Have you ever wanted to play a sport that combines the speed of soccer, the toughness of rugby, and the strategy of football?

Last semester, two Penn State students came together with a shared passion for Gaelic football to bring the sport to Penn State. While playing soccer in the IM Building, sophomore Patrick Bartley met Conor Gilsenan, who was wearing a Gaelic football jersey, sparking a conversation. After a brief introduction, Gilsenan shared that he wanted to bring Gaelic football to Penn State. The pair decided it would start Penn State’s first-ever Gaelic Football Club, and the rest is history.

Gaelic football is an exhilarating Irish sport that has existed for hundreds of years. It’s one of Ireland’s national sports and is well-known throughout Europe. Two teams battle on the field, each aiming to outscore the other. The game is known for its intensity, speed, and action-packed gameplay. 

“It’s a fast-paced game. There’s a lot of scoring, and it can be very back and forth. It’s definitely not boring to play or watch,” Bartley said.

Each team has 15 players in varying positions spread throughout the field. Like soccer, the goal is to move the ball up and down the field. However, there’s a catch: The ball rarely touches the ground. A player can either hand the ball off by punching or kicking it to their teammate or keep possession, bouncing it every four steps or kicking it back up to themselves.

A player then kicks the ball into the net or between the posts above the goal to score. A goal counts as three points, and a kick between the posts counts as one. The game is known for its back-and-forth style and relentless pace, keeping players in constant competition.

Bartley and Gilsenan formed a community of individuals who share a passion for Gaelic football and an appreciation for Irish culture. After becoming affiliated with the National Collegiate Gaelic Athletic Association (NCGAA), the pair set out to spread awareness about Gaelic football throughout the Penn State community. The group hosted practice sessions, scrimmages, and lively meetings throughout the first semester.

“It’s good that people get to see a sport from a different culture. A lot of people here wouldn’t have heard of it before,” Bartley shared.

While the club is not yet registered as an official club through Penn State, the group eagerly hopes to compete in a tournament hosted by the NCGAA soon. As the weather gets nicer, practices will kick off again after spring break, welcoming newcomers with open arms. Whether you’re a Gaelic football superstar or have no prior experience with the sport, all are welcome.

“We take anyone interested, and we’ll teach them how to play and the rules,” Bartley said. “It’s a fun sport. It might seem different or complicated at first, but it’s really not. Don’t hesitate to learn.”

The group is eager to spread awareness about Gaelic football and introduce new members to the action-packed game. As the sport’s popularity grows, many clubs have begun to emerge along the East Coast.

Anyone interested in joining can visit the group’s Instagram, @stategaa, and fill out the interest form.