GAA Palestine demand government action as visa doubts threaten historic Ireland trip

33 children and 14 adults are due to visit Ireland

Children from Palestine’s first GAA club are set to tour Ireland from July 18 to August 1 in a landmark visit. 

Thirty-three children and 14 adult mentors from the Moataz Sarsour GAA Club – the first officially recognised GAA club in Palestine – are due to embark on a historic tour of Ireland.

But GAA Palestine say their pending visa applications are under review, and have yet to receive concrete updates with just nine days until the trip is scheduled to start.

A GAA Palestine press release said: “Despite numerous inquiries, the department has refused to provide any update or timeline, leaving volunteers, host families, children and coaches in limbo as critical deadlines approach.

“The lack of communication and accountability is unacceptable. The delay threatens to undermine our plans and the opportunities these visas are meant to facilitate. We call on the Department of Justice to prioritise this matter and deliver the necessary information without further delay.”

Wearing official kits designed by O’Neills, the young athletes will represent their club and homeland as full members of the GAA community.

The club was originally named Ramallah Hurling Club but was renamed in honour of Moataz Sarsour, one of the founding volunteers who helped establish the team. Moataz was tragically shot dead by Israeli forces on 13 August 2024.

A total of 152 families will be hosting the touring party throughout Ireland.

Former Dublin footballer Michael Darragh MacAuley, who has eight All-Ireland medals, has been a long-term supporter of Palestine and hopes for a quick resolution. 

"In the midst of unimaginable pain and suffering these children have been offered hope through the power of sport,” said MacAuley. 

“GAA is all about community and looking after one another. GAA Palestine epitomises that caring ethos for others and I really hope common sense prevails and these young players can get the chance to visit Ireland and enjoy their childhoods again."