Around the World in 80 Clubs: South Africa Gaels (#30)

South Africa Gaels abú!

A couple of years’ back, you might remember a GAA team from South Africa coming to Ireland to tour the country and raise awareness of the first ever all-African GAA team. They met up with the likes of Bernard Brogan and Michael Darragh McCauley, played some ball, sang some songs and showcased the most unique GAA jersey seen in these parts since Carlow’s iconic outfit. https://youtu.be/G80WYHCUerY But the trip was far from just a jolly. Established in 2013, the South African Gaelic Sports Association is a non-profit organisation that aimed to formalise the development of Gaelic Sports in South Africa under a single umbrella. They believe that Gaelic Football, a sport which combines the skills of two sports that previously divided South Africa (rugby and football), has no political legacy in the country and has the potential to fulfil a vital role in the country’s social development. South Africa Gaels preceded the South African Gaelic Sports Association and have been on the go for six years now. Next month, they will bring the only 100% indigenous men’s and ladies’ teams from a foreign country to the GAA World Games, which will take place in Belfield in UCD, with the finals taking place in Croke Park. Derek McCarthy, a committee member with South Africa Gaels, got in touch recently to tell us a little bit about what the club is all about and about some of the personalities that have taken to the GAA like ducks to water.

Focus on South Africa Gaels

Club: South Africa Gaels Year established: 2010 Number of members: 82 Biggest rivals: The rest of the world! Biggest representation from a club/county in Ireland: Kerry/Dublin Most famous ever member: Rhino (he once pulled bunny ears on Martin McGuinness in a photo... not the one below). Most memorable moment in the club’s history: Presidency Cup 2014, when President Michael D Higgins was in attendance. Most eye-catching scoreline in the club’s history: 5-6 to 0-3 a little earlier this year. Player who makes the longest commute to training: KG (110KM) Most dedicated club person: Willie Crosse Player who could have made it big if love/career/drink didn’t get in the way: All of us. Some of us are still expecting a county scout to come calling any day now! Biggest character: Keith O'Leary will have to win this since he’s got his own tag line whenever something happens. “Classic O’Leary!” Loudest in the dressing room: Dave Burke. Just as Colin Montgomerie held the title of the greatest player never to win a major, Dave firmly believes Mayo are the greatest team not to win an All-Ireland in 60 odd years. Number of romances that started in the GAA club (feel free to name names): None. Can’t be having that now! Duck to water award – Best new player who had never played GAA before: There are too many of the local lads and lassies to single anyone out; most of them look like they’ve been playing the game their whole lives! Most annoying person in the club WhatsApp group: David Devine Best story involving a club member that’s fit for print: Committee member Greg ‘Burglaries’ Heraty had his Stag do early in 2015 at Montecasino, a large leisure and casino complex in Joburg. Most of the SA Gaels committee were in attendance, fuelled by many, many Guinnesses. Greg proceeded to do an impromptu Irish dancing lesson while dressed in full leprechaun outfit (he’s a big lad, 6’4” if he’s an inch) outside the local radio station studios, which were located in the complex and ended up being interviewed live on air! He almost managed to hold it together to the end of the interview before an inevitable f-bomb slipped out! If you're a member of a GAA club abroad and would like to be featured on the site, feel free to send a mail to conor.heneghan@JOE.ie or find us on Facebook or Twitter.