The Wild Geese GAA Club History
From a Sunday kick-about in Huntington Beach in 1979 to a multi-national Gaelic football club — this is the story of the Wild Geese.
How was the club formed?
All of the club founders met every Sunday at the Christian Brothers of St Patrick’s in Huntington Beach. The priests said Mass for everyone and then joined in the games and festivities.
Hurling was tried first, but football seemed to have more potential, so the founders continued as a football club. The catchment area was Orange County to Los Angeles — San Diego had its own teams — and at the time there was no active GAA in Orange County until the Wild Geese was set up.
At the time of founding there were only around 100 members, drawn from all over the world. The Geese recruited many Americans: there was a huge effort to make the club cross-cultural from day one.
Club founders
Romy White
Offaly, Ireland
Tony Mc Carthy
Clare, Ireland
Brian Daly
Kerry, Ireland
Peter Glenane
Galway, Ireland
John Wolfe
Kerry, Ireland
Why “the Wild Geese”?
The name was put to a vote and is based upon the Flight of the Earls and the long story of Irish emigration. The Flight of the Wild Geese was the departure of an Irish Jacobite army under the command of Patrick Sarsfield from Ireland to France, as agreed in the Treaty of Limerick on 3 October 1691, following the end of the Williamite War in Ireland.
More broadly, “Wild Geese” refers to the Irish soldiers who left to serve in continental European armies in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries — and, in time, to every Irish emigrant who made a home far from Ireland. A fitting name for a club built by emigrants in California.
Read the full story
Our story in milestones
The original Wild Geese
After the Treaty of Limerick, Patrick Sarsfield’s Irish Jacobite army sails for France — the “Flight of the Wild Geese” that gives our club its name.
The club is founded
Five Irishmen — from Offaly, Clare, Kerry and Galway — found the Wild Geese at the Christian Brothers of St Patrick’s, Huntington Beach. The club hosts the All Stars the same year.
Hurling, then football
Hurling is tried first, but football shows more potential. Sundays become a family day of games, music, dancing and BBQs — with hundreds attending.
Hosts to Irish teams
The Geese host Civil Service, Synge St, Knockmore, Crossmaglen, Ballyboden and inter-county sides Armagh, Roscommon and Kerry — players put visitors up in their own homes.
Silverware in Dublin
A Wild Geese hurling team travels to the Kilmacud Crokes 7-a-side tournament in Dublin before the All-Ireland final and wins the shield division.
Double celebration
The Geese are crowned West Coast 7s champions in San Diego and win the Southland Cup Final 3-11 to 2-10 against the LA Cougars.
Firsts for the flock
The first Peter Glenane Memorial Tournament is played, and the club enters its first ever ladies’ football team at the West Coast 7s.
A multi-national panel
Players from all corners of Ireland plus the US, Jordan, Australia and Mexico keep the Wild Geese flying in Orange County.
A home away from home
The Geese got together every Sunday at the Brothers in Huntington Beach and played games. Families attended, and there was music, dancing and BBQs — hundreds came along. It was their home-away-from-home.
The club fundraised for the Christian Brothers at these events and to cover the club’s expenses. It was a great place for fellow Irish people to meet each other, and many found work opportunities through these social events. The Geese even had their own local newspaper, Ceangailt, which shared news for the Irish community in Southern California.
Past players
Players who have worn the Wild Geese colors include Tom Heneghan (Roscommon), Geroid O’Toole (Dublin), Nicholas Clavin (Offaly), Fr Jarlath Culhane (Sligo), Kevin Mulholland (Galway) and Martin Doherty (Cork).
The current crop
There has been a revival of the Geese over the past decade. The playing panel is made up of players from all corners of Ireland, with counties Donegal, Galway, Clare, Kerry, Cork, Dublin, Leitrim and Tyrone proudly represented.
We’re very proud to be a multi-national Gaelic football team, with players from the US, Jordan, Australia and Mexico all forming part of the squad.
Club officers
| Role | |
|---|---|
| Chairperson | [email protected] |
| Vice Chairperson | [email protected] |
| Secretary | [email protected] |
| Treasurer | [email protected] |
| Public Relations Officer | [email protected] |
| Registrar | [email protected] |
| Club Development Officer | [email protected] |
| Youth Officer | [email protected] |
Write the next chapter with us
Players, supporters, sponsors and volunteers keep the Wild Geese flying. There’s a role for everyone.
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