Delco Gaels History

Delaware County Gaels Youth Gaelic Football Club

DELAWARE COUNTY GAELS YOUTH GFC
264 South Bayberry Lane
Upper Darby PA, 19082
Hotline 267-765-3599, Team Number 51700

Untitled Document

GAELIC ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (G.A.A.)

On November 1, 1884, the “Gaelic Athletic Association for the Preservation and Cultivation of National Pastimes”, which would later be shortened to Gaelic Athletic Association (“G.A.A.”) was founded, in order to promote the Gaelic games and preserve the Irish culture and pastimes. Founding members felt that the organization of the game on a united, national level would ensure the future of the sport(s), while preserving the ideals and customs of a unique homeland. The Founding Members on this historic day included Michael Cusack, Maurice Davin, John Wyse Power, John McKay, J. K. Bracken, Joseph O’Ryan and Thomas St. George McCarthy. Archbishop Croke of Cashel, a sport enthusiast and dedicated promoter was chosen as the patron of the Association. In 1886, Committees were formed in each county in Ireland to represent their Clubs and compete in the new All-Ireland Championship. Rules were published for the Association, and the first Championship was organized and played in the Spring of 1888. For further info on the history of the G.A.A., please visit the GAA Web Site.

NORTH AMERICAN COUNTY BOARD (N.A.C.B.)

Since its inception, the organization has spread throughout the world to the destinations of its emigrants, including such places as Australia, New Zealand, Britain, Canada, mainland Europe, Africa, South America, Japan, North America, etc. In the United States, excluding the New York Metropolitan area, the governing body of the G.A.A. is the North American County Board (“N.A.C.B.”). The N.A.C.B. currently promotes the sports of Hurling, Gaelic Football and Camogie. In 2004 in the N.A.C.B. area, there were 93 adult clubs and 7 Youth GAA clubs. The N.A.C.B. is comprised of seven divisions throughout the Country. These clubs participated in Divisional Championship competitions to qualify for the North American Finals in their respective sport and grade of competition. In 2004, Gaelic Games were being organized and played in over 30 cities including in Akron, Albuquerque, Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Buffalo, Burlingame, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Oakland, Orange County, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland OR, St. Louis, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, South Bend, Syracuse, Waukesha, and Washington DC. For further information on the North American County Board, please visit The North American County Board Web Site

NORTH AMERICAN COUNTY YOUTH BOARD (N.A.C.Y.B.)

The North American County Youth Board (“N.A.C.Y.B.”) was created by the N.A.C.B. to focus on the promotion of youth sports programs, in the NACB area, throughout the United States, due to the rapid growth of these programs in the past five years. The NACYB, comprised of G.A.A. members involved in the establishment and organization of Youth Programs in the NACB, is the governing body for these Youth Programs. Each year at the North American Finals, youth gaelic football competitions are held for the following age groups: U-8, U-10, U-12, U-14, U-16 & U-18 (Minor). In 2004, teams from the following cities competed: Boston, Chicago (north), Chicago (south), Denver, San Francisco & Philadelphia.

PHILADELPHIA DIVISION

The first documented evidence of the GAA within the Philadelphia area commences just 20 years after the formation of the Association in Ireland. In 1904, a meeting of the Philo Celtic Gaelic Football Club was held at Merrills Hall, 19th Street and Fairmount Avenue, with the purpose of organizing the association. The President at the time was T. C. Fitzpatrick. Records throughout World War I are, to say the least, rare, but in the early 1920’s evidence suggests that at least three teams were participating on a regular basis. The Gaelic Athletic Association of Pennsylvania was organized in 1928, and adopted its constitution and rules in 1930, with an affiliation fee of $6. With the onset of the 1930’s, the fact that the City of Brotherly Love was a stronghold of Gaelic football was exemplified by the visit to Philadelphia of the Connaught champions, Mayo, in 1932 and again in 1937, as the All Ireland Champions. “ 1928 – 1938” was known as the “Golden Era” of Gaelic sport in Philadelphia. In the early 1940’s the game, like many other facets of life, was disrupted by World War II. It was not until 1947 that the playing of the game resumed. In 1959, the North American County Board (see above) was established here in the City of Brotherly Love when the first officers were elected. Today, the Philadelphia Division consists of 5 men’s teams: Donegal GFC, Young Irelanders GFC, Kevin Barry/Derry/Tyrone GFC, Eire Og GFC and Washington DC Gaels GFC; two ladies teams – Donegal LGFC & Notre Dames LGFC; two hurling clubs – Brian Borus & Washington DC Gaels; and one camogie club – Washington DC Gaels.

PHILADELPHIA YOUTH CLUB

The Philadelphia Youth Club is comprised of children from local youth clubs in Delaware County and Philadelphia, who represent the Philadelphia Division in local, national and continental competitions throughout the year.

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