“To reach the final has been unbelievable.”
The London GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) was formed in 1896 to give the Irish community in England’s capital an opportunity to play Gaelic football and hurling and has formed the focal point for what is now a thriving youth and club system.
Their formative years were successful, with the side winning the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship in 1901, but prior to this year they had only won one senior game of Gaelic football.
Since the 1970s the club have competed in the Connacht Senior Football Championship, one of four similar competitions in the provinces of Leinster, Ulster and Munster, which culminate in the All-Ireland Championship.
Such is the size and spread of the Irish diaspora that a team from New York in the United States also compete in the Connacht SFC.
London’s recent success has been down to an increasingly professional approach, retaining the core of last year’s side and attracting players from Ireland who are looking for work during the recession., external
Their current team features players from Cavan, Derry, Galway, Longford and Sligo as well as a London-born player in Phillip Butler, who was introduced to the game by a friend from school.
“This London team have written history,” said Kevin Kelly of the London Supporters’ Club.
“It has created a buzz around London, and Ireland.
“It is a game-changer and has put London on the map. It will make people in Croke Park realise we were here.”
Having beaten Sligo and Leitrim, the latter via a replay, London face last year’s All-Ireland final runners-up Mayo in the Connacht final in Castlebar this weekend.
“We’ve had three hard games and they are hot favourites,” London manager Paul Coggins said.
“The lads are all willing to be the best they can be.
“It’s down to the last 12 and it’s knockout football. We’re hoping for a huge performance.”
