An Irish Adventure - Bede Mahon Experiences Football Gaelic Style
International Rules Football is a hybrid game comprising elements of both Australian Rules Football and Ireland’s Gaelic Football. Essentially, the tackling of players and recognition of marking of the ball is derived from our Australian code whilst the round ball, goals (and goal keeper) along with the rectangle field size are taken from Ireland’s game. For two weeks in October I, along with 19 other Australian amateur footballers, were given the great privilege of playing this game on the Emerald Isle.
As the team, officials and the inevitable ‘hangers on’ assembled at Tullamarine, we were none the wiser that we were about to embark upon a gruelling 36 hour journey to Cork in Ireland’s south. Once there, we promptly booked into our accommodation and wasted no time in hurrying to the bar to enjoy a carvery lunch and a pint of the local stout, Murphy’s.
This was followed by the first of many training sessions we had as we continued to refine our skills with the round ball. Despite being in the infamous ‘North Side’ of Cork, our training base - local GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) club Na Piarsaigh (pronounced ‘Na Pear She’) - boasted picturesque grounds and an indoor stadium. This is the home club of former Carlton and GWS player Setanta O’hAilpin and when hearing of the club’s reputation it was no surprise this was the place where he cut his teeth.
The first of our four matches was a Friday night spectacular against Na Piarsaigh under lights. Given that their senior team had a hurling grand final the following day, a sub-par reserves team was assembled to take on the Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA). The match was a white wash as we thumped the inexperienced Irish team 102-16. I was lucky enough to contribute an ‘over’ (3 point goal over the post) to the demolition. I suggest the stirring pre-game address from coach (and former housemate of Brad Garth Carroll), Quinten Gleeson was the catalyst for the team’s performance.
Post match, the club were very hospitable with a function in their social rooms, which mirrored more of a traditional Irish pub rather than a sports club.
The following morning the many sore heads of seedy Australians boarded a bus for a scenic bus ride northwest to the university city of Galway. Along the way we stopped at the world famous Cliffs of Moher amongst other tourist hot spots. Whilst we were scheduled to play GAA team Salthill on the Sunday, this game was cancelled as our Irish counterparts had also won their way through to a conference grand final the following weekend. As such, a game against a combined Dublin universities team was set for the Wednesday, which meant that the group had ample time to frequent the local watering holes in between the seemingly demanding early morning training sessions. Highlights here included a short trip south to Limerick to watch a Heinken Cup rugby league game between Munster & Leinster (Lote Tuqiri’s team) before enjoying a beer in the depths of Limerick slums with fellow Munster supporters.
It was onto Ireland’s capital, Dublin as we aimed to prepare ourselves for our remaining three games on Wednesday, Friday & Sunday. St Vincent’s GAA Club hosted our Wednesday afternoon game against the combined Dublin Universities team. I was unfortunate enough to line up on former Essendon player, Michael Quinn and the effects of the previous week were clearly evident in my attempts to chase him around. This team was clearly superior to our previous opponents with several of the players showing their wares in a last ditch attempt to be selected for the All-Ireland squad to play the Australian Indigenous All-Stars the following weekend. The Irish began the game with a flurry of goals with their skill the difference throughout. Our hardness at the ball and tackling pressure meant that we were able to gradually wrestle the game back in our favour but some poor skill errors close to goal late in the game saw that the universities side defeated us 57-39.
Given that the biggest game of our tour, against the might of the All-Ireland team, was only two days away it was suggested that recovery be the priority for the boys. These plans were quickly thwarted as we enjoyed VIP treatment at Dublin’s most famous nightspot, Coppers.
The following day we enjoyed a trip to the Guinness factory along with a training session run by Carlton assistant coach, Rob Wiley for a group of Ireland’s best 16 year olds. A very dry and subdued cocktail party at the Australian Ambassador’s private residence followed this as we primed ourselves for an assault on the All-Ireland side the next night.
Before we set off for our game in Cavan on the Friday, the team toured Ireland’s version of the MCG, the iconic Croke Park - home to the richest sporting organisation in the world, the GAA (Ireland’s version of the AFL).
The boys were abuzz with the thought of playing against Ireland’s best despite the fact that previous tours had not come within 100 points of the home team. Skill, precision, speed, strength and fitness were the hallmarks of the Irish team boasting AFL players Zach Tuohey and Pearce Hanley. Whilst we were able to match the Irish for periods of the match the final margin was around the 100 point mark as I am sure the scorers began to lose count of the Irish goals.
We were lucky enough to borrow a goal keeper from the Irish squad and I will forever remember the half time rev up he gave us about not being physical enough. Fair to say a few Australian snipers ran out onto the ground after half time.
The customary jumper exchange occurred after the game with myself and my teammates eager to snag an Irish jumper. I suspect this jumper exchange threw the local GAA fans into confusion as a group of young Irish lads requested my autograph. Before I could accommodate I was asked which team I played for. I replied “Melbourne University”. Many puzzled looks gazed back at me but before the group could register I quickly scribbled my name and went on my way. Unfortunately for this poor Irish boy, his football jumper, which is emblazoned by many Gaelic football stars’ signatures, is absolutely tarnished by the addition of some unknown Australian amateur footballer’s scrawl.
The last of our games was against Donoghmore/Ashbourne, 10kms outside of Dublin. With state of the art facilities, our hosts had set themselves for the clash by cheekily recruiting 4 stars from outside the club. A crowd of upwards of 600 people watched what was a neck and neck game. After contributing a late game ‘over’, I had the chance to seal the game with an ‘under’ (6 point goal in the back of the net) when I found myself one on one with the keeper. This sense of glory was short lived as I tripped on my own feet and the Irish ran the ball up the other end for a last ditch attempt at victory. Alas, we were able to hold on for a 3 point victory.
The post match celebrations ensued in the function rooms and our self proclaimed ‘Father of the Big V’ also known as ‘Moosh’ produced what is now becoming customary end of trip cigars. We formed a circle out on the ground and braved the cold to suck back on our stoggies and share our memories of the trip. For me I was lucky enough to have a travelling continent of supporters that comprised a mother, father, three aunties and a cousin.
Our return leg of the trip back to Melbourne was arduous but made much easier by the fact we’d had an amazing experience with lasting friendships and memories.
Bede Mahon November 2013
Last Modified on 21/11/2013 21:44