A pair of Cornish Specsavers stores has sponsored the Duchy's first ever Gaelic football tournament.
Paul McGrane, director at the Helston and Falmouth Specsavers stores, plays for St Pirans GAA, as well as being the club’s chairman.
Last year he and colleagues spent months working to attract other Gaelic football teams from across the country to play in an organised competition in Truro.
After all their extensive planning, however, the COVID-19 crisis hit and all sports events were cancelled.
Paul didn’t give up though, and when restrictions were lifted he and colleagues were able to get Gaelic teams from Bournemouth, Southampton and Bristol to Truro for a seven-a-side tournament.
Last year he and colleagues spent months working to attract other Gaelic football teams from across the country to play in an organised competition in Truro.
Paul said: "It was the first of its type in Cornwall.
"There’s never been a tournament further west than Bristol.
"It was a great event – very competitive but also a lot of fun.
"The tournament was meant to be part of a big push to raise the sport’s profile in Cornwall and attract new players, but then COVID happened and it limited what we could do.
"It meant that although we were able to play when restrictions were eased, no spectators were allowed for any of the teams.
"But it was still a brilliant day.
After all their extensive planning, however, the COVID-19 crisis hit and all sports events were cancelled.
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"We really want to host another tournament in the future, so it would be great to hear from anyone who either plays Gaelic football or wants to start.
"You don’t have to be super-fit.
"We train once a week and twice in the summer, and we’d like to start an under-16s team for next year.
"It’s very social, just like any other sports team is."
Although Gaelic football originated in Ireland, it has spread to be a worldwide sport – often described as a combination of basketball, football and rugby.
It is one of the few remaining 'truly amateur' sports, with players, coaches and managers prohibited from receiving payment.
But Gaelic football isn’t the only sport that Paul’s Specsavers stores sponsor.
aul didn’t give up though, and when restrictions were lifted he and colleagues were able to get Gaelic teams from Bournemouth, Southampton and Bristol to Truro for a seven-a-side tournament.
They are also supporters of other sports clubs in Cornwall, including Grasshoppers U10 football team in Truro, Gllyngvase Surf Life-Saving Club in Falmouth, and the Falmouth Road Runners club.
Paul added: "We see our stores as being a key part of their towns, supporting local events, clubs and organisations, and always being available.
"In terms of the stores themselves, we’re always keen to employ local people, because we believe in investing in the local talent available, which then has a positive knock-on for the Cornwall communities we serve."
For further information about St Pirans GAA, go on the team’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/stpiransgaa/
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