The Gaelic Players Association and Make a Wish Ireland are proud to announce details of an Official Charity Partnership for 2026. Inter-county players will help highlight the work carried out by Make a Wish throughout the year following on from a successful partnership with Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind in 2025.
Make-A-Wish Ireland has one simple aim – to grant the wishes of children with critical medical conditions, to bring hope, strength and happiness.
Since 1992, Make-A-Wish Ireland has granted wishes for more than 3,500 brave children across Ireland, 229 wishes granted in 2025 alone.
A wish granted is true magic for the child, providing respite from their normal routines of hospitals, doctors and treatment. Make-A-Wish Ireland does not receive any government funding and relies overwhelmingly on the kindness of the Irish public to continue granting wishes.
The partnership was launched at Croke Park today by Zach Fitzsimons, from Cavan, along with his mother Barbara and father John. Sixteen-year-old Zach is a massive Gaelic games supporter. His favourite player is reigning PwC GAA GPA Footballer of the Year David Clifford.
The Fitzsimon’s family were joined by current inter-county players Brenda Bannon (Fermanagh football), Clara Mulvenna (Down football), Luke O’Loughlin (Westmeath football) and Paddy Deegan (Kilkenny hurling). GPA CEO Tom Parsons was also in attendance along with Make-A-Wish Ireland Head of Fundraising David Burns.
Speaking to mark the announcement Barbara Fitzsomins said; “Zach was 15 yrs old when he was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in March 2025. He had started the football season with the U16’s and had to stop due to treatment for his illness. He was looking forward to his last year as an U16 player and to winning something.
“Zach loves football and enjoys being part of a team. His dream is to play for Cavan someday in Croke Park just like the players he’s met today. We are delighted that we could be here to launch the partnership and to share the importance of Make-A-Wish.”
GPA CEO Tom Parsons said; “Players are very excited to work with Make-A-Wish Ireland or the remainder of 2026. The response to our call for our members to get involved was massive and it shows there is already great support for the partnership.
“I’d like to thank the GPA’s Sinéad Wylde and Make-A-Wish Ireland’s David Burns for bringing us all to Croke Park today.
“This place is a home for heroes but there is nothing more heroic than young people like Zach facing critical medical conditions.
“Thank you to the Fitzsimons and Susan, David and all the Make-A-Wish Ireland team for allowing us to be your teammates for 2026.”
Make-A-Wish Ireland CEO Susan O’Dwyer said; “Make-A-Wish Ireland is delighted to be chosen as the Gaelic Players Association’s charity partner for 2026.
“Just like Gaelic Games, community is central to Make-A-Wish. We grant wishes to critically ill children all over Ireland. For these children, a wish is respite from hospitals, treatments, and recovery – bringing joy, hope and happiness not just for the child but the entire family.
“Our partnership with the GPA will raise awareness and funds to help Make-A-Wish grant more wishes than ever before. Between direct support with GAA wishes, engagement with inter-county ambassadors, and participation in fundraising activities across the island, we have a lot to look forward to.”
Following today’s launch, the GPA will make a €10,000 donation to the Make-A-Wish Ireland, while they will also be given a central place the GPA’s Legend’s Lunch (Football) later this year.
