EirGrid, the state-owned operator of Ireland’s electricity grid, has launched a new national campaign to honour the unsung heroes of the GAA.
The Community Heroes initiative will spotlight and reward GAA volunteers whose dedication sustains clubs and strengthens communities across the country.
Now in its tenth year as the official Timing Partner of the GAA and Camogie Championships, EirGrid is using the campaign to deepen its ties with grassroots sport.
Designed to showcase the spirit of volunteerism at the heart of the GAA, the initiative will include a nationwide search for Ireland’s most inspiring club volunteer.
The campaign will feature a touring content series celebrating remarkable individuals who have made a lasting impact on their local communities through their involvement in GAA clubs.
Among the contributors to the series are some of the most iconic names in Gaelic Games, including eight-time All-Ireland football winner Dean Rock of Ballymun Kickhams, five-time hurling All Star John Mullane of De La Salle, and 2024 Camogie Player of the Year Laura Hayes from St Catherine’s, Cork.
In the first episode, Rock meets fellow Ballymun Kickhams member Kristoph Juszczak, who moved to Ireland from Poland two decades ago. Introduced to the club by former Dublin footballer Paddy Christie, Juszczak quickly became a vital part of the club’s fabric, volunteering across numerous roles and embracing the inclusive ethos of the GAA.
The Community Heroes competition is now open for nominations, with EirGrid encouraging supporters to recognise a volunteer who has made an extraordinary contribution to their club.
The winner will receive two tickets to the 2025 All-Ireland Final and a €5,000 donation towards their club’s development. Nominations can be made via www.eirgrid.ie/gaa.
Cathal Marley, Chief Executive of EirGrid, said the campaign aligns closely with the company’s broader mission. “The GAA is built on the spirit of community and volunteerism—values we deeply share at EirGrid,” he said. “Through the Community Heroes campaign, we’re proud to shine a light on the incredible individuals who energise their communities, just as we power the grid driving Ireland’s transition to a low-carbon future.”
GAA President Jarlath Burns also praised the initiative. “The GAA is about games, but in reality, it is about people,” he said. “Volunteerism is the life-force fuelling our clubs. We would rue the day we ever took this effort for granted, and that is why an initiative like EirGrid’s is a welcome opportunity to recognise people who are ambassadors for the phenomenal work that brings the GAA to life day after day.”
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