Centenary of the Gaelic Athletic Association

The centenary of the Gaelic Athletic Association celebrated 100 years since the foundation of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) with a series of events, commemorative releases, merchandise and competitions throughout 1984.
The GAA was established in Hayes Hotel in Thurles, County Tipperary on 1 November 1884 to foster and preserve Ireland's unique games and athletic pastimes. In an address to the Association, Taoiseach Garret Fitzgerald stated "During this hundred years, the association has made a profound contribution to Ireland. In a unique way, it has created a sense of community among Irish people both at home and abroad".
Plans to celebrate the centenary began in 1978, with redevelopment of Semple Stadium estimated at £500,000.
A special booklet, published by the GAA entitled "A Centenary of Service" was launched by GAA President Paddy Buggy, containing messages of congratulations from civic and religious leaders and other personalities.
A special commemorative medal was designed by Dublin jeweller Thomas Gear, whose previous work included similar items for the 1979 Papal visit to Ireland of Pope John Paul II and the Joyce centenary. It featured on one side a hurling player about to strike a sliotar surrounded by the text Cumann Lúthchleas Gael – GAA – Comórad Céad Bliain. On the obverse, it features a relief of Hayes Hotel, Thurles. The medals were produced in limited quantities in 20 carat gold, Irish silver and bronze. The silver was made specially available by the Bank of Ireland, smelted from silver ore from the Tynagh Mines in County Galway.
The 'Centennial Salute' is a piece of music written specifically for the centenary by Joe Lynch, then musical director of the Artane Boys Band.
A special exhibition was held at the RDS Dublin between 16 and 20 May 1984 which featured historical artifacts from across Ireland. The exhibition was officially opened by Minister for Public Service John Boland.
A special edition of the Late Late Show, Ireland's most popular talk show, was broadcast on 22 September 1984 and hosted by Gay Byrne featured GAA personalities Paddy Buggy, Liam Mulvihill, Liz Howard and former Taoiseach and six-time All-Ireland winner Jack Lynch.
The Wexford Centenary committee commissioned writer Nicky Furlong to write a play-pageant to outline the Association's activity in the county. It was directed by Tomás Mac Anna, director and producer of Dublin's Abbey Theatre.
Two inter-county competitions, one each in football and hurling were organised. This competition differed from the traditional All-Ireland Championships in that it was an open draw across all the participating counties, rather than following the provincial championship format.
The football competition began on 8 April, the hurling competition on 15 April, with both finals played in Croke Park on 20 May.
That year's All-Ireland Hurling Final was played at Semple Stadium in Thurles on 2 September, the first time the final had been played outside Croke Park since 1937. The final was contested between Cork and Offaly, which Cork won by 3–16 to 1–12.
The football final was contested between Kerry and Dublin on 23 September. Kerry won the game 0–14 to 1–6.
Gaelic football had long been compared to Australian Rules Football. Touring Australian teams had undertaken tours of Ireland in 1967 and 1969, playing an early form of International Rules. Ireland played Australia in the first official International rules football series with three games played between 21 October and 4 November in Cork and Dublin.
The Australian team won the test series 2–1 and finished with a superior aggregate of 222 points to Ireland's 208.
Four teams of the century were selected, one in football and one in hurling, and another set covering both codes involving players who had never won an All-Ireland Championship.
The players on the teams were nominated by Sunday Independent readers and were selected by a panel of experts and former players.