Ulster GAA is proud to partner with Foróige and national GAA to offer 13 young GAA members the opportunity to take part in the 2025 Dermot Earley Youth Leadership Initiative.
Over the month of July, the participants aged 15 to 18 completed the first two modules of the programme, dedicating over 30 hours to developing key leadership skills. These sessions focused on areas such as communication, conflict resolution, research methods, reflection and evaluation, and teamwork. Participants also explored how values, self-awareness, critical thinking, and a global perspective influence effective leadership.
The next phase of the initiative will see the young leaders bring their learning to life by carrying out a 20-hour Community Action Project within their local GAA clubs and communities. This hands-on experience will allow them to apply their new skills in a real-world context, creating meaningful impact at a grassroots level.
Ulster GAA President Michael Geoghegan praised the programme and its participants:
“The Dermot Earley Programme is a fantastic initiative for developing leadership skills of young leading GAA members who want to learn and develop their skills.
“We have run the programme intensively over the July period and the 13 participants have shown real commitment spending over 30 hours of their summer holidays doing something really positive which will have a big impact on their own skill set and on their clubs going forward.
“The Programme is substantive and will lead to an official award from Queens University Belfast on full completion. I wish the young people all the best now as they work independently to complete their community action plan back in their own club community and I look forward to see the good work that they will do over the coming months.”
Participants have come from the following clubs:
Antrim: St Patrick’s Lisburn, St Brigid’s Belfast
Armagh: Ballyhegan Davitts, Derrynoose
Donegal: CLG Carndonagh
Down: Liatroim Fontenoys, Glenn, Clonduff
Fermanagh: Belcoo O’Rahilly’s, St Patrick’s Donagh
Tyrone: Eskra Emmets, Errigal Ciaran, Brocagh Emmets
By Michael Devlin Wed 6th Aug
