| GAA in Leitrim |
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What makes Leitrim unique in Gaelic Football circles is not the County's achievements on the field but the high level of participation in the sport. Leitrim, the county with the smallest population of any of Ireland's 32 Counties, has the highest number of G.A.A. clubs and players, per capita, of any County in Ireland. Leitrim has 24 G.A.A. Clubs for a population of 25,057 (1996 Census) and 54 adult teams playing in 5 League divisions. If you consider that the number of males between the ages of 18 - 32 in the whole of County Leitrim is only 2310, that means there is a team produced for every 42 males of normal football playing age, resident in the County. Of course a proportion of these players are normally outside the County during the week and return at weekends.
Not alone is this not matched by any other County in Ireland, but it is doubtful if any sporting organisation anywhere in the world could come close to this level of participation, it is an amazing achievement. In addition to Gaelic football there is also Hurling and Handball in the County as well as Ladies Football and Camogie.
First Clubs
The first G.A.A. Clubs in Leitrim were founded in Dromahair and Killanumery in early 1886. The first Championship was run in 1890 with Mohill beating Ballinamore in the final. The G.A.A. died in Leitrim in 1891 with the Parnell split and it didn't revive again until 1904. Since then the Organisation has gone from strength to strength despite the awful depopulation of the County.
County Team
Success at County Level has been limited for Leitrim. The nearest the County got to a full All Ireland Title was in 1938 when they won the Junior "Home" final but, to their grief, lost the final proper to London in Croke Park. At Senior Level, Leitrim's finest hours came in 1927 and 1994 when the Connacht Senior Championship was won. The people of Leitrim will never forget the historic days of the summer of 1994, culminating in their All Ireland Semi-Final appearance against Dublin.
Club Scene
There is a very vibrant Club scene in Leitrim from under-12 to Senior Level. Ballinamore Seán O'Heslins are the top club in Leitrim in terms of titles won with 20 Senior Championships. However each and every Club has their successes to point to.
Scór
Leitrim is probably the most enthusiastic county at participating in Scór - the G.A.A.'s winter talent activity. Many clubs from the County have won All Irelands at Scór and Scór na nOg level.'Se Leitrim ceann des no gContaetha is láidre sa tir ó thaobh na peile Gaelach de.
Sean O'Suilleabhain
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