Gaelic football traces its roots to the 1600s. It involves a round ball that can be caught, kicked, and hand-passed, as players aim to score points or a goal by kicking or punching the ball over the crossbar or kicking it under the crossbar and into the net.

Fordham has a rich history of ties to Ireland; its founder Archbishop John Hughes was born in County Tyrone, and the University has educated many Irish immigrants and sons and daughters of immigrants since its founding. The University is also home to the first Irish Studies program in the U.S., and boasts many prominent Irish alumni. Joseph McShane, S.J., president of Fordham, often speaks about his Irish Catholic heritage.

Fordham’s Gaelic Society started the Gaelic football team this year, and players said that the sport has helped them feel connected to Irish culture and history, as well as the Fordham Irish community.

The Gaelic Society is just one of more than 220 student clubs and organizations at Fordham, which include everything from United Student Government to Jazz Collective, Fordham Experimental Theater, and the Investment Banking Club.

Learn more about the Gaelic football team at Fordham.