Like many rural GAA clubs, Drumreilly GAA club, located in south Leitrim, has strong ties to the local farming community.

Club chair Pat Donohoe spoke to the Irish Farmers Journal this week.

Pat, like many volunteers, is a local suckler farmer and commented on the strong links agriculture has in the club: “Most of the players and club volunteers are involved in farming around the community. Only for the draw of players retuning in the evenings and weekends to farm, we wouldn’t have the number of players.

"Over the years, the number of full-time farmers in the community has dropped and it has had a knock-on effect, with people moving away to find off-farm employment.

“Our club has had to adapt and, like many other clubs around the country, we have amalgamated some age groups with local clubs to keep the love of GAA alive in rural Ireland.”

“Farming in this part of the country brings challenges. With poor ground and lots of rain, the winters can be long. It suits suckler cows – and only for the cows, our club wouldn’t have the numbers it has. The suckler cow is vital to our club.

“The club has had recent success with the men’s team Leitrim junior finalists in 2025. With a strong focus on club development, we are holding a fundraiser with the aim of further developing our grounds.

“With the club's strong farming focus, it is no surprise the fundraiser is centralised around agriculture. It is taking place this Saturday 25 April – with a first prize of a 24-month-old roan-coloured Limousin breeding heifer, the second prize of a pedigree Friesian heifer calf and a third prize of tickets to Cowboys and Heroes. Tickets can be purchased online or contact myself,” said Pat.