Where’s the craic at? In Ireland, you can hear this question from touristy Temple Bar in Dublin to the smallest street corner in Limerick. An apt synonym for craic is “fun,” but “fun” does not fully express the essence of “craic.” Where there is craic there are old friends making up for lost time, surrounded by dimmed pub lights and live music. Craic defines the famous Irish spirit of merriment and friendliness, and I believe equally encapsulates the charming neighborliness of Pittsburgh. After all, following Germany, Ireland accounts for the largest descendant population in Pittsburgh. So it is hardly a surprise that the proud Irish descendants of Pittsburgh would rediscover a pastime of Ireland’s culture: Gaelic Football. And if craic is your game, then the Pittsburgh Gaelic Athletic Association is your name.
Founded in 2010, The Pittsburgh Gaelic Athletic Association (PGAA) took it upon themselves to incorporate Pittsburgh’s longstanding tradition of playing amateur-organized Gaelic Football. Pittsburgh actually has played Gaelic Football since the 1940’s, and the Pittsburgh Celtics, the PGAA’s men’s team, formed in 1976. The PGAA supports three clubs: the Pittsburgh Celtics, the Pittsburgh Banshees (women’s team), and the PGAA Youth Program. Like the Gaelic Athletic Association of Ireland, the players and coaches receive no compensation. Gaelic Football’s remains a purely amateur sport in Ireland as well as Pittsburgh, where players play for love of their city and of the game. But why love the game in the first place?
Gaelic Football, as explained in this video, delivers an entertaining package of skill and athleticism. A peculiar combination of rugby, soccer, and basketball; Gaelic footballers kick the ball like in soccer while physically shouldering like in rugby and dribbling and scoring frequently like in basketball. Players may carry the ball for four steps before dribbling the volleyball-like ball, then dribble the ball for another three steps before having to pass the ball or kicking it to themselves in a motion called a “solo.” There are two ways to score: kicking the ball through the uprights for one point or throwing/kicking the ball past the goalie in the net that is underneath the uprights for three points. No officially regulated field size has been adopted internationally, hence the PGAA will use any available field possible. And of course, a keg is practically required.
Yes, at every Pittsburgh Celtics game a keg of beer invites the crowd to, simply put, get the craic started. Do not let this fool you into thinking the Pittsburgh Celtics merely play to amuse fans. The Celtics won the 2015 and 2017 Mid-West championships. In addition, the Celtics recently even planned a trip to visit Ireland with the whole team. Yet, the mood remains relaxed and inclusive (though being 21 or over certainly helps), with sponsor Claddagh Irish Pub & Restaurant in South Side commonly used as a post-game watering hole and organizational meeting place. PGAA uses its base for more than just celebration, in 2014 it officially became a non-profit organization. Trivia nights and other events organized by PGAA help raise money for charities and support for the youth program.
Akin to the Gaelic Football Irish GAA, Pittsburgh’s GAA may not be as famous as some of the other sports organizations like the Penguins or Steelers, but they are locally beloved. Despite relative international obscurity, Gaelic Football championships, despite their amateur status, draw 80,000 fan crowds in Dublin’s Croke Park. “Founded…for the preservation and cultivation of our national pastimes,” the cultural heart of Gaelic football is not lost on PGAA. At Pittsburgh’s annual Irish Festival, a humble field for hurling and Gaelic Football can be found. Without much thought, the history and significance of such a space may be lost on yinzers unaware of the PGAA and Gaelic Football’s great success in Pittsburgh. Used mostly for hurling matches in which the University of Pittsburgh’s hurling team participates, Gaelic Football remains a relatively unrecognized but growing aspect of Pittsburgh’s sports culture. Like in Ireland, Gaelic Football’s more lacrosse-esque cousin – hurling - takes the spotlight. But the PGAA is not looking for recognition, but for the craic.
Get involved with PGAA by going to https://www.pittsburghgaa.com/
Here’s a Midwest Championship Game vs Cleveland! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=do-9SOVf9Xc (warning - explicit language)
Work Cited
Riely, Kaitlynn. “Irish Ties: Pittsburgh Region Has a Strong Bond with the Emerald Isle.” Pittsburgh Post Gazette, 17 Mar. 2011.
“Timeline 1884-1945.” GAA, 5 Jan. 2016, www.gaa.ie/the-gaa/history/1884-1945.
“Home.” Pittsburgh Gaelic Athletic Association, www.pittsburghgaa.com/.