The North’s very own Paddy
More than 10 000km separate Ireland and South Africa but that hasn't stopped Irishman and Danville Avenue resident Donal Ryan from bringing a slice of home to the north.
DURBAN North is not renowned for its Irish heritage, and for its various Irish-orientated initiatives or sports. Now, Donal Ryan, an Irishman and a Durban North resident hopes to add a new element of Irish character, by starting up a Gaelic football team.
Ryan, who grew up in the town of Athlone, County Westmeath, said starting Gaelic football in Durban was a means of deepening his familial and personal ties to Ireland.
But the Danville Avenue resident said it is also an opportunity for those Irish or not to try out the game.
“It’s a great way to get exercise and to make some new friends. For me Gaelic football is not just a sport. There is so much history and tradition associated with it. Historically the sport is based around the parish and it’s a fantastic community game that is imbued with Irishness,” he said.
Ryan though, is not without pedigree. He has won three county titles with his club team, Garrycastle and is an avid exponent of the sport.
“My dad and grandfather were very involved with the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) and they introduced me to the sport. I was playing the game as soon as I could walk. These memories instilled a passion in me to find a community where I could share the fun and heritage of Gaelic football,” he said.
A big part of the game’s appeal for him, he said, is that Gaelic football is an amateur enterprise.
“Players play for their club, for pride, for the love of the game, but never for money, which is something you don’t really see in most of the popular sports around the world. I would love people to join me, everybody is welcome.
“I have had a few people say they were keen on giving it a go. I’m hoping to host the first session on the 26 May,” he said.
For more information contact Donal on 076 706 3612 or email donaloriain@gmail.com.
Gaelic Football: The Basics
SOME would call it the original Beautiful Game, here’s a short rundown of the rules of Gaelic football.
The game is played between two teams of 15 players on a rectangular grass pitch. The objective of the sport is to score points by passing the ball through the other team’s goals, or over a set of two upright posts.
Players advance the football, up the field with a combination of carrying, bouncing, kicking, hand-passing, and soloing (dropping the ball and then toe-kicking the ball upward into the hands).
In the game, two types of scores are possible: points and goals. A point is awarded for kicking or hand-passing the ball over the crossbar, signaled by the umpire raising a white flag. A goal is awarded for kicking the ball under the crossbar into the net, signaled by the umpire raising a green flag. A goal is worth three points.
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