THE WORLD CUP wasn’t the only big thing to happen involving both Irish people and Seoul in 2002. A GAA club was also founded in the South Korean capital.
Many Irish people stayed around after the football, leading to the foundation of Seoul Gaels. Not only Irish people play for the club however, there are numerous Koreans involved and others from around the world.
The club is still going strong 14 years on, having opened their season in recent weeks.
“Our season kicked off here in Korea three weeks ago with the first round of the Korean League. We’ll be sending teams to the China Games which we are always invited to and excel at,” club chairperson Patrice Reidy told The42.
“We’re a club consisting of expats from all over the world and a strong contingent of locals. We can definitely boast having Asia’s best female Asian player”
One of the continent’s most successful GAA sides, both the male and female senior teams compete at a high level. Many of the club players are English teachers.
The senior teams participate in four main competitions every year – the Korean League, the All China Games, the North Asian Games and the Asian Gaelic Games. This year’s Korean League resumes in the coming weeks with Seoul facing Busan and Daegu.
Last year, Seoul Gael’s men’s A team won the senior cup at the All China Games and the ladies B team also won their competition. Both the ladies’ A team and the men’s B team both reached their respective finals too but were unlucky on the day.
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The Asian Gaelic Games is the main competition of the year and what Seoul Gaels build for over their season. Last year, both the mens and ladies teams reached their finals but were beaten by Singapore and Abu Dhabi respectively. This year, the Asian Gaelic Games take place in Shanghai in November.
photo by SHI JIAN PING
photo by SHI JIAN PING
Seoul Gaels also have a strong underage set-up, which began four years ago. The club secured a grant last year through the Department of Foreign Affairs and the GAA, which allowed them to introduce Gaelic football to seven international schools in Seoul, as well as to continue the development of their U8 and U10 teams.
The underage teams will compete at the first ever Asian Youth Championship in November.
“The youth development in the club is something we’re very proud of. Our kids teams have gone from strength to strength since their inception. They’ll be playing in Croke Park this year and doing a tour of Ireland during the summer.” Reidy continued.
Not only do the club compete in tournaments around Asia, players also get the chance to compete across the globe on teams of a larger scale. Six Seoul Gaels players will compete with the ladies Asian team at the World Games in Dublin in August.
“Playing allows me the opportunity to travel to other parts of Asia when we participate in tournaments which is always a good laugh. The Gaelic football team becomes your family away from home and it’s a wonderful club to be a part of.’ Canadian player Ainsley Prince says.
The club’s strong sense of community is evident throughout, from the underage teams right up to senior, along with the committee.
Seoul native Hansol Oh has been playing with the club for the past three years. He originally started playing because he wanted to learn more about Ireland and its culture.
“It has become such a huge part of my life. Playing Gaelic games is one of the best ways to learn something about Ireland in an active way. I love their passion, competitive spirit and pride in representing the local communities.”
Mark McKeever is from Meath, and last year he was named mens Player of the Year. He has been involved with the club for just under two years.
“As well as having very good and competitive teams, it’s also a very welcoming and friendly club to be involved with.
McKeever in action. photo by SHI JIAN PING
photo by SHI JIAN PING
“Even as one of Asia’s strongest teams Seoul Gaels welcomes all levels of players from all over the world and helps them learn the game in a friendly and comfortable environment.”
“It can be daunting and difficult to feel a true sense of belonging when so far removed from one’s home and culture, and thrust into one of the most densely populated cities in the world,” Reidy stresses.
“The friendships made on and off the pitch are what Seoul Gaels is really about and they are what have helped the club to thrive.
“I can think of more than a few members who came to Korea and joined the club with the intention of staying “just a year” and yet many years later they are still all here in Korea and still donning the Gaels jersey.”
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GAA in the sunny south-east: Seoul Gaels are leading the way
THE WORLD CUP wasn’t the only big thing to happen involving both Irish people and Seoul in 2002. A GAA club was also founded in the South Korean capital.
Many Irish people stayed around after the football, leading to the foundation of Seoul Gaels. Not only Irish people play for the club however, there are numerous Koreans involved and others from around the world.
The club is still going strong 14 years on, having opened their season in recent weeks.
“Our season kicked off here in Korea three weeks ago with the first round of the Korean League. We’ll be sending teams to the China Games which we are always invited to and excel at,” club chairperson Patrice Reidy told The42.
One of the continent’s most successful GAA sides, both the male and female senior teams compete at a high level. Many of the club players are English teachers.
The senior teams participate in four main competitions every year – the Korean League, the All China Games, the North Asian Games and the Asian Gaelic Games. This year’s Korean League resumes in the coming weeks with Seoul facing Busan and Daegu.
Last year, Seoul Gael’s men’s A team won the senior cup at the All China Games and the ladies B team also won their competition. Both the ladies’ A team and the men’s B team both reached their respective finals too but were unlucky on the day.
The Asian Gaelic Games is the main competition of the year and what Seoul Gaels build for over their season. Last year, both the mens and ladies teams reached their finals but were beaten by Singapore and Abu Dhabi respectively. This year, the Asian Gaelic Games take place in Shanghai in November.
Seoul Gaels also have a strong underage set-up, which began four years ago. The club secured a grant last year through the Department of Foreign Affairs and the GAA, which allowed them to introduce Gaelic football to seven international schools in Seoul, as well as to continue the development of their U8 and U10 teams.
The underage teams will compete at the first ever Asian Youth Championship in November.
Not only do the club compete in tournaments around Asia, players also get the chance to compete across the globe on teams of a larger scale. Six Seoul Gaels players will compete with the ladies Asian team at the World Games in Dublin in August.
“Playing allows me the opportunity to travel to other parts of Asia when we participate in tournaments which is always a good laugh. The Gaelic football team becomes your family away from home and it’s a wonderful club to be a part of.’ Canadian player Ainsley Prince says.
The club’s strong sense of community is evident throughout, from the underage teams right up to senior, along with the committee.
Seoul native Hansol Oh has been playing with the club for the past three years. He originally started playing because he wanted to learn more about Ireland and its culture.
Mark McKeever is from Meath, and last year he was named mens Player of the Year. He has been involved with the club for just under two years.
“As well as having very good and competitive teams, it’s also a very welcoming and friendly club to be involved with.
“Even as one of Asia’s strongest teams Seoul Gaels welcomes all levels of players from all over the world and helps them learn the game in a friendly and comfortable environment.”
“It can be daunting and difficult to feel a true sense of belonging when so far removed from one’s home and culture, and thrust into one of the most densely populated cities in the world,” Reidy stresses.
“The friendships made on and off the pitch are what Seoul Gaels is really about and they are what have helped the club to thrive.
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GAA Irish Abroad Spreading the game