National Champs Seek Success With Hometown Talent

Chris Weimer speeds across the field during a match. 

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Returning National Champions, St. Pat’s St. Jarlath’s Gaelic Football Club, begin their 2016 campaign in Columbus on May 13th as they compete in the first annual Ohio Cup. The tournament consists of teams from Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland battling it out to be named the top club in Ohio. St. Pat’s St. Jarlath’s aim to repeat their success in winning their third consecutive Midwest title in August with the hopes of competing in the National Championship tournament held in Seattle over Labor Day weekend.

"The team has had success because they rise to the occasion year after year and 2016 is no different," said Head Coach and Carlow native, Martin Wall. Gaelic football originated in Ireland in the late 1800s and took roots in the United States as Irish immigrants brought their beloved pastime along. The Cleveland area has served as a stronghold for the sport which combines elements of soccer, basketball, and rugby to deliver a fast-paced, hard-hitting contest.

St. Pat’s St. Jarlath’s play their home matches at the West Side Irish American Club in Olmsted Township and travel to fellow Midwest cities such as Detroit and Pittsburgh for away matches, but the preparation started locally for the team. "We started our offseason training at Birdtown Crossfit in Lakewood to get our fitness right while the snow was still flying," said player Brian Royer. "There's programs across the country that fly players in from Ireland just to compete for a summer, but that's just not us. I live in Lakewood and we've always believed in recruiting players organically from the area," said Nick Cobos who is both a player and board member for the club. 

Although the season is soon underway, new players can still join and see what the sport is all about. "We've got guys who played soccer their whole life, played basketball overseas, even played collegiate football - there's no standard criteria for what a Gaelic football player has to be. We welcome new players and take them under our wing to show them the sport and mix in a social element that a lot of sports don't offer," emphasized Royer.

To find out more about Gaelic football or Cleveland St. Pat’s-St. Jarlath’s GFC, you can find them on Facebook at /stpatsgfc, follow them on Twitter @clevelandgaelic.