The History of the Gaelic Athletic Association in Canada

My father, Thomas O’Flynn (Kilmeedy, Co. Limerick), will have a limited number of autographed copies available ($20) during the 2007 and 2008 Gaelic Football All-Stars weekend in San Francisco. He will be in attendance at the Saturday, December 6, 2008 NACB Convention at the Holiday Inn on Fisherman’s Wharf by mid-day for those interested in a copy.

 

The book remembers the connections of many NACB contributors to the Gaelic games before the formation of the Canadian County Board such as John Hehir (R.I.P.) (Boston),

Dan. P. O’ Kennedy (R.I.P.) (Detroit), John O’Brien (Cleveland), John Keane (Seattle), Louis Roche, Bill Flanagan, Joe Casey, Hugh Duggan, Jarlath O’Connor, Danny Boyle, Pat & Joe Uniacke (San Francisco), Pat Joe Brosnan (South City), Fr. Patrick Leslie (Sacramento), Dr. Padraig Carney (Mayo – California) and others who were involved in both American & Canadian County Board GAA competitions since 1987.

 

Irish immigrants in several Canadian provinces were determined to preserve their athletic heritage and, as this fact-filled history shows, the flag of Irish sports has flown strong in Canada for more than two centuries.

 

Thanks!

 

John

 

 

John O’Flynn, a Vancouver teacher and writer, has roots in both County Limerick and County Kerry. After learning Gaelic football and hurling with the Vancouver Irish Sporting and Social Club, he represented the club, playing Gaelic football in two North American County Board Championships: 1984 Boston and 1985 Chicago. In 1987, he attended the founding meeting in Toronto of the Canadian County Board of the GAA, has presented workshops on Gaelic football to teachers and at youth summer camps, and served as a referee in both minor and adult games in the US and Canada.