ALL ABOUT THE GAELIC GAMES

By TAYLOR FAGAN

Two up and coming Irish sports are Gaelic football and hurling and they are taking Washingtonville by storm.  St. Brendan's Gaelic Football and Hurling is a local club team where many Washingtonville students participate in these fast-paced games.  WHS juniors, Quinn Doelger and Aidan Mahoney, are two of several students who participate in both  Gaelic football and hurling.

The terms ‘Gaelic football’ and ‘hurling’ are probably unfamiliar to most people.   According to the Gaelic Athletic Association,  Gaelic football is defined as,  “A distinctly Irish field invasion game played with a round football which can be caught, kicked and hand passed.”  Hurling is defined as, “An Irish game resembling field hockey played between two teams of fifteen players each.”  

TAYLOR FAGAN FOR THE WIZARD WEEKLY

The rules of Gaelic football are similar to those of rugby.  Players score points by kicking a ball, that looks kind of like a volleyball or soccer ball, into a net for three points. Another way to rack up points is by kicking or fisting the ball over the crossbar of the same net for one point.  In two exhilarating  thirty minutes halves, the team to score the most points, obviously, wins.  

Quinn Doelger, further explains that, “Gaelic is different from hurling in that Gaelic uses a ball similar to a soccer ball, bringing together soccer, football, and rugby; however, both sports include all shoulder to shoulder contact, resulting in big hits.” 

On the flip side, hurling has a different dynamic than Gaelic football.  Although players use the same field and goals, the way the game is played is completely different.  Players, often referred to as ‘hurlers’,  must use their stick, known as a ‘hurley’, to propel the ball, referred to as a ‘sliotar’, into the goal.  Not unlike scoring in Gaelic football, when the sliotar is hit into the net, the goal is equivalent to three points.  When the sliotar is hit above the net and in between the posts, the goal is worth one point.  At the end of two, thirty minute halves, the team with the highest score will be victorious.  

Kevin Fagan practices for his big game.

Quinn Doelger has been a part of the St. Brendan’s Club since the eighth grade.  It did not take long before Gaelic football and hurling became two of his favorite sports.  Throughout his career, he has won various awards including the 14 and under New York Hurling Player of the Year Award for the New York Minor Boards as well as two Gaelic football championship MVP awards.  In addition, Quinn received the honor of playing for the 16 and under premier hurling team, which takes the best players from New York to play against other teams from other states and countries.  Doelger exclaimed, “Eventually, I hope to try out and make the New York junior men's team that travels to Ireland to participate in worlds where other countries take part.” 

Aidan Mahoney has been actively involved in Gaelic and hurling for many years as well.  One of his biggest accomplishments was achieving the title of the Gaelic football 16 and under  Player of the Year Award.  His ultimate goal is to win the championship at the end of the season at Gaelic Park in the Bronx.   Not only do these sports provide Mahoney the chance to experience his Irish heritage, but “playing Gaelic football and hurling gives [him] the skills [he] can apply to other sports.”  

Not only are these Irish sports becoming big in the high school, but many middle school aged children are taking part in Gaelic football and hurling as well.  Current seventh grader, Kevin Fagan, is just one of many who quickly fell in love with the Irish sports.  After participating in sports like football and baseball, Fagan claimed, “Gaelic football and hurling are two sports that are completely different than any other sport I’ve played.”  He went on to say,  “I can’t wait to continue playing these sports and become a better athlete in the future.” 

The St. Brendan’s Club presents the opportunity for athletes to participate in sports that are like no other.  Along with playing an exciting sport, teens also get the opportunity to embrace Irish culture.