The conference will feature historians of society and sport from Ireland and overseas. In addition to the diaspora, they will discuss such topics as hurling’s ancient roots, the socio-economic background of players, the GAA in film and photography, the GAA and the Irish language, and the GAA and politics.

The conference will be held at the GAA Museum in Croke Park. Tickets, which cost 15 euro (10 for students and seniors) are essential.

For more information:

• www.gaa.ie/museum (site was down at time of writing)
• Boston College: GAA – Oral History Project

The Gaelic Players’ Association has started a jobs board website to link up players with job vacancies, while Limerick GAA has started a directory of players outlining their job skills in the hope that employers may see their potential.

GPA chief Dessie Farrell said yesterday that “The next couple of months will be very telling and once the Championships begin you will have a better gauge of what players will be available and whether, because of the recession, names are missing from squads.”

Irish Independent: GAA gets to work on saving its players from dole

Galway Independent: GAA boss Doherty fears wave of emigration

Gaelic Players Association Jobs Board