GAA Palestine host nationwide equipment drive to help support clubs in the West Bank

The campaign is calling on GAA clubs, schools and supporters across Ireland to donate hurls, helmets, sliotars, kits and training equipment to support five Gaelic teams currently operating in Palestine.

Donations will be collected and stored in Athy, Co Kildare, where organisers have secured a shipping container until the end of the month and hope to fill it before it departs.

The new initiative follows a setback earlier this year when a shipment of equipment sent by GAA Palestine was refused entry by Israel and returned to Ireland, leaving organisers to cover the significant costs involved.

Rather than abandon the effort, the equipment from that shipment has now been repacked and will form part of the new container, alongside further donations from clubs and individuals across Ireland.

Organisers say the response from the GAA community has already been strong, with many contributions coming from equipment originally gathered for a planned tour of Ireland by a GAA team from Ramallah last summer.

That visit ultimately did not go ahead after visas were refused, and the equipment is now being repacked and will be included in the container to ensure it reaches players in Palestine.

The initiative has also received backing from the trade union Fórsa, which has offered its Dublin offices as a drop-off point for donations. The union already sponsors the jersey of Moataz Sassour GAC in Ramallah.

Deputy General Secretary of Fórsa, Katie Morgan, said the organisation was proud to support the campaign.

“We’re delighted to support this equipment drive for Gaelic teams in Palestine. Having already sponsored the jersey for Moataz Sassour GAC in Ramallah, it’s great that we can now help collect donations and support the continued growth of Gaelic games there,” she said.

GAA Palestine Chairperson, Stephen Redmond, added: "We attempted to bring the children to Croke Park for the All-Ireland Hurling Final in the summer of 2025, but they never made it to Ireland due to the Dublin government's inaction. We remain committed to to our members rights and well-being.

"Since the visa gate crisis, some of those members that would have travelled to Ireland have been shot or incarcerated. 

"And we remember the tragic loss of Moataz Sarsour.

"We haven't gone away, and we will continue to work for the communities we serve In Palestine.

"We urge the Irish people to keep the flame of 'Let Them Play' alive for these children. Thank you to everyone who supports us. Your solidarity is vital in our fight to help support our members."

Donations of new or good-quality used equipment are welcome, including hurls, helmets, sliotars, gumshields, kits and training gear.

Financial donations are also available via the website.

Further details and drop-off locations are available here.