Hurling at Athena
P.E.I. GAA bringing Gaelic football and hurling to schools
Bringing a piece of Ireland to Summerside.
Shane O’Neill is bringing a piece of Ireland to P.E.I. On Friday, the chairman of the P.E.I. Gaelic Athletic Association (PEIGAA), announced the group had been granted funding from the GAA in Ireland to supply 14 Island schools with equipment for the sports of Gaelic football and hurling. “We don’t know the exact amount we’re getting just yet, but it’s enough to start an interest in the sport,” said O’Neill.
O’Neill, a Sixmilebridge, County Clare native, moved to P.E.I. 14 years ago. He grew up playing hurling (known as camogie in women’s leagues), a sport combining hockey, lacrosse and baseball skills into one, and Gaelic football, a mixture of soccer, basketball, volleyball, Australian rules football and rugby.
“It is a contact sport, but we don’t tackle people or hit each other; we go shoulder to shoulder. I know when some people hear rugby or Australian rules, they think it means hitting but it’s not like that.”
On Friday, O’Neill taught students from Athena Consolidated School and Three Oaks Senior High the tricks of the trade.
“Gaelic football is the fastest growing sport in Europe. And getting to teach these students the game is fabulous because it’s so new. There are no experts who think they know what to do and there is no one who feels out of place.
“But seeing them enjoy themselves and really get into the game is the best part.” Students Jane Doyle and George Madumba were in for a shock after the drills got started.
“I knew it was going to be hard, but I didn’t think it would be this hard,” admitted Madumba.
Doyle agreed.
“I play basketball and volleyball, but it’s nothing like this. I’m glad I tried it because it’s really cool. This isn’t something you get to do every day.”
Prior to Friday, neither student knew about the sport.
“It’s a lot of fun and a really
great way to work up a sweat. It’s not often you get to try a foreign sport, especially one this cool,” said Madumba.
CJ Studer, a phys-ed teacher at Athena, took full advantage of the demonstration by participating in the drills.
“I’ve played hurling before, but not Gaelic football. My dad and I used to watch the matches all the time on TV and
see the rivalries.” Recently, Studer signed up for a Gaelic football match, taking place in Stratford.
“It will be a great day. But seeing these kids today really get into the sport makes me really proud.
“I mean, how cool is it to have an actual Irishman, from Ireland, who knows more about the sport than I ever will, come
in a teach you and your students how to play the game.” Studer thinks making the sport accessible to youth will be a game changer.
“We have a really strong Irish community on the Island, but it doesn’t always engage younger people, but this is a start to change that. It will make our community stronger.”
For more information about Gaelic football, the PEIGAA or how you can get involved contact O’Neill at thepeigaa@ gmail.com.