Kerry footballer Seán O’Shea who was appointed GAA’s Ambasadóir na Gaeilge for 2024 at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Matt Browne/Sportsfile.
Kerry footballer, Seán O’Shea, was announced as the GAA’s Irish language Ambassador for 2024 at an event in Croke Park today hosted by Cathaoirleach Choiste Náisiúnta Gaeilge, Gráinne McElwain, who welcomed Seán to the role and wished him well for the year ahead.
As part of his role, Seán will be supporting and helping promote GAA Irish language schemes, initiatives and events such as Cuaille (the GAA’s online Irish language magazine), Lá Mór na Gaeilge, Fondúireacht Sheosaimh Mhic Dhonncha and the GAAgaeilge Go Games that will be taking place in Croke Park later this year.
"It's a great honour," said O'Shea, who is an Irish and Geography teacher in Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine in his home town of Kenmare.
"It's something nice to do for the year. There's a big connection between the Irish language and the GAA and I think it's important we recognise that and try to promote the language through the GAA as much as we can.
"It's definitely important that we keep hold of it. You have your own unique identity as a country, you have your own language, and if you can use it then it's very important for people in this country going forward."
Since making his Kerry debut back in 2018 Seán has gone onto win a total of 5 Munster titles, 2 National League titles and an All-Ireland title in 2022. The Kenmare native captained Kerry to that All-Ireland title in 2022 and his last-minute match winning free kick in the semi-final against Dublin will live long in the memory as will his All-Ireland winning speech for the amount of Irish he spoke in it. Seán has also won two All-Stars to date.
The GAA are looking forward to working with Seán in the year ahead. Seán succeeds Galway footballer, Paul Conroy (2022) and Clare hurler, Paul Flanagan (2023), as Ambasadóir Gaeilge CLG.
