Is cúis mhór áthais dom na focail seo a leanas a scríobh daoibh ar an ócáid seo agus Cumann Éire Óg san Astráil ag ceiliúradh dhá scór bliain.

While 2009 represents a special year in the history of the GAA it is also a noteworthy year in the history of the Young Ireland Club in Sydney as you reach the 40 year milestone following four decades of promoting Gaelic football in what must be one of the furthest outposts of the game thousands of miles from its traditional base.

Since the club’s foundation back in 1969, numerous titles have found their way back to what is rightly viewed as one of our pioneering overseas units underlining the club’s success in the promotion of football and their ability to harness and cultivate playing talent.

Australia has always occupied a special place in the heart of the travelling Irish and the high regard in which the country is held today remains firmly intact, arguably even more so at a time when so many of our young people are weighing up their options and considering future careers in what are challenging times in Ireland and indeed elsewhere.

With that in mind it is encouraging to know that clubs such as Young Irelands are providing strong connections with home through the medium of our games and by extension our culture. A cursory glance at the club’s website is enough to re-affirm the belief that this club is a progressive and well organised unit and one that works hard to promote the ideals of the association at every turn.

Although 2009 represents a year of reflection for both the GAA and Young Irelands if on the occasions of differing anniversaries, it also presents us all with a challenge to lay foundations as we plan for the next milestone and set out to realise future goals. To that end I commend and congratulate everyone who has made a contribution to the distinguished history of Young Irelands – both to those who continue to do so today but also to those who have done so in the past helping the club to get to where it finds itself today.

Here’s to the next 40 years.

Ar aghaidh len ár gcluichí

Christy Cooney

President of the Gaelic Athletic Association.