For Conor Hennessey, returning home to Waterford for the 2026 World GAA Games is about far more than football. It’s an opportunity to introduce his adopted home of Australia to the county where his own GAA journey began.
The Kill native, who has been living in Australia for the past decade, is back in Waterford as part of the Australasia delegation, helping guide a squad of Australian-born footballers through their first experience of Gaelic games in Ireland.
Speaking to WLR Sport’s Manager Seamus Barry at the SETU Arena, Hennessey explained that the Australasia men’s and ladies football teams are made up entirely of Australian-born players representing clubs from across Australia.
“We have players from Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth, so there’s someone from every corner of the country with us.”
Hennessey himself played football with Kill GAA before moving to Australia in 2016, expecting to spend just one year abroad.
“I was only planning on going for a year and ten years later I’m still there,” he laughed.
“I’m heavily involved in the GAA at every level over there.”
He admitted that once Gaelic games become part of your life, they never truly leave.
“It’s like a drug – but it’s a good drug. You’re always stuck in it.”
Bringing Australian players to Waterford has been a proud moment for the Déise native.
“You’re bringing a bunch of Australians into our country and, especially being from Waterford, you’re welcoming them to your own county.
“We’re very proud of the facilities we have, so it’s great to be able to showcase them.”
He believes one of the most memorable parts of the week will come when visiting teams spend time with their local twinning clubs.
“The GAA is everything for us here in Waterford and in Ireland generally.
“When they visit their twinning partners they’ll see what the GAA means to us and what the GAA family is all about. You feel a huge sense of pride coming home and bringing them to see what we love.”
Hennessey has also been making sure his Australian teammates get a taste of Waterford life.
“I might have had one or two pints of Guinness with them last night to settle the nerves,” he joked.
“No blaas yet, but we’ve had a couple of 99 ice creams.”
With sunshine lighting up the SETU Arena throughout the opening days of the tournament, Hennessey believes the weather has added to what is already a memorable occasion.
“We’re blessed with the weather. Everyone is in good form when the sun is shining.
“Hopefully we’ll get a great crowd out for the parade and plenty of locals from Kill and clubs around Waterford will come in and support everyone.”
The World GAA Games continue at the SETU Arena until Thursday before moving to Azzurri Walsh Park on Friday for the finals, bringing together the global GAA community for a week that celebrates sport, friendship and Irish culture.
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.
