They say they’d never heard of Gaelic football until two weeks ago, but now a group of African fisherman have joined a Co Down GAA club and are showing great promise.
The men from Ghana work on fishing boats out of Ardglass harbour and on August 8 they were invited to try out the game after local social workers contacted the club.
One of the fishermen, Benacle Ankor Jackson said the experience so far had been great.
He said: “I’d never heard of Gaelic sport before. In Ghana, we love football, love all sports and athletics. So being introduced to Gaelic is great, we’re loving it. We have to get used to it and learn more and more.”
Ardglass GAA invited the men to the club when they realised there was an opportunity to help out.
The club works with Belfast based group iAssistNI who assist ethnic minorities with community integration and inclusively.
The charity in Ardglass that had provided a social room and other facilities for the men had shut during the Covid-19 crisis.
A spokesperson for iAssistNI, said: "What a privilege this has been. We will continue to engage with communities to forster social cohesion and promote well-being."
Paul O’Shea senior football manager at Ardglass she the club wanted to help out in some way such as dealing with their laundry.
Mr O’Shea said: “They haven’t got many facilities at the harbour so we’re going to put in some washing machines and a tumble dryer to help them wash their clothes.
“And also once the GAA lifts the club house restrictions they’ll be able to come up here and shower.”
And while the fishermen have their clothes washed, they’ll be able to train at the same time.
Mr O’Shea told RTE: “We’ll be able to do a wee bit of Gaelic football coaching. Some of the boys are very, very good. Their hand-eye co-ordination is very good. Last week we just did some of the basic stuff, then we’re adding in a wee bit of contact stuff today so hopefully just build it up.”
Ruth Curran, the club secretary said “It’s been really positive and the guys have loved having the space. In the harbour there’s not much area for exercise so we’ve got a good big open space and we’ve loved having them out with us, it’s bringing loads of positivity.
“They’ve been thanking the club through the WhatsApp group and then have been chatting to some of the boys ... so it’s been really good.”
- Video courtesy of Ardglass GAA
