By Colm Bradley

About six or seven years ago I had my arm twisted to go along to the Fermanagh heat of the Scor quiz as a member of the Enniskillen Gael's team. I agreed thinking we would get well beaten but to my horror we actually qualified for the final. And then the real craic started, my team-mates dropped liked fly's and as the night approached I got the distinct impression that somebody was not telling me something. I was right. On the night of the final there was an individual round and three questions to answer on stage. I have never been so nervous. 70,000 in Croker was a walk in the park in comparison. The lights mercilessly burned down as the sweat that rolled off my face threatened to short circuit the mic that was trembling in my hands. But I was blessed with the question in round one.

'What town are the Corrs from?' Thank God for that beautiful trio of sisters I thought. What their connection was to the GAA I didn't care although if they played camogie for their local club I remember thinking that the attendance's must have been through the roof. 'Dundalk,' I answered confidently. 'Correct.' I breathed a huge sigh of relief. Round two and another Saint intervened on my behalf.

'Who manages Wicklow footballers?'

I knew this one too. My best friend was a Dublin fanatic and wanted to put money on Wicklow to win Leinster because a darling of the Hill was in charge. I gave him generous odds and took the bet. 'John O'Leary,' I answered. Correct. The money was mine too. Crazy Dub. But then came round three, and I ran out of Saint's.

'Who was the first President of the GAA?'

I was stumped. Silence filled the hall. Come on St Jude, I thought, you got me through the A Level's, I need you again! But there was no divine intervention. He must have been on another call. Getting desperate a voice started whirling around my head, 'Pick a stand, just pick a stand.' So I did. 'Hogan Stand,' I blurted out. The man asking the questions held a quizzical expression, and raised an eyebrow. 'No, the Hogan Stand was not the first President of the GAA,' he replied in deadpan monotone.

I left the hall and indeed the building red faced that night and ashamed in the knowledge that I knew practically nothing about the history or origins of Association which I professed to be so passionate about.

So what was the purpose of that story you might ask?

It is to say that the GAA is about more than Gaelic Football. Or at least it should be. For some it is a way of life, an indelible mark on their soul which shapes and moulds their very personalities. For others it is merely a summer distraction which allows them to follow their county team a few times a year. These people are known as the 'fair-weather supporter' by those of us who consider ourselves better Gaels. Smugness is unfortunately sometimes a by product of dedication. Volunteerism, as has been said a lot over the last year, is the heartbeat of the Association and something which we should all take great pride in but sometimes I get the impression that this volunteerism can be used as a convenient buffer when people may question how we promote all facets of the Association.

I am reminded of a philosophy of Charlie Mulgrew's. After a defeat, or a bad performance, he used to tell us that as individuals it was important we did not point the finger of blame at our colleagues. 'Take a look at the man in the mirror,' he would say, 'and accept that he is as much to blame as anyone else.'

It is an attitude that resonates in life as well as sport. And it is one perhaps we all need to take on board before we indulge in mutual back slapping about what great Gaels we are. We should perhaps think about what the GAA is really about and also reflect on the road it has travelled before we get all high and mighty about what we do for the Association.

The GAA was started as a sporting organisation which offered all the people of Ireland the opportunity to take part sports. At the time only a certain class was afforded this chance.

Very much an athletic organisation at its outset, the GAA also strove to rescue the indigenous games of hurling and football from the Anglicisation which was occurring in many parts of Irish life at the time. It was also a cultural organisation, which promoted the Irish language and the Irish way of life. It was all inclusive and in its early days enjoyed the support of both Nationalist and Unionist Irishmen.

Over the years the original ideals have changed very little, although I would argue that the political language added some thirty plus years ago could be removed and the original wording restored but that is a battle for another day. But as Gaels, we must ask ourselves do we really actively promote all these Ideals. Or are we, to coin a phrase, a la carte Gaels?

I would wager that the majority of people reading this have little interest in Scor or Hurling and can speak very little Irish. And I wonder how many have even seen a handball game?

I am not preaching to anyone. In truth, I am in no position to preach. My cupla focal extends to three words, 'Nil is agam.' It means 'I don't know' and was enough to get me through a Summer of Irish College. I do enjoy watching hurling but have never promoted it within my club, even when I was Youth Chairman for a year! I should have done more and if ever in the position again will endeavour to do more for the small ball game. A Hurling man within the county asked me the other day how Enniskillen Gaels Seniors and Juniors were allowed to play games on the new sod of Brewster Park on Friday and Saturday last yet the Fermanagh Senior Hurlers were not allowed to play against Tyrone in their historic Ulster Senior Hurling Championship on Sunday. I could not answer him? Can others?

In our commitment to the GAA do we promote all its ideals? Or are we selective in promoting the ones that suit?

Only looking at the person in the mirror will answer that one for us.

Oh and if anyone is wondering, the first President was Maurice Davin.