Gaelic Football (or "Gaelic"or "Football"), along with Hurling (an amazing sport you can preview by clicking this link), are the cornerstones of the Gaelic Athletic Association, or GAA. There is a palpable pride in attending a GAA event. It features some uniquely Irish sports that were a source of tradition through generations, including times when it was difficult for them to be on full display during past and present British occupation.
Gaelic Football is more popular in the North, while Hurling is more popular in the South, particularly in Kerry. Seamus took me to a Football match between his home team, County Fermanagh (Fear Manach) against County Armagh (Ard Mhacha). Seeing the match in the North, against two teams from the North, with announcers calling it in the Irish language, gives a feel of the history behind the country and the sport.
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| Wearing the home colours of Fermanagh (the away team!) |
Keela and Euan are active members of the GAA, with the local field in Togher (Toe-her, unless you are from there: Toe-Ker), just 3 minutes up the road. Stella and Ronan are transient members during our time here and our first practice was a steep learning curve, but loads of fun!
A short video here as well as the pictures below: http://www.magisto.com/video/NFFDPwcCG206RhViCzE
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| Huddling up with the coach |
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