Mayo Gaelic sports stars travel to Africa to launch environmental campaign

Mayo was well represented when a group of five inter-county players joined a 40 strong Gaelic Games group travelled to Kenya. They launched a campaign to plant a million trees to raise awareness of global warming and combat the effects of climate change in Africa.

Footballers Stephen Coen, Laura Brennan, Sarah Tierney and Kathryn Sullivan joined county hurler David Kenny Kate on a trip that launched a million trees campaign, and also included a series of showcase Gaelic Games matches with local sports stars.

“Taking part in the Plant the Planet trip to Kenya was an incredible experience" Castlebar based footballer Kathryn Sullivan said. "I’m delighted to have been able to support this great cause, and am grateful to those who supported me and help to make the trip to Africa possible for me.” 

The event was part of the ‘Plant the Planet’ games founded by former Galway inter-county player Alan Kerins and organised by Irish development charity Self Help Africa, in collaboration with Alan’s Warriors for Humanity and the Gaelic Players Association (GPA).

Participating players from 14 counties took part in the Kenya trip, and collectively raised over €450,000 to support Self Help Africa’s tree planting efforts in Africa. Kathryn Sullivan teamed up with Hollymount team mates Sarah Tierney and Laura Brennan to organise a ‘Mayo to Kenya Challenge’ that involved cycling, climbing and rowing at Elvery’s in Castlebar, using equipment provided by The Movement Gym, to raise funds for the trip.

During their visit to Kenya the GAA players staged a number of showpiece hurling and Gaelic football exhibitions, and also took part in a competitive match with Kenyan league soccer team, AFC Leopards.

The group were guests at a reception hosted by the Irish Ambassador, Caitríona Ingoldsby, visited agricultural projects being implemented by Self Help Africa in Kenya, and also took part in training sessions at the elite athletics camp established and run by Cork-born missionary priest and ‘Godfather of Kenyan running’, Bro. Colm O’Connell.

“Sport has the power to bring people from different cultures together, and this trip was an example of what can be achieved when people come together with the same goal,” said Alan Kerins. “We are indebted to the players who travelled, to the friends, families, communities who supported their fundraising efforts, and to the GPA for joining us in this effort to both raise awareness and combat the effects that climate change is having in Africa.