Former GAA President Larry McCarthy has encouraged people across Waterford and beyond to come out and experience the unique atmosphere of the 2026 World GAA Games, describing the event as “a global Féile” that celebrates Gaelic games, Irish culture and lifelong friendships.

Speaking to WLR at the SETU Arena, McCarthy was spotted volunteering once again, driving one of the event’s buggies and delivering water to players and officials – a role he also carried out during the previous World GAA Games in Waterford in 2019.

“I’m having a great time,” McCarthy said. “I was here in 2019 at the last iteration and spent the week delivering water. I came back this week and said, ‘Why not sit into the buggy again and drive around and see everybody?’ I’m having a totally enjoyable day.”

With more than 2,000 athletes representing 114 teams, the 2026 World GAA Games are the biggest in the competition’s history, bringing together clubs from every continent to compete in football, hurling, camogie and ladies football.

For McCarthy, the event represents far more than what happens on the pitch.

“It’s a wonderful coming together of everybody who plays Gaelic games around the world, whether it be camogie, LGFA, football or hurling,” he said.

“It’s wonderful to get all the different strands of that community together and enjoy ourselves under what is essentially a global Féile here in Ireland. The connections and friendships that are made here go well beyond what happens on the playing field.”

He added that the Games showcase not only Ireland’s native sports but also its culture, with players travelling from across the globe to reconnect with the GAA community.

“It’s important that we get together like this and celebrate our games, our culture at a lot of levels, and that we enjoy it.”

Leave Hurling Alone

McCarthy also shared his thoughts on the current state of Gaelic games, following a season that has seen football revitalised through the introduction of new playing rules.

While there has been debate around possible changes to the structure of the All-Ireland Hurling Championship, the former GAA President believes the game should be left untouched.

“They don’t need to be touched – leave them alone,” he said.

“Let football evolve and develop. The new rules have been a wonderful sea change and people are very interested in football again.

“A couple of years ago hurling was on the up and now, in comparison with football, people are saying there’s something wrong with hurling. There’s nothing wrong with hurling. Leave it as it is and let things like the Munster Championship evolve and develop because they’re wonderful events in and of themselves.”

Invitation to the Public

With the World GAA Games continuing throughout the week in Waterford, McCarthy urged local people to make the most of the free event.

“Come out and see a wonderful array of people who you might never think would be playing Gaelic games, playing hurling, football, camogie and LGFA,” he said.

“Enjoy the atmosphere. It’s very much a festival of Irish culture and you’ll see people from all corners of the globe. To the people of Waterford and the sunny south east, come out and have a great day with us.”

The World GAA Games continue at the SETU Arena until Thursday before the action moves to Azzurri Walsh Park on Friday for the finals, bringing together the global GAA family for the culmination of a week that has showcased sport, culture and community at its very best.

The GAA World Games on WLR, powered by Clem Jacob Hire, proudly serving Waterford for 20 years! 

For the latest Waterford News and Sport, tune into WLR News on the hour and download the WLR App for news on demand.