About the Sport

Gaelic Football is a type of football played with both hands and feet using a round ball which is slightly smaller than a soccer ball. It combines the skills of Australian Rules Football, rugby, soccer and other ball sports, incorporating a healthy amount of physical contact with considerable skill and finesse. Originating in Ireland, but now played all over the world, the most popular versions played in Asia are 7, 9 and 11-a-side games which are fast-paced and exciting for both players and spectators alike. Rugby-type goalposts are used and scores are attained by scoring a goal (similar to a soccer goal) worth three points, or a point, by kicking the ball over the cross bar (like a rugby conversion - except that a point may be scored from open play). The ball must be punch-passed or kicked to members of your own team. When defending, one hand may be used to get the ball out of another player's hands.

About the Team

Orang Éire, based in Kuala Lumpur, is the first Gaelic Football club in Malaysia. Legend has it that Malaysia did have team in the past, but the details of this had been lost in the mists of time until some aging members of the St. Patrick's Society and a few other lads decided to get together and form a new squad.

Established in 2007, the team is made up of talented athletes from Ireland, Malaysia, Canada, the US, Australia, Scotland and other countries. The name is taken from the Bahasa word for 'people' and the Irish word for 'Ireland'. The team represented Malaysia in the 2007 Guinness Asian Gaelic Games (www.asiancountyboard.com); a major event on the Irish sporting calendar which saw over 500 players on 48 teams competing from throughout Asia in front of 2,000+ spectators in a two day tournament in Singapore. Orang Éire also hosted the KL Challenge Trophy in November of 2007. Orang Eire had a good 2008 and the club has gone from strength to strength, they competed in the Thailand Invitational tournament and came second in the South East Asian Games which were held in Ha Noi in June '08, travelled to Penang in October '08 with 4 teams to compete in the 2008 Guinness Asian Gaelic Games in which the came away winners of the "Men's B Cup" and received a much sought after award; the inaugural "Asian Club of the Year" award. This year looks like another fruitful year and with our action packed 2010 calendar with plenty of travelling, plenty of fun and plenty of football which includes hosting a major event the SEAGG; we are all looking forward to the year ahead.