2025 Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Every Step Counts Challenge winners announced:

Irish Life and the GAA have announced the winners of the 2025 Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Every Step Counts Challenge. The challenge, hosted on MyLife, Irish Life’s health and wellbeing app, is now recognised as an award-winning initiative for Best Societal Impact at the 2024 Irish Sponsorship Awards, and continues to be a driving force for wellbeing in the community. For the fifth year running, Ireland’s largest steps challenge, in partnership with the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Programme, encouraged people from all over the country to get out walking with the aim of creating a healthier Ireland.

With 1,046 clubs participating—an increase of 110 from last year—marks an all-time high for the challenge, which has inspired 136 clubs from Connacht, 347 from Leinster, 277 from Munster, and 286 from Ulster to get moving. Almost 39,000 participants tracked an average of 5km per day, totalling a record-breaking 7.03 million kilometres over the 5 weeks.

The challenge runs concurrently with the GAA’s ever-popular Ireland Lights Up initiative that sees clubs across Ireland turn on their lights and welcome their members and communities to come together for weekly social walks during the dark winter months, supporting their physical and social health. The biggest shift in this year’s challenge was seen among younger cohorts, with increased participation among 18-29 years. Since joining Every Step Counts, they have self-reported significant improvements in their physical activity levels, connection with others and their community, as well as increased satisfaction with their overall quality of life.

The health outcomes of Every Step Counts 2025 mark a positive shift, as findings in Irish Life’s 2024 Health of the Nation Report highlighted worrying declines in social health among under 35s and 60% of Irish adults are now overweight or obese, generating a national Health Score via the MyLife app of 520 (fair). The resulting health impact among this year’s challenge participants has been an average MyLife Health Score of 592 (good) – 72 points above the national average.

Paul Cunnane, Health & Wellbeing Officer at Davitts GAA & LGFA, Mayo, said: “Taking part this year was a fantastic experience for the club. Over the five weeks, our Tuesday night walking events became a highlight in the community, bringing people of all ages together to enjoy a walk and talk on our floodlit walking track around our pitch. The challenge not only promoted fitness but also strengthened community spirit, providing a great social outlet for everyone involved.

“Having the facility to log our steps on the MyLife App as a club was a great way to engage all members of the community especially those members who could not attend on Tuesday nights but still wanted to get involved and play their part. It was all made possible thanks to our Healthy Club committee, we look forward to continuing these events in the future!”

Kate Casey, Head of Wellbeing Propositions at Irish Life, commented: “We launched the MyLife app 6 years ago with a clear mission to support people across Ireland to take control of their health and wellbeing. I am delighted to see almost 39,000 participants in the challenge this year, truly improving their health and inspiring their communities. It demonstrates the winning combination of great technology and a wonderful partnership with the GAA.”

Colin Regan, GAA Community & Health Manager, said: “While wellbeing can be a subjective experience, the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Every Step Counts Challenge gives us objective data on the impact this phenomenal initiative is having on the health of our members and our communities. The incredible numbers achieved are down to the priceless contribution of our volunteer GAA Healthy Clubs Officers. They are the engine room of the Steps Challenge and the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Programme overall and deserve great recognition.”

The Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Programme delivers health and wellbeing benefits worth €50M to Ireland, an independent Social Return on Investment (SROI) evaluation completed by Just Economics in 2023 highlighted the significant health and wellbeing gains for participants, including increases in physical activity and adopting of healthier behaviours.

Irish Life’s ambition is to continue the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Every Step Counts Challenge to keep people active through a fun and collaborative initiative. The five-week challenge is not only an enjoyable way to get active within the community but can help participants to see measurable improvements to their overall health through the MyLife App.

Clubs who surpassed the 4,000KM goal were entered into a draw to win one of three €2,500 donations towards club funding for each province. The 2025 winners of the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Every Step Counts Challenge are:

Connacht

Kilglass Gaels, Roscommon – 5,198km tracked / 32 participants
Davitts, Mayo – 6,167km tracked / 39 participants
Caherlistrane, Galway – 7,923km tracked / 46 participants
Leinster

Clonguish, Longford– 12,114km tracked / 75 participants
Tubberclair, Westmeath – 6,172km tracked / 59 participants
St Peter’s Dunboyne, Meath – 16,499km tracked / 104 participants
Munster

Fergus Rovers, Clare – 4132km tracked / 19 participants
Fossa, Kerry – 12,956km tracked / 62 participants
De La Salle, Waterford – 19,299.8km tracked / 102 participants
Ulster

Bryansford GAC, Down – 34,892km tracked / 179 participants
Caisleán na Deirge, Tyrone – 6,852km tracked / 56 participants
Éire Óg Na Mullai, Monaghan – 9,096km tracked / 55 participants