ANYONE who fancies giving hurling or Gaelic football a go – but doesn’t know where to start – has hit the bonanza.
A coaching day aimed at introducing adults to GAA sports will be held in Dublin next month, and is targeting immigrants and Irish people who’ve never attempted the sports, but dream of following in the footsteps of Jason Sherlock or the Ó hAilpín brothers.
“It’s a basic introductory course in GAA, a free course for foreigners or people who wouldn’t have had exposure to GAA,” explained Eoin Vaughan, GAA development manager at Trinity College. “It’s aimed at people who have the desire to get involved but wouldn’t know how to go about it.”
Top coaches, including national hurling coordinator Paudie Bulter and former Dublin football selector Brian Talty, have been lined up to deliver the sessions, and all people need to bring is themselves.
The joint Trinity GAA and Clanna Gael initiative is aimed at both men and women, and Vaughan told Metro Éireann that interest so far has been high.
“If there are 500,000 [immigrants] here it would be crazy not to target them – and they are keen.”
Vaughan, a graduate in intercultural studies at DCU, added: “The GAA would have been considered a sport for Irish people only. It’s about changing that mindset.”
The event will take place in Clanna Gael GAA on Sean Moore Road, Ringsend, Dublin on Saturday 8 August from 4pm to 6pm.
For further details contact the GAA’s Eoin Vaughan at gaadev@tcd.ie or 087 946 0750.
