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The home of Gaelic football For any visitor to Ireland, taking in a traditional Gaelic football match is a ‘must’. And you don’t have to wait for an All-Ireland final in Croke Park (Dublin) to experience the frenetic pace and wild excitement of the nation’s favourite game, writes Adam Moynihan.
Killarney man Tony Brosnan sporting the green and gold of Kerry in a league game against Tyrone. Photo: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile.
68 I KILLARNEY Magazine 2022
Nowhere in the world is more Gaelic-football-crazy than Killarney, a town which boasts no fewer than three GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) clubs within the parish itself and many more in the wider East Kerry area. Clubs host almost-nightly training sessions and matches across all age groups, from juvenile up to adult, so sampling some of the action is often as easy as turning up. As much entertainment can be gained from an under 12 local derby as you would get at Páirc Uí Chaoimh or the Fitzgerald Stadium on Munster Final day.
WHAT IS GAELIC FOOTBALL?
This centuries old game is physical and fast-paced and has been described as a mix between soccer, rugby and basketball, although it can be more accurately compared to Australian Rules football. Under the rules of the GAA, players cannot be paid for their services, and transferring from one team to another is frowned upon.
