Na Toraidhe hurlers in motion
Kieran Donahue, public relations officer for the Na Tóraidhe (na TOR-ig) Hurling Club, is still breathing heavily as he comes off the Northeast High School soccer field. Donahue’s a young guy, as are the dozen or so teammates who are taking a break during a practice game. They’re prepping for the beginning of the Philadelphia Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) season, just around the corner. It’s a game played at breakneck speed, but he recovers quickly, and you can tell that it’s with some pride that he talks about the team, its devoted players, and the future of hurling in Philly.
There was a time in Philly’s GAA past when putting together a hurling team was not such an issue, given the vast numbers of Irish who moved to America in the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. Those times are gone, but Donahue is hopeful that Na Tóraidhe will grow and prosper.
“There are five Irish guys on the team, and all the rest were born here,” says coach Kieran Donahue. “We seem to be attracting local guys. This year, we have two new guys who are really adding to the team.”
And that’s good, Donahue says, for without enthusiastic Americans, Ireland’s ancient national game has no future in Philadelphia.
Na Tóraidhe has about 25 players, 14 of whom are on the field for this practice session.Saturday’s practice is a family affair. Wives and girlfriends–and one toddler, Liam, the son of player Frank O’Meara–sit along the sidelines, sheltered from the sun by a couple of canopies. They keep an eye on the game, but it’s also an opportunity to chat. Picnic fare is set out on a folding table, waiting for the end of the game. This is how Donahue likes it. “We meet, we set up the tents. The family comes out. There are some drinks. There is a lot of food.”
Of course, the team is always on the lookout for new blood. The game can be a bit intimidating at first, Donahue says, but it doesn’t take long or the Yanks to see that, while hurling is not for the faint of heart, it also happens to be huge fun. “It’s interesting for the guys who have never played before,” says Donahue. “They think we’re crazy.”
We have photos from the weekend practice. Check them out, and “like” the team on Facebook.
Here’s a video from last season.
