Welcome to the 2024 Youth Gaelic Football and Hurling season. Traditionally, our season starts when school lets out for summer, but with early tournaments we will have training sessions coming soon. We have a busy season ahead, so register your player (info below) or reach out to us with questions: ClevelandYouthGAA@gmail.com
SUMMER REGISTRATION
Practices will begin in late April/early May depending on the weather. Location will be our Gaelic Fields at the West Side Irish American Club, 8559 Jennings Road, Olmsted Township, OH, 44128. Players must register in order to play at the tournaments below. Summer program costs are $25/player and $100/family to cover league fees and some equipment costs. PAYMENT LINK | REGISTRATION LINK
MAY 11th NIGHT AT THE RACES @ WSIA
Saturday we host a joint fundraiser GAA and WSIA. This is a whole-club event and it sells out every year, so be sure to buy tickets early if you are interested. NATR Tickets and Sponsorships
MAY 19th TOURNAMENT @ WSIA
Sunday we host teams from Chicago, Detroit, Toronto, and Pittsburgh. The youth will have a full day of games at their age level: U8, U10, U12, U14/16. We will also have games for our Cleveland U6’s and any traveling siblings of the older levels. The players will have games in both football and hurling. Lunch will be provided to the players. Please reserve the date. 10AM-3PM. West Side Irish American Club, 8559 Jennings Road, Olmsted Township, 44138.
To register your team contact:
youthofficer.midwest.usa@gaa.ie
JUNE 8th TOURNAMENT @ CHICAGO
Chicago will be hosting a tournament at their lovely Gaelic Park. Same ages as our tournament: U8, U10, U12, U14/16. If enough U6’s are interested in traveling, we will reach out to Chicago. Please reserve the date. Gaelic Park: 6119 147th St, Oak Forest, IL 60452.
JULY 11-14th TOURNAMENT @ BOSTON
This is the big one. We Clevelanders want to focus on this tournament that brings in teams from across the US, Canada, and New York (NYC is considered a separate county in the GAA world). Generally, there are football games in the morning and hurling in the early afternoon with ample time for families to site-see in the late afternoons and evenings. Teams will be U8, U10, U12, U14, U16, and U18. The U6’s will have non-competitive games, but that is often limited to one or two days. Reserve the date. Our guess is the Irish Cultural Center in Canton, MA. Hotels are by group booking (stay to play policy) and we will send the booking link out as soon as received. There are a few Cleveland families camping if you are interested as well.
AUGUST 17th TOURNAMENT @ TORONTO
Teams have already committed from Ottawa and Boston. Again, U8 through U16. This is about a 5 hour trip (like Chicago). Rumor is the games will be in Mississauga, a little closer for us as it is southwest of Toronto (avoid some traffic, eh). A few families from Cleveland went to the tournament last year and had a great time – Toronto are wonderful hosts. Reserve the date.
SEPTEMBER 21st TOURNAMENT@ DETROIT
Only 2h15m away, this can be a day trip or a one/two night stay. It is popular with teams coming over from Chicago and Toronto. Reserve the date.
TOURNAMENT INFO
There is no expectation for families to travel to every tournament, although you are welcome to join us for all these mini-vacations. We hope you can make a few of them. The Boston tournament (CYCs) are an amazing experience. The other ‘local’ tournaments are good fun for the families and allow for competitive games for the players. They make many friends in the process. IF YOU COMMIT TO A TOURNAMENT, PLEASE BE SURE TO ATTEND. We rely on the information to assemble teams and keep the team eligible. If players back out, it will be at the detriment of the other players who committed.
JERSEY SPONSORS
Does your company or someone you know want to sponsor one of our teams. Opportunities include Main Team Sponsors (logo on chest, one per jersey) at $1500 and Sleeve Sponsors (logo on one sleeve, only one per jersey) at $500. We are looking to have the same jersey style and layout for all age groups, but different sponsors for each team: U6, U8, U10, U12, U14, U16. The Cleveland St. Pat’s -St. Jarlath’s GAA is a 501-3c non-profit organization. Link for online payments: Jersey Sponsors. Or checks can be made out to Cleveland GAA. Contact Vincent if you have leads, logos, or need more information.
WHAT IS THE GAA
The Gaelic Athletic Association was established in 1884 with the aim of preserving and prospering Irish native sports, language, and culture. The GAA is woven into the fabric of Irish society and has grown worldwide with the diaspora. Our own Cleveland club was established in 1948 with games being reported in the area going back to the 1900’s. The association is 100% amateur. There is an amazing sense of community around the clubs, and between GAA clubs. It is not uncommon for brothers, cousins, fathers, uncles, and former college roommates to be on the same team. Same for ladies’ teams. The opportunity to play does not end when one leaves school. Gaelic Games – well that means Gaelic football (men’s and ladies’), hurling, camogie (ladies’ hurling), handball, and rounders (like stickball). In Cleveland, we stick to football, hurling, and camogie.
YOUTH PLAYERS
The age groups are determined by the player’s age on January 1st. One must be less than the age. The groups are U6, U8 U10, U12, U14, U16, U18. Someone who is 8 years old on January first is a U10 player, since they are not under 8 on January 1st. Teams are coed up through U12’s, then split into boys and girls games. Often, if there are enough players, we will have only-girls games at the U12 and younger ages.
EQUIPMENT
For football, players need only a pair of soccer cleats and a mouth guard. For hurling, the club will have team sticks and helmets. Some players wear shin guards, more do not. Those wanting their own hurling equipment should fist check out American Hurling. They also have footballs. If you have questions on sizing, see Vincent or google. Both are very knowledgeable.
Go raibh míle maith agat – Thank you very much!
Michelle Beach
Youth Officer
440-665-7518
Vincent Beach
Club Chair, Youth Coach
216-209-5845
CLEVELAND GAA 