A UNIVERSITY GAA club has launched the first ever jersey to feature the LGBTQ+ pride colours.
GAA President Larry McCarthy and President of University of Limerick, Professor Kerstin Mey yesterday unveiled the new jersey for the 2021/22 season.
The LGBTQ+ colours will be a permanent feature of the UL GAA club jersey, which also features the logo of JIGSAW a confidential mental health support service for young people.
Speaking from the launch Professor Mey said: "The UL GAA Club has been in existence since the 1970s and I am very proud that our club jersey is the first in Ireland to feature the LGBTQ+ pride colours.
"A university is the natural home of equality, diversity and inclusion.
"Students from all parts of the world, from a huge variety of different cultures, backgrounds, creeds, and orientations come together to learn, live, play sport and recreate on our campus.
"We work hard to ensure that the UL environment is such that our students leave us not only as successful graduates in their chosen discipline but as civic minded citizens with a global and inclusive mind set."
The UL GAA club was established initially in the National College of Physical Education in the 1970s.
The club grew and developed from Thomond college to the National institute of Higher Education to the University of Limerick.
UL GAA club competes in hurling, football, ladies’ football and camogie and fields almost 20 teams each year with around 1,000 student members.
GAA President Larry McCarthy, former member of the UL GAA club and UL graduate, said: "I am delighted to see that the mantra of the GAA, 'where we all belong' is manifested in the ethos and re-design of jersey of UL GAA club.
"Sport, like a university, is a natural home of equality where neither class, nor creed, nor colour, nor orientation, nor ability, should impact on participation.
"Playing the game quickly eliminates barriers between team-mates and teams, and the GAA is proud of its philosophy that sport is indeed for all.
"I commend the UL GAA Club in being to the fore in propagating the GAA mantra."
