort also claimed Jones Road on All-Ireland finals day as their match day golden moment.
The survey also showed the lengths GAA fans will go to in support of their team, with over one in every ten (13%) decorating or painting the house in the county colours while one fifth combined, have either travelled across continents (13%) or cancelled their holiday plans (12%) to see their county in action. Interestingly, over one in every ten (11%) of 18–24-year-olds got a tattoo to celebrate their team’s performance in the championship.
When it came to championship golden moments fans highlighted the Offaly hurlers winning the 1994 All-Ireland in dramatic fashion against Limerick as well as Clare hurlers winning the 1995 All-Ireland and ending an 81-year wait. The Dubs clinching their sixth consecutive All-Ireland in 2020 also ranked highly. Also included were the All-Ireland winning exploits of Laois Ladies footballers in 2001, after seven championship losses; the All-Ireland championship winning run of Cork Ladies who claimed 11 titles between 2005-16 and Galway Camogie claiming All-Ireland honours in 2013.
Kilkenny hurler Henry Shefflin, Galway hurler Joe Canning and Dublin footballer Stephen Cluxton were ranked among the most iconic GAA players with Mayo Ladies footballer Cora Staunton and Kilkenny Camogie player Katie Power also featuring.
Solgar’s Golden Moments features Solgar ambassadors Paul Conroy, Galway football; Katie Quirke, Cork Ladies Football along with Galway legend Michael Meehan and Cork’s 10 times All-Ireland championship winner Val Mulcahy. All four have come together to share their unique insights and experiences of representing both club and county; what it means to pull on the club and county jersey and share personal golden moments from their playing careers. To watch go to https://youtu.be/V3NfxYR8mSk
Natalia Lobetska, Solgar said: “We are delighted, as part of our partnership with the GAA/GPA and GAA Museum to announce Golden Moments – an exciting new campaign which celebrates the richness of Ireland’s national games, showcases the unique connection between fans and their county team and highlights the passion, commitment and dedication by the players who represent club and county. We are particularly pleased to have the opportunity to work with Solgar ambassadors Paul and Katie and to also hear the amazing insights of two true GAA legends Michael and Val.
“Gaelic games are full of many rich, memorable and iconic moments. We wanted to celebrate that, capturing the unique insights and stories of our players and legends, learn more about that feeling of pulling on the club or county jersey and what it means to play on the biggest stage, representing your county. Gaelic games are all about Golden Moments, whether you are a fan or a player.”