If you are not from Ireland or are and are unsure of what GAA and LGFA stands for. Do not worry, I'll explain all. (Also for my friends who ask me what Gaelic is) . As I have spoke before, that your physical beauty is only skin deep. Keeping your soul and mental health right is the real beauty. This is a guide to everything Ladies Gaelic Football. Not to sound like a 40- Year Old Facebook Ma, but, 'Beauty lies within.' One way that I keep my mental health at bay is by playing GAA and training with my team.
GAA stands for 'Gaelic Athletic Association' and LGFA stands for, 'Ladies Gaelic Football Association.' What is Gaelic football? Are the rules different in a men's game and in a women's game? Yes, slightly. But before the die-hard feminists start to try and 'cancel' Gaelic Football for inequality, keep reading!
In a nutshell, Gaelic football was invented in the 1860's. (Almost as old as my Da). Using a leather ball trying to get it through the "H" shaped goal post. (The same posts used in rugby matches.) People often compare Gaelic football to being a mix of soccer and rugby. The rules of the game are simple. You can only carry the ball for four steps, when you reach your fourth step you need to either;
Solo the ball ( Dropping the ball and toe tapping it back into your arms) Players can do this consecutively after every four steps. There is no limit to how many times you can solo.)
Kick the ball (Through the laces, short or long passes across the pitch)
Hand Pass (Pass it through the fingers, not a throw)
A Bounce (Like a basketball bounce, you can only bounce it once and then after the next four steps, you'll have to either solo, kick pass or hand pass the ball to your teammate or take your score.
In Ladies Gaelic Football if the player has the ball held into her chest, you are not allowed to tackle. In men's, it is not as strict. This is just for the protection of women, not a great advantage or disadvantage.
Gaelic Football goes by points as well as goals. Sounds really confusing, I promise it's not. If I can get a grasp of it, trust me you can to. Imagine the 'H' shaped goal post. Under the crossbar and into the net, is a goal. A goal will get you 3 points. Over the crossbar and still within the two posts, is a point. You can kick the ball or hand pass the ball over the net. You can only kick it into the net or slap it in with the palm of your hand.
Gaelic football is a well known Irish sport. Ladies Gaelic Football (LGFA) is also very well known in Ireland. With over 2.2k LGFA teams in Ireland, I am curious to find out what it means to be a LGFA player in 2024 and any fun pre / post game rituals. Stay tuned as I have been able to get comments from some incredible LGFA players.
Also, did you know, Republic of Ireland Captain and Arsenal left back, Katie McCabe used to play Gaelic for community club? No wonder she is a force to be reckoned with. She didn't learn to tackle like that from soccer.
What are the kit differences between Gaelic and Soccer? Gaelic footballers wear the same type of football boots, play on grass and 4G pitches. However, soccer players wear shin pads and Gaelic players don't. Instead, we wear mouthguards. Boke! They aren't that bad, but the thought of them gives me the heebie jeebies. We also wear gloves to protect our hands and to be able to get a firm grip on the ball, especially in wet months and games. Last Summer, I was lucky enough to win a competition with Murphy's. If you are a player and have gloves or socks, chances are they are Murphy's. The founder/CEO of the brand Ciaran is an exceptional man who very kindly sent me out a pair of the iconic Puma Kings. They are insane. We played a 7's tournament in Armagh, I had my boots on for something like 8 hours and they are so comfortable. I was able to try the gloves, unlike some gloves that I have tried that have ripped after a few uses, these gloves look like they haven't been even removed from the packet. They are incredible, the protection and the grip they have are next to none. Gaelic players! Murphy's is where to get your gloves and socks.
The structure of the team is that each team has 15 players. Numbers represent the position you play. Last names are not presented on the back of the jersey like soccer. O'Neills is the most popular kit provider. O'Neills is also where half of my wages go.
1- Goal Keeper
2- Right Corner Back
3- Fullback
4-Left Corner Back
5-Right Half Back
6-Center Half Back
7-Left Half Back
8-Midfield
9-Midfield
10-Right Half Forward
11-Center Half Forward
12-Left Half Forward
13-Right Corner Forward
14-Full Forward
15-Left Corner Forward
16+ Subs (Any Positions)
I personally joined Greencastle Wolfetones GAC back in January of 2023. I wanted to be more apart of the community, I already had the team half zip so after probably a few glasses of Prosecco, I signed up. I have to say, I was nervous going into it because I wasn't too sure where my fitness levels were at. I bit the bullet and went round to my first session. Instantly, I felt so welcomed by the girls, I knew this would be the start of something that I loved. I can't imagine not meeting some of the girls, they are a big part of my life now.
The team is not just a team, but a family. We win together, we loose together, we do it all together. It was nice to have that sense of all togetherness. LGFA has taught me a lot of new skills other than just how to play the game. It has taught me resilience, when the team doesn't win, the next week we go again. It's taught me patience, lose the ball, miss the obvious point (I've done this countless times and got annoyed). It's okay, you'll get the next shot. I've always been an independent person, I rather work by myself than with others. Slightly leaning towards a toxic trait but being a part of my Gaelic team, we all know we have a part to play and we can't do it without each other. Our team, the support we have from each other is incredible. Talking with our team Captain Molly McAuley about what it means to her being captain of such a close-knit team. This is what she had to say; ''Being part of Wolfetones GAC, or any team, means a lot more than playing matches and attending training sessions. The tight knit friendships you form on the pitch and off the pitch keeps your positivity high and makes you feel a part of a special community. Knowing you have the support and encouragement from your girls on the team makes the tougher trainings and matches feel worthwhile.''
The Greencastle club have tailored a four-week programme at Ulster University for women getting back or wanting to start LGFA. The programme will focus on the introduction and the basics of Ladies Gaelic Football. Team Captain Molly McAuley adds, ''With the growth of women’s football kicking off it’s so important to reach out to young girls and show them the sky’s the limit and I’m very lucky to be a part of a club where women’s football is heavily promoted and supported by everyone in the club.'' The programme is free. However, after the programme you have the option to join the Senior Ladies Team. That is the team that I am currently on and have never been happier. You can also join G4MO (Gaelic for Mothers and Others) that is a team for women 25 and older and is a social group rather than competing in the Antrim Leagues like the Senior team. If you are from Belfast, I strongly urge you to give it a go. You never know, you may have a talent you never knew you had.
As well as club, there are county teams. These are made up of incredibly talented players. I caught up with LGFA Antrim County star Lara Dahunsi to talk about her experience as a county/club player. Here is what she had to say. " I always loved being centre of attention as a child I wanted people to know me for doing great things and it ended up being Gaelic football but I don't see myself being any better than anyone else in the county, I work hard and try to push others to do so to. I share my progress on my socials and the interaction from those has led me to do lots of different things one being modelling. I never seen myself as one and still don't but football has gave me the opportunities to step out of my comfort zone and do so.' I asked her the same question. What does it mean to her, being apart of a Gaelic team. 'Being part of a team is something I think everyone should experience may it be in a sport or in work, it has helped me to communicate and listen better. The enjoyment you get when you have succeeded as a team and you get to share your emotions is unreal. It's a sister hood a bond you will never find anywhere else.' Team bonds really are that special.
Dahunsi is now a part of the bPerfect campaign, 'Full Impact' that can seen on the big screens. You will have seen her face if you are walking through Castle Court in Belfast. This campaign is a celebration of 8 different people who have made a unique impact on the world. She is very well deserving of the recognition as bPerfect states, 'Lara is one of the few black female GAA plays to play at top level. She's a role model for not only women in sport, but a great representative for the Black and Irish community. In 2023, she was named in The Irish New's 'Ulster Allstars' team. As Ulster's standout ladies player, Lara is certainly making waves within the GAA space.' This is such an incredible thing to say you were apart of. In this world, we are used to male soccer footballers getting modelling contracts and brand deals, only recently women soccer players in the WSL are getting their much earned recognition but to see a female Gaelic Footballer. This is epic and the start of something I hope.
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When talking with Lara about the differences between the men and women's game and how they are viewed as of importance. We went to a league match last year and the pitch was not even marked. However the LGFA is on the rise. Dahunsi tells me, "I still think there is a struggle in woman's well being compared to the men's but I know within the LGFA and the gpa they are trying their hardest to help it become a-lot better.' With the progress already, sky is the limit and I can't wait to see the future of LGFA.
Some people have pre match rituals that they swear by. Most girls say that they can't play their best if they don't have tan on. As I said in my St Patrick's Day tanning article, I don't like to play without tan on. These may be silly rituals for example. Last year, I didn't go to a league game without eating a Kit Kat Chunky Duo and an orange Lucozade sport. It is complete lunacy, probably more habit than ritual. More beneficial and justifiable, Antrim star talks about her special remedy. 'I CANNOT play a game without my special juice!!! I recently went to Clare and forgot to bring the stuff to make it and I just knew I was going to have a bad game it killed my whole mood!'
Health and fitness wise, it is a tough shift training and playing matches. Like any sport, it is a commitment to be fit and healthy to perform at your best. That is eating right, sleeping enough and going to every training session. It will benefit you. I was on holiday and celebrated my birthday, when I came back, I did feel slightly...(a lot more than slightly) unfit. Recovery and rest is very important. It is easy to get obsessed with chasing the highs of endorphins you get when you are exercising but it is crucial to not burn yourself out. Greencastle Captain Molly McAuley gave us her top tips on promoting recovery after a heavy training session or match. 'My top tips for recovery after a heavy session would be to first listen to your body! If you have any injuries or muscle tension don’t be afraid to have rest days or active recovery. Also, make sure your having proper nutrition to help fuel your body.'
So, there we have it. A beginners guide to everything LGFA! A special shoutout to Greencastle Wolfetones GAC for being the best club in Antrim and Captain Molly McAuley for her comments. Also, massive thank you and congratulations to Senior Vice Captain Lara Dahunsi for her recent successes. I am so proud that the LGFA is apart of my Irish culture.
Much Love,
Amy-Teresa xox
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