Oh la GAA! French teams could soon be competing for Sam Maguire and Liam MacCarthy and here's how Ireland will use the EU Presidency to make it happen

Published: 22:06, 16 June 2026 | Updated: 22:09, 16 June 2026  French GAA teams may soon compete for the Sam Maguire or Liam MacCarthy cups, as ministers lobby to have Gaelic games officially recognised there. The Government will campaign for France’s sporting authority to formally establish the Gaelic Athletic Association as an official sporting organisation this year. There are 33 Gaelic football and hurling clubs located around France, with an estimated 1,300 players. Research claims that up to 90% of the football and hurling players were born in France. Junior Sports Minister Charlie McConalogue said getting the GAA recognised in France will be one of the Government’s main policy aims during the EU Presidency, beginning next month. In response to a parliamentary question by Fianna Fáil TD Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere last week, Mr McConalogue said should the GAA gain formal recognition, it will unlock potentially thousands of euro in funding for the sport, helping it grow further. It will also establish a European mainland centre for the GAA, which Mr McConalogue says is in line with EU policies to prioritise traditional sports. It is understood the Fianna Fáil minister discussed recognition of the GAA in France during a recent meeting with French sports minister Marina Ferrari. It was noted at the meeting that Gaelic games’ popularity seems ‘grassroots’-led and has encouraged more participation of women in sport in the country. ‘The French GAA Federation is currently seeking official recognition as a sporting body,’ Mr McConalogue told his party colleagues last week. ‘This would allow easier access for clubs, to training pitches and to local government funding, issues which many clubs currently struggle with. ‘I hope during our Presidency we can help secure this recognition as it would be a major step in the development of Gaelic games in France.’ The Mail understands that the Government will highlight the recent recognition of the GAA in Britain, earlier this year, during its efforts to lobby the French government. The late Michael Lyster with the Sam Maguire and Liam MacCarthy Cups Historical records appear to show that versions of Gaelic games were first played in France in the 18th Century. However, the first official GAA club in mainland Europe was founded in the French capital in 1994 – Paris Gaels. Gaelic games are most popular in Brittany, where 14 of the 33 teams are located and which is home to Europe’s only purpose-built 15-a-side playing grounds. Football and hurling have both grown in popularity in France in last decade. Just over 140 players were registered in 2004, which increased to over 1,300 players by 2023. Gaelic games have also been included as part of the baccalaureate curriculum for secondary school Physical Education students. Mr McConalogue intends to host two meetings of senior EU ministers at Croke Park during Ireland’s presidency to progress the effort to recognise the organisation in France. It is understood that a significant emphasis will also be placed on the GAA around the continent when Ireland hosts European Sports Week in September. It follows a survey conducted by the Department of Sport last year among other governments from EU member states, about sports and games in their countries. More than 70 traditional sports and games were highlighted by sports ministries, ranging from field sports to court sports to athletic activities. While some sports were regionally popular, most governments cited well-known winter and summer sports with cultural links to their populations. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.