GAELIC SPORTS WORLD Issue 20 – February 22, 2015 | Page 15

Galicia men at recent World Games training. (Photo: Galicia GAA)

Galicia, the autonomous Celtic region of Northwest, Spain,
since 2010, has discovered the game of Gaelic Football after
one Wences Zapata, on holiday in Ireland found the sport,
liked what he saw and began a club in A Coruna. Five years
on and there is a thriving all Galician player men’s and ladies
20 round league with seven teams in each competition. And,
Galicia to their credit, organized themselves and raised the
finances, to attend the World Games and enter Ladies and
Men’s teams in the International World Cup section.

“Europe GAA is honoured to be involved in the World Games
and delighted to have Belgium and Galicia representing Europe. We look forward to following their progress in the tournament and wish them all the best.”

NEW YORK will be bringing two teams to Abu Dhabi,
a ladies and men’s team that will be competing in the Tier 1
World Games Cup.

Competitions across Europe are run on an 11 a-side basis so
the 9-aside format at the games should suit all four teams.
In the Ladies Europe/Belgium team there are 7 Irish on the
panel and showcasing the multiple flavour of Euro GAA,
especially in ladies at senior level, there are also five international players. This team with their experience of playing
together won’t be over awed by anyone. The Men’s team are
all Irish and Jody Quirke is Team Manager. This side also
have the benefit of playing together as a team and that experience should stand to them.
European GAA PRO, Neill Synnott, expressed delight at Europe’s representation at the GAA World Games.

A long way from desert sun, NY Ladies training in the snow at
Central Park, NY. (Photo: GAA World Games)

15