The centenary of the Gaelic Athletic Association celebrated 100 years since the foundation of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) with a series of events, commemorative releases, merchandise and competitions throughout 1984.

Background

The GAA was established in Hayes Hotel in Thurles, County Tipperary on 1 November 1884 to foster and preserve Ireland's unique games and athletic pastimes. In an address to the Association, Taoiseach Garret Fitzgerald stated "During this hundred years, the association has made a profound contribution to Ireland. In a unique way, it has created a sense of community among Irish people both at home and abroad".Garret Fitzgerald https://www.rte.ie/archives/2019/0422/1041601-taoiseach-hails-100-year-old-gaa/

Plans to celebrate the centenary began in 1978,RTÉ Archives (Tom McSweeney) – Thurles Prepares 1978 – https://www.rte.ie/archives/2023/1201/1419572-gaa-centenary-plans/ with redevelopment of Semple Stadium estimated at £500,000.

Commemorative productions and events Booklet A special booklet, published by the GAA entitled "A Centenary of Service" was launched by GAA President Paddy Buggy, containing messages of congratulations from civic and religious leaders and other personalities.Banbridge Chronicle – Thursday 26 July 1984 "“A Centenary of Service" the official GAA brochure celebrating the Association's Centenary – has been launched by national president Paddy Buggy. The brochure contains messages of congratulations from leaders of Church and State and articles on the personalities and major events which influenced the development of the Association." https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005418/19840726/271/0026

Medal A special commemorative medal was designed by Dublin jeweller Thomas Gear, whose previous work included similar items for the 1979 Papal visit to Ireland of Pope John Paul II and the Joyce centenary. It featured on one side a hurling player about to strike a sliotar surrounded by the text Cumann Lúthchleas Gael – GAA – Comórad Céad Bliain. On the obverse, it features a relief of Hayes Hotel, Thurles.Banbridge Chronicle – Thursday 26 April 1984 “Pictured below is the special GAA Centenary medallion, designed by Thomas Gear, whose previous work in this art form includes the Papal visit and Joyce centenary" medallions.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005418/19840426/275/0023 The medals were produced in limited quantities in 20 carat gold, Irish silver and bronze. The silver was made specially available by the Bank of Ireland, smelted from silver ore from the Tynagh Mines in County Galway.Banbridge Chronicle – Thursday 26 July 1984 "The medals are limited in number to : 100 only in 20 carat gold, 4,000 only in Irish silver and 10,000 in bronze. The Irish silver has been made available by Bank of Ireland from a special smelting of silver ore from the Tynagh Mines in County Galway." https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005418/19840726/271/0026

Centennial Salute The 'Centennial Salute' is a piece of music written specifically for the centenary by Joe Lynch, then musical director of the Artane Boys Band.RTÉ Archives Michael Fisher "The Artane Boys Band provided the music for the occasion playing the Centenary Salute written and directed by their musical director Joe Lynch." https://www.rte.ie/archives/2019/0507/1048013-gaa-centenary-exhibition

Exhibition A special exhibition was held at the RDS Dublin between 16 and 20 May 1984 Banbridge Chronicle – Thursday 12 April 1984 “Plans are at an advanced stage for the GAA Centenary Exhibition which will take place at the RDS, Ballsbridge. Dublin, from the 16th–20th May inclusive.” https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005418/19840412/443/0035. which featured historical artifacts from across Ireland. The exhibition was officially opened by Minister for Public Service John Boland.RTÉ Archives Michael Fisher "The exhibition was officially opened by Minister for Public Service Mr John Boland who paid tribute to the GAA and the game's administrators up and down the country." https://www.rte.ie/archives/2019/0507/1048013-gaa-centenary-exhibition

Late Late Show special A special edition of the Late Late Show, Ireland's most popular talk show, was broadcast on 22 September 1984 and hosted by Gay Byrne featured GAA personalities Paddy Buggy, Liam Mulvihill, Liz Howard and former Taoiseach and six-time All-Ireland winner Jack Lynch.RTE Archives – The GAA 100 Years1984 https://www.rte.ie/archives/2019/0922/1067953-gaa-centenary-special/

Wexford play The Wexford Centenary committee commissioned writer Nicky Furlong to write a play-pageant to outline the Association's activity in the county. It was directed by Tomás Mac Anna, director and producer of Dublin's Abbey Theatre.New Ross Standard – Friday 22 June 1984 – Wexford Pageant to celebrate centenary of GAA https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002322/19840622/194/0025

Centenary cups

Two inter-county competitions, one each in football and hurling were organised. This competition differed from the traditional All-Ireland Championships in that it was an open draw across all the participating counties, rather than following the provincial championship format.Meath Chronicle Thu 13 June 2024 The Centenary Cup [...] was a once-off knockout out competition to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the GAA and with Dublin and Kerry (both of whom went on to contest that year's All-Ireland SFC final) knocked out early it proved to be a wide open and exciting competition. https://www.meathchronicle.ie/2024/06/13/centenary-cup-win-was-the-start-of-a-golden-era-for-meath/

The football competition began on 8 April, the hurling competition on 15 April, with both finals played in Croke Park on 20 May.

Football final

Hurling final

All-Ireland Championships That year's All-Ireland Hurling Final was played at Semple Stadium in Thurles on 2 September, the first time the final had been played outside Croke Park since 1937.Echo Live Thu, 8 Sep 2022 THIS week in 1984[...] was the first time Liam MacCarthy was raised outside Croke Park since 1937." https://www.echolive.ie/corksport/arid-40953704.html The final was contested between Cork and Offaly, which Cork won by 3–16 to 1–12.

1984 All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship final

The football final was contested between Kerry and Dublin on 23 September. Kerry won the game 0–14 to 1–6.

1984 All Ireland Senior Football Championship final

International Rules series

Gaelic football had long been compared to Australian Rules Football.Centre for Tasmanian Historical Studies Bulletin, v.3, no.2, pp. 49–50 and; B. W. O'Dwyer, 1989, "The Shaping of Victorian Rules Football", Victorian Historical Journal, v.60, no.1.Richard Davis, 1991, "Irish and Australian Nationalism: the Sporting Connection: Football & Cricket" Touring Australian teams had undertaken tours of Ireland in 1967 and 1969, playing an early form of International Rules. Ireland played Australia in the firstBBC Sport – What is the International Rules series? http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/special_events/gaelic_sports/newsid_3204000/3204631.stm official International rules football series with three games played between 21 October and 4 November in Cork and Dublin.

The Australian team won the test series 2–1 and finished with a superior aggregate of 222 points to Ireland's 208.

Teams of the century

Four teams of the century were selected, one in football and one in hurling, and another set covering both codes involving players who had never won an All-Ireland Championship.

The players on the teams were nominated by Sunday Independent readers and were selected by a panel of experts and former players.

+ GAA Teams of the Century Position Football Hurling Football Hurling Goalkeeper Dan O'Keefe Tony Reddin Aidan Bradey Seánie Duggan Full Back Enda Colleran Bobby Rackard Willie Casey Jim Fives Full Back Paddy O'Brien Nick O'Donnell Eddie Boyle Noel Drumgoole Full Back Seán Flanagan John Doyle John McKnight John Joe 'Goggles' Doyle Half Back Seán Murphy Jimmy Finn Gerry O'Reilly Seán Herbert Half Back John Joe O'Reilly John Keane Gerry O'Malley Seán Stack Half Back Stephen White Paddy Phelan Seán Quinn Colm Doran Midfield Mick O'Connell Lory Meagher Jim McKeever Joe Salmon Midfield Jack O'Shea Jack Lynch Tommy Murphy John 'Jobber' McGrath Half Forward Seán O'Neill Christy Ring Sean O'Connell Josie Gallagher Half Forward Seán Purcell Mick Mackey Packy McGarty Martin Quigley Half Forward Pat Spillane Jim Langton Michael Kearins Kevin Armstrong Full Forward Mikey Sheehy Jimmy Doyle Charlie Gallagher Jimmy Smith Full Forward Tommy Langan Nicky Rackard Willie McGee Christy O'Brien Full Forward Kevin Heffernan Eddie Keher Dinny Allen Mick Bermingham

References