Club and county allegiances were put aside at GAA HQ in Croke Park today as players came together as part of a campaign aimed at boosting the number of young blood donors.
According to the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS), 17% of donors are between 18 and 30 years of age. They want to increase that figure to around 25%.
As part of the drive, the service launched the 'Every Drop Counts' campaign along with the family of Oisín Kelly.
The 21-year-old, who played hurling for Carlow, died from bone cancer in 2023.
During his illness, he had received numerous blood and platelet donations.
"They're (the GAA) in every community. So too are we," says Orla O'Brien, IBTS Chief Executive, who said that the average age of a donor is drifting upwards, and now stands at 46.
"The GAA community, they're fit healthy individuals, and make perfect blood donors. We would love them to register, become a partner with us and donate blood regularly," she said.
The IBTS says it needs 3,200 units of blood every week to meet the demands of the country's hospitals.
"Obviously you can donate right up until you're 65 or 70, if you are healthy and it's safe for you to do so," said Ms O'Brien.
"But we do need to keep replenishing that blood supply, and in particular, younger donors, getting them in early, getting them used to donating, and happy to commit to a donation journey and then continue with us as they go throughout their life," she added.
Brendan Kelly, father of Oisín, hopes the campaign can make a difference and encourage more donors to sign up.
He said he discovered through Oisín's illness how important blood donations were.
"It was critical for us," he said. "Oisín wouldn't have been with us for as long as he was if he didn't have the regular donations.
"Around 66% of cancer patients require blood at some point … so it's critical to recovery, to time, and to quality of life. I think 'every drop counts' sums it up."
Mr Kelly said he is hoping clubs and players across the country get behind the campaign.
One of those lending support today at Croke Park was Tipperary hurler, and current Hurler of the Year, John McGrath.
"It's very important to get as many people signed up," he says.
"There's a very small percentage of young people at the moment donating. It's the 18 to 30 age bracket that has been targeted, and it ties in with the ethos of the GAA."
Mr McGrath said his own family have had recent experience that has focused his mind on the issue.
"An aunt of mine would have received a lot of donations prior to her passing. It's things like that probably raise my awareness of it about a lot more … It's not until something like that touches something close to you that you see the benefits of it and the need for it," he said.
