All sports here get grants and the GAA never squander theirs. I also think you will find the majority of GAA players would be happy to get some or all of their expenses paid. I know father who is an ex GAA player and who paid for his county feels that getting paid to play is wrong but paying for expenses are ok.
Yep Texas is great I was lucky enough to live there when I was a child . I got to see the Johnson Space Centre and thats where the Police filmed their video for Walking on the moon. I was also even luckier to see my first concert there Elvis back in 1974.
RE: the party on the 8th
Put me down as well