Play Gaelic Games

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For the tenth birthday of EazyCity, our team participated in a team building session.
Is there a better way to improve your team spirit than play a team game?
In Cork there is a society that teaches Gaelic games (Hurling and Football): founded by Joe O’Loughlin and Michael McCarthy, Play Gaelic Games organizes training sessions to teach you how to play Gaelic Games (as their name may have suggested you).
Mainly, Play Gaelic Games clients are foreign people visiting the South of Ireland, but they also organize team building sessions.

We interviewed Micheal who has told us more about his activities and what Gaelic Games are.

Hi Michael, can you tell us something about you? When did you start playing Gaelic Games and what team are you currently playing for?

Well I am very passionate about Gaelic Games. Love playing, training, watching and talking about our great games! I have been playing with my local team for about 20 years. Still remember going to my first training at the age of 6! I am very proud to play with Ilen Rovers, we are a team based down  in West Cork!

Almost every European country had ancient games that were replaced by the modern-ones such as soccer and basketball. Why do you think this didn’t happen in Ireland and Gaelic Games are still popular all-around the nation? 

I think Irish people are very proud of their culture  and try very hard to preserve it. Sport is an essential part of this culture. I think as well that GAA is very local, people take great pride in representing their community on the playing pitch.
Finally GAA is very important socially, it gives people a chance to meet up with their friends to train or play . Also for supporters  they too can meet their friends at a match!

“Play Gaelic Games”, can you tell us what is it and how did you come to the idea of starting this project?

Well Play Gaelic Games was created to introduce visitors to this country to our unique games. Over a 3 or 2 hour session we explain the different games of Hurling and Football  and show  and teach the participants the various skills of each game. We then give them the chance to use these skills in mini games and matches.  Simply put Gaelic Games was created as we realised there was a need for it! Visitors to Cork are always fascinated by our games but never got a chance to learn about this unique or play it either! Also we found tourists were going to games and watching them but didn’t understand the rules. In my opinion Play Gaelic Games is brilliant as it offers an opportunity to learn something about Ireland and its culture but in an active and fun way! People are really enjoying their experience and this is why we are in the top 5 things to do in Cork on Trip Advisor.

What’s your “target-market”? Can anyone play Gaelic Games? Are there many foreign people interested in playing Gaelic Games?

Our target market is anybody that has an interest in learning about Ireland,  its unique sport and wants to have fun! People don’t have to be “fit” to partake. People can practice a lot of the skills without moving very much and our trainers are very understanding and will give extra breaks if needed! The great thing about our sports is that they are very skill based, this means that each sport can be broken into 5 or 6 various key skills. People  of any age or ability should be able to acquire these skills. In my experience people take great enjoyment in learning some of these new skills. Foreign people are really interested in our games! Our games are so unique and novel that foreign people love learning about them and in doing so learn more about Ireland! All our foreign groups so far have had loads of fun learning about the games, they also learn new vocab and certainly is a fun way of developing their English.

What do you like the most about this experience and in general about playing Gaelic Games?

What I like most about the experience is that it the fun people have when they play our Gaelic Games. Honestly, everyone seems to have a great time when learning about the games. I think we create a nice atmosphere that’s pretty relaxed. People don’t mind if they make a mistake and usually have a laugh at themselves! I find that  at our trainings you will hear a lot of laughter from the participants but you will also hear loads of encouragement as well from the trainers and from the participants. I also really enjoy it when I see people learning these new skills and using them in our matches at the end. I certainly think people feel good about themselves after the session and that’s always a good thing!

Why do you think someone should choose Gaelic Games instead of soccer, rugby or any other “not-Gaelic” sport?

Well in my opinion GAA Games are the best in the world! No other sport in my opinion rivals Hurling and Football for skill, intensity and excitement to watch. (Youtube The All Ireland Hurling Final 2013 if you don’t believe me!) Also their uniquely Irish, no other place in the world has a sport like Gaelic Football or Hurling! Visitors to Ireland should take this opportunity to experience a game that the locals actually play .And in my opinion a person should always try something new, particularly if it’s fun! This will give them a greater understanding of Irish culture and what it means to be Irish!

Can you tell us an odd/funny anecdote about Gaelic Games?

There are loads of funny stories none suitable for this forum though!
Come to a session and you’ll find out! Although at the  start of every session we always have great laugh asking foreigners to pronounce the different words associated with Gaelic Games! There is always loads of banter too at a session so that creates good craic!

Football or Hurling, which one is your favourite Gaelic Game and why?

It’s tough to choose because they are two great games! Personally I would have to say Gaelic Football is better. Where I come from in West Cork Gaelic Football is more popular but in other parts of Ireland Hurling is the most popular sport! Both games are very different and require different skills. Personally I prefer football because it combines a few sports like rugby, soccer and basketball. Also you need very little equipment to play it just a football!

Make a prediction: who will win the next All-Ireland finals (Football and Hurling)? 

In Gaelic Football I think Dublin will win. They won last year and won the league again this year so they are a lot of peoples favourites.
Think our won beloved Cork will go far in C’chip and may get to a final if they can avoid Dublin. Also Mayo are another team that could potentially go far.
In Hurling I predict that Kilkenny will win this year. They  were poor by their own high standards last year and were eventually beaten by Cork. This year they have won the league and the signs are looking good for them. Clare I feel will again  be very strong and any team that beats them will probably win the All Ireland . Also a mention to Dublin, they were unlucky not to make an All-Ireland Final last year. I would consider them dark horses!