The GAA and class descriptors

Sir, – Compliments to Ciarán Murphy on his interesting article on “What makes Dublin superclubs so unpopular?” (Sport, Second Opinion, January 23rd).

While I would question that assertion and the wider view that Dublin clubs are somehow less authentic GAA units than rural clubs, the point I wish to address is Ciarán’s comment on “how middle-class Dublin GAA has become”.

Do such class descriptors have any relevance in the Ireland of the 21st century? How could it be any other way in a country where 60 per cent of school leavers go on to higher education, that great force for social mobility? That’s not just peculiar to Dublin. Every higher education student on the current Limerick senior hurling panel is attending a college in their native city.

Was it ever any other way? In 1884, Seven men met to form the Gaelic Athletic Association in Thurles: Michael Cusack, a journalist and teacher; Maurice Davin, a well-to-do farmer and merchant (who was able to host the 1904 All-Ireland hurling final on his land); John Wyse Power, a newspaper editor; John McKay, a journalist; Joseph K Bracken, a stonemason; PJ Ryan, a solicitor; and Thomas St George McCarthy, an RIC inspector. – Is mise,