‘It’s win-win’ - West Mayo GAA clubs top Irish Life Steps Challenge

Louisburgh GAA/LGFA are officially the best performing Connacht-based club in the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Steps Challenge. Westport were closely behind in second place.  

Beating out the 75 other Connacht GAA clubs pales in significance compared to having the bragging rights over Westport, for the next year at least. 

The 200-strong walking army accumulated 47,155.6km during a rain-soaked January.

Westport woman-turned Louisburgh GAA’s healthy clubs officer, Sharon McNamara told The Mayo News that “it’s nice that the community is recognised for what it’s done.”

Coming out of Christmas and into a cold January can often be a difficult time of year for many. 

READ MORE: 'Every step counts' as Louisburgh battles Westport for Connacht glory

The step challenge came “at exactly the right time of the year,” and weekly meet-ups on Wednesday and Saturday for a walk were a great way for people in Louisburgh to have a social outlet, as well as benefit from physical exercise. 

For Sharon, this combination is “a win-win, for that many people to be physically active for that long, and it's obviously a great mental health boost as well at the right time of the year.”

During the final run, Sharon said, "We are most proud of how we're doing as, unlike a lot of competing clubs, we have no athletics club and no marathon running group, just a determined community.”

The inclusive nature of the movement was clear for all to see, and Sharon remarked that “It's not one size fits all, everybody has a place there. It doesn't have to be a speed walk, or you don't have to keep up with the pace or anything like that. It's just very open to everybody, very inclusive.”

GAA Community 

Nationally, almost 39,000 participants braved the elements and clocked a record 6.9 million kilometres in the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Steps Challenge in January, despite what was one of the wettest Januaries on record.

A total of 38,709 people took part in the challenge during January, representing 1,090 active GAA clubs nationwide. Together, they not only battled the elements but surpassed expectations, with 594 clubs reaching or exceeding the ambitious 4,000km target for the month, marking the strongest showing since the introduction of the Steps Challenge.

Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael, Jarlath Burns: “There’s nothing that can’t be achieved when we pull together and work towards a common goal. The Irish Life GAA Healthy Steps challenge is a great example of this. The combined total of 6.9 million kilometres walked in what was one of the most difficult months in recent memory due to the weather is a credit to all involved.

"However, it comes as no surprise to me, because like so many of the initiatives pursued by our Community and Health Department, this is about the GAA community representing the best of us, putting our clubs at the heart of the communities and the people that they represent. I want to congratulate all involved and thank Irish Life for their continuing support in what is life-changing work.”

Rory O’Connor (Rory’s Stories), Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs ambassador, said: As someone whose own club is part of the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs programme, I’ve seen how powerful it can be in bringing people together. It reminds us that looking after ourselves is easier when we look after each other and this could not be more evident from the steps recorded in January.

"January can be a difficult month for people at the best of times, so it was amazing to see communities come together and get their steps in during what was one of the most miserable months of weather we have had in recent times."