A Donegal man has devised a match making website devoted to fans of Ireland’s most popular sport – GAA.
The designer, Dermot Lawless – owner of Aurora Web Design – devised the idea for website LoveGAA.ie after watching a commercial for a dating website during a Donegal Clare All-Ireland Football Championship match in July of this year.
Lawless claimed the services advertised were over complicated, the criteria for finding the right match was over blown and missing one vital element – compatibility.
Do it for your county
“The ad said that they could find a partner based on 29 levels of compatibility, but I thought there really is only one level of compatibility – whether your partner likes GAA games or not. You know you’ve met your soul mate when they stand alongside you in the rain at a club match, or shout at the TV, just as loud as you do,” the designer said.
Men and women over the age of 18 are able to join LoveGAA.com and Lawless says the oldest member is 69. The website features a dating diary, advanced searching, virtual gifts, and instant messaging and a Facebook page can also be accessed.
“Online dating gives a refreshingly clear opportunity to meet a partner without many of the traditional stumbling blocks. You get to learn about a potential partner in detail before you actually meet; away from alcohol, peer pressure and shyness,” he said.
Lawless is gunning for success as, in these recessionary times, he thinks that social media and dating sites are the best way to meet people nowadays.
“Online dating no longer has a stigma, and it makes a lot of sense … Bearing in mind that many people have a greatly reduced income these days, we have made basic membership free and full membership is only €11.95 per month reducing to only €5 per month for a yearly subscription. We believe this to be the best value available at the moment,” said Lawless.
