These 3 GAA teams shared a pitch with Steven Gerrard and Robbie Keane

A really cool story about the Irish sporting culture abroad

Alan Loughnane

These 3 GAA teams shared a pitch with Steven Gerrard and Robbie Keane

This is a really cool story about the Irish sporting culture abroad.

While LA Galaxy’s game took centre stage at Major League Soccer ground in Downtown Houston last Saturday, it wasn’t the only game on show at the stadium.

In fact, the Irish weren’t too downhearted at the poor result for Robbie Keane’s team as they played out a highly successful Gaelic Football exhibition match in the same venue.

Unfortunately they didn’t get to meet the LA Galaxy stars before the game but it was still a huge honour for the players to perform in the fantastic stadium.

Shortly after Keane and Stevie Gerrard wilted in the 100+ degree heat during a 3-0 defeat to the Houston Dynamo, the Houston Gaels got the opportunity to demonstrate their skills at BBVA Compass stadium.

Made up of around 40 men and women, the Houston Gaels played two twenty minute halves of Gaelic Football and were supplemented by players from Austin Celtic Cowboys and Fionn MacCumhaill’s Dallas.

Austin and Dallas players travelled 170 and 240 miles respectively to take part in the game and deserve high praise for their dedication and commitment.

Although the stadium was understandably largely empty during the exhibition game, it was great occasion for all the Irish living in the area.

They even featured briefly on TV, although it was by accident…

Posted by Houston Gaelic Athletic Club on Sunday, July 26, 2015

Houston, Austin and Dallas are three of four GAA clubs in Texas, with the other being San Antonio.

All four clubs travel hundreds of miles every year to play each other in the annual Texas Championship and keep the GAA flag flying over in the deep south of the USA.

Speaking of the growth of the club and the game, Houston Gaels club chairman Philly Larkin spoke of how it’s the aim of Houston to get the local American population more involved in the club.

“The only way this club can be successful, in the long-term, is to have a strong base of American-born players,” Larkin said.

“We’re not your typical landing point for the Irish coming to America, so we need strong local engagement and that’s exactly what this type of showcase provides”.

This is the second time they’ve played an exhibition at the home of Houston Dynamo and the games have received good receptions so far.

The Houston Gaels club were formed in 2011 and are largely comprise of expats working in the Oil and Gas industry.

Hopefully if they continue their good work they will recruit some locals and spread the word of one of our great Irish sport further around the globe.