# Wild Geese Gaelic Football Club - full site content Source: https://wildgeesegfc.org/ | Generated: 2026-10-08 | Language: en-US # Wild Geese Gaelic Football Club (Wild Geese GFC) > Wild Geese GFC is an amateur Gaelic football club (GAA) in Orange County, Southern California, founded in 1979 in Huntington Beach by Irish emigrants. The club fields men's and ladies' Gaelic football, welcomes complete beginners, trains Wednesdays 6:30pm and Saturdays 9:00am, and competes in the Southland Cup, SoCal Cup, the San Diego / West Coast 7s (Memorial Day weekend) and the USGAA National Finals. Key facts: - Official name: Wild Geese Gaelic Football Club. Also known as: Wild Geese GFC, OC Wild Geese, Orange County Wild Geese. - Website: https://wildgeesegfc.org/ Email: info@wildgeesegfc.org - Location: Orange County, California, USA (catchment Orange County - Los Angeles). - Founded: 1979 at the Christian Brothers of St Patrick's, Huntington Beach, by Romy White (Offaly), Tony Mc Carthy (Clare), Brian Daly (Kerry), Peter Glenane (Galway) and John Wolfe (Kerry). - Name origin: the Flight of the Wild Geese (1691, Treaty of Limerick, Patrick Sarsfield) and the wider story of Irish emigration. - Honours: West Coast 7s champions 2016; Southland Cup Final winners 2016 (3-11 to 2-10 v LA Cougars). - Membership: Player Membership $100 per season; Social Membership $40 per season. Club kit by O'Neills (tops $50, shorts $25, socks $12, socks+shorts combo $30, bags $25). - Training: Wednesdays 6:30pm and Saturdays 9:00am in Orange County; new players welcome, basic skills coaching provided; first sessions free. - Social: Facebook /socalwildgeese, X/Twitter @lawildgeese, Instagram @wildgfc. --- ## Page: Wild Geese GFC | Gaelic Football Club in Orange County, CA URL: https://wildgeesegfc.org/ Summary: Wild Geese Gaelic Football Club - Orange County, California's GAA club since 1979. Men's & ladies' Gaelic football, beginners welcome. Train with us! Orange County · Since 1979 # Become part of the community Wild Geese GFC is Orange County’s Gaelic football club — a real community of Irish sport where Irish, American and international players train, compete and celebrate together. [Come to training](https://wildgeesegfc.org/training.html)[Become a Geese](https://wildgeesegfc.org/membership.html) Gaelic Athletic Association GAA — the heart of the Irish Fast, skillful and fiercely amateur. Discover Ireland’s national sport right here in Southern California — no experience needed. [What is Gaelic football?](https://wildgeesegfc.org/what-is-gaelic-football.html)[Learn the rules](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-rules-explained.html) #WildGeese You don’t support the club — you are the club Player membership, social membership and official O’Neills club kit. Join the flock for the new season. [See memberships](https://wildgeesegfc.org/membership.html)[Shop club kit](https://wildgeesegfc.org/membership.html#kit) ## A real community of Irish sport Founded in 1979 by five Irish emigrants who met every Sunday at the Christian Brothers of St Patrick’s in Huntington Beach, the Wild Geese have been Orange County’s home of Gaelic football for more than four decades. Today our panel brings together players from counties all over Ireland — Donegal, Galway, Clare, Kerry, Cork, Dublin, Leitrim and Tyrone — alongside teammates from the United States, Jordan, Australia and Mexico. Whether you grew up with a football in your hands in Ireland or have never seen the game before, there’s a place for you on the field and in the clubhouse. * Men’s & ladies’ football * Beginners welcome * Southland & SoCal Cups * San Diego 7s * National Finals [Our history](https://wildgeesegfc.org/about.html)[I want to play](https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html?subject=play) ## Why join the Geese? New players welcome · Basic skill training provided ### New players welcome No experience needed. Many Americans pick up the game in a single season. ### Skills coaching Basic skill training is provided at every session — solo, handpass, kicking and catching. ### Healthy & fun An enjoyable, healthy experience: real fitness, real competition, zero gym membership. ### Home from home Dinner dances, golf days and match-day socials — the Irish community in OC. 1979 Club founded 8+ Irish counties represented 5 Nations in our squad 2 Training sessions a week ## Next big weekend: San Diego 7s Memorial Day weekend · late May [Season calendar](https://wildgeesegfc.org/schedule.html#calendar) ## Membership, kit & services Everything you need to play, support and belong Membership$100 ### Player Membership per season Everything you need to pull on the jersey: training, coaching and a place in our match-day panels. * Wednesday & Saturday training sessions * Skills coaching for beginners and veterans * Selection for Southland Cup, SoCal Cup & 7s tournaments * Club registration for competitive play * Invitations to every club social [Request / enquire](https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html?subject=membership&item=Player%20Membership%20%28%24100%29) Membership$40 ### Social Membership per season Not playing? Support the club, stay in the loop and be part of the Irish community in Orange County. * Member of the Wild Geese club * Invitations to dinner dance & golf day * Newsletter with fixtures & results * Support Gaelic games in Southern California [Request / enquire](https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html?subject=membership&item=Social%20Membership%20%28%2440%29) Shopfrom $12 ### Official Club Kit by O’Neills per item Wear the black and gold. Official Wild Geese gear made by O’Neills, ordered through the club. * Tops $50 · Shorts $25 · Socks $12 * Socks + Shorts combo $30 * Kit bags $25 * Build your order below [Build your kit](https://wildgeesegfc.org/membership.html#kit) [View all 6 services](https://wildgeesegfc.org/membership.html) ## Become a Geese $40[Social Membership](https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html?subject=membership&item=Social%20Membership%20(%2440)) $100[Player Membership](https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html?subject=membership&item=Player%20Membership%20(%24100)) ## From the blog Rules, history, training and gear guides [Gear & Kit](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-gear-guide.html) October 1, 2026 10 min read ### [Gaelic Football Gear Guide: Boots, Balls, Gum Shields and Club Kit](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-gear-guide.html) Everything a new Gaelic footballer needs: the right ball, boots for hard SoCal ground, mandatory gum shields, training wear, our O'Neills club kit and a first-season budget. [Read more](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-gear-guide.html) [GAA in America](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-games-in-north-america.html) September 23, 2026 11 min read ### [Gaelic Games in North America: How the GAA Grew in the USA](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-games-in-north-america.html) From emigrant hurling games in New York to a national championship across four codes, here's how the GAA grew in the USA, and where our Orange County club fits in. [Read more](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-games-in-north-america.html) [Gaelic Games](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/hurling-vs-gaelic-football.html) September 16, 2026 12 min read ### [Hurling vs Gaelic Football: Key Differences Every New Fan Should Know](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/hurling-vs-gaelic-football.html) Same pitch, same scoring, very different games. Here's how hurling and Gaelic football compare, from equipment and handling rules to trophies and which is easier to learn. [Read more](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/hurling-vs-gaelic-football.html) [All articles](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog.html) > Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game. It won’t always be easy, but it will be worth it! The Wild Geese motto > Ní neart go cur le chéile — there is no strength without unity. Irish proverb > Become a member. You don’t support the club — you are the club. #WildGeese ## Support our sponsors Thanks to all of those that help the club O’Malleys on Main · Seal BeachO’Neills Irish International SportsYour business hereClub volunteers & familiesBecome a club sponsorO’Malleys on Main · Seal BeachO’Neills Irish International SportsYour business hereClub volunteers & familiesBecome a club sponsor [Become a sponsor](https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html?subject=sponsor) ## Stay connected --- ## Page: Club History - Founded 1979 in Huntington Beach | Wild Geese GFC URL: https://wildgeesegfc.org/about.html Summary: The history of the Wild Geese GAA club: founded in 1979 in Huntington Beach by five Irish emigrants, named after the Flight of the Wild Geese (1691). # 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 Year the club was formed: 1979 RW ### Romy White Offaly, Ireland TC ### Tony Mc Carthy Clare, Ireland BD ### Brian Daly Kerry, Ireland PG ### Peter Glenane Galway, Ireland JW ### 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](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/flight-of-the-wild-geese-history.html) ## Our story in milestones 1691 – today 1691 ### 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. 1979 ### 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. Early years ### 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. Through the decades ### 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. Abroad ### 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. 2016 ### 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. 2017 ### 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. Today ### 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 | Email | | --- | --- | | Chairperson | [chairperson@wildgeesegfc.org](mailto:chairperson@wildgeesegfc.org) | | Vice Chairperson | [vicechair@wildgeesegfc.org](mailto:vicechair@wildgeesegfc.org) | | Secretary | [secretary@wildgeesegfc.org](mailto:secretary@wildgeesegfc.org) | | Treasurer | [treasurer@wildgeesegfc.org](mailto:treasurer@wildgeesegfc.org) | | Public Relations Officer | [pro@wildgeesegfc.org](mailto:pro@wildgeesegfc.org) | | Registrar | [registration@wildgeesegfc.org](mailto:registration@wildgeesegfc.org) | | Club Development Officer | [clubdevelopment@wildgeesegfc.org](mailto:clubdevelopment@wildgeesegfc.org) | | Youth Officer | [youthofficer@wildgeesegfc.org](mailto:youthofficer@wildgeesegfc.org) | ## Write the next chapter with us Players, supporters, sponsors and volunteers keep the Wild Geese flying. There’s a role for everyone. [Join the club](https://wildgeesegfc.org/membership.html) [Get in touch](https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html) --- ## Page: What is Gaelic Football? Rules, Scoring & FAQ | Wild Geese GFC URL: https://wildgeesegfc.org/what-is-gaelic-football.html Summary: What is Gaelic football? A plain-English guide to Ireland's national sport: scoring, rules, the GAA, the season in Southern California, plus a score calculator. # What is Gaelic Football? Ireland’s most popular sport combines the catching of basketball, the kicking of soccer and the physicality of rugby. Here’s everything a newcomer needs to know. ## The game in 60 seconds Fast, skillful, amateur — and open to everyone ### 15 a side Full games are 15 v 15; summer tournaments in the US are often 7-a-side. ### Goal = 3 points Under the crossbar into the net for a goal, over the bar for a point. ### 4 steps Then you must bounce, solo (toe-tap), pass or shoot. ### Hand & foot Pass by handpass (striking with the fist or open hand) or by kicking. ### Two halves Adult games are 2 x 35 minutes at senior inter-county level, shorter locally. ### 100% amateur From Croke Park to Orange County, nobody is paid to play. ## How scoring works A Gaelic football score is written as **goals–points**. A goal (into the net, under the crossbar) is worth three points; a point (over the crossbar, between the posts) is worth one. So a score of **3-11** means 3 goals and 11 points: 3 × 3 + 11 = **20**. Since 2025, a kick that goes over the bar from outside the 40-meter arc is worth two points in the men’s game at GAA level — a big change explained in our [complete rules guide](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-rules-explained.html). Try it yourself: our 2016 Southland Cup Final win over the LA Cougars finished **3-11 to 2-10**. Use the calculator to see the margin. ## Frequently asked questions Geared to anyone not yet familiar with Gaelic games Where are the games played? Gaelic games are predominantly played in Ireland. In Southern California, local championship games are played mainly in Orange County, Los Angeles and San Diego. The San Diego 7s tournament is played on Memorial Day weekend every year, and the North American finals move to a different city each year, traditionally around Labor Day weekend. When does the season run? The local GAA season runs any time from February through September. February is when teams recruit and warm up with light training sessions. April and May bring warm-up games with smaller teams and relaxed rules, and the proper championship runs from June through September. In Ireland, the inter-county All-Ireland championships run through the summer, while the club All-Ireland finals are played in the winter and early spring. What is the GAA? The Gaelic Athletic Association is the governing body of hurling and Gaelic football, and also governs rounders and handball. It is a totally amateur, non-profit, community-based organization whose remit includes the promotion of Irish culture through sport, music, song and dance. Joining an international GAA club is a great way to stay connected with Ireland and settle into a new life overseas. Are injuries common? No. Believe it or not, you are arguably more likely to pick up a lower-leg knock in soccer, where leg-to-leg collisions are more common. Physical contact in Gaelic games is limited to a fair shoulder-to-shoulder charge on the player in possession, and gum shields (mouthguards) are mandatory for safety. Is it co-ed? There are some co-ed games in the local leagues in Southern California, but not at national tournaments, where men’s and ladies’ competitions are separate. Are there any professional leagues? No. Although the All-Ireland championships look like major professional events, the only reward players get is the honor of winning. That is what makes the GAA such a unique organization. Why do people play? GAA club and county teams represent their local community, and the honor of representing your community spurs people on. At local club level people play because it is fun, sociable and a challenge, to improve fitness and health, and for recognition of their achievements. Who plays? Anyone can play. Our games are mostly played by Irish people, including students who visit the US for the summer, but there is a growing contingent of American-born players who really are the future of the GAA in the United States. Clubs can be found from Vancouver to Wellington, with hundreds of clubs outside Ireland. How can I get involved in playing or watching? Come along to one of our practice sessions — see the Training page — or send us a message via the Contact page. You can also follow our games and social events, like us on Facebook or sign up to our newsletter. What is the greatest prize in Gaelic games? The inter-county All-Ireland Championships. In football the prize is the Sam Maguire Cup and in hurling the Liam MacCarthy Cup. The two All-Ireland finals are Ireland’s equivalent of the Super Bowl — huge national occasions attended by the Taoiseach and the President of Ireland. ## Rules & guidance Go deeper ### Rules explained Pitch, scoring, the solo, tackling, cards and the latest rule changes. [Read guide](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-rules-explained.html) ### Hurling vs football Two sister sports, one association — the key differences. [Compare](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/hurling-vs-gaelic-football.html) ### Official GAA guide The official rules and regulations are published by the GAA in Ireland. [Visit gaa.ie](https://www.gaa.ie/the-gaa/rules-regulations/) --- ## Page: Gaelic Football Training in Orange County | Wild Geese GFC URL: https://wildgeesegfc.org/training.html Summary: Train with Wild Geese GFC: Wednesdays 6:30pm & Saturdays 9:00am in Orange County, CA. New players welcome, skills coaching provided. Add sessions to your calendar. # Training & Practice New players welcome · Basic skill training provided · An enjoyable & healthy experience. ## Weekly sessions Training takes place every Wednesday at 6:30pm & every Saturday at 9:00am Wed**6:30**pm ### Wednesday evening training Skills, conditioning and tactical work under the lights. Ideal after work. Sat**9:00**am ### Saturday morning session Longer session with match play — the best place for beginners to start. Please see our [season calendar](https://wildgeesegfc.org/schedule.html#calendar) and newsletter for up-to-date times and venues — sessions can move around tournaments and holidays. ## Your first session 1. ### Say hello Drop us a line through the [contact form](https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html?subject=play) so we can confirm the field and look out for you. 2. ### Bring the basics Boots, shorts, a water bottle, sunscreen and a gum shield. That’s it. 3. ### Learn the core skills A coach will take you through the solo, handpass and catching while the team warms up. 4. ### Join the game Jump into small-sided games — you’ll be surprised how quickly it clicks. 5. ### Join the club When you’re hooked, take out [Player Membership](https://wildgeesegfc.org/membership.html#player-membership) to play competitive games. ## What a session looks like A typical 90-minute session | Time | Block | What we do | | --- | --- | --- | | 0–15 min | **Warm-up** | Dynamic movement and the GAA 15 injury-prevention routine. | | 15–40 min | **Skills** | Solo, bounce, handpass, high catching and kicking off both feet. | | 40–60 min | **Drills & conditioning** | Small-sided possession games, tackling technique, sprints. | | 60–85 min | **Match play** | Backs v forwards or 7-a-side games with full rules. | | 85–90 min | **Cool-down** | Stretching, hydration and the week’s club news. | ### Train smart in the heat Southern California summers are hot. Hydrate before, during and after every session. ### Gum shields on Mouthguards are mandatory in Gaelic football — see our [gear guide](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-gear-guide.html). ### Get fit for the season Follow our [8-week pre-season plan](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-pre-season-training-plan.html) for beginners. ## Training FAQ Do I need my own equipment? Just bring boots (cleats), shorts, a water bottle and a gum shield (mouthguard). We have footballs and can point you to club kit later. I have never played. Is that OK? Absolutely. Basic skill training is provided and teammates will explain the rules as you go. Many of our players learned the game in Orange County. Where exactly do you train? We train in Orange County. Fields can change during the year, so confirm the current location by email or through our newsletter before your first session. Is there a cost to try? Your first sessions are free through our Beginner Skills Program. Player Membership ($100) is needed once you want to play in competitive games. [I want to play](https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html?subject=play) --- ## Page: Schedule, Fixtures, Results & Events | Wild Geese GFC URL: https://wildgeesegfc.org/schedule.html Summary: Wild Geese GFC season calendar, games and fixtures, results archive and social events - Southland Cup, SoCal Cup, San Diego 7s and the National Finals. # Schedule & Events Season calendar, games, results and the social events that make the Wild Geese a community. ## Countdown: San Diego 7s Memorial Day weekend · late May ## Our season at a glance The local GAA season runs from February through September Feb ### Recruitment & pre-season Teams start to recruit and warm up with light training sessions. The perfect time for new players. Apr–May ### Spring 7s & warm-up games Smaller teams and relaxed rules help everyone get match-fit, including our Spring 7s series. Memorial Day ### San Diego / West Coast 7s The highlight of the early season, held every Memorial Day weekend in San Diego. Jun–Sep ### Southland & SoCal Cups Championship football against Culver City Cougars and San Diego, home and away. Summer ### Peter Glenane Memorial & International Rules Our memorial tournament plus an exhibition International Rules game against the LA Dragons. Labor Day ### USGAA National Finals The North American finals, held in a different city each year — traditionally over Labor Day weekend. Autumn ### Awards & Dinner Dance We celebrate the season, hand out the awards and dance the night away. Winter ### Irish American Golf Tournament Our annual golf day brings together players, families, sponsors and friends. ## Wild Geese games Southland Cup · SoCal Cup · tournaments Our main games are played against Setanta San Diego and the Culver City Cougars over the summer — generally three away games and two home games, or vice-versa — in the Southland Cup and SoCal Cup. We attend the San Diego 7s on Memorial Day weekend, travel to tournaments such as the Rumble in the Rockies in Denver, play an exhibition game of International Rules against the LA Dragons, and compete at the National Championships, held in a different city every year. **Current-season fixtures** are confirmed in our newsletter and on social media as venues are booked. [Sign up to the newsletter](https://wildgeesegfc.org/schedule.html#newsletter-signup) so you never miss a throw-in. ### Men’s schedule — 2017 season (archive) | Competition | Home | Away | Location | Date | Day / time | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Spring 7s Tournament | OC Wild Geese | OC Wild Geese | Fulton Park | April 22 | Sat 9:00 AM | | Spring 7s Tournament | OC Wild Geese | OC Wild Geese | Fulton Park | April 29 | Sat 9:00 AM | | Spring 7s Tournament | OC Wild Geese | OC Wild Geese | Fulton Park | May 6 | Sat 9:00 AM | | Southland Cup Game 1 | OC Wild Geese | Culver City Cougars | Orange | May 13 | Sat 2:30 PM | | San Diego 7s Tournament | Various | OC Wild Geese | Kearny Mesa Rec Center, San Diego | May 27–28 | Sat & Sun, all day | | Southland Cup Game 2 | Culver City Cougars | OC Wild Geese | TBD | June 10 | Sat | | SoCal Cup | San Diego | OC Wild Geese | TBD | June 24 | Sat | | Southland + SoCal Cup | Culver City Cougars | OC Wild Geese | TBD | July 15 | Sat | | Rumble in the Rockies | Various | OC Wild Geese | Denver | July 22–23 | Sat & Sun, all day | | SoCal Cup | OC Wild Geese | San Diego | TBD | July 29 | Sat | | Southland + SoCal Cup | OC Wild Geese | Culver City Cougars | TBD | August 19 | Sat | | National Championship | Various | OC Wild Geese | San Francisco | Sept 1–3 | Fri–Sun, all day | ## Results 2016 season — West Coast 7s champions & Southland Cup winners | Date | Competition | Home | Away | Result | Scorers | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | October 1, 2016 | Southland Cup Final | **Wild Geese** 3-11 (20) | LA Cougars 2-10 (16) | Win | N Turkington (2-6), E Crowley (0-3), D O'Brien (0-1), J Connolly (0-1), B McAloone (1-0) | | August 6, 2016 | Southland Cup | **Wild Geese** 2-17 (23) | LA Cougars 1-11 (14) | Win | C McAlinney (0-2), D O'Brien (0-4), D Greally (0-6), J Connolly (0-1), S McKiver (1-1), T Dolan (0-1), G Quinn (1-2) | | July 30, 2016 | SoCal Championship | **Wild Geese** 4-6 (18) | San Diego 2-18 (24) | Loss | P Spillane (0-5), J Coughlan (1-0), T Deane (1-1), S McKiver (2-0) | | July 16, 2016 | Southland Cup | **Wild Geese** 3-8 (17) | LA Cougars 2-17 (23) | Loss | E Crowley (1-3), S McKiver (1-2), D O'Brien (0-1), C McAlinney (1-2) | | June 25, 2016 | SoCal Championship | **Wild Geese** 1-5 (8) | San Diego 0-13 (13) | Loss | T Deane (1-0), P Spillane (0-2), E Crowley (0-1), S McKiver (0-1), I Davis (0-1) | | June 11, 2016 | Southland Cup | **Wild Geese** 1-15 (18) | LA Cougars 4-19 (31) | Loss | E Crowley (0-4), N Turkington (1-3), D O'Brien (0-1), D Listowel (0-2), S McKiver (0-2), T Dolan (0-1), P Cole (0-1), J Daly (0-1) | | May 29, 2016 | San Diego 7s Final | **Wild Geese** 2-7 (13) | Celtic Cowboys 0-8 (8) | Win | N Turkington (2-6), T Courtney (0-1) | | May 29, 2016 | San Diego 7s Semi-Final | **Wild Geese** 1-6 (9) | Setanta 0-7 (7) | Win | N Turkington (0-5), D O'Brien (1-0), E Crowley (0-1) | | May 28, 2016 | San Diego 7s | **Wild Geese** 1-7 (10) | Setanta 1-8 (11) | Loss | T Dolan (0-1), D Greally (0-1), S McKiver (0-2), N Turkington (1-3) | | May 28, 2016 | San Diego 7s | **Wild Geese** 2-7 (13) | Seattle Gaels 0-4 (4) | Win | T Dolan (0-2), N Turkington (1-3), J Connolly (0-1), J Daly (0-1), T Courtney (1-0) | | May 28, 2016 | San Diego 7s | **Wild Geese** 5-4 (19) | LA Cougars 0-2 (2) | Win | D O'Brien (1-1), N Turkington (0-2), T Courtney (1-0), D Greally (1-2), S McKiver (2-0) | | May 21, 2016 | Southland Cup | **Wild Geese** 4-17 (29) | LA Cougars 1-6 (9) | Win | J Connolly (0-1), D O'Brien (1-1), E Crowley (1-1), D Greally (0-5), N Turkington (0-4), T Courtney (0-4), S McKiver (2-0), T Dolan (0-1) | Scores are written goals-points; total in brackets. Not sure how scoring works? Try our [score calculator](https://wildgeesegfc.org/what-is-gaelic-football.html). ## Social events The craic is mighty Autumn ### Annual Awards & Dinner Dance The club’s night of the year: awards for the season’s stars, a meal and music. The first ever club dinner dance was hosted in 2016. [Register interest](https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html?subject=involved&item=Annual%20Awards%20%26%20Dinner%20Dance) Winter ### Irish American Golf Tournament Our annual golf tournament — a relaxed day on the course for members, families and sponsors. [Register interest](https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html?subject=involved&item=Irish%20American%20Golf%20Tournament) Summer ### Peter Glenane Memorial Tournament Named after one of our founders. First played in 2017, with mixed teams drawn from the men’s and ladies’ squads. [Register interest](https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html?subject=involved&item=Peter%20Glenane%20Memorial%20Tournament) Summer ### International Rules vs LA Dragons An exhibition game blending Gaelic football and Australian Rules — always a spectacle. [Register interest](https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html?subject=involved&item=International%20Rules%20vs%20LA%20Dragons) Memorial Day & Labor Day ### Tournament Weekends Travel with the team to the San Diego 7s and the National Finals. Supporters welcome! [Register interest](https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html?subject=involved&item=Tournament%20Weekends) Throughout the season ### Match-day Socials After home games we head to our sponsors’ bars to celebrate (or commiserate) together. [Register interest](https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html?subject=involved&item=Match-day%20Socials) --- ## Page: Membership, Club Kit & Services | Wild Geese GFC URL: https://wildgeesegfc.org/membership.html Summary: Join Wild Geese GFC: Player Membership $100, Social Membership $40, O'Neills club kit from $12, free beginner sessions, sponsorship packages and events. # Membership & Services Become a Geese: memberships, official O’Neills club kit, beginner coaching, sponsorship and events. ## Our 6 services Choose how you want to be part of the club Membership$100 ### Player Membership per season Everything you need to pull on the jersey: training, coaching and a place in our match-day panels. * Wednesday & Saturday training sessions * Skills coaching for beginners and veterans * Selection for Southland Cup, SoCal Cup & 7s tournaments * Club registration for competitive play * Invitations to every club social [Request / enquire](https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html?subject=membership&item=Player%20Membership%20%28%24100%29) Membership$40 ### Social Membership per season Not playing? Support the club, stay in the loop and be part of the Irish community in Orange County. * Member of the Wild Geese club * Invitations to dinner dance & golf day * Newsletter with fixtures & results * Support Gaelic games in Southern California [Request / enquire](https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html?subject=membership&item=Social%20Membership%20%28%2440%29) Shopfrom $12 ### Official Club Kit by O’Neills per item Wear the black and gold. Official Wild Geese gear made by O’Neills, ordered through the club. * Tops $50 · Shorts $25 · Socks $12 * Socks + Shorts combo $30 * Kit bags $25 * Build your order below [Build your kit](https://wildgeesegfc.org/membership.html#kit) CoachingFree ### Beginner Skills Program first sessions Never played? Come along to a couple of sessions on us and learn the basics before you commit. * Solo, handpass, catching & kicking * Rules explained as you play * Friendly, no-pressure environment * Men and women welcome [Request / enquire](https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html?subject=play&item=Beginner%20Skills%20Program) PartnersCustom ### Club Sponsorship Packages Put your business in front of the Irish and sporting community of Southern California. * Jersey, website & social media exposure * Match-day and event presence * Community goodwill & networking * Packages tailored to your budget [Request / enquire](https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html?subject=sponsor&item=Club%20Sponsorship%20Packages) EventsTickets ### Tournaments & Social Events Enter our tournaments or book for the club’s much-loved social calendar. * Peter Glenane Memorial Tournament * Annual Irish American Golf Tournament * Annual Awards & Dinner Dance * Team-building Gaelic games taster sessions [Request / enquire](https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html?subject=involved&item=Tournaments%20%26%20Social%20Events) ## Player vs Social membership Compare and choose | Benefit | Social — $40 | Player — $100 | | --- | --- | --- | | Club membership & newsletter | | | | Invitations to dinner dance, golf day & socials | | | | Wednesday & Saturday training | Beginner sessions | | | Selection for Southland Cup, SoCal Cup & 7s | — | | | Player registration for competition | — | | [Social Membership](https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html?subject=membership&item=Social%20Membership%20%28%2440%29) [Player Membership](https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html?subject=membership&item=Player%20Membership%20%28%24100%29) ## Shop: build your kit All Wild Geese merchandise is made by O’Neills and ordered through the club. Tick what you need, set quantities and send the order to our kit officer — we’ll confirm sizes and payment by email. Buying socks and shorts together? The **$30 combo** is applied automatically. [Read our Gaelic football gear guide →](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-gear-guide.html) ## Membership FAQ How long does a membership last? Memberships run for the playing season. Renewal reminders go out with our newsletter before the new season starts. How do I pay? Send a request through our contact form. The treasurer confirms your membership or kit order by email and sends payment instructions — no card details are taken on this website. Can I start with Social Membership and upgrade later? Yes. Just let us know and you only pay the difference for that season. When is player membership due? Player Membership must be paid before competitive games begin each season; the deadline is announced in the newsletter. Do you offer kit in ladies’ sizes? Yes, O’Neills produce men’s and ladies’ fits. Add your sizes in the message when you send your order. --- ## Page: Photo Gallery & Videos | Wild Geese GFC Orange County URL: https://wildgeesegfc.org/gallery.html Summary: Photos and videos of Wild Geese Gaelic Football Club - matches, tournaments, club kit and socials in Orange County and across Southern California. # Gallery & Videos Moments from the field, the clubhouse and the road — the Wild Geese in pictures. ## Photo gallery Click any photo to open the lightbox [Champions & supporters — Just play, have fun, enjoy the game](https://wildgeesegfc.org/assets/img/team-celebration.jpg)[The huddle before throw-in](https://wildgeesegfc.org/assets/img/team-huddle.jpg)[Become a member — #WildGeese](https://wildgeesegfc.org/assets/img/become-a-member.jpg)[The Wild Geese take flight](https://wildgeesegfc.org/assets/img/wild-geese-sunset.jpg)[The ball, the grass, the game](https://wildgeesegfc.org/assets/img/croke-park-football.jpg)[Player Membership](https://wildgeesegfc.org/assets/img/player-membership.jpg)[Social Membership](https://wildgeesegfc.org/assets/img/social-membership.jpg)[Official kit by O’Neills](https://wildgeesegfc.org/assets/img/oneills-shop-now.jpg)[The Wild Geese crest](https://wildgeesegfc.org/assets/img/wild-geese-crest.png)[Wild Geese Gaelic Football Club](https://wildgeesegfc.org/assets/img/wild-geese-logo-large.png) ## Videos Videos load from YouTube only when you press play By playing a video you load content from YouTube (privacy-enhanced mode). See our [Cookie Policy](https://wildgeesegfc.org/cookie-policy.html). ## Album archive Seasons, tournaments and socials over the years * Peter Glenane Memorial Tournament 2017 * Southland Cup Final 2016 * Annual Golf Tournament 2017 * Wild Geese vs Cougars Game 3 + 4 2016 * Wild Geese vs Cougars Game 2 2016 * San Diego 7s Tournament 2016 * Wild Geese vs Cougars Game 1 2016 * Dinner Dance 2015 * Annual Golf Tournament 2016 * Nationals 2015 — Chicago * Geese vs Oz 2015 * Season 2015 * Southland Championship 2015 * San Diego 7s 2015 * Annual Golf Tournament 2015 * Season 2014 * Nationals 2014 — Boston * Nationals 2013 — Cleveland * Years Gone By Got photos from a Wild Geese game? [Send them to us](https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html?subject=other&item=Photos%20for%20the%20gallery) --- ## Page: Gaelic Football Blog: Rules, History & Training | Wild Geese GFC URL: https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog.html Summary: The Wild Geese GFC blog: in-depth guides to Gaelic football rules, hurling, GAA history in America, pre-season training and gear, plus club news. # Our Blog Guides to Gaelic football rules, history, training and gear — plus news from the Wild Geese. [Gear & Kit](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-gear-guide.html) October 1, 2026 10 min read ### [Gaelic Football Gear Guide: Boots, Balls, Gum Shields and Club Kit](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-gear-guide.html) Everything a new Gaelic footballer needs: the right ball, boots for hard SoCal ground, mandatory gum shields, training wear, our O'Neills club kit and a first-season budget. [Read more](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-gear-guide.html) [GAA in America](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-games-in-north-america.html) September 23, 2026 11 min read ### [Gaelic Games in North America: How the GAA Grew in the USA](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-games-in-north-america.html) From emigrant hurling games in New York to a national championship across four codes, here's how the GAA grew in the USA, and where our Orange County club fits in. [Read more](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-games-in-north-america.html) [Gaelic Games](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/hurling-vs-gaelic-football.html) September 16, 2026 12 min read ### [Hurling vs Gaelic Football: Key Differences Every New Fan Should Know](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/hurling-vs-gaelic-football.html) Same pitch, same scoring, very different games. Here's how hurling and Gaelic football compare, from equipment and handling rules to trophies and which is easier to learn. [Read more](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/hurling-vs-gaelic-football.html) [Training & Fitness](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-pre-season-training-plan.html) September 9, 2026 10 min read ### [Pre-Season Gaelic Football Training: 8-Week Plan for Adult Beginners](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-pre-season-training-plan.html) Get match-ready in eight weeks: a beginner-friendly Gaelic football pre-season plan with the GAA 15 warm-up, conditioning, core skill drills, hydration and recovery. [Read more](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-pre-season-training-plan.html) [History & Culture](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/flight-of-the-wild-geese-history.html) August 26, 2026 11 min read ### [The Flight of the Wild Geese: The Irish History Behind Our Club's Name](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/flight-of-the-wild-geese-history.html) From the Treaty of Limerick in 1691 to a pitch in Huntington Beach in 1979: the story of the Wild Geese, Patrick Sarsfield, the Irish Brigades and our club's name. [Read more](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/flight-of-the-wild-geese-history.html) [Rules & Basics](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-rules-explained.html) August 12, 2026 12 min read ### [Gaelic Football Rules Explained: A Complete Beginner's Guide](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-rules-explained.html) New to Gaelic football? Our beginner's guide explains the pitch, scoring, the solo, tackling, cards, restarts and the GAA's 2025 rule changes in plain English. [Read more](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-rules-explained.html) No articles match your search. Try another word. ## Club news archive Headlines from the Wild Geese over the years January 8, 2017 ### 3rd Annual Irish American Golf Tournament December 8, 2016 ### O’Malleys on Main sponsor the Wild Geese November 18, 2016 ### wildgeesegfc.org wins Website of the Year at the USGAA convention November 15, 2016 ### Club President Kevin M. Mac Donnell awarded Volunteer of the Year August 25, 2016 ### The Wild Geese are heading to Seattle June 16, 2016 ### Wild Geese merchandise for sale online June 14, 2016 ### Southland Cup Round 2 game analysis June 7, 2016 ### Clare native to the fore in San Diego tournament June 3, 2016 ### West Coast 7s Tournament 2016 — we are champions! June 2, 2016 ### Donegal man finds ‘the heart of the GAA’ in Los Angeles May 1, 2016 ### 2015 Annual Awards & Dinner Dance — what a night! April 1, 2016 ### Annual Club Dinner Dance August 30, 2015 ### Wild Geese vs LA Dragons International Rules game --- ## Page: Contact Us - Join, Play or Sponsor | Wild Geese GFC URL: https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html Summary: Contact Wild Geese Gaelic Football Club in Orange County, CA. Ask about playing, membership, club kit orders or sponsorship - we reply within a few days. # Contact Us Subscribe for updates & news — or send us a message today. We usually reply within a few days. ## Send us a message Fields marked \* are required. First name \* Surname \* Your email \* Your phone number \* Subject \*— Please choose —I want to playI want to get involved in the clubI would like to sponsor the clubMembershipClub kit orderOther Your message \* Min. 10 characters0 / 1500 I agree to the [Privacy Policy](https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html) and to Wild Geese GFC contacting me about my enquiry. \* Also sign me up to the newsletter (fixtures, results & social events). ## Get in touch * **General enquiries**[info@wildgeesegfc.org](mailto:info@wildgeesegfc.org) * **Where we play**Orange County, California — fields confirmed in the newsletter * **Training**Wednesdays 6:30pm · Saturdays 9:00am — [details](https://wildgeesegfc.org/training.html) * **Chairperson**[chairperson@wildgeesegfc.org](mailto:chairperson@wildgeesegfc.org) * **Secretary**[secretary@wildgeesegfc.org](mailto:secretary@wildgeesegfc.org) * **Registrar (membership)**[registration@wildgeesegfc.org](mailto:registration@wildgeesegfc.org) * **Public Relations**[pro@wildgeesegfc.org](mailto:pro@wildgeesegfc.org) --- ## Page: Gaelic Football Rules for Beginners | Wild Geese GFC URL: https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-rules-explained.html Summary: Learn Gaelic football rules fast: the pitch, scoring (goals, points, two-pointers), the solo and four-step rule, tackling, cards and the GAA's 2025 changes. # Gaelic Football Rules Explained: A Complete Beginner's Guide Rules & BasicsAugust 12, 202612 min readWild Geese GFC Editorial Team Gaelic football is fast, physical and surprisingly easy to follow once someone walks you through the basics. This beginner's guide to Gaelic football rules covers everything a new player or spectator needs, from the pitch and the scoring system to tackling, cards and the major rule changes the GAA introduced in 2025. Read it once, then come and see it in action at one of our sessions in Orange County. ## Key Takeaways * Gaelic football is played 15-a-side on a large grass pitch with H-shaped goalposts; US tournaments often use a 7-a-side format on a smaller field. * A goal (under the crossbar) is worth 3 points and a point (over the crossbar) is worth 1, so a score of 3-11 equals 20 points. * You can carry the ball for up to four steps before you must bounce it, solo it (toe-tap it back to your hands) or release it, and you can't bounce it twice in a row. * Passing with the hand must be a striking motion (a handpass); throwing the ball is a foul. * Since 2025, kicks from outside a new 40-meter arc are worth two points, and kick-outs, throw-ins and team shape are all covered by new rules. ## What Is Gaelic Football? Gaelic football is one of the national games of Ireland, governed by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). If you have never seen it, the easiest way to picture it is as a blend of soccer, basketball and rugby: you can kick the ball, catch it, carry it and pass it with your hand, and you score by putting the ball into a net or over a crossbar. It is fully amateur and played everywhere from small Irish villages to clubs like ours in Southern California. If you want the big-picture introduction first, our [What Is Gaelic Football? FAQ](https://wildgeesegfc.org/what-is-gaelic-football.html) is a good place to start. This article goes a level deeper into the actual rules. ## The Pitch, the Teams and Game Length ### Pitch dimensions and markings A full-size Gaelic football pitch is a grass rectangle 130 to 145 meters long and 80 to 90 meters wide, which is considerably bigger than an American football field. Lines are marked across the field at 13 meters, 20 meters and 45 meters from each end line, plus a halfway line. In front of each goal there are two rectangles: a small rectangle (where the goalkeeper has special protection) and a large rectangle (which defines the area for penalties). Since 2025 there is also a 40-meter arc at each end, which we explain in the rule-changes section below. ### The goalposts The goals are H-shaped: two posts 6.5 meters apart with a crossbar 2.5 meters off the ground and a net below the bar. The posts extend upward well above the crossbar, giving a large target for points. ### Team size: 15-a-side and 7-a-side The traditional game is 15-a-side: a goalkeeper, six defenders (full-back line and half-back line), two midfielders and six forwards (half-forward line and full-forward line). Teams can also use substitutes during the game. In the United States, where clubs often have smaller squads, you'll also see 7-a-side tournaments played on a shorter, narrower pitch with shorter halves. Tournament organizers set the exact format, but the core skills and scoring stay the same. Over a season our club plays local cup games such as the Southland Cup against the Culver City Cougars as well as tournaments like the San Diego / West Coast 7s over Memorial Day weekend. You can find upcoming fixtures on our [schedule page](https://wildgeesegfc.org/schedule.html). ### Game length and officials Senior inter-county games in Ireland last 70 minutes (two halves of 35 minutes). Most adult club games are 60 minutes (two halves of 30), and 7-a-side tournament games are much shorter so teams can play several matches in a day. The referee adds stoppage time, and drawn knockout games may go to extra time. A game is controlled by a referee, two linesmen and four umpires (two at each set of posts) who signal scores with flags. ## Scoring: Goals, Points and Two-Pointers * **Goal (3 points):** the ball goes under the crossbar and into the net. Goals generally have to be kicked; a handpassed goal is not allowed. The umpire raises a green flag. * **Point (1 point):** the ball goes over the crossbar between the posts, whether kicked or fisted. The umpire raises a white flag. * **Two-point score (2 points):** since 2025, a kick that goes over the bar from on or outside the 40-meter arc counts double. At inter-county level the umpire waves an orange flag. ### How to read a Gaelic football score Scores are written as goals, then points: **3-11** means three goals and eleven points. To get the total, multiply the goals by three and add the points: 3 × 3 + 11 = **20**. Two-point scores are simply added into the points column, so a team with two goals and three two-pointers among its points still writes its score the same way. Here's a real example from our own history. In the 2016 Southland Cup Final, the Wild Geese beat the LA Cougars **3-11 to 2-10**. That works out to 20 points to 16, a four-point win. | Score type | How it's scored | Value | Umpire signal | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Goal | Ball kicked under the crossbar into the net (no handpassed goals) | 3 points | Green flag | | Point | Ball kicked or fisted over the crossbar between the posts from inside the 40m arc | 1 point | White flag | | Two-point score | Ball kicked over the bar from on or outside the 40m arc, from play or a free | 2 points | Orange flag (inter-county) | | 45 (converted) | Kick from the 45m line after a defender puts the ball over their own end line | 1 point | White flag | | Penalty (converted) | Shot at goal from the penalty spot after certain fouls in or around the large rectangle | 3 points | Green flag | **Spectator tip:** When you see a score like "1-14 to 0-17," don't assume the team with more points is winning. Convert first: 1-14 is 17 and 0-17 is 17, so that game is level. ## Handling the Ball: Steps, Solo and Bounce This is where most beginners give away their first free. ### The four-step rule When you're holding the ball, you can take up to **four steps**. Before or on that fourth step you must do one of three things: bounce the ball, solo it, or get rid of it with a kick or handpass. Taking a fifth step is called "overcarrying" and gives the other team a free. ### The solo The solo is the signature skill of the game. While running, you drop the ball onto your foot and tap it back up into your hands with your toe. A solo "resets" your steps, so you can keep running with the ball by soloing every four steps. You can solo as many times in a row as you like. ### The bounce rule You can also bounce the ball off the ground, like a basketball dribble, but you can't bounce it twice in a row. After a bounce, your next move must be a solo, a pass or a shot. Most players alternate: bounce, solo, solo, bounce, and so on. ### Picking the ball up In men's Gaelic football you may not pick the ball directly off the ground with your hands. Instead you scoop it up with your foot (the "pick-up" or toe-lift). Ladies' Gaelic football allows players to pick the ball up directly, one of several differences explained by the [Ladies Gaelic Football Association](https://ladiesgaelic.ie). ## Passing, Tackling and Physical Contact ### Handpass vs. throwing You can pass the ball by kicking it or by handpassing it. A legal handpass is a clear striking motion: you hold the ball in one hand and punch or slap it away with the other. Simply throwing the ball, the way you would in basketball or American football, is a foul. Referees watch closely for this, especially on quick, short passes in traffic. ### The tackle Tackling in Gaelic football is about winning the ball, not taking down the player. You are allowed to: * Knock or slap the ball out of an opponent's hands with an open hand. * Block a kick or handpass (but not with your foot). * Make a fair side-to-side shoulder challenge when the opponent is in possession or playing the ball. You are not allowed to pull, push, trip, hold or wrestle an opponent, grab the ball out of their hands, slide tackle, or make contact with the goalkeeper inside the small rectangle. ### The shoulder charge The legal shoulder charge is shoulder-to-shoulder, with at least one foot on the ground, while the opponent has the ball or is about to play it. A charge into the back or chest, or one that leaves your feet, is a foul. For newcomers, especially those used to rugby or American football, this is the area that takes the most practice. We cover safe technique at training on our [training page](https://wildgeesegfc.org/training.html). ## Fouls, Frees and Cards Most fouls are punished with a **free kick** to the other team from where the foul happened. Kickable frees within range are often taken as shots at the posts, and since 2025 a free taken from outside the arc and kicked over the bar is worth two points. ### The card system Referees in Gaelic football use three colors of card: * **Yellow card:** a caution for an aggressive or reckless foul or for dissent. Two yellows equal a red. * **Black card:** introduced in 2014 for cynical fouls such as deliberately pulling down an opponent, tripping, or body-checking to stop an attack. Since 2020, a black card means 10 minutes in the sin bin, and the team plays short during that time. * **Red card:** a sending-off for serious foul play (such as striking or kicking an opponent, or a second yellow). The player cannot be replaced. ### Advantage, dissent and the 50-meter penalty Referees can play advantage when the fouled team is still in a good position. Since 2025, dissent toward the referee or deliberately delaying an opponent's free can see the ball moved forward 50 meters (as far as the 13-meter line). Only the captain is supposed to speak with the referee about decisions. ## Kick-Outs, Throw-Ins, 45s and the Mark ### Kick-outs After a score or a wide, the goalkeeper restarts play with a kick-out. Under the 2025 rules, the kick-out is taken from the 20-meter line and must travel beyond the 40-meter arc. Opponents may stand inside the 20-meter line but must be at least 13 meters from the ball. A clean catch from a long kick-out can earn the catcher a mark (see below). ### The throw-in Each half starts with the referee throwing the ball up at midfield. Since 2025, only one player from each team contests it, while the other midfielders wait on the halfway line by the sidelines. ### The 45 If a defender sends the ball over their own end line, the attacking team gets a "45": a free kick from the 45-meter line in line with where the ball went out. A converted 45 is worth one point, even though it's taken from beyond the arc. ### The mark The mark rewards high catching. When a player makes a clean catch from a qualifying kick, they can claim a mark and take a free kick from that spot, or play on. Under the 2025 rules, the "advanced mark" applies when an attacker catches the ball cleanly inside the opponents' 20-meter line from a kick that came from outside the 45-meter line. The catcher can play on, and if no advantage results, the referee brings play back for the free. ## The 2025 Rule Changes Explained In 2024, the GAA's Football Review Committee (FRC), chaired by former Dublin manager Jim Gavin, proposed a package of changes designed to make the game more open and attacking. A Special Congress in late November 2024 approved them on a trial basis for the 2025 season at both club and inter-county level. After some in-season amendments, a second Special Congress at Croke Park on October 4, 2025 voted to make the rules permanent, with further tweaks taking effect for 2026. Full details are published on the [official GAA website](https://www.gaa.ie). The main changes are: 1. **The two-point score.** A 40-meter arc is marked at each end, starting from the 20-meter line. A kick over the bar from on or outside the arc, from play or from a free, is worth two points. From 2026, the shot keeps its two-point value unless a teammate of the shooter touches it on the way. A goal stays at three points; a proposal for a four-point goal was dropped before the vote. 2. **Kick-out changes.** Kick-outs go from the 20-meter line and must travel beyond the 40-meter arc, which encourages contested high catching instead of short, safe restarts. 3. **Three up, three back.** Teams must keep a minimum number of players on each side of the halfway line, originally at least three outfield players in each half. In 2025 this was adjusted so that a team keeps at least three outfield players in the opposition half and four players (which can include the goalkeeper) in its own half. Breaking the rule concedes a free. The aim is to stop mass defensive "blankets." 4. **Solo and go.** A fouled player can play on immediately with a quick tap to themselves instead of waiting to take a set free, and can't be tackled for the first few meters. 5. **Goalkeeper restrictions.** Back passes to the goalkeeper are limited, so teams can't simply recycle possession through their keeper. 6. **The 1-v-1 throw-in.** Only one player per team contests the throw-in at the start of each half. 7. **Clock and hooter.** Where facilities allow, a public clock and hooter signal the end of each half. 8. **Tougher sanctions.** Dissent and deliberate delays move frees forward 50 meters, and from 2026 pulling an opponent's jersey to deny a goal-scoring chance brings a black card and a penalty. Some of these rules are adapted at grassroots level, especially in 7-a-side tournaments on smaller pitches. We'll always explain the version used in each competition. > "Ní neart go cur le chéile." (There is no strength without unity.) > > Traditional Irish proverb **New-player tip:** Don't try to memorize every rule before your first session. Learn three things (four steps, no throwing, no picking the ball off the ground) and the rest will come naturally as you play. If you're also curious about the stick-and-ball sister sport, read our guide to [hurling vs. Gaelic football](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/hurling-vs-gaelic-football.html). ## Getting Started With Wild Geese GFC Reading the rules is one thing; feeling the rhythm of the game is another. Our club has played Gaelic football in Orange County since 1979, with players from all over Ireland alongside teammates from the US, Australia, Mexico and beyond. Traditionally we train on Wednesday evenings at 6:30pm and Saturday mornings at 9:00am, and new players get basic skills coaching. Before your first session, check our [Gaelic football gear guide](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-gear-guide.html) so you know what to bring. ### Ready to Try Gaelic Football? No experience needed. Come along to a training session, learn the solo and the handpass, and find out why people fall for this game. Send us a message and we'll tell you where and when to show up. [Join a Training Session](https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html) ## Frequently Asked Questions How much is a goal worth in Gaelic football? A goal is worth three points. A proposal to make goals worth four points was considered by the GAA during its 2024 rules review but was dropped, so goals remain at three. What does a score like 3-11 mean? The first number is goals and the second is points. Multiply the goals by three and add the points: 3-11 equals 9 + 11, or 20 points in total. How many steps can you take with the ball? You can take up to four steps while holding the ball. You must then bounce it, solo it (drop it to your foot and kick it back to your hands), or pass or shoot. You can't bounce the ball twice in a row. What is a two-point score in Gaelic football? Introduced in 2025, a two-point score is awarded when the ball is kicked over the crossbar from on or outside the 40-meter arc, either from play or from a free. A converted 45 is still worth only one point. Is Gaelic football a contact sport? Yes, but contact is limited. Players can make a fair shoulder-to-shoulder challenge and knock the ball from an opponent's hands, but pulling, pushing, tripping, holding and slide tackles are all fouls. Do I need experience to join Wild Geese GFC? No. New players are always welcome. We provide basic skills coaching at training, and we're happy to explain the rules as you go. #### Wild Geese GFC Editorial Team Written by the players and volunteers of Wild Geese Gaelic Football Club, Orange County’s GAA club since 1979. Questions or corrections? [Contact us](https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html). #### In this article #### Share #### Play with us Training Wednesdays 6:30pm & Saturdays 9:00am in Orange County. Beginners welcome. [Training details](https://wildgeesegfc.org/training.html) ## Keep reading More from the Wild Geese blog [History & Culture](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/flight-of-the-wild-geese-history.html) August 26, 2026 11 min read ### [The Flight of the Wild Geese: The Irish History Behind Our Club's Name](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/flight-of-the-wild-geese-history.html) From the Treaty of Limerick in 1691 to a pitch in Huntington Beach in 1979: the story of the Wild Geese, Patrick Sarsfield, the Irish Brigades and our club's name. [Read more](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/flight-of-the-wild-geese-history.html) [Training & Fitness](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-pre-season-training-plan.html) September 9, 2026 10 min read ### [Pre-Season Gaelic Football Training: 8-Week Plan for Adult Beginners](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-pre-season-training-plan.html) Get match-ready in eight weeks: a beginner-friendly Gaelic football pre-season plan with the GAA 15 warm-up, conditioning, core skill drills, hydration and recovery. [Read more](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-pre-season-training-plan.html) [Gaelic Games](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/hurling-vs-gaelic-football.html) September 16, 2026 12 min read ### [Hurling vs Gaelic Football: Key Differences Every New Fan Should Know](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/hurling-vs-gaelic-football.html) Same pitch, same scoring, very different games. Here's how hurling and Gaelic football compare, from equipment and handling rules to trophies and which is easier to learn. [Read more](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/hurling-vs-gaelic-football.html) --- ## Page: The Flight of the Wild Geese Explained | Wild Geese GFC URL: https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/flight-of-the-wild-geese-history.html Summary: The Flight of the Wild Geese explained: the 1691 Treaty of Limerick, Patrick Sarsfield, the Irish Brigades, Fontenoy and why our 1979 founders chose the name. # The Flight of the Wild Geese: The Irish History Behind Our Club's Name History & CultureAugust 26, 202611 min readWild Geese GFC Editorial Team Every club name tells a story, and ours goes back more than three centuries. The Flight of the Wild Geese, the departure of thousands of Irish soldiers to Europe after the Treaty of Limerick in 1691, became one of the most powerful images in Irish history. Here's the history behind the name, and why it felt right to a group of Irish exiles kicking a ball around Huntington Beach in 1979. ## Key Takeaways * The Flight of the Wild Geese refers to the departure of Irish Jacobite soldiers to France after the Treaty of Limerick was signed on October 3, 1691. * Patrick Sarsfield, the hero of the defense of Limerick, led the soldiers into exile and later died of wounds received at the Battle of Landen in 1693. * Irish regiments served in the armies of France and Spain for generations, most famously helping the French win the Battle of Fontenoy in 1745. * The Wild Geese are not the same as the Flight of the Earls, which happened in 1607, 84 years earlier. * Over time, "Wild Geese" became shorthand for all Irish emigrants, which is exactly why our 1979 founders chose it for a club of Irish exiles in Southern California. ## What Was the Flight of the Wild Geese? In the narrowest sense, the Flight of the Wild Geese was a single event: the shipping of the defeated Irish Jacobite army from Ireland to France in late 1691, under the military terms of the Treaty of Limerick. Common estimates put the number who sailed at somewhere between 12,000 and 14,000 soldiers, though figures vary between sources. They went to serve the exiled King James II and, through him, King Louis XIV of France. In a broader sense, the phrase describes a century-long stream of Irish men who left home to serve in Catholic armies on the Continent. The term "Wild Geese" had been applied to Irish soldiers serving abroad even before 1691, and over the following generations it stuck. Like migratory birds, these men left Ireland, many never to return. For a quick reference overview, the [Wikipedia entry on the Flight of the Wild Geese](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_of_the_Wild_Geese) is a useful starting point. ## The Williamite War in Ireland (1689–1691) To understand why an entire army left Ireland, you need to go back to 1688. That year, the Catholic King James II of England, Scotland and Ireland was deposed in favor of his Protestant daughter Mary and her husband, the Dutch prince William of Orange. James fled to France, then landed in Ireland in 1689, where much of the Catholic population and the Irish army supported him. The conflict that followed is known as the Williamite War in Ireland, or in Irish, *Cogadh an Dá Rí*, "the War of the Two Kings." ### The Boyne and Aughrim The war's best-known clash came at the Battle of the Boyne on July 1, 1690 (Old Style), when William's army defeated James's forces north of Dublin. James left Ireland soon afterward, but the war was far from over. The Jacobites fell back west of the River Shannon and held the line at Limerick, where a first Williamite siege in 1690 failed. The decisive blow came on July 12, 1691, at the Battle of Aughrim in County Galway, one of the bloodiest battles ever fought in Ireland. After Aughrim, the Jacobite cause in Ireland was effectively lost. Galway surrendered, and Limerick was once again the last major stronghold. ## Patrick Sarsfield and the Siege of Limerick No figure is more closely tied to the Wild Geese than Patrick Sarsfield. A Catholic officer from an Anglo-Norman family, he became a hero during the first siege of Limerick in 1690, when he led a daring cavalry raid at Ballyneety that destroyed a Williamite siege train of guns and ammunition. The raid helped delay the attack, and the siege was eventually abandoned. James later named him Earl of Lucan. ### The second siege and the Treaty of Limerick In the late summer of 1691 the Williamite army returned to besiege Limerick. With no realistic hope of relief, the Jacobite commanders negotiated terms. The Treaty of Limerick was signed on October 3, 1691. Tradition holds it was signed on the Treaty Stone, which still stands by the River Shannon in Limerick city. The treaty had two parts: * **The military articles** allowed Jacobite soldiers who wished to do so to leave for France with their officers. This is the legal basis of the Flight of the Wild Geese. * **The civil articles** promised certain protections for Catholics who stayed in Ireland. These promises were not honored in full, and the decades that followed brought the Penal Laws, which restricted Catholic rights to land, education, the professions and public life. That sense of a broken treaty runs deep in Irish memory, and it shaped how later generations remembered the soldiers who left. The [Wikipedia article on the Treaty of Limerick](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Limerick) gives a concise account of its terms. **Visiting Ireland?** If you make the trip to Limerick, King John's Castle and the Treaty Stone sit on opposite banks of the Shannon, only a short walk apart, and make a great half-day for anyone interested in this period. ## The Irish Brigades in France and Spain ### Serving the King of France Irish troops were already serving France before Limerick fell. In 1690, an Irish brigade under Justin MacCarthy, Lord Mountcashel, went to France in exchange for French troops sent to support James in Ireland. After 1691, Sarsfield's men joined them, at first as a separate army in the service of the exiled James. When the Nine Years' War ended in 1697, the surviving soldiers were reorganized into the regiments of what became known as the Irish Brigade of the French army. Sarsfield himself did not live to see that. He was mortally wounded at the Battle of Landen (also called Neerwinden), in present-day Belgium, in 1693, and died days later at Huy. According to a long-told tradition, he looked at the blood on his hand and spoke words that have echoed through Irish history ever since: > "Would that this were for Ireland." > > Words traditionally attributed to Patrick Sarsfield, Earl of Lucan, after the Battle of Landen, 1693 For generations afterward, recruits continued to slip out of Ireland to join the brigade, many from the western and southern counties. The regiments carried the names of their colonels, such as Dillon's, Clare's, Berwick's and Lally's, and they served in France's wars across Europe until the era of the French Revolution. ### Irish regiments in Spain Spain also had Irish regiments, including the Hibernia, Irlanda and Ultonia regiments. These units took Irish soldiers far beyond Europe. The Hibernia regiment, for example, served in Bernardo de Gálvez's Spanish force at the siege of British-held Pensacola, Florida, in 1781, during the American Revolutionary War. It's a little-known link between the Wild Geese and the history of the United States. ## The Battle of Fontenoy, 1745 If there's one battle that defines the Wild Geese, it's Fontenoy. On May 11, 1745, during the War of the Austrian Succession, a French army under Marshal Maurice de Saxe faced an allied British, Dutch and Hanoverian army commanded by the Duke of Cumberland near the village of Fontenoy, in what is now Belgium. At a critical moment, a powerful British infantry column was pushing into the French center. The Irish Brigade, including the regiments of Dillon, Clare, Berwick, Bulkeley, Lally and Roth along with Fitzjames's Horse, was thrown into the counterattack. Accounts of the battle record that the Irish charged with the cry *"Cuimhnigí ar Luimneach agus ar fheall na Sasanach!"* ("Remember Limerick and Saxon perfidy!"), a direct reference to the broken treaty more than 50 years earlier. The column was driven back and the French won the day, though the brigade paid heavily, losing a large share of its officers. Fontenoy became a cornerstone of Irish nationalist memory in the 19th century, celebrated in poems, songs and paintings as proof that Irish soldiers abroad had kept faith with the cause they left home for. ## Timeline: From the Flight of the Earls to Fontenoy | Year | Event | Why it matters | | --- | --- | --- | | 1607 | Flight of the Earls: Hugh O'Neill and Rory O'Donnell leave Rathmullan, Donegal, for the Continent | End of the old Gaelic order in Ulster; often confused with the Wild Geese | | 1688 | James II is deposed; William of Orange and Mary take the throne | Sets up the Williamite War in Ireland | | 1689 | James II lands in Ireland | Start of the "War of the Two Kings" | | 1690 | Battle of the Boyne (July 1, Old Style); Mountcashel's brigade goes to France; first siege of Limerick fails | Sarsfield's Ballyneety raid makes him a national hero | | 1691 | Battle of Aughrim (July 12); second siege of Limerick; Treaty of Limerick signed October 3 | The military articles allow the Jacobite army to sail for France: the Flight of the Wild Geese | | 1693 | Sarsfield mortally wounded at the Battle of Landen | Source of the famous words "Would that this were for Ireland" | | 1697 | End of the Nine Years' War | Exiled Jacobite soldiers reorganized into the Irish Brigade of France | | 1745 | Battle of Fontenoy (May 11) | The Irish Brigade's most celebrated victory | | 1781 | Siege of Pensacola, Florida | Spain's Hibernia regiment fights in the American Revolutionary War | | 1979 | Wild Geese GFC founded in Huntington Beach, California | A new generation of Irish exiles adopts the name | ## Wild Geese vs. the Flight of the Earls People often mix up these two events, and it's easy to see why: both involve Irish leaders leaving for Europe, and both mark the end of an era. But they're 84 years apart and very different in character. * **The Flight of the Earls (1607)** was the departure of Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone, and Rory O'Donnell, Earl of Tyrconnell, with their families and followers, from Rathmullan on Lough Swilly in September 1607. It followed their defeat in the Nine Years' War against Elizabeth I and opened the way for the Plantation of Ulster. * **The Flight of the Wild Geese (1691)** was the departure of an entire defeated army, thousands of ordinary soldiers and their officers, under the terms of a negotiated treaty, to keep fighting for the Jacobite cause in the service of France. In short, the Earls were a small group of Gaelic lords; the Wild Geese were an army, and later a whole tradition of Irish soldiers abroad. ## The Wild Geese as a Symbol of the Irish Diaspora Over time the phrase grew far beyond its military meaning. Ireland's history is a history of leaving: the soldiers of the 17th and 18th centuries, the millions who emigrated during and after the Great Famine of the 1840s, and the waves of young people who left in the 1950s and the 1980s to find work in Britain, the US, Australia and elsewhere. "Wild Geese" became a poetic way to describe all of them. W. B. Yeats used the image in his 1913 poem "September 1913," asking whether the sacrifice of Ireland's exiles and patriots had been worth it: "Was it for this the wild geese spread / The grey wing upon every tide." The image of the grey wing over the water captures something every emigrant understands: the pull of home and the reality of a life built somewhere else. Wherever the Irish have settled, they have built community through music, faith and sport, and Gaelic games have been part of that story in America for well over a century. We explore that history in our article on [Gaelic games in North America](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-games-in-north-america.html). ## From Limerick to Huntington Beach: How Our Club Got Its Name Our club was founded in 1979 by Romy White (Offaly), Tony Mc Carthy (Clare), Brian Daly (Kerry), Peter Glenane (Galway) and John Wolfe (Kerry). They met every Sunday at the Christian Brothers of St Patrick's in Huntington Beach, a long way from the pitches they grew up on. When it came time to name the new club, the founders put it to a vote, and the choice was the Wild Geese. It's not hard to see why the name won. Like Sarsfield's soldiers, the founders were Irishmen far from home, carrying something of Ireland with them. The club gave them, and the generations of players who followed, a place to belong in Southern California. That same year the club hosted the All Stars, and over the decades it welcomed Irish inter-county teams such as Armagh, Roscommon and Kerry, as well as clubs including Civil Service, Synge St, Knockmore, Crossmaglen and Ballyboden. You can read more about those early days on our [club history page](https://wildgeesegfc.org/about.html). Today, the Wild Geese squad draws on players from all over Ireland, plus teammates from the US, Jordan, Australia and Mexico. The name has come full circle: the original Wild Geese brought Ireland to the armies of Europe, and our club brings Gaelic football to Orange County and Los Angeles. We remember one of our founders every year at the Peter Glenane Memorial tournament, first held in 2017. Upcoming events are on our [schedule](https://wildgeesegfc.org/schedule.html), and you don't have to play to be part of it: our [social membership](https://wildgeesegfc.org/membership.html) keeps supporters connected to the club. ### Join the Modern Wild Geese Whether you grew up with Gaelic football in Ireland or you've never seen a game, there's a place for you in our club, as a player or as a social member. Get in touch and we'll tell you how to get involved. [Get in Touch](https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html) ## Frequently Asked Questions Why were Irish soldiers called the Wild Geese? The name compares Irish soldiers who left home to serve in European armies with migratory birds. The term was used for Irish soldiers abroad before 1691 and became closely linked with the army that left after the Treaty of Limerick. When was the Treaty of Limerick signed? The Treaty of Limerick was signed on October 3, 1691. Its military articles allowed Jacobite soldiers to leave Ireland for France, which led to the Flight of the Wild Geese. Who was Patrick Sarsfield? Patrick Sarsfield, Earl of Lucan, was a Jacobite commander celebrated for his defense of Limerick, including the 1690 raid at Ballyneety. He led his soldiers to France after the treaty and was mortally wounded at the Battle of Landen in 1693. Is the Flight of the Wild Geese the same as the Flight of the Earls? No. The Flight of the Earls took place in 1607, when the Ulster earls Hugh O'Neill and Rory O'Donnell left for the Continent. The Flight of the Wild Geese took place in 1691, when the defeated Jacobite army sailed for France. Why is the club called Wild Geese GFC? Our founders, Irish emigrants who started the club in Huntington Beach in 1979, chose the name by vote. It honors the Flight of the Wild Geese and reflects the shared experience of Irish people building a life far from home. #### Wild Geese GFC Editorial Team Written by the players and volunteers of Wild Geese Gaelic Football Club, Orange County’s GAA club since 1979. Questions or corrections? [Contact us](https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html). #### In this article #### Share #### Play with us Training Wednesdays 6:30pm & Saturdays 9:00am in Orange County. Beginners welcome. [Training details](https://wildgeesegfc.org/training.html) ## Keep reading More from the Wild Geese blog [Rules & Basics](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-rules-explained.html) August 12, 2026 12 min read ### [Gaelic Football Rules Explained: A Complete Beginner's Guide](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-rules-explained.html) New to Gaelic football? Our beginner's guide explains the pitch, scoring, the solo, tackling, cards, restarts and the GAA's 2025 rule changes in plain English. [Read more](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-rules-explained.html) [Training & Fitness](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-pre-season-training-plan.html) September 9, 2026 10 min read ### [Pre-Season Gaelic Football Training: 8-Week Plan for Adult Beginners](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-pre-season-training-plan.html) Get match-ready in eight weeks: a beginner-friendly Gaelic football pre-season plan with the GAA 15 warm-up, conditioning, core skill drills, hydration and recovery. [Read more](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-pre-season-training-plan.html) [Gaelic Games](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/hurling-vs-gaelic-football.html) September 16, 2026 12 min read ### [Hurling vs Gaelic Football: Key Differences Every New Fan Should Know](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/hurling-vs-gaelic-football.html) Same pitch, same scoring, very different games. Here's how hurling and Gaelic football compare, from equipment and handling rules to trophies and which is easier to learn. [Read more](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/hurling-vs-gaelic-football.html) --- ## Page: 8-Week Gaelic Football Pre-Season Plan | Wild Geese GFC URL: https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-pre-season-training-plan.html Summary: An 8-week pre-season Gaelic football training plan for adult beginners: the GAA 15 warm-up, conditioning, skill drills, hydration in the heat and recovery. # Pre-Season Gaelic Football Training: 8-Week Plan for Adult Beginners Training & FitnessSeptember 9, 202610 min readWild Geese GFC Editorial Team Gaelic football asks a lot of the body: repeated sprints, high catches, hard shoulder challenges and plenty of running in between. This pre-season Gaelic football training plan gives adult beginners a safe, structured 8-week path from "haven't run in a while" to match-ready, combining conditioning, core skills and recovery. It's built around the way our club trains in Orange County, heat and all. ## Key Takeaways * Gaelic football is an intermittent sport: short bursts of high-speed running, jumping and contact separated by lower-intensity jogging, so your training should mirror that pattern. * Start every session with the GAA 15, the GAA's own injury-prevention warm-up built around running drills, strength, balance, landing and Nordic hamstring work. * Build gradually over eight weeks: aerobic base first, then speed and repeated sprints, then game-specific work, with a lighter final week. * Practice the core skills (solo, handpass, catching, two-footed kicking and tackling) a little every session rather than in occasional long blocks. * In Southern California, hydration and heat management are as important as fitness. See a doctor before starting if you have any health concerns. **Safety first:** This plan is general information for healthy adults, not medical advice. If you're new to exercise, returning from injury, over 40 and inactive, or have any heart, lung, joint or other medical condition, consult your doctor before starting. Stop and seek help if you feel chest pain, dizziness or unusual shortness of breath. ## What Fitness Does Gaelic Football Demand? If you come from soccer, you'll recognize the running. If you come from rugby or American football, you'll recognize the contact. If you come from basketball, you'll recognize the jumping and catching. Gaelic football combines all of them, which is why a well-rounded pre-season matters. Research using GPS tracking on elite inter-county players has shown that they cover several kilometers per game, with a large number of high-speed runs, accelerations and decelerations. Club and recreational games are less intense, but the pattern is the same: sprint, recover, sprint again. The 2025 rule changes, which reward long-range two-point scores and require teams to keep players in both halves, have opened the game up even more. If you're not yet familiar with those rules, read our [Gaelic football rules explained](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-rules-explained.html) guide first. For a beginner, that translates into five fitness qualities to build: * **Aerobic base:** the engine that lets you recover between efforts and still be running in the last ten minutes. * **Repeated-sprint ability:** the capacity to produce short, fast bursts again and again. * **Change of direction:** accelerating, stopping and cutting without losing your footing (or your hamstrings). * **Strength and power:** for jumping to catch, holding your ground in the shoulder, and protecting your joints. * **Durability:** tendons, ligaments and muscles that can tolerate a full season. ## Start Every Session With the GAA 15 Warm-Up The [GAA 15](https://learning.gaa.ie/GAA15) is a standardized warm-up developed by the GAA's Medical, Scientific and Welfare Committee, with input from UCD physiotherapy, to reduce avoidable injuries, particularly soft-tissue and non-contact injuries. It's modeled on proven international programs such as FIFA's 11+ and the Santa Monica PEP program, and as the name suggests, it takes about 15 minutes. It has three sections: 1. **Running (up to about 5 minutes):** slow jogging and dynamic movements such as hip-outs, hip-ins, heel flicks and toe touches, building up through runs at roughly 50% and 80% effort. 2. **Strength, balance and landing (up to about 7 minutes):** single-leg bridges, forward and reverse lunges, squats, core exercises, single-leg deadlifts for balance, jumping and landing drills, and Nordic hamstring curls. 3. **Sport-specific movement (up to about 3 minutes):** faster runs, bounding and "plant and push" cutting movements. The GAA recommends learning the routine without a ball for the first several weeks so players master the movements before adding ball work. That fits an 8-week pre-season perfectly: use the ball-free version through week 6, then start weaving in ball skills. Videos and printable guides are available on the GAA's learning site. **Coach's tip:** The Nordic hamstring curl is hard. Beginners should start with only a few slow, controlled reps, lowering as far as they can and catching themselves with their hands. Expect some muscle soreness the first time; it eases quickly as you adapt. ## The 8-Week Pre-Season Plan This plan assumes three sessions per week: our two club sessions (traditionally Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings) plus one session on your own. Every session starts with the GAA 15. Running distances and times are guidelines; if you're very new to running, scale them down and progress more slowly. | Week | Focus | Conditioning | Skills | Recovery | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | Base building | 20–25 min easy jog or run/walk; bodyweight squats, lunges, push-ups, planks (2 sets) | Handpass both hands, basic catching, soloing at walking pace | Two full rest days; easy walk; 10 min mobility | | 2 | Base building | 25–30 min easy run; add strides (4 x 60m at 70%); strength 2–3 sets | Solo at a jog, chest catches, short kick-passing with your stronger foot | Sleep 7–9 hours; foam roll calves, quads, glutes | | 3 | Aerobic power | Tempo run: 3 x 6 min at a "comfortably hard" pace, 2 min easy between; add single-leg strength work | Kicking with your weaker foot; bounce-solo combinations; high catching from gentle kicks | One full rest day after the hardest session | | 4 | Deload | Reduce total running by about a third; keep strength light | Skill circuits at moderate pace; tackling technique introduced (walk-through) | Extra rest; check in on any niggles | | 5 | Speed and intervals | Intervals: 6–8 x 150m at 80%, walk back recovery; acceleration drills (10–20m) | Solo at pace; handpass on the run; tackling technique at half speed | Easy bike or swim on a rest day; mobility | | 6 | Repeated sprints | Shuttles: 3 sets of 6 x 20–40m sprints, 20–30 sec rest between reps, 3 min between sets; low-level plyometrics (box jumps, bounding) | Contested catching; kicking off both feet under light pressure | Prioritize sleep; protein at each meal | | 7 | Game-specific | Small-sided games (e.g. 4 v 4 or 5 v 5) in short blocks; one shorter interval session | All skills under match pressure; add ball work to the GAA 15 | Two rest days; light stretching | | 8 | Taper and match prep | Cut volume by about 40%, keep a few short, sharp sprints | Game scenarios: kick-outs, frees, shooting from different angles | Feel fresh going into your first game | Two principles hold the plan together. First, **progress gradually**: a sudden jump in running volume is a common cause of soft-tissue injury. Second, **hard days are followed by easier days**; that's when your body actually adapts. > "Tús maith leath na hoibre." (A good start is half the work.) > > Traditional Irish proverb ## Core Skill Drills for Beginners Fitness will get you to the ball; skills decide what happens next. Spend at least 15–20 minutes of every session on the ball. Short, frequent practice beats one long session a week. ### The solo Walk while dropping the ball onto the laces of your kicking foot and toe-tapping it straight back to your hands. Once that feels natural, jog, then run. Progress to a cone slalom: solo through ten cones, alternating feet if you can. The goal is to solo without looking down. ### The handpass Partner up five meters apart. Hold the ball in one open hand and strike it firmly with the fist or open palm of the other hand, keeping the motion clean so it's never a throw. Do 20 reps with each hand, then add movement: handpass, sprint past your partner, receive the return pass. Accuracy matters more than distance. ### Catching Start with chest catches: arms out, fingers spread, pull the ball into your body. Then move to high catching: have a partner kick or throw the ball high, time your jump, take it at the highest point with both hands forming a "W" behind the ball, and land on two feet with soft knees. Practice landing technique from the GAA 15 here too. ### Kicking off both feet Most adult beginners have one good foot. Being able to kick with both is a huge advantage when a defender closes down your strong side. Kick-pass with a partner at 15–20 meters, counting a set number of reps with each foot, then progress to the punt kick: dropping the ball onto your laces and striking through the middle with your toe pointed. Spend twice as long on your weaker foot as on your stronger one. ### Tackling technique Gaelic football tackling is about dispossessing, not taking the player down. Practice in pairs at walking pace: the defender gets side-on, keeps their eyes on the ball, and uses an open hand to flick the ball out of the carrier's hands as it's being soloed or bounced. Then practice the legal shoulder-to-shoulder challenge, always with a foot on the ground, at low speed. Never tackle from behind or pull jerseys; both are fouls and an easy way to get hurt. We coach this carefully at training so new players learn it safely. Before you start drilling, make sure you have the right boots and kit; our [Gaelic football gear guide](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-gear-guide.html) covers what to buy. ## Hydration and Training in the Southern California Heat Training in Orange County is a privilege most Irish clubs would envy, but summer and early fall heat can be a real risk, especially for players who grew up in a cooler climate. Dehydration reduces performance, coordination and your ability to regulate body temperature, and can contribute to heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The American College of Sports Medicine's hydration guidance offers a sensible framework: * **Before:** drink around 16–20 fl oz of water or sports drink at least four hours before training, and another 8–12 fl oz shortly before you start. * **During:** take small, regular drinks (roughly 3–8 fl oz every 15–20 minutes). For sessions over an hour, a sports drink with electrolytes helps. * **After:** weigh yourself before and after a session; for every pound lost, drink around 20–24 fl oz over the next couple of hours. * **Don't overdo it:** drinking large amounts of plain water without electrolytes can cause low blood sodium. More is not always better. * **Watch the signs:** thirst is a late signal. Pale, plentiful urine generally means you're well hydrated; dark urine means you need more fluid. Practical heat tips: train in the cooler parts of the day where you can (one reason Saturday-morning sessions are popular), wear light-colored breathable kit, use sunscreen, bring more water than you think you need, and take your breaks in the shade. If a teammate becomes confused, stops sweating or collapses, treat it as an emergency and call 911. ## Recovery: Where the Fitness Is Actually Built Training breaks your body down; recovery builds it back stronger. Adult beginners, especially those balancing work and family, often underestimate this. * **Sleep:** aim for seven to nine hours. It's the single most effective recovery tool you have. * **Nutrition:** eat a balanced meal with protein and carbohydrates within a few hours after training. * **Active recovery:** an easy walk, bike ride or swim on rest days keeps blood flowing without adding stress. * **Mobility:** 10 minutes of stretching or foam rolling for hips, hamstrings, calves and groin. * **Listen to niggles:** a tight hamstring or sore Achilles is a warning, not a badge of honor. Back off early and get it checked rather than missing six weeks later. **Rule of thumb:** If you finish a week feeling more tired than when you started, and that continues into a second week, reduce your volume. The 8-week plan includes a lighter week 4 for exactly this reason. ## How to Join Our Wednesday and Saturday Sessions The best pre-season plan in the world is still easier to stick to with a team around you. Wild Geese GFC has been training Gaelic footballers in Orange County since 1979, and our sessions have traditionally run on **Wednesdays at 6:30pm** and **Saturdays at 9:00am**. New players are always welcome, and we provide basic skills coaching, so you don't need to have played before. Check our [training page](https://wildgeesegfc.org/training.html) for the current location and times. Our squad brings together players from all over Ireland plus teammates from the US, Jordan, Australia and Mexico, and pre-season is the ideal time to join. You'll be building toward a season that includes the Southland Cup, the SoCal Cup, the San Diego / West Coast 7s on Memorial Day weekend and the USGAA National Finals on Labor Day weekend. You can see what's coming up on our [schedule](https://wildgeesegfc.org/schedule.html), and find out about the [USGAA](https://usgaa.org), the governing body for Gaelic games in the United States. Player Membership is $100 and Social Membership is $40; details are on our [membership page](https://wildgeesegfc.org/membership.html). ### Start Your Pre-Season With Us Come to a session, try the GAA 15 with the squad, and get coached on the solo, handpass and catch from day one. Send us a message and we'll tell you everything you need to know before your first training. [I Want to Train](https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html) ## Frequently Asked Questions How fit do I need to be before my first Gaelic football training? You don't need to be fit to start. Our sessions include basic skills coaching for new players, and you can work at your own level. Following a gradual plan like this one will help you build fitness safely alongside training. What is the GAA 15 warm-up? The GAA 15 is a roughly 15-minute injury-prevention warm-up developed by the GAA. It has three sections: running and dynamic movements; strength, balance, jumping and Nordic hamstring exercises; and sport-specific movements such as bounding and cutting. How many times a week should a beginner train? Three sessions a week is a good target for adult beginners: two team sessions plus one on your own. Include at least two rest or easy days so your body can recover and adapt. How much water should I drink when training in the heat? A common guideline is 16 to 20 fluid ounces a few hours before training, small regular drinks every 15 to 20 minutes during, and 20 to 24 fluid ounces for every pound of body weight lost afterward. Use a sports drink with electrolytes for longer sessions. Can I join Wild Geese GFC if I've never played Gaelic football? Yes. No experience is needed: we provide basic skills coaching for new players. Training has traditionally been on Wednesdays at 6:30pm and Saturdays at 9:00am. Contact us to find out where to go. #### Wild Geese GFC Editorial Team Written by the players and volunteers of Wild Geese Gaelic Football Club, Orange County’s GAA club since 1979. Questions or corrections? [Contact us](https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html). #### In this article #### Share #### Play with us Training Wednesdays 6:30pm & Saturdays 9:00am in Orange County. Beginners welcome. [Training details](https://wildgeesegfc.org/training.html) ## Keep reading More from the Wild Geese blog [Rules & Basics](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-rules-explained.html) August 12, 2026 12 min read ### [Gaelic Football Rules Explained: A Complete Beginner's Guide](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-rules-explained.html) New to Gaelic football? Our beginner's guide explains the pitch, scoring, the solo, tackling, cards, restarts and the GAA's 2025 rule changes in plain English. [Read more](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-rules-explained.html) [History & Culture](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/flight-of-the-wild-geese-history.html) August 26, 2026 11 min read ### [The Flight of the Wild Geese: The Irish History Behind Our Club's Name](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/flight-of-the-wild-geese-history.html) From the Treaty of Limerick in 1691 to a pitch in Huntington Beach in 1979: the story of the Wild Geese, Patrick Sarsfield, the Irish Brigades and our club's name. [Read more](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/flight-of-the-wild-geese-history.html) [Gaelic Games](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/hurling-vs-gaelic-football.html) September 16, 2026 12 min read ### [Hurling vs Gaelic Football: Key Differences Every New Fan Should Know](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/hurling-vs-gaelic-football.html) Same pitch, same scoring, very different games. Here's how hurling and Gaelic football compare, from equipment and handling rules to trophies and which is easier to learn. [Read more](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/hurling-vs-gaelic-football.html) --- ## Page: Hurling vs Gaelic Football: Key Differences | Wild Geese GFC URL: https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/hurling-vs-gaelic-football.html Summary: Hurling vs Gaelic football explained: origins, hurley and sliotar, helmet and handling rules, scoring, camogie, ladies' football and how to try both in SoCal. # Hurling vs Gaelic Football: Key Differences Every New Fan Should Know Gaelic GamesSeptember 16, 202612 min readWild Geese GFC Editorial Team Hurling vs Gaelic football is the first question almost every new fan asks once they discover Ireland's native games: are they the same sport with different equipment, or two completely different worlds? The short answer is that they are siblings. They share a governing body, a pitch, goalposts and a scoring system, but one is played with a ball at your feet and in your hands, and the other with a wooden stick and a small leather ball that can travel faster than almost anything else in field sports. ## Key Takeaways * Hurling and Gaelic football are both governed by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), founded in 1884, and both are played 15-a-side on the same size pitch with the same H-shaped goalposts. * Hurling is far older: stick-and-ball games appear in Irish law tracts from the seventh century, while modern Gaelic football rules were drawn up in 1884 and published in 1887. * Hurlers use a hurley (camán) and a sliotar, and helmets with face guards have been compulsory at every level since January 1, 2010. * The women's versions are camogie (hurling) and ladies' Gaelic football, each run by its own association, and the top men's prizes are the Sam Maguire Cup (football) and the Liam MacCarthy Cup (hurling). * Most American beginners find Gaelic football easier to pick up quickly, which is why our club is built around it, but anyone can learn either game with patience. ## Two Games, One Family: The GAA Both hurling and Gaelic football sit under the same umbrella: the Gaelic Athletic Association, known in Ireland simply as "the GAA." The Association was founded on November 1, 1884, at a meeting in Hayes Hotel in Thurles, County Tipperary, called at the urging of Michael Cusack. Its goal was to preserve and organize the native sports of Ireland at a time when English games were spreading quickly. That shared origin explains why the two sports feel so connected. Clubs in Ireland often field teams in both codes, and the national championships in each sport reach their climax at Croke Park in Dublin. You can read more about the Association itself on the official [GAA website](https://www.gaa.ie). For a new American fan, think of it this way: Gaelic football looks a little like soccer, rugby and basketball mixed together, while hurling looks like lacrosse, field hockey and baseball played at full speed. If you are brand new to the football side, our primer on [what Gaelic football is](https://wildgeesegfc.org/what-is-gaelic-football.html) is a great place to start. ## Origins: How Old Are Hurling and Gaelic Football? ### Hurling's ancient roots Hurling has a strong claim to being one of the oldest field games in the world. Stick-and-ball games known in Irish as *iomáin* and *báire* appear in Irish law tracts dating from the seventh century, as well as in early annals and poetry. Archaeological evidence of the game dates back to the twelfth century, and the English word "horlinge" turns up in the Statute of Kilkenny in 1366, a law that tried (and failed) to stop settlers from adopting Irish customs, including the game. ### Gaelic football's roots Football-style games have also been played in Ireland for centuries. The first legal reference to football in Ireland dates from 1308, and a recorded match in County Meath in 1670 allowed both catching and kicking the ball, which sounds a lot like the modern game. In County Kerry, a rough-and-tumble version called *caid* was popular in the early 1800s. What turned these local traditions into a national sport was the GAA. Maurice Davin, the Association's first president, drew up a set of rules in 1884, and they were published in 1887, the same year the first All-Ireland Senior Football Championship was played. In other words, hurling is ancient, while Gaelic football as we know it is a codified, modern sport built on older folk games. Our separate guide to [Gaelic football rules](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-rules-explained.html) walks through today's version in detail. > "Ní neart go cur le chéile." (There is no strength without unity.) > > Traditional Irish proverb ## Equipment: Hurley, Sliotar and Helmet vs a Round Ball ### What hurlers carry The defining piece of hurling equipment is the **hurley**, called a *camán* in Irish (you may also hear "hurl" or "stick"). It is traditionally carved from ash, with a flat, curved blade called the *bas*, and players choose a length that suits their height and position. The ball is the **sliotar**: a small, hard ball with a cork core, a leather cover and raised stitching. It is roughly the size of a baseball, and a well-struck sliotar travels huge distances, which is exactly why protection matters. Helmets with face guards are now compulsory. According to the GAA, the rule was first introduced at underage level and then extended to hurlers at all levels from January 1, 2010. Helmets must meet the Irish safety standard IS:355 (or a replacement standard set by Ireland's national standards authority), and the GAA warns players not to modify the faceguard or remove bars, since altered helmets lose their protection and their insurance coverage. ### What Gaelic footballers carry Gaelic football is much simpler from a gear standpoint. You need a round leather ball (similar in size to a soccer ball but heavier, with 18 stitched panels), a pair of cleats, shin guards if you want them and a mouthguard, which the GAA made mandatory at adult level in 2014. That low barrier to entry is one reason football is usually the first Gaelic game newcomers try. Our [Gaelic football gear guide](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-gear-guide.html) covers everything you need for a first season. **Tip for newcomers:** Don't rush out and buy a hurley first. The right length depends on your height and position, so borrow a stick at a first session and let an experienced player help you choose. And always wear a certified helmet, even in a casual puck-around. ## Ball Handling Rules in Each Sport This is where the two sports really diverge. Both limit how long you can hold the ball, but the methods are completely different. ### Handling in Gaelic football * **Catching:** You can catch the ball cleanly in your hands, including spectacular high catches over opponents. * **Carrying:** You can take up to four steps while holding the ball. After that you must bounce it, "solo" it (drop it onto your foot and kick it back into your hands), pass it or shoot. * **Bouncing:** You can't bounce the ball twice in a row, but you can solo as many times as you like, alternating with a single bounce. * **Picking up:** In the men's game, you can't pick the ball straight off the ground with your hands. You have to lift it with your foot (a "toe pick-up"). * **Passing:** You can kick the ball or hand-pass it with a clear striking motion. Throwing is a foul. ### Handling in hurling * **Catching:** You can catch the sliotar in your hand, and most players catch it in their free hand, often with the hurley held up for protection. * **Carrying in the hand:** You can take no more than four steps with the sliotar in your hand. * **Carrying on the hurley:** You can carry the sliotar on the bas of the hurley as far as you like, either balancing it or bouncing it as you run. This is the hurling "solo." * **Picking up:** You can't pick the sliotar straight off the ground with your hand. You have to lift it with the hurley first. * **Limits:** You can only handle the ball twice in one possession before it touches the ground or the hurley again, and you can't throw it. You can strike it with the hurley, kick it or slap it away with an open hand. In practice, Gaelic football rewards catching and kicking accuracy, while hurling rewards hand-eye coordination and wrist work. Both reward serious fitness. ## The Shared Pitch and Scoring System Once you understand scoring in one game, you understand it in the other. Both are played on a grass pitch roughly 130 to 145 meters long and 80 to 90 meters wide, with H-shaped goalposts: a soccer-style net below the crossbar and tall uprights above it. * **A goal** (ball into the net under the crossbar) is worth 3 points. * **A point** (ball over the crossbar between the uprights) is worth 1 point. Scores are written as goals and points. A team showing 2-11 has scored two goals and eleven points, for a total of 17. If the other team has 1-15 (18 points), they win despite scoring fewer goals. There is one recent wrinkle. Under the GAA's revised Gaelic football rules, introduced for the 2025 season, a score kicked over the bar from outside a 40-meter arc is now worth two points in men's football. Hurling has not adopted a scoring arc, so the basic goal-equals-three, point-equals-one system remains the foundation of both games. ### Hurling vs Gaelic football at a glance | Feature | Hurling | Gaelic Football | | --- | --- | --- | | Earliest roots | Written references in seventh-century Irish law tracts | Folk football recorded from 1308; GAA rules published 1887 | | Governing body | GAA | GAA | | Players per side | 15 | 15 | | Ball | Sliotar: small, cork core, leather cover | Round leather ball with 18 panels | | Main equipment | Hurley (camán), helmet with face guard | Cleats, mouthguard | | Mandatory protection (adults) | Helmet with face guard (all levels since 2010) | Mouthguard (adult level since 2014) | | Carrying the ball | Four steps in hand; unlimited on the hurley | Four steps, then bounce or solo | | Picking up off the ground | Must lift with the hurley | Must lift with the foot (men's game) | | Scoring | Goal = 3, point = 1 | Goal = 3, point = 1, plus 2-point scores from outside the arc (men's game) | | Women's version | Camogie | Ladies' Gaelic football | | Top men's trophy | Liam MacCarthy Cup | Sam Maguire Cup | | Beginner learning curve | Steeper: stick skills take time | Gentler: most athletes can play in a few sessions | ## Camogie and Ladies' Gaelic Football Women play both codes, each with its own governing association. ### Camogie Camogie is the women's version of hurling, and it is run by the Camogie Association, which was founded in 1904. That gives the women's stick game well over a century of organized history. The first All-Ireland senior camogie championship was played in 1932, when Dublin defeated Galway, and the winners receive the O'Duffy Cup, named after Seán O'Duffy, who donated the original trophy. The rules are very close to hurling, with a few differences, and the speed and skill on show are every bit as impressive. You can learn more from the [Camogie Association](https://camogie.ie). ### Ladies' Gaelic football Ladies' Gaelic football is governed by the Ladies' Gaelic Football Association (LGFA), which was founded in 1974. The first All-Ireland senior championship was also played that year and won by Tipperary, and today's senior champions lift the Brendan Martin Cup. The game is very similar to the men's version, but there are some notable differences: for example, players can pick the ball directly off the ground with their hands, and from under-12 level upward the game uses a slightly smaller size 4 ball. The [LGFA's website](https://ladiesgaelic.ie) has the full rules. Ladies' football has a proud place in our own story. Our club began fielding a ladies' football team at the West Coast 7s in San Diego in 2017, and we always welcome women who want to try the game, whether they have played before or not. ## The Sam Maguire and Liam MacCarthy Cups Gaelic games have two famous trophies, and both have a surprising connection to London. ### The Sam Maguire Cup (football) The Sam Maguire Cup is awarded to the winners of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship. It was first presented in 1928, when Kildare beat Cavan by a single point in the final. The cup commemorates Sam Maguire, a former footballer and an influential figure in the London GAA. The original trophy was retired in 1988 after years of wear, and a replica made by a Kilkenny silversmith has been presented ever since. Fans often simply call it "Sam," and you'll hear Irish supporters talk about "bringing Sam home." ### The Liam MacCarthy Cup (hurling) The Liam MacCarthy Cup goes to the All-Ireland Senior Hurling champions. It was first presented in 1923 to Limerick, the winners of the 1921 championship, whose final had been delayed until March 1923 because of the political situation in Ireland. Liam MacCarthy was born in London in 1853 to Irish parents and was heavily involved in setting up a GAA county board in London in the 1890s. That London connection is a reminder that the games have always traveled with the Irish diaspora. Our article on [Gaelic games in North America](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-games-in-north-america.html) picks up that story on this side of the Atlantic. ## Which Is Easier for Beginners and Americans? The honest answer depends on your sporting background, but there are some clear patterns. ### Why Gaelic football is usually easier to start * **Familiar skills:** If you have played soccer, basketball, rugby or American football, you already have most of the building blocks: catching, kicking and reading space. * **Less equipment:** Cleats and a mouthguard are enough to get started. * **Faster to contribute:** Most athletic adults can play a useful role in a match within a few weeks. ### Why hurling takes longer * **Stick skills are new:** Striking off both sides and lifting the sliotar with the hurley are skills most adults have never practiced. * **Speed:** As the old saying goes, hurling is "the fastest game on grass," and reading the ball's flight takes time. * **Background helps:** Lacrosse, hockey and baseball players often adapt faster thanks to their stick or bat skills. Our club's own history reflects this. When our founders started the club in 1979 at the Christian Brothers of St. Patrick's in Huntington Beach, hurling was tried first, but the group decided to continue as a football club. Over the years we have also fielded men's hurling at times, alongside men's and ladies' football. ## How to Try Both in Southern California Our catchment area runs from Orange County up toward Los Angeles, and there are Gaelic games clubs across the region and down in San Diego. 1. **Start with football at our club.** We have traditionally trained on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm and Saturdays at 9:00 am. Check our [training page](https://wildgeesegfc.org/training.html) for the latest times and location. 2. **Watch some hurling.** The San Diego / West Coast 7s on Memorial Day weekend features both football and hurling, so it's a great day to see the two side by side. 3. **Ask about hurling.** If the stick game grabs you, talk to us and we'll point you toward the wider Southern California hurling community. ### Ready to try Gaelic games in Orange County? Whether you're drawn to the catch-and-kick of football or curious about the speed of hurling, the Wild Geese welcome complete beginners. Reach out, come to a training session and see for yourself. [Get in Touch](https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html) ## Frequently Asked Questions Is hurling the same as Gaelic football? No. Both are Gaelic games governed by the GAA and both are played 15-a-side on the same pitch with the same scoring system, but hurling is played with a wooden stick (hurley) and a small leather ball (sliotar), while Gaelic football is played with a round ball using the hands and feet. Which is older, hurling or Gaelic football? Hurling is much older. Stick-and-ball games appear in Irish law tracts from the seventh century. Folk football was also played in Ireland for centuries, but the modern rules of Gaelic football were drawn up by the GAA in 1884 and published in 1887. Do hurlers have to wear helmets? Yes. The GAA made helmets with face guards compulsory for hurlers at all levels from January 1, 2010, and they must meet the IS:355 safety standard. Gaelic footballers don't wear helmets, but mouthguards are mandatory. What is camogie? Camogie is the women's version of hurling. It is governed by the Camogie Association, founded in 1904, and the All-Ireland senior champions receive the O'Duffy Cup. The women's version of Gaelic football is ladies' Gaelic football, run by the LGFA. Is Gaelic football or hurling easier for Americans to learn? Most American beginners find Gaelic football easier to start because it uses familiar skills like catching, kicking and running with the ball. Hurling takes longer to learn because the stick skills are new to most adults, although players with lacrosse, hockey or baseball experience often adapt quickly. Can I play hurling or Gaelic football in Orange County? Yes. The Wild Geese GFC is based in Orange County and welcomes beginners to Gaelic football training. Contact us and we can also point you toward the wider Southern California hurling community. #### Wild Geese GFC Editorial Team Written by the players and volunteers of Wild Geese Gaelic Football Club, Orange County’s GAA club since 1979. Questions or corrections? [Contact us](https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html). #### In this article #### Share #### Play with us Training Wednesdays 6:30pm & Saturdays 9:00am in Orange County. Beginners welcome. [Training details](https://wildgeesegfc.org/training.html) ## Keep reading More from the Wild Geese blog [Rules & Basics](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-rules-explained.html) August 12, 2026 12 min read ### [Gaelic Football Rules Explained: A Complete Beginner's Guide](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-rules-explained.html) New to Gaelic football? Our beginner's guide explains the pitch, scoring, the solo, tackling, cards, restarts and the GAA's 2025 rule changes in plain English. [Read more](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-rules-explained.html) [History & Culture](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/flight-of-the-wild-geese-history.html) August 26, 2026 11 min read ### [The Flight of the Wild Geese: The Irish History Behind Our Club's Name](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/flight-of-the-wild-geese-history.html) From the Treaty of Limerick in 1691 to a pitch in Huntington Beach in 1979: the story of the Wild Geese, Patrick Sarsfield, the Irish Brigades and our club's name. [Read more](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/flight-of-the-wild-geese-history.html) [Training & Fitness](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-pre-season-training-plan.html) September 9, 2026 10 min read ### [Pre-Season Gaelic Football Training: 8-Week Plan for Adult Beginners](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-pre-season-training-plan.html) Get match-ready in eight weeks: a beginner-friendly Gaelic football pre-season plan with the GAA 15 warm-up, conditioning, core skill drills, hydration and recovery. [Read more](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-pre-season-training-plan.html) --- ## Page: Gaelic Games in North America: GAA in USA | Wild Geese GFC URL: https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-games-in-north-america.html Summary: How Gaelic games grew in the USA: Irish emigration, the 1888 tour, New York GAA and Gaelic Park, the NACB to USGAA, National Finals, college teams and SoCal. # Gaelic Games in North America: How the GAA Grew in the USA GAA in AmericaSeptember 23, 202611 min readWild Geese GFC Editorial Team Gaelic games in North America have a history almost as long as the Irish presence on this continent. From hurling matches played by emigrants in New York to a national championship that now crowns champions in football, hurling, camogie and ladies' football, the story of how the GAA grew in the USA is really the story of Irish America itself, and our own club in Orange County is one small chapter of it. ## Key Takeaways * Gaelic sports have been played in New York since the late 1700s, and waves of 19th-century Irish emigration carried hurling and football to cities across the United States. * The GAA's 1888 "American Invasion" tour brought Irish hurlers and athletes to the Northeast to promote the games and raise funds. * New York has its own separate GAA board, formed in 1914, with its home at Gaelic Park in the Bronx since 1926. * The rest of the country is governed by the United States GAA (USGAA), formerly the North American County Board, founded in 1959; Canada got its own board in 1987. * American-born players, youth programs and college teams are a growing part of the game, and Southern California clubs like the Wild Geese have been part of the scene since 1979. ## Emigration and the Early Roots of Gaelic Games in America Wherever the Irish went, their games went with them. According to the New York GAA, Gaelic sports have been played in New York since the late 1700s, long before the Gaelic Athletic Association itself existed. Emigrants brought hurleys, a love of football and fierce county loyalties across the Atlantic, and they played whenever they could find a field and enough players. The great waves of 19th-century emigration, especially during and after the Great Famine of the late 1840s, transformed the scale of Irish America. Irish communities grew in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco and many other cities, and with them came social clubs, county associations and, eventually, organized teams. For many newcomers, a Sunday game was a way to stay connected to home, meet people from their own county and find work through the network of fellow emigrants. When the GAA was founded in Thurles, County Tipperary, on November 1, 1884, it gave these scattered games a formal structure: written rules, organized championships and a sense of shared purpose. It did not take long for that structure to reach America. For background on the games themselves, see our explainer on [what Gaelic football is](https://wildgeesegfc.org/what-is-gaelic-football.html) and our guide to [hurling vs Gaelic football](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/hurling-vs-gaelic-football.html). ### The 1888 "American Invasion" tour One of the most colorful episodes in the early history of Gaelic games in America is the so-called "American Invasion" of 1888. The GAA hoped to revive the ancient Tailteann Games in Ireland and needed money to do it, so it sent a party of around 50 hurlers and athletes on a tour of Irish communities in the northeastern United States. The group sailed from Queenstown (now Cobh) in September 1888 and staged hurling exhibitions and athletics events in places such as New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Providence, Trenton and Newark. Financially, the tour was a failure. Bad weather and divisions between rival American athletics bodies kept crowds down, and the GAA had to borrow money to bring the party home. A number of the athletes chose to stay in America rather than return. But the tour did raise the profile of Gaelic games among Irish and Irish-American communities, and in that sense it planted seeds that would grow for the next century and more. The [Wikipedia entry on the American Invasion tour](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Invasion_Tour) has more detail for history fans. > "Ní neart go cur le chéile." (There is no strength without unity.) > > Traditional Irish proverb ## New York GAA and Gaelic Park New York holds a special place in the story. The New York Gaelic Athletic Association emerged in late 1914, at a time when the games were already thriving in the city, and its first championship was held in 1915. To this day, New York operates as its own board, separate from the body that runs the games in the rest of the United States. The heart of New York's Gaelic games scene is **Gaelic Park**, at West 240th Street and Broadway in the Kingsbridge neighborhood of the Bronx. The grounds were bought by the GAA of Greater New York in 1926 and have hosted Gaelic games ever since. The park began life as a rough pitch, but it quickly became much more than a sports ground: for generations of Irish immigrants it was a social center, a place to hear news from home and a meeting point for people from the same county. In 1991, the park was taken over by Manhattan College (now Manhattan University), which shares the venue with the GAA. A major renovation beginning in 2007 replaced the grass with artificial turf. Gaelic Park remains one of the best-known Gaelic games venues outside Ireland, and many players who travel through New York make a point of visiting. **Did you know?** Because New York runs its own board, New York clubs don't compete at the USGAA National Finals. When you hear about a "national" championship in American Gaelic games, it generally means the USGAA competition for clubs outside the New York area. ## From the North American County Board to the USGAA Outside New York, Gaelic games in the United States came under the **North American County Board** (often shortened to NACB). According to the GAA, the board was founded in 1959. As the name suggests, it originally covered Canada as well as the United States, bringing clubs from across the continent into a single structure that could organize championships. ### Canada goes its own way As Gaelic games grew north of the border, Canadian clubs wanted their own structure. A separate Canadian County Board was founded in November 1987, with its founding meeting held in Toronto. That body has since been renamed and now operates as Gaelic Games Canada, organizing competitions for clubs from coast to coast. ### The USGAA today The North American County Board later rebranded as the **United States GAA (USGAA)**, a name that better reflects its footprint now that Canada has its own board. The USGAA governs Gaelic games across the country except for the New York metropolitan area. The GAA's own website lists ten divisions: * Northwest * Western * **Southwest** (which includes Southern California) * Central * Heartland * Midwest * Mid-Atlantic * Philadelphia * Northeast * Southeast The GAA lists more than 170 clubs under the USGAA umbrella. Each division runs its own local competitions, and division champions then compete for national honors. You can explore the organization further at [usgaa.org](https://www.usgaa.org) or on the [GAA's USGAA page](https://www.gaa.ie/my-gaa/world-gaa/our-clubs/usgaa). ## The USGAA National Finals For most American clubs, the biggest weekend of the year is the **USGAA National Finals**. Regional champions in football, hurling, camogie and ladies' football meet to decide national titles across multiple grades, from senior down to junior levels. The Finals have traditionally been held over Labor Day weekend, though dates have varied in some years; the 2024 Finals in San Francisco, for example, took place in mid-August. One of the things that makes the Finals special is that they move to a different city every year. Recent hosts have included Cleveland (2013), Boston (2014), Chicago (2015), San Francisco (2017 and 2024) and Philadelphia (2025). Over a long weekend, a host city fills with players, families and supporters from across the country, and the atmosphere is as much a festival of Irish America as a sporting event. Hogan Stand reported that the 2024 Finals involved roughly 110 teams competing for 22 national titles across all four codes. For a smaller club like ours, getting to the Finals takes planning, fundraising and commitment, which is exactly why it's such a memorable experience. Keep an eye on our [fixtures, results and events page](https://wildgeesegfc.org/schedule.html) for the tournaments we're targeting each season. ## American-Born Players, Youth and College Gaelic Games For much of the 20th century, American Gaelic games relied heavily on Irish-born players, including young people who came over for a summer or a few years to work and play. That model still exists, but the big story of recent decades is the growth of American-born players who learned the games here. ### Youth programs Youth Gaelic games have expanded across the country, and the **Continental Youth Championships** (CYC), which began in 2004, bring together young players from clubs in the United States and Canada each summer. For many young Americans, these programs are their first taste of a football or a hurley. ### College Gaelic games Universities have become another important pathway. College hurling clubs began appearing in the mid-2000s, including at Purdue and Stanford in 2005, and UC Berkeley in 2008. The **National Collegiate GAA** (NCGAA) was established in 2009 by college students to help organize, support and grow hurling and Gaelic football teams on campuses across North America. Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia was the first school to have an officially recognized Gaelic football program, and Boston College has run a program since 2011. College teams are a big deal for the future of the sport. Students who pick up hurling or football on campus often go on to join adult clubs after graduation, wherever their careers take them. If you played Gaelic games in college and have moved to Orange County, we'd love to hear from you. ## Southern California and the West Coast 7s The Southwest Division, which includes Southern California, has its own distinct flavor. Clubs are spread across a large region, so travel is part of life, and our competitive calendar mixes local derbies with bigger regional tournaments. For our club, the key fixtures have included: * **The Southland Cup** against the Culver City Cougars. * **The SoCal Cup** against San Diego. * **The San Diego / West Coast 7s** over Memorial Day weekend. * **Rumble in the Rockies** in Denver. * **The USGAA National Finals**, wherever they are held that year. The **West Coast 7s** deserves a special mention. Held in San Diego over Memorial Day weekend, it is a seven-a-side tournament featuring men's and women's teams in Gaelic football, hurling and camogie, with clubs traveling from across the western United States and Canada. Recent editions have been played at Southwestern College, and in 2024 local media reported 48 men's and women's teams taking part. The shorter, faster seven-a-side format is a great introduction for newer players and a fantastic social weekend for everyone. Our club has also played an exhibition International Rules game against the LA Dragons, a hybrid of Gaelic football and Australian rules football that always draws curious spectators. ## Where the Wild Geese Fit In The Wild Geese Gaelic Football Club was founded in 1979 by Romy White (Offaly), Tony Mc Carthy (Clare), Brian Daly (Kerry), Peter Glenane (Galway) and John Wolfe (Kerry) at the Christian Brothers of St. Patrick's in Huntington Beach. Hurling was tried first, but the founders decided to continue as a football club, and that has remained our core identity. Our name echoes a famous chapter of Irish history, which we explore in our article on the [Flight of the Wild Geese](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/flight-of-the-wild-geese-history.html). Over the years, the club has drawn players from across Orange County and Los Angeles. At various points we have fielded men's football, men's hurling and, from 2017, a ladies' football team at the West Coast 7s in San Diego. Some of our proudest moments came in 2016, when we won the West Coast 7s and took the Southland Cup Final 3-11 to 2-10. You can read more about our story on our [About page](https://wildgeesegfc.org/about.html). In the bigger picture, clubs like ours are exactly how Gaelic games have always grown in America: a handful of Irish emigrants find each other, start a team and then open the doors to anyone who wants to play. Today we welcome Irish-born players, Irish-Americans and Americans with no Irish connection at all, and that mix is something we're proud of. ## Key Milestones in North American Gaelic Games Here is a quick timeline of verified milestones in the growth of Gaelic games in North America, along with a few from our own club history. | Year | Milestone | | --- | --- | | Late 1700s | Gaelic sports played in New York, according to the New York GAA | | 1884 | Gaelic Athletic Association founded in Thurles, County Tipperary (November 1) | | 1888 | GAA "American Invasion" tour of the northeastern United States | | 1914 | New York GAA formed; first New York championship follows in 1915 | | 1926 | Gaelic Park in the Bronx bought by the GAA of Greater New York | | 1959 | North American County Board founded (now the USGAA) | | 1979 | Wild Geese GFC founded in Huntington Beach, Orange County | | 1987 | Separate Canadian County Board founded (now Gaelic Games Canada) | | 1991 | Manhattan College takes over Gaelic Park | | 2004 | First Continental Youth Championships | | 2005 | College hurling clubs established at Purdue and Stanford | | 2009 | National Collegiate GAA established by college students | | 2016 | Wild Geese win the West Coast 7s and the Southland Cup Final | | 2017 | Wild Geese field a ladies' football team at the West Coast 7s | ### Be part of the next chapter Gaelic games in America have always grown one new player at a time. Whether you're Irish-born, Irish-American or just curious, the Wild Geese would love to welcome you to training in Orange County. [Contact the Club](https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html) ## Frequently Asked Questions What is the USGAA? The United States GAA (USGAA) is the governing body for Gaelic games in the United States outside the New York metropolitan area. It was formerly known as the North American County Board, which the GAA lists as founded in 1959, and it is organized into ten regional divisions. Why does New York have a separate GAA board? New York has its own long-established association, formed in 1914, with its home ground at Gaelic Park in the Bronx since 1926. It has always been administered separately from the board that runs Gaelic games in the rest of the United States. When are the USGAA National Finals held? The National Finals have traditionally been held over Labor Day weekend, although dates vary in some years. The host city changes every year, and recent hosts have included San Francisco and Philadelphia. Can Americans with no Irish background play Gaelic games? Absolutely. American-born players are a growing part of the game through youth programs, college teams and adult clubs. Clubs like the Wild Geese welcome complete beginners regardless of background. Are there college Gaelic football and hurling teams in the US? Yes. College hurling clubs began appearing in the mid-2000s, and the National Collegiate GAA was established in 2009 to help organize and grow hurling and Gaelic football on campuses across North America. What is the West Coast 7s? The West Coast 7s is a seven-a-side Gaelic games tournament held in San Diego over Memorial Day weekend, featuring men's and women's teams in football, hurling and camogie from across the western United States and Canada. #### Wild Geese GFC Editorial Team Written by the players and volunteers of Wild Geese Gaelic Football Club, Orange County’s GAA club since 1979. Questions or corrections? [Contact us](https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html). #### In this article #### Share #### Play with us Training Wednesdays 6:30pm & Saturdays 9:00am in Orange County. Beginners welcome. [Training details](https://wildgeesegfc.org/training.html) ## Keep reading More from the Wild Geese blog [Rules & Basics](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-rules-explained.html) August 12, 2026 12 min read ### [Gaelic Football Rules Explained: A Complete Beginner's Guide](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-rules-explained.html) New to Gaelic football? Our beginner's guide explains the pitch, scoring, the solo, tackling, cards, restarts and the GAA's 2025 rule changes in plain English. [Read more](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-rules-explained.html) [History & Culture](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/flight-of-the-wild-geese-history.html) August 26, 2026 11 min read ### [The Flight of the Wild Geese: The Irish History Behind Our Club's Name](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/flight-of-the-wild-geese-history.html) From the Treaty of Limerick in 1691 to a pitch in Huntington Beach in 1979: the story of the Wild Geese, Patrick Sarsfield, the Irish Brigades and our club's name. [Read more](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/flight-of-the-wild-geese-history.html) [Training & Fitness](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-pre-season-training-plan.html) September 9, 2026 10 min read ### [Pre-Season Gaelic Football Training: 8-Week Plan for Adult Beginners](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-pre-season-training-plan.html) Get match-ready in eight weeks: a beginner-friendly Gaelic football pre-season plan with the GAA 15 warm-up, conditioning, core skill drills, hydration and recovery. [Read more](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-pre-season-training-plan.html) --- ## Page: Gaelic Football Gear Guide: Boots & Kit | Wild Geese GFC URL: https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-gear-guide.html Summary: Gaelic football gear guide: size 5 O'Neills balls, moulded vs stud boots for hard SoCal fields, mandatory gum shields, club kit prices and a checklist. # Gaelic Football Gear Guide: Boots, Balls, Gum Shields and Club Kit Gear & KitOctober 1, 202610 min readWild Geese GFC Editorial Team The right Gaelic football gear doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. In this Gaelic football gear guide, we walk through everything a new player in Southern California actually needs, from the ball and the right boots for hard summer ground to the mandatory gum shield, training wear and how to order our O'Neills club kit. ## Key Takeaways * Adult men's Gaelic football is played with a size 5 ball (ladies' football uses a size 4), and O'Neills has been the best-known official ball maker for decades. * Moulded or firm-ground boots are usually the best choice for Southern California's hard, dry fields; longer screw-in studs are designed for soft, wet ground. * Gum shields (mouthguards) are mandatory: the GAA required them up to minor level from 2013 and at under-21 and adult level from January 1, 2014. * Shin guards are optional but popular, and goalkeepers must wear a jersey color that's different from their teammates'. * Our O'Neills club kit (tops, shorts, socks and bags) and memberships are all available through our membership and kit page, and a full first-season setup is surprisingly affordable. ## The Ball: Why a Size 5 O'Neills Is the Standard The Gaelic football looks a bit like a soccer ball at first glance, but pick one up and you'll notice the difference. It's a round leather ball made from 18 stitched panels, and the official specifications call for a weight of roughly 480 to 500 grams (about 1.05 to 1.1 pounds) and a circumference of 68 to 70 centimeters. That extra weight gives it a heavier, more solid feel off the boot and in the hands than most soccer balls. In men's adult football, the standard is the size 5 ball. Ladies' Gaelic football uses a slightly smaller size 4 ball in all grades from under-12 upward, and smaller balls are also used for younger children. If you're buying a ball for practice, check which game you'll mainly be playing before you order. The name you'll see most often is **O'Neills**. The O'Neills football was the first officially licensed Gaelic ball and has been widely used since the 1960s, so most Gaelic footballers have kicked one at some point. O'Neills also makes our club kit, which we'll come to later. ### Should you buy your own ball? You don't need your own ball to come to your first session. But once you've been to a few sessions, having one at home is the single best investment you can make in your skills. Fifteen minutes of solo runs, kicking against a wall or practicing your hand pass in the park will do more for your game than any piece of fancy gear. If you're new to the skills themselves, our guide to [Gaelic football rules](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-rules-explained.html) explains how the solo and hand pass work. ## Boots: Moulded vs Studs for SoCal's Hard Ground Gaelic football is played in cleats (or "boots," as Irish players call them), and there's no special Gaelic boot you have to buy. Most players wear soccer or rugby boots. The important decision is what's on the bottom. ### Moulded (firm-ground) boots Moulded boots have many short, fixed rubber or plastic studs spread across the sole. Because the pressure is spread over more points, they grip well on firm ground without digging in too deeply. These are usually labeled "FG" (firm ground) in soccer stores. ### Screw-in studs (soft-ground) boots Soft-ground boots, often labeled "SG," have fewer, longer studs, frequently with screw-in metal or alloy tips. They're designed to bite into soft, wet, muddy pitches, which is why you'll see them a lot in Ireland during the winter. ### What works in Southern California For most of the year, Southern California fields are firm, and in the summer they can be rock hard. On that kind of ground, long screw-in studs don't penetrate properly. That can leave you less stable and puts more pressure on your feet, ankles and knees. For that reason, we generally recommend moulded or firm-ground boots for SoCal. If you also play on artificial turf, look for "AG" (artificial grass) boots or turf shoes, which are built for synthetic surfaces. **Boot tip:** Break in new boots before a match. Wear them for a few training sessions first, and bring your old pair as a backup on game day. Blisters at a tournament like the West Coast 7s, where you might play several games in one day, are no fun at all. ## Protective Gear: Gum Shields and Shin Guards ### Gum shields (mouthguards) are mandatory If there's one piece of protective gear you can't skip, it's the gum shield. The GAA introduced mandatory mouthguards in Gaelic football in stages: from January 1, 2013, for all age grades up to and including minor, and from January 1, 2014, at under-21 and adult level. You can read the GAA's announcement on [gaa.ie](https://www.gaa.ie/football/news/introduction-mandatory-mouthguards-football). The Ladies' Gaelic Football Association introduced its own mouthguard rule too, beginning with underage grades from January 1, 2014. At our club, we expect every player to wear one at training and in matches. There are two main options: * **Boil-and-bite mouthguards:** Inexpensive and widely available at sporting goods stores. You soften them in hot water and bite down to mold them to your teeth. They're a perfectly good place to start. * **Custom-fitted mouthguards:** Made by a dentist from an impression of your teeth. They cost more but are usually more comfortable, stay in place better and make it easier to breathe and talk. Whichever you choose, rinse it after every use, keep it in a ventilated case and replace it when it gets worn or no longer fits snugly. ### Shin guards (optional) Shin guards aren't required in Gaelic football, but many players wear them, especially defenders and anyone coming from soccer who feels more comfortable with them. Lightweight slip-in guards that sit under your socks are the most popular choice. If you're unsure, try a few sessions with and without and see what you prefer. ### Other protection Some players also use ankle supports or tape, particularly if they have a history of sprains. And in Southern California, don't forget the less obvious protection: sunscreen, a hat for the sideline and plenty of water. Saturday morning sessions can get warm quickly. Our [pre-season training plan](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-pre-season-training-plan.html) includes more advice on preparing your body for the season. > "Tús maith leath na hoibre." (A good start is half the work.) > > Traditional Irish proverb ## Training Wear and Goalkeeper Jerseys ### What to wear to training For training, comfort and practicality matter more than looks. We have traditionally trained on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 pm and Saturday mornings at 9:00 am, so you'll want gear that works for both a cool evening and a warm morning. Check our [training page](https://wildgeesegfc.org/training.html) for the current times and location. * **Moisture-wicking shirt:** Any athletic t-shirt or training top works. Bring a spare in summer. * **Shorts:** Athletic shorts are fine; many players train in their club shorts. * **Long socks:** Useful if you wear shin guards, and they help protect your legs on dry, scratchy grass. * **A warm layer:** A light jacket or hoodie for evening sessions and for the sideline. * **Water bottle:** Always. Hydration matters a lot in SoCal heat. ### Goalkeeper jerseys In Gaelic football, the goalkeeper wears the number 1 and must wear a jersey of a different color from the rest of the team, so referees can easily identify them. If you end up playing in goal, you'll need a goalkeeper jersey that contrasts with our outfield kit. Talk to us before buying so you get a color that works with the club's kit. Many keepers also wear goalkeeper gloves for better grip on the ball, which is allowed and common, although it isn't required. ## Club Kit: Ordering Wild Geese Gear There's nothing quite like pulling on your club colors for the first time. Our club kit is made by **O'Neills**, the same company behind the famous footballs and many county and club jerseys in Ireland. Here's what we offer, based on our club price list: * **Tops:** $50 * **Shorts:** $25 * **Socks:** $12 * **Socks + shorts combo:** $30 * **Bags:** $25 Membership is separate: **Player Membership** is $100 and **Social Membership** is $40. Player membership is for those who train and play, while social membership is a great option for supporters, family members and former players who want to stay involved. To order kit or sign up for membership, head to our [memberships, kit and services page](https://wildgeesegfc.org/membership.html). If you have questions about sizing or availability, just [get in touch](https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html) and we'll help. Prices can change from season to season, so the membership page is always the best place to check current details. ## Kit Care: Making Your Gear Last A little care goes a long way, especially with boots and jerseys that see a lot of sun, sweat and dust. ### Jerseys, shorts and socks * Wash in cold water, inside out, to protect printed crests and numbers. * Skip the fabric softener, which can clog technical fabrics and reduce their ability to wick sweat. * Air dry rather than tumble dry, and avoid leaving kit in strong direct sun for long periods, which can fade colors. * Don't leave sweaty kit sitting in your bag overnight; it's the quickest way to ruin it (and your bag). ### Boots * Knock off dirt and grass after every session, and wipe the uppers with a damp cloth. * Let boots dry naturally at room temperature. Stuffing them with newspaper helps them keep their shape. Never put them on a heater or leave them in a hot car. * Check moulded studs for wear, and if you use screw-in studs, check they're tight before every game. ### The ball Keep your ball inflated to the pressure printed near the valve, wipe it clean after use and store it out of direct sunlight. A well-cared-for leather ball will last much longer. ## Your First-Season Checklist and Budget Here's everything a new player needs, with our club prices where they apply. Items marked "varies" are things you'll buy yourself, and the cost depends on brand and where you shop. ### First-season checklist 1. Player Membership 2. Gum shield (mandatory) 3. Moulded or firm-ground boots 4. Club top, shorts and socks 5. Training clothes and a warm layer 6. Water bottle and sunscreen 7. Shin guards (optional) 8. Club bag (optional but handy) 9. Your own size 5 ball for practice (optional) ### Budget table | Item | Required? | Where to get it | Cost | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Player Membership | Yes (players) | Club | $100 | | Social Membership | For supporters | Club | $40 | | Club top (O'Neills) | For matches | Club | $50 | | Socks + shorts combo (O'Neills) | For matches | Club | $30 | | Shorts only | Alternative to combo | Club | $25 | | Socks only | Alternative to combo | Club | $12 | | Club bag | Optional | Club | $25 | | Gum shield | Yes (mandatory) | Sporting goods store or dentist | Varies | | Moulded / firm-ground boots | Yes | Sporting goods store | Varies | | Shin guards | Optional | Sporting goods store | Varies | | Size 5 Gaelic football | Optional | Specialist retailer | Varies | | **Club essentials total** (membership + top + socks/shorts combo) | | Club | **$180** | | **With club bag** | | Club | **$205** | In other words, $180 at our club prices covers your player membership and a full matchday kit, using the socks and shorts combo to save a few dollars. Add the bag and it's $205. Beyond that, the only must-have purchases are boots and a gum shield, both of which you may already own if you've played other sports. Don't let gear hold you back from coming to your first session, either. For a first training, all you really need is athletic clothes, boots or sneakers, a mouthguard and water. You can sort out the club kit once you've decided Gaelic football is for you, and we're confident you will. ### Get kitted out in Wild Geese colors Ready to join the club and order your O'Neills kit? Sign up for membership and order tops, shorts, socks and bags all in one place. [Memberships & Kit](https://wildgeesegfc.org/membership.html) ## Frequently Asked Questions What size ball is used in Gaelic football? Adult men's Gaelic football uses a size 5 ball weighing roughly 480 to 500 grams. Ladies' Gaelic football uses a size 4 ball from under-12 level upward, and smaller balls are used for younger children. Are mouthguards mandatory in Gaelic football? Yes. The GAA made mouthguards mandatory for all age grades up to and including minor from January 1, 2013, and at under-21 and adult level from January 1, 2014. Our club expects every player to wear one at training and in matches. Should I wear moulded boots or studs in Southern California? For most of the year, moulded or firm-ground boots are the better choice in Southern California because the fields are usually firm and can be very hard in summer. Longer screw-in studs are designed for soft, wet ground. For artificial turf, choose artificial-grass boots or turf shoes. Do I need shin guards for Gaelic football? No, shin guards are optional in Gaelic football. Many players still wear lightweight slip-in guards for extra protection, especially defenders and players coming from soccer. How do I order Wild Geese club kit? Our O'Neills club kit, including tops, shorts, socks and bags, can be ordered through our memberships, kit and services page. If you have questions about sizes or availability, contact the club and we'll help. How much does it cost to start playing with the Wild Geese? At our club prices, a player membership ($100) plus a club top ($50) and the socks and shorts combo ($30) comes to $180. Add a club bag for $25. You'll also need your own boots and a mouthguard. #### Wild Geese GFC Editorial Team Written by the players and volunteers of Wild Geese Gaelic Football Club, Orange County’s GAA club since 1979. Questions or corrections? [Contact us](https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html). #### In this article #### Share #### Play with us Training Wednesdays 6:30pm & Saturdays 9:00am in Orange County. Beginners welcome. [Training details](https://wildgeesegfc.org/training.html) ## Keep reading More from the Wild Geese blog [Rules & Basics](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-rules-explained.html) August 12, 2026 12 min read ### [Gaelic Football Rules Explained: A Complete Beginner's Guide](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-rules-explained.html) New to Gaelic football? Our beginner's guide explains the pitch, scoring, the solo, tackling, cards, restarts and the GAA's 2025 rule changes in plain English. [Read more](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-rules-explained.html) [History & Culture](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/flight-of-the-wild-geese-history.html) August 26, 2026 11 min read ### [The Flight of the Wild Geese: The Irish History Behind Our Club's Name](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/flight-of-the-wild-geese-history.html) From the Treaty of Limerick in 1691 to a pitch in Huntington Beach in 1979: the story of the Wild Geese, Patrick Sarsfield, the Irish Brigades and our club's name. [Read more](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/flight-of-the-wild-geese-history.html) [Training & Fitness](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-pre-season-training-plan.html) September 9, 2026 10 min read ### [Pre-Season Gaelic Football Training: 8-Week Plan for Adult Beginners](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-pre-season-training-plan.html) Get match-ready in eight weeks: a beginner-friendly Gaelic football pre-season plan with the GAA 15 warm-up, conditioning, core skill drills, hydration and recovery. [Read more](https://wildgeesegfc.org/blog/gaelic-football-pre-season-training-plan.html) --- ## Page: Privacy Policy | Wild Geese GFC URL: https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html Summary: How Wild Geese GFC collects, uses and protects your personal information - newsletter, contact forms, membership, photos, GDPR and CCPA rights. # Privacy Policy This Privacy Policy explains how Wild Geese Gaelic Football Club collects, uses, shares and protects personal information when you visit wildgeesegfc.org, contact us, sign up for our newsletter, join the club, order kit or take part in our games and events. We are a small, volunteer-run club, and we have tried to write this in plain language without leaving out anything you are entitled to know. Effective date: October 8, 2026 · Last updated: October 8, 2026 1. [Who we are](https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html#who-we-are) 2. [Scope of this policy](https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html#scope) 3. [Information we collect](https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html#information-we-collect) 4. [How we use your information](https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html#how-we-use) 5. [Legal bases for processing (EU and UK visitors)](https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html#legal-bases) 6. [Our newsletter](https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html#newsletter) 7. [Photography, video and media](https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html#photography) 8. [Membership, registration and governing bodies](https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html#membership) 9. [How we share information](https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html#sharing) 10. [International transfers](https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html#international-transfers) 11. [How long we keep information](https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html#retention) 12. [How we protect information](https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html#security) 13. [Your privacy rights](https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html#your-rights) 14. [California residents](https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html#california) 15. [Residents of other US states](https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html#other-us-states) 16. [Do Not Track and Global Privacy Control](https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html#dnt-gpc) 17. [Children's privacy](https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html#children) 18. [Third-party links and embedded content](https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html#third-parties) 19. [Changes to this policy](https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html#changes) 20. [Contact us and complaints](https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html#contact) ## 1. Who we are Wild Geese Gaelic Football Club ("Wild Geese GFC", "the club", "we", "us" or "our") is an amateur, volunteer-run Gaelic football club based in Orange County, California, USA. We operate the website at (the "website" or "site"). For the purposes of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), Wild Geese GFC is the **controller** of the personal information described in this policy. That means we decide why and how your information is used and are responsible for looking after it. Privacy matters are handled by the club committee at [privacy@wildgeesegfc.org](mailto:privacy@wildgeesegfc.org). ## 2. Scope of this policy This policy applies to personal information we collect: * through the website, including the contact/join form and the newsletter sign-up form; * when you email, message or speak to us about playing, volunteering, sponsorship, membership or kit; * when you register as a member or player, or a parent or guardian registers a young player; * when you attend or take part in our training sessions, games, tournaments and social events, including through photography and video. It does not cover websites or services run by others, such as social media platforms, YouTube, payment providers and governing bodies, even if we link to them (see [Section 18](https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html#third-parties)). Please also read our [Cookie Policy](https://wildgeesegfc.org/cookie-policy.html) and [Terms of Use](https://wildgeesegfc.org/terms-of-use.html). ## 3. Information we collect ### 3.1 Information you give us **Contact and join form.** When you use the form on our website, we collect your first name and surname, email address, phone number (if provided), the subject of your inquiry (play, get involved, sponsor, membership, kit order or other), your message and anything you choose to include in it, and a record that you ticked the consent checkbox. **Newsletter sign-up.** We collect only your email address, together with a record of when you subscribed. **Membership and registration.** If you join the club as a player, member or volunteer, we ask for the information needed to register you for the season. Depending on your role, this may include your full name, date of birth, contact details, address, emergency contact details, membership category and relevant health information (for example, allergies, conditions or injuries that coaches or first-aiders should know about). For youth players, we collect this from a parent or guardian, along with the parent or guardian's own contact details. Registration information is collected by the club directly (for example, by email or a registration form sent to you), not through the public website. **Kit orders.** We collect your name, contact details, the items, sizes and quantities ordered, any personalization (such as a name or number) and a record of payment status. **Payments.** The website does not take payments. Membership fees and kit orders are confirmed by the club by email and paid offline or through a payment link sent by the club treasurer. If you use a payment link, the payment is processed by the payment provider under its own terms and privacy policy. We receive confirmation of payment, the amount and limited details such as your name and email address; we do not receive or store your full card number. **Correspondence.** We keep emails and messages you send us so we can respond and keep a record. ### 3.2 Information collected automatically The website is a static site with no user accounts. It sets no advertising or analytics cookies and uses no tracking pixels or fingerprinting. **Server logs.** Our hosting provider's servers automatically record technical information when your browser requests a page, typically your IP address, browser type and version (user agent), the page requested, the referring page, and the date and time. The hosting provider processes this to deliver the site, keep it secure and prevent abuse. We do not use server logs to identify or profile individual visitors. **Browser storage.** The site uses your browser's localStorage and sessionStorage to remember your cookie-banner choice, whether you have dismissed the newsletter prompt, and, for the life of a single browser tab, your first name so the thank-you page can greet you after you submit a form. This information stays in your browser and is not sent to us. Details are in our [Cookie Policy](https://wildgeesegfc.org/cookie-policy.html). **Self-hosted resources.** All fonts, scripts and stylesheets are hosted on our own site, not third-party content delivery networks. ### 3.3 Information from third parties Occasionally we receive information about you from others, for example: * a parent or guardian registering a youth player; * a payment provider confirming that you have paid; * a governing body or another club, for example when a player transfers or registration or insurance details need to be confirmed; * social media platforms, if you message us or tag the club (subject to your settings on that platform). ## 4. How we use your information * **Responding to inquiries** about playing, volunteering, sponsorship, membership and kit, and welcoming new players and volunteers. * **Membership administration**: registering members for the season, recording fees, keeping membership records and communicating about training, fixtures, meetings and club business. * **Player registration and insurance** with governing bodies, where required (see [Section 8](https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html#membership)). * **Health and safety**: making sure coaches and first-aiders know relevant medical information, contacting emergency contacts, and recording injuries or incidents. * **Kit orders**: confirming orders, arranging payment, ordering from our supplier, arranging collection or delivery, and handling returns and refunds. * **Newsletter**: sending it to people who have opted in (see [Section 6](https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html#newsletter)). * **Club media**: publishing photos, video and match reports (see [Section 7](https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html#photography)). * **Security**: keeping the website running and free from spam and abuse. * **Legal and governance**: keeping financial and administrative records, complying with legal obligations, and establishing, exercising or defending legal claims. We do not use automated decision-making or profiling. We do not sell your personal information, and we do not use it for targeted or cross-context behavioral advertising. ## 5. Legal bases for processing (EU and UK visitors) If you are in the European Economic Area (EEA) or the United Kingdom, we must have a legal basis under Article 6 of the GDPR or UK GDPR for each use of your personal information. We rely on: * **Consent (Article 6(1)(a))** to send our newsletter and, in some cases, to publish photographs in which you are the main subject. You can withdraw consent at any time; this does not affect earlier processing. * **Contract (Article 6(1)(b))** to take steps at your request before, and then to perform, a membership or kit order. * **Legal obligation (Article 6(1)(c))** to keep records the law requires, such as financial records, and to make legally required disclosures. * **Vital interests (Article 6(1)(d))** to share medical or emergency-contact information with emergency services in an emergency. * **Legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f))** in running an amateur sports club: responding to inquiries, administering the club, keeping the website secure, maintaining club records and history, promoting the club and Gaelic games through general event photography, and defending legal claims. We rely on this only where your interests and rights do not override ours. Health information is a "special category" of data. We process it on the basis of your explicit consent given at registration (Article 9(2)(a)), to protect vital interests where someone cannot consent (Article 9(2)(c)), or where necessary for legal claims (Article 9(2)(f)). ## 6. Our newsletter Our newsletter shares club news, fixtures, results, social events, fundraising and recruitment updates. It is entirely opt-in: you receive it only if you subscribe through the newsletter form or ask us to add you. Every newsletter includes an unsubscribe link, or you can email [info@wildgeesegfc.org](mailto:info@wildgeesegfc.org). Unsubscribing does not stop essential messages to members about their membership, training or fixtures. We may use an email service provider, acting as our processor, to store the list and send the newsletter. We never sell or share our mailing list for anyone else's marketing. ## 7. Photography, video and media The club may take photographs and video at games and events and publish them in the website gallery, newsletters and on our social media channels. * **General event photography.** We rely on our legitimate interest in recording and promoting the club and the sport. * **Youth players.** We ask parents and guardians for their photography preferences at registration and respect them. We do not publish the full names, addresses or contact details of youth players alongside their images. * **Removal requests.** If you appear in a photo or video published by the club and want it removed, or would prefer not to be photographed, email [privacy@wildgeesegfc.org](mailto:privacy@wildgeesegfc.org) with a link to or description of the image. We will remove it from our website and social media accounts, normally within 14 days, though we cannot control copies others have already shared. Club photographs and videos are covered by our [Terms of Use](https://wildgeesegfc.org/terms-of-use.html#intellectual-property). ## 8. Membership, registration and governing bodies Gaelic football in the United States is organized through governing bodies, including the United States Gaelic Athletic Association (USGAA), which require players to be registered and insured. Where required for player registration and insurance, we share relevant registration details with the applicable governing bodies and their insurers or insurance administrators. This typically includes a player's name, date of birth, contact details, club and registration category, and may include information needed for a transfer or to confirm eligibility. If an injury occurs and a claim is made, we may share relevant details of the incident and injury with the insurer or claims administrator. These organizations handle the information under their own privacy policies. Membership records are accessible only to the committee members and volunteers who need them for their club roles, such as the registrar, treasurer, secretary, coaches and team managers. Coaches and team managers receive the contact and medical information relevant to the players they look after. ## 9. How we share information We do not sell personal information or share it for cross-context behavioral advertising. We share it only as follows. ### 9.1 Service providers (processors) We use a small number of service providers who process personal information only on our instructions and are required to protect it: * our **website hosting provider**, which serves the site and processes server logs for security; * **form-handling and email services**, which deliver form submissions to us and which we use for club email and the newsletter; * **file storage and productivity tools** used by committee members to keep club records; * **payment providers**, when you pay through a link sent by the treasurer; * our **kit supplier**, which receives the item, size and personalization details needed to fulfill orders and, for direct delivery, a name and address. ### 9.2 Governing bodies, insurers and event organizers We share registration information with governing bodies and insurers as described in [Section 8](https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html#membership), and we may share team lists with the organizers of tournaments and games our teams enter. ### 9.3 Legal reasons and emergencies We may disclose information if we believe in good faith that it is necessary to comply with the law or legal process, to protect anyone's safety (including in a medical emergency), to report safeguarding concerns to the appropriate authorities, to prevent fraud or abuse, or to establish, exercise or defend the club's legal rights. ### 9.4 Organizational changes If the club merges, is reorganized or transfers its activities to a successor organization, personal information may be transferred as part of that process, and we will make sure the recipient continues to protect it in line with this policy. ## 10. International transfers The club is based in the United States, and the information we collect is stored and processed in the United States. Some service providers may process information in other countries. The United States may not offer the same level of data protection as the EEA or UK. Where we transfer personal information from the EEA or UK, we rely on appropriate safeguards, such as the European Commission's Standard Contractual Clauses (with the UK Addendum where relevant) or a recipient's certification under the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework and its UK extension. Some transfers, such as when you contact us from abroad about joining, are necessary to respond to your request or perform a contract with you. ## 11. How long we keep information We keep personal information only as long as we need it for the purposes in this policy, including legal, accounting, insurance and governance requirements. After that, we delete or anonymize it securely. Retention periods for personal information | Type of information | How long we keep it | Why | | --- | --- | --- | | Contact form submissions and general correspondence | Up to 24 months after our last communication with you | To follow up on your inquiry and keep a record of what was discussed | | Newsletter subscription | Until you unsubscribe; afterwards your address is kept on a suppression list only | To send the newsletter and make sure we do not email you after you unsubscribe | | Membership and player registration records | For the duration of your membership and up to 7 years after it ends | Club administration, insurance, governing-body requirements and potential claims | | Health information | For the current season, refreshed at each registration, unless linked to an injury or incident record | Player safety and first aid | | Injury and incident records | Up to 7 years after the incident; for a minor, until at least 3 years after they turn 18; longer while a claim is open | Insurance claims and legal obligations | | Kit orders, payments and sponsorship records | Up to 7 years after the end of the financial year concerned | Financial record-keeping, returns and refunds | | Photographs and video | Kept in the club archive as a record of club history, unless you ask us to remove an image | Club history and promotion | | Server logs | Kept by our hosting provider for a limited period, typically no longer than 90 days | Website security and abuse prevention | | Browser storage (localStorage) | On your device until you clear it | Remembering your cookie-banner choice and dismissed notices | | Browser storage (sessionStorage) | On your device until you close the browser tab | Personalizing the thank-you page after you submit a form | We may keep information longer where the law requires it or to resolve a dispute or claim. ## 12. How we protect information We take reasonable administrative, technical and physical measures to protect personal information against loss, misuse and unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration and destruction. These include: * serving the whole website over encrypted HTTPS; * keeping the site static, with no user accounts, visitor databases or on-site payments; * limiting access to membership and medical records to the volunteers who need them; * using club-controlled accounts with strong passwords and, where available, multi-factor authentication, and removing access when volunteers step down. No internet transmission or electronic storage is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security. Please do not send highly sensitive information, such as full medical records, Social Security numbers or card details, through the contact form or by ordinary email. If a security incident affects your personal information, we will notify you and the relevant authorities where the law requires. ## 13. Your privacy rights Depending on where you live, you may have some or all of the rights below. We will honor reasonable requests from anyone, wherever they live, as far as we are able. ### 13.1 Rights under the GDPR and UK GDPR If you are in the EEA or UK, you have the right to: * **access** a copy of the personal information we hold about you; * **rectify** inaccurate or incomplete information; * **erase** your information where there is no good reason for us to keep it; * **restrict** how we use your information in certain circumstances; * **data portability** for information you gave us on the basis of consent or contract; * **object** to processing based on legitimate interests, and to direct marketing at any time; * **withdraw consent** at any time where we rely on it; * **complain** to your local data protection authority (see [Section 20](https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html#contact)). ### 13.2 How to make a request Email [privacy@wildgeesegfc.org](mailto:privacy@wildgeesegfc.org) or use our [contact page](https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html), telling us which right you wish to exercise. We will: * acknowledge your request promptly; * verify your identity, normally by confirming details we already hold (such as replying from the email address you used with us), so that we do not disclose or delete someone else's information; * respond within one month for GDPR and UK GDPR requests, or within 45 days for US state law requests, telling you if we need more time; * not charge a fee, unless a request is manifestly unfounded or excessive. You may use an authorized agent; we may ask for your signed permission and to verify your identity directly. A parent or guardian may make requests on behalf of a child. Some rights have exceptions, for example where we must keep records for legal, insurance or governing-body reasons, and we will explain if we cannot fully meet a request. We will never discriminate or retaliate against you for exercising your rights. ## 14. California residents As a small, volunteer-run amateur club, Wild Geese GFC may not be a "business" subject to the California Consumer Privacy Act as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (together, the "CCPA"). Because we are based in California and believe these rights are worthwhile, we nonetheless choose to honor them. ### 14.1 Categories of personal information In the past 12 months we have collected the following categories, as described in [Section 3](https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html#information-we-collect): **identifiers** (name, email, phone, address, IP address); **personal records** under California Civil Code section 1798.80(e) (including limited medical information); **characteristics of protected classifications** (age or date of birth, for registration and eligibility); **commercial information** (membership fees and kit orders); **internet activity** (limited server logs processed by our host); **audio and visual information** (photos and video); and **sensitive personal information** (limited health information, used only for player safety, first aid and insurance, and not to infer characteristics about you). ### 14.2 Your California rights * **Right to know and access** the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected, its sources, our purposes and the categories of recipients. * **Right to delete** personal information we collected from you, subject to legal exceptions. * **Right to correct** inaccurate personal information. * **Right to opt out of sale or sharing.** **We do not sell personal information and we do not share personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising**, and have not done so in the past 12 months. We have no actual knowledge of selling or sharing the personal information of anyone under 16. * **Right to limit use of sensitive personal information.** We use it only for purposes permitted by law, such as providing the services you request and ensuring safety. * **Right to non-discrimination** for exercising any of these rights. To make a request, follow [Section 13.2](https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html#your-rights). ### 14.3 California "Shine the Light" California Civil Code section 1798.83 lets California residents request information about personal information disclosed to third parties for their own direct marketing purposes in the preceding calendar year. We do not disclose personal information to third parties for their own direct marketing. ## 15. Residents of other US states Many US states, including Colorado, Connecticut, Virginia, Texas and Oregon, have consumer privacy laws generally giving rights to access, correct, delete and port personal information and to opt out of its sale, targeted advertising and certain profiling. These laws may not apply to a small amateur club, but we will honor access, correction, deletion and portability requests from residents of any state using the process in [Section 13.2](https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html#your-rights). We do not sell personal information or use it for targeted advertising or profiling. If we decline your request, you may appeal by replying with "Appeal" in the subject line. A different committee member will review it and respond within 45 days. If you are not satisfied, you may contact your state attorney general. ## 16. Do Not Track and Global Privacy Control **Do Not Track (DNT).** There is no common standard for responding to DNT browser signals, so we do not respond to them in a particular way. Our site does not track visitors across websites or over time, whether or not DNT is enabled. **Global Privacy Control (GPC).** GPC is a browser signal asking websites not to sell or share your personal information. We treat it as a valid opt-out request for that browser. Because we do not sell or share personal information and the site sets no advertising or analytics cookies, there is nothing further to switch off, but we honor GPC in principle and will continue to if our practices change. See our [Cookie Policy](https://wildgeesegfc.org/cookie-policy.html#gpc). ## 17. Children's privacy Our website is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information online from children under 13. Children should not use the contact or newsletter forms; a parent or guardian should contact us on their behalf. Youth participation in the club always requires a parent or guardian. Youth players' information is collected from the parent or guardian at registration, and parents and guardians may review, correct or ask us to delete their child's information, or withdraw consent to further use, by emailing [privacy@wildgeesegfc.org](mailto:privacy@wildgeesegfc.org). If we learn that we have collected personal information online from a child under 13 without verifiable parental consent, as required by the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), we will delete it promptly. If you believe a child has sent us personal information, please contact us. ## 18. Third-party links and embedded content **Social media links.** The website links to the club's pages on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. These are ordinary links; no social media scripts, buttons or pixels load on our pages. When you follow a link, the platform's own privacy policy and cookies apply. **Embedded YouTube videos.** Videos are shown as a preview image hosted on our own site, and nothing is requested from YouTube until you click play. Once you do, YouTube (owned by Google) may set cookies, collect information about your device and viewing, and link it to your Google account if you are signed in, under Google's privacy policy rather than ours. **Other links.** We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of other websites we link to. ## 19. Changes to this policy We may update this Privacy Policy, for example if we change how the website works, start using a new service provider, or the law changes. We will update the "Last updated" date above and, for significant changes, take reasonable steps to let you know, such as a notice on the website or an email where we have your address and the change affects you. Where the law requires your consent to a change, we will ask for it. ## 20. Contact us and complaints If you have questions about this policy, want to exercise your rights, or have a concern about how we have handled your information, please contact us: * Privacy matters: [privacy@wildgeesegfc.org](mailto:privacy@wildgeesegfc.org) * General inquiries: [info@wildgeesegfc.org](mailto:info@wildgeesegfc.org) * Online: our [contact page](https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html) We aim to acknowledge privacy messages within 5 business days. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may complain to a data protection or consumer protection authority: in the EEA, the supervisory authority where you live or work; in the UK, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO); in California, the California Privacy Protection Agency or the California Attorney General; in other US states, your state attorney general. We would, however, appreciate the chance to address your concerns first. --- ## Page: Terms of Use | Wild Geese GFC URL: https://wildgeesegfc.org/terms-of-use.html Summary: Terms of use for wildgeesegfc.org: site use, intellectual property, membership and kit orders, sport participation and risk, liability and governing law. # Terms of Use These Terms of Use set out the rules for using the Wild Geese Gaelic Football Club website and the terms that apply when you contact us, order kit, join the club or come to our games and events. They are a binding agreement between you and the club, so please read them carefully. Effective date: October 8, 2026 · Last updated: October 8, 2026 1. [Acceptance of these terms](https://wildgeesegfc.org/terms-of-use.html#acceptance) 2. [Eligibility](https://wildgeesegfc.org/terms-of-use.html#eligibility) 3. [Use of the website](https://wildgeesegfc.org/terms-of-use.html#use-of-site) 4. [Acceptable use](https://wildgeesegfc.org/terms-of-use.html#acceptable-use) 5. [Intellectual property](https://wildgeesegfc.org/terms-of-use.html#intellectual-property) 6. [Your submissions](https://wildgeesegfc.org/terms-of-use.html#user-submissions) 7. [Membership and kit orders](https://wildgeesegfc.org/terms-of-use.html#membership-kit) 8. [Participation and assumption of risk](https://wildgeesegfc.org/terms-of-use.html#participation) 9. [Events and tickets](https://wildgeesegfc.org/terms-of-use.html#events) 10. [Third-party links and content](https://wildgeesegfc.org/terms-of-use.html#third-party-links) 11. [Disclaimers](https://wildgeesegfc.org/terms-of-use.html#disclaimers) 12. [Limitation of liability](https://wildgeesegfc.org/terms-of-use.html#limitation-of-liability) 13. [Indemnity](https://wildgeesegfc.org/terms-of-use.html#indemnity) 14. [Governing law and jurisdiction](https://wildgeesegfc.org/terms-of-use.html#governing-law) 15. [Dispute resolution](https://wildgeesegfc.org/terms-of-use.html#dispute-resolution) 16. [Severability and general terms](https://wildgeesegfc.org/terms-of-use.html#general) 17. [Changes to these terms](https://wildgeesegfc.org/terms-of-use.html#changes) 18. [Contact us](https://wildgeesegfc.org/terms-of-use.html#contact) ## 1. Acceptance of these terms The website at (the "website" or "site") is operated by Wild Geese Gaelic Football Club ("Wild Geese GFC", "the club", "we", "us" or "our"), an amateur, volunteer-run Gaelic football club based in Orange County, California, USA. By accessing or using the website, submitting a form, subscribing to our newsletter, placing a kit order or registering as a member, you agree to these Terms of Use (the "Terms"). If you do not agree, please do not use the website. These Terms should be read together with our [Privacy Policy](https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html), [Cookie Policy](https://wildgeesegfc.org/cookie-policy.html) and [Accessibility Statement](https://wildgeesegfc.org/accessibility.html), and, for members and players, the registration form, participation waiver and any club constitution, code of conduct or rules provided when you join. If these Terms conflict with a document you sign at registration, the signed document takes priority for the matters it covers. ## 2. Eligibility The website is intended for adults. You may use it if you are at least 18, or if you are at least 13 and have the involvement and permission of a parent or guardian who agrees to these Terms on your behalf. The website is not directed to children under 13, who should not submit any information through it (see our [Privacy Policy](https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html#children)). Anyone under 18 who wishes to play with the club must be registered by a parent or guardian, who completes the registration form and signs the participation waiver on the young person's behalf. By using the website, you confirm that you meet these requirements and that information you give us is accurate and complete. ## 3. Use of the website The website is a static site sharing club information; there are no user accounts and no payments are taken on it. We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable permission to use the website for your own personal, non-commercial purposes in line with these Terms. The website is maintained by volunteers, and we may change, suspend or discontinue any part of it at any time without guaranteeing that it will always be available. Fixture details can change at short notice, so please confirm them with the club. ## 4. Acceptable use You agree to use the website lawfully and respectfully. You must not: * use the website in a way that breaks any law or is fraudulent or harmful; * submit false or misleading information, impersonate anyone, or submit another person's information without their permission; * send spam, unsolicited advertising or bulk messages through our forms; * submit anything abusive, harassing, threatening, defamatory, obscene, discriminatory or hateful; * upload or transmit viruses, malware or other harmful code; * attempt to gain unauthorized access to the website, its hosting or any related systems or accounts; * disrupt the website, including through denial-of-service attacks, excessive automated requests or attempts to bypass security measures; * use scrapers or other automated tools to harvest content or personal information, other than standard search-engine indexing; * frame or mirror the website, or use the club's name, crest or content to suggest the club endorses you, a product, a service or a cause when it does not. We may block access, delete submissions that we reasonably believe break these rules, and report unlawful activity to the appropriate authorities. ## 5. Intellectual property ### 5.1 Club name and crest The names "Wild Geese Gaelic Football Club" and "Wild Geese GFC", the club crest, logos and related marks belong to the club. You may not use them, or anything confusingly similar, without our prior written permission, except to refer to the club accurately in a way that does not suggest endorsement (for example, in a news report or when saying you play for us). ### 5.2 Website content Unless otherwise stated, the website's text, match reports, graphics, design and layout are owned by or licensed to the club and protected by copyright and other laws. You may view, print and share links to pages for personal, non-commercial purposes, provided you do not alter the content or remove copyright notices. Any other use requires our written permission. ### 5.3 Photographs and video Photographs and video in our gallery and on our social media channels are taken by members, volunteers and, in some cases, external photographers who have permitted us to use their work, and they remain the property of the club or the photographer. You may share links to them, and you may download a photograph of yourself or your own child for personal, non-commercial use. You may not use club images commercially, edit them in a misleading or offensive way, or republish them without permission and credit. To ask for an image of you to be removed, see the [photography section of our Privacy Policy](https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html#photography). ### 5.4 Third-party marks and copyright concerns Names and logos of sponsors, governing bodies, other clubs and social media platforms belong to their owners and are used with permission or for identification only. If you believe content on the website infringes your copyright, email [info@wildgeesegfc.org](mailto:info@wildgeesegfc.org) describing the work, where it appears on our site and your contact details, with a statement that you believe in good faith the use is not authorized. ## 6. Your submissions When you send us information through the contact/join form, newsletter sign-up, email or social media, you confirm that it is accurate, that you are entitled to share it, and that it does not break these Terms or any law. Please do not send confidential or highly sensitive information through the website forms or ordinary email. We handle personal information as described in our [Privacy Policy](https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html). If you send us material you intend for us to use, such as a photo you took at a game or a match report, you grant the club a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide, perpetual license to use, edit, publish and display it in connection with club activities, with credit to you where practical. You keep ownership and can ask us to stop future use, though we cannot recall copies already shared. You confirm that you have the right to grant this license and that anyone identifiable in a photo you send is happy for it to be published (or, for a minor, that their parent or guardian is). Submitting a form does not by itself make you a member, register you as a player or create a binding order. We will reply to confirm next steps. ## 7. Membership and kit orders ### 7.1 How orders and registrations work The website does not process payments. A membership or kit request made through the website is a request, not a purchase. The club will confirm it by email, including the items or membership category, the total price and how to pay. Payment is arranged offline or through a payment link sent by the club treasurer, and a binding agreement is formed only when we confirm by email and you pay. Payments made through a link are processed by the payment provider under its own terms. We never ask for card details by email, phone or the website form; if you receive such a request claiming to be from us, do not respond and let us know. ### 7.2 Prices and availability All prices on the website are shown in US dollars (USD). Prices, availability, sizes and designs are subject to confirmation and may change without notice, for example if our supplier changes its prices. The price that applies is the one confirmed to you by email, which will also state any sales tax and shipping charges. If we find a pricing error, we will tell you before taking payment or, if you have already paid, let you choose between proceeding at the correct price and a full refund. Delivery or collection times are estimates. ### 7.3 Kit returns and refunds * **Change of mind or wrong size.** You may return **unused items** in their original condition, with tags and packaging, **within 30 days of receiving them**, for an exchange (subject to availability) or a refund of the item price. * **Personalized items.** Items printed or embroidered with a name, number or other personalization at your request cannot be returned for change of mind or wrong size, unless the personalization is not what you ordered. * **Faulty or incorrect items.** If an item is faulty, damaged on arrival or not what you ordered, contact us as soon as possible and we will repair, replace or refund it, including reasonable return shipping costs. * **How to return.** Email [info@wildgeesegfc.org](mailto:info@wildgeesegfc.org) with your name, order details and reason. We will arrange a convenient return, often at a training session. * **Refund timing.** Refunds are made to the original payment method where possible, normally within 14 days of our accepting the return. Nothing in this policy limits your rights under California or US consumer protection law. ### 7.4 Membership fees Membership fees and categories are set by the club each season and confirmed when you register. Because much of each fee is spent at the start of the season on pitch hire, registration and insurance, **membership fees are non-refundable once you have been registered for the season, except as required by law**. If you change your mind before your season registration has been completed, contact the treasurer and we will refund your fee. The committee may, at its discretion, consider a partial refund or credit in exceptional circumstances, such as serious injury early in the season, but is not obliged to. Membership is subject to the club's constitution, rules and code of conduct and to governing-body rules. The club may refuse, suspend or end a membership in line with those rules, for example for serious misconduct. ## 8. Participation and assumption of risk ### 8.1 A physical contact sport Gaelic football is a fast, physical contact sport. Training, playing and related activities carry inherent risks, including collisions, falls, being struck by the ball, uneven or hard surfaces, heat and overexertion. These can cause injuries ranging from bruises and sprains to fractures, concussion and, in rare cases, serious or permanent injury or death. ### 8.2 Medical fitness By taking part in physical club activities, you confirm that you are (or, for a young player, that the parent or guardian believes the player is) in suitable physical condition to do so. Consult a doctor before starting if you have any medical condition, injury or concern, and tell your coach or team manager about any condition, medication or injury that could affect your safety. Stop and seek help if you feel unwell or are injured, and follow the club's and governing bodies' concussion and return-to-play guidance. ### 8.3 Waiver and assumption of risk All players must complete a registration form and sign a participation waiver and release at registration (signed by a parent or guardian for players under 18). New players attending a trial session will be asked to sign a waiver before taking part. The signed waiver governs participation in club activities, and nothing in these Terms limits it. To the fullest extent permitted by law, by participating you voluntarily accept the inherent risks of Gaelic football and related activities. Nothing in these Terms or the waiver excludes liability for gross negligence, willful misconduct or any other liability that cannot be excluded under California law. ### 8.4 Conduct Everyone involved with the club must follow its code of conduct and governing-body rules, and treat others with respect. ## 9. Events and tickets Event dates, times and venues may be changed, postponed or canceled because of weather, pitch availability, governing-body decisions or safety. Tickets or entry fees for events such as fundraising dinners are not sold on the website; how to buy them and any specific terms will be confirmed by email. Unless stated otherwise at purchase: * tickets are non-refundable once purchased, except as set out below or as required by law; * if the club cancels an event and does not reschedule it, we will refund the ticket price; * if an event is rescheduled and you cannot attend the new date, we will offer a refund; * tickets may be transferred to another person if you tell us in advance. At club events, you agree to follow the reasonable instructions of organizers and venue staff, venue rules and applicable laws, including those on alcohol. We may refuse entry to, or ask to leave, anyone whose behavior is unsafe, abusive or disruptive. Photographs and video may be taken at events, as explained in our [Privacy Policy](https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html#photography); please tell an organizer if you prefer not to be photographed. ## 10. Third-party links and content The website links to sites and services run by others, including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, governing bodies, other clubs, sponsors and venues, and some pages include YouTube videos that load only when you click play. We do not control these and are not responsible for their content, availability, security or privacy practices; a link is not an endorsement. Your use of them is governed by their own terms and policies (see our [Cookie Policy](https://wildgeesegfc.org/cookie-policy.html)). Any purchase or arrangement you make with a sponsor is between you and that sponsor. ## 11. Disclaimers The website and its content are provided "as is" and "as available". We try to keep information accurate and current, but as a volunteer-run club we cannot guarantee that it is complete, accurate or error-free, or that the website will be uninterrupted, secure or free from viruses. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we disclaim all warranties, express or implied, relating to the website and its content, including implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title and non-infringement. This does not affect warranties on kit that cannot be excluded by law. Information on the website about fitness, injury or health is general information, not medical advice. ## 12. Limitation of liability To the fullest extent permitted by law, the club and its committee members, officers, coaches, volunteers and members will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary or punitive damages, or for loss of profits, revenue, data or goodwill, arising out of or in connection with the website or its content, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), statute or otherwise, even if advised of the possibility of such damages. To the fullest extent permitted by law, our total liability to you for any claim relating to the website, these Terms, or any kit order or membership is limited to the greater of (a) the amount you paid the club in the 12 months before the event giving rise to the claim, or (b) US $100. Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability for fraud, willful misconduct, gross negligence or any other liability that cannot be excluded or limited by law, and some jurisdictions do not allow certain limitations, so some of the above may not apply to you. Liability for sporting activities is also addressed in the waiver signed at registration (see [Section 8](https://wildgeesegfc.org/terms-of-use.html#participation)). ## 13. Indemnity To the extent permitted by law, you agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the club and its committee members, officers, coaches, volunteers and members from any claims, liabilities, damages, losses and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, arising from (a) your breach of these Terms, (b) your misuse of the website, (c) any material you submit that infringes another person's rights or breaks the law, or (d) your violation of any law or third-party right. This does not apply to the extent a claim results from our own negligence or misconduct. ## 14. Governing law and jurisdiction These Terms, and any dispute arising out of or in connection with them or your use of the website, are governed by the laws of the State of California, USA, without regard to conflict-of-law rules, and applicable US federal law. Subject to [Section 15](https://wildgeesegfc.org/terms-of-use.html#dispute-resolution), any legal action relating to these Terms or the website must be brought exclusively in the state courts located in Orange County, California, or, where federal jurisdiction exists, the United States District Court for the Central District of California, and you and the club consent to the personal jurisdiction of those courts. This does not remove any protection given to consumers by the mandatory laws of the place where they live. ## 15. Dispute resolution As a community club, we would much rather resolve problems through conversation than in court. If you have a complaint or dispute: 1. **Talk to us first.** Email [info@wildgeesegfc.org](mailto:info@wildgeesegfc.org) describing the issue and what you would like us to do. Membership and conduct matters may also be raised with the club secretary or chair under the club's constitution and rules. 2. **Informal resolution.** We will try in good faith to resolve the matter within 30 days. 3. **Governing-body procedures.** Disputes about playing matters, eligibility, discipline or transfers may be subject to governing-body rules and procedures, which you agree to use where they apply. 4. **Mediation.** If informal resolution fails, either of us may propose non-binding mediation in Orange County, California, before starting court proceedings, with costs shared equally unless agreed otherwise. 5. **Courts.** If the dispute is still unresolved, either of us may bring a claim in the courts described in [Section 14](https://wildgeesegfc.org/terms-of-use.html#governing-law), including small claims court for eligible claims. Nothing in this section prevents either of us from seeking urgent injunctive relief from a court, or prevents you from contacting a consumer protection agency. ## 16. Severability and general terms * **Severability.** If any provision of these Terms is found invalid or unenforceable, it will be enforced to the maximum extent permitted or limited to the minimum extent necessary, and the rest of these Terms will remain in full effect. * **Entire agreement.** These Terms and the policies they refer to are the entire agreement between you and the club about the website. Membership is also governed by the documents you complete or sign at registration. * **Assignment.** You may not transfer your rights under these Terms without our consent. We may transfer ours to a successor organization if the club is reorganized or merges. * **Events beyond our control.** We are not responsible for delays or failures caused by events outside our reasonable control. ## 17. Changes to these terms We may update these Terms to reflect changes in how the club or website operates or in the law. We will update the "Last updated" date above and, for significant changes, take reasonable steps to let you know, such as a notice on the website. Changes will not apply retroactively to kit orders or memberships already confirmed. Continuing to use the website after updated Terms are posted means you accept them. ## 18. Contact us Questions about these Terms are welcome: * General inquiries, kit and membership: [info@wildgeesegfc.org](mailto:info@wildgeesegfc.org) * Privacy matters: [privacy@wildgeesegfc.org](mailto:privacy@wildgeesegfc.org) * Online: our [contact page](https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html) We are run by volunteers, so please allow a few days for a reply. --- ## Page: Cookie Policy | Wild Geese GFC URL: https://wildgeesegfc.org/cookie-policy.html Summary: Wild Geese GFC uses no advertising or analytics cookies. Learn exactly what we store in your browser and how to control it. # Cookie Policy This Cookie Policy explains how the Wild Geese Gaelic Football Club website uses cookies and similar technologies. The short version: our site sets no advertising or analytics cookies. It stores a few small preferences in your own browser so the site works smoothly, and third-party cookies only come into play if you choose to play an embedded YouTube video or follow a link to social media. Effective date: October 8, 2026 · Last updated: October 8, 2026 1. [What cookies and similar technologies are](https://wildgeesegfc.org/cookie-policy.html#what-are-cookies) 2. [Our approach](https://wildgeesegfc.org/cookie-policy.html#our-approach) 3. [What this website uses](https://wildgeesegfc.org/cookie-policy.html#what-we-use) 4. [Third-party cookies](https://wildgeesegfc.org/cookie-policy.html#third-party) 5. [The cookie banner and your choices](https://wildgeesegfc.org/cookie-policy.html#cookie-banner) 6. [How to control and delete cookies and site data](https://wildgeesegfc.org/cookie-policy.html#manage) 7. [Global Privacy Control and Do Not Track](https://wildgeesegfc.org/cookie-policy.html#gpc) 8. [Changes to this policy](https://wildgeesegfc.org/cookie-policy.html#changes) 9. [Contact us](https://wildgeesegfc.org/cookie-policy.html#contact) ## 1. What cookies and similar technologies are ### 1.1 Cookies Cookies are small text files that a website places on your device when you visit. They are sent back to the website with each request, which lets the site recognize your browser. Cookies can be used for many purposes: keeping you signed in, remembering preferences, measuring how a site is used, or tracking you across different websites to show you targeted advertising. Cookies set by the website you are visiting are called **first-party cookies**. Cookies set by a different domain, such as an advertising network, analytics provider or embedded video service, are called **third-party cookies**. Cookies can be **session cookies**, which are deleted when you close your browser, or **persistent cookies**, which remain until they expire or you delete them. ### 1.2 localStorage and sessionStorage Modern browsers also offer "web storage", which websites can use to save small pieces of information on your device: * **localStorage** keeps information on your device until it is deleted, either by the website or by you clearing your browser data. It is only available to the website that saved it. * **sessionStorage** keeps information only for as long as a single browser tab is open. When you close the tab, the information is deleted automatically. Unlike cookies, information in localStorage and sessionStorage is **not automatically sent to the website's server** with each request. It stays in your browser and is read only by the website's own code running on your device. Even so, we treat it with the same care as cookies and describe it fully in this policy. ### 1.3 Other technologies Some websites use tracking pixels or device fingerprinting to follow visitors. **Our website does not.** ## 2. Our approach We are an amateur sports club, not an advertising business, and we have built the website to respect your privacy by default: * The site sets **no advertising cookies** and **no analytics cookies**, and we do not use any analytics or tracking service. * The site uses browser storage **only** to remember your cookie-banner choice and a few interface preferences, as listed in [Section 3](https://wildgeesegfc.org/cookie-policy.html#what-we-use). * All fonts, scripts and stylesheets are **hosted on our own site**. We do not load resources from third-party content delivery networks, so visiting our pages does not send your information to font or script providers. * Embedded YouTube videos are **click-to-play**: nothing is loaded from YouTube until you choose to play a video. * Links to our social media pages are **ordinary links**, not embedded "like" or "share" buttons, so social media platforms cannot track you on our pages. Our hosting provider keeps basic server logs for security; this does not involve cookies and is explained in our [Privacy Policy](https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html#information-we-collect). ## 3. What this website uses The table below lists every item our website stores in your browser. None of them is used for advertising, analytics or tracking, and none of them is shared with anyone else. Browser storage used by wildgeesegfc.org | Name | Type | Purpose | Duration | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | `wg_cookie_consent` | localStorage | Stores your choice on the cookie banner, so the banner does not appear again on every page you visit. | Persistent until you clear your browser's site data | | `wg_newsletter_dismissed` | localStorage | Remembers that you closed the newsletter sign-up prompt, so we do not keep showing it to you. | Persistent until you clear your browser's site data | | `wg_form_name` | sessionStorage | Temporarily holds the first name you entered in the contact/join form so that the thank-you page can greet you personally. | Deleted automatically when you close the browser tab | These items are "strictly necessary" or "functional" in nature: they exist only to provide features you have used or to respect a choice you have made. They do not identify you to us, and they are not transmitted to our servers. If you block or clear browser storage, the website will still work. You may simply see the cookie banner or newsletter prompt again, and the thank-you page will show a general message instead of using your name. ## 4. Third-party cookies Our website itself does not set third-party cookies. Third-party cookies may be set on your device only in the following situations, both of which depend on an action you choose to take. ### 4.1 When you play an embedded YouTube video Some pages include videos hosted on YouTube, which is owned by Google. To protect your privacy, we show a preview image stored on our own site in place of each video. Nothing is requested from YouTube, and no YouTube cookies are set, until you click the play button. When you click play, the video player loads from YouTube's servers. From that point, YouTube may set cookies or use similar technologies on your device, collect information such as your IP address, device and browser details, and the fact that you watched the video, and, if you are signed in to a Google account, associate that activity with your account. This is controlled by Google, not by us, and is governed by Google's privacy policy and cookie practices. You can manage your Google advertising and activity settings through your Google account. If you prefer not to interact with YouTube, simply do not play embedded videos. ### 4.2 When you follow links to social media Our website links to the club's pages on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Because these are ordinary links rather than embedded widgets, the platforms do not set cookies or track you while you are on our site. When you click a link, you leave our website and go to the platform, where its own cookies, terms and privacy policy apply. ### 4.3 Other external links The same applies to links to governing bodies, other clubs, sponsors, venues and news sites: once you follow a link, the other website's own cookie and privacy practices apply. We encourage you to review them. ## 5. The cookie banner and your choices When you first visit the website, you will see a short banner that explains how the site uses browser storage and embedded content, with a link to this policy. When you respond to the banner, your choice is saved in `wg_cookie_consent` so that the banner does not reappear on every page. Whatever you choose, the site will never set advertising or analytics cookies, and YouTube videos will only load if you click play. You can change your mind at any time by clearing the site data for wildgeesegfc.org in your browser (see [Section 6](https://wildgeesegfc.org/cookie-policy.html#manage)); the banner will then appear again on your next visit and you can make a new choice. If the law in your location requires consent for any storage we use, we rely on your choice in the banner, and on your action in clicking play for embedded videos. Strictly necessary storage that simply remembers a choice you have made does not require consent in most jurisdictions. ## 6. How to control and delete cookies and site data You are always in control of what is stored in your browser. Most browsers let you view, block and delete cookies and site data, either for all websites or for individual sites. Clearing "cookies and site data" for wildgeesegfc.org removes both cookies and the localStorage items listed above. The exact steps vary between browser versions and devices, but the general instructions below should help. ### 6.1 Google Chrome * **For this site only (desktop):** while on wildgeesegfc.org, click the site information icon to the left of the address bar, choose *Site settings* (or *Cookies and site data*), and select *Delete data* or *Clear data*. * **For all sites (desktop):** open the menu (three dots), go to *Settings* > *Privacy and security* > *Delete browsing data*, tick *Cookies and other site data*, and confirm. * **To block third-party cookies:** go to *Settings* > *Privacy and security* > *Third-party cookies* and choose your preferred setting. * **Android and iOS:** open the menu, go to *Settings* > *Privacy and security* > *Delete browsing data*, and select *Cookies and site data*. ### 6.2 Apple Safari * **Mac:** choose *Safari* > *Settings* (or *Preferences*) > *Privacy* > *Manage Website Data*. Search for wildgeesegfc.org, select it and click *Remove*, or click *Remove All*. Safari blocks cross-site tracking cookies by default; you can confirm this with *Prevent cross-site tracking* on the same screen. * **iPhone and iPad:** open the *Settings* app, go to *Safari* (in recent versions, *Apps* > *Safari*) > *Advanced* > *Website Data*, then swipe left on wildgeesegfc.org to delete it, or tap *Remove All Website Data*. ### 6.3 Mozilla Firefox * **For this site only:** while on wildgeesegfc.org, click the padlock icon in the address bar and choose *Clear cookies and site data*. * **For all sites or to manage individual sites:** open the menu, go to *Settings* > *Privacy & Security* > *Cookies and Site Data*, and choose *Manage Data* or *Clear Data*. * **Blocking:** Firefox's *Enhanced Tracking Protection*, on the same settings page, blocks many third-party tracking cookies by default. You can choose *Strict* or *Custom* for more control. ### 6.4 Microsoft Edge * **For this site only:** while on wildgeesegfc.org, click the site information icon to the left of the address bar, choose *Cookies and site data* or *Permissions for this site*, and remove the stored data. * **For all sites or to manage individual sites:** open the menu (three dots), go to *Settings* > *Privacy, search, and services* (or *Cookies and site permissions*) > *Manage and delete cookies and site data* > *See all cookies and site data*. * **To clear browsing data:** go to *Settings* > *Privacy, search, and services* > *Delete browsing data*, select *Cookies and other site data*, and confirm. ### 6.5 Other options * **Private browsing.** Private or incognito windows delete cookies and site data, including localStorage, when you close the window. * **Blocking all storage.** You can set your browser to block all cookies and site data. Our website will still work, although you may see the cookie banner and newsletter prompt each time you visit. * **Other browsers.** For other browsers, please consult the browser's help pages. ## 7. Global Privacy Control and Do Not Track **Global Privacy Control (GPC)** is a signal that some browsers and browser extensions send to tell websites that you do not want your personal information sold or shared for targeted advertising. We recognize GPC as a valid opt-out request. Because our website sets no advertising or analytics cookies, and we do not sell or share personal information, our site already behaves the same way whether or not GPC is turned on. If our practices ever change, we will continue to honor GPC signals. **Do Not Track (DNT)** is an older browser setting for which there is no agreed standard. We do not respond to DNT in a particular way, but our site does not track visitors across websites or over time, whether or not DNT is enabled. See also our [Privacy Policy](https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html#dnt-gpc). ## 8. Changes to this policy If we change the way the website uses cookies or browser storage, for example by adding a new feature, we will update this Cookie Policy, including the table in [Section 3](https://wildgeesegfc.org/cookie-policy.html#what-we-use), and change the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. If we ever wanted to introduce non-essential cookies, such as analytics, we would update this policy first and ask for your consent where the law requires it. ## 9. Contact us If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy or how we use browser storage, please contact us: * Privacy matters: [privacy@wildgeesegfc.org](mailto:privacy@wildgeesegfc.org) * General inquiries: [info@wildgeesegfc.org](mailto:info@wildgeesegfc.org) * Online: our [contact page](https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html) See also our [Privacy Policy](https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html) and [Terms of Use](https://wildgeesegfc.org/terms-of-use.html). --- ## Page: Accessibility Statement | Wild Geese GFC URL: https://wildgeesegfc.org/accessibility.html Summary: Our commitment to making wildgeesegfc.org accessible to everyone, targeting WCAG 2.2 AA, with known limitations and how to send feedback. # Accessibility Statement Wild Geese Gaelic Football Club believes that everyone should be able to find out about our club, get in touch, and take part in Gaelic football. That commitment extends to our website. This statement explains what we have done to make wildgeesegfc.org accessible, where we know we still fall short, and how to tell us about any barrier you encounter. Effective date: October 8, 2026 · Last updated: October 8, 2026 1. [Our commitment](https://wildgeesegfc.org/accessibility.html#commitment) 2. [Accessibility standard](https://wildgeesegfc.org/accessibility.html#standard) 3. [Measures we have taken](https://wildgeesegfc.org/accessibility.html#measures) 4. [Known limitations](https://wildgeesegfc.org/accessibility.html#limitations) 5. [Compatibility](https://wildgeesegfc.org/accessibility.html#compatibility) 6. [Feedback and contact](https://wildgeesegfc.org/accessibility.html#feedback) 7. [How we assess accessibility](https://wildgeesegfc.org/accessibility.html#assessment) 8. [Date of this statement](https://wildgeesegfc.org/accessibility.html#date) ## 1. Our commitment We want our website to be usable by as many people as possible, including people who are blind or have low vision, people who are deaf or hard of hearing, people with motor, cognitive or learning disabilities, and people using older devices, slow connections or assistive technologies. We treat accessibility as part of how we build the site, and we will keep improving it. ## 2. Accessibility standard Our target is to conform to the **Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 at Level AA**, published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). These guidelines explain how to make web content more accessible to people with a wide range of disabilities, and Level AA is the widely recognized benchmark for public websites. We believe the website **partially conforms** to WCAG 2.2 Level AA. "Partially conforms" means that most of the site meets the standard, but some content does not yet fully do so. The areas we know about are listed in [Section 4](https://wildgeesegfc.org/accessibility.html#limitations). ## 3. Measures we have taken ### 3.1 Structure and navigation * **Semantic HTML.** Pages are built with meaningful HTML elements, including headings in a logical order, landmark regions (header, navigation, main content and footer), lists and properly marked-up data tables, so that screen readers and other assistive technologies can understand and navigate the content. * **Skip link.** A "Skip to main content" link is the first item on every page, allowing keyboard and screen reader users to bypass the navigation menu. * **Keyboard navigation.** All links, buttons, menus, forms, the photo gallery and the cookie banner can be operated with a keyboard alone. Focus moves in a logical order, and a clearly visible focus indicator shows where you are on the page. Focused elements are not hidden behind sticky headers or banners. * **Consistent layout.** Navigation and contact links appear in the same place on every page. * **Page titles and language.** Each page has a descriptive title and a declared language. ### 3.2 Visual design * **Color contrast.** Text and important interface elements are designed to meet WCAG AA contrast ratios against their backgrounds. * **Not relying on color alone.** Information such as form errors, links and match results is not conveyed by color alone; we also use text, icons or underlining. * **Resizing and reflow.** Text can be enlarged up to 200 percent, and the layout adapts to narrow screens and high zoom levels without requiring horizontal scrolling. * **Target size.** Buttons and other controls are large enough to tap or click easily. ### 3.3 Motion and media * **Reduced motion.** The site respects the "reduce motion" setting in your operating system or browser. When it is turned on, animations and transitions are removed or minimized. * **No auto-playing media.** Nothing plays sound or video automatically. Embedded videos load and play only when you choose. * **Alternative text.** Meaningful images have text alternatives describing their content or purpose, and purely decorative images are hidden from screen readers. ### 3.4 Forms * **Labels and instructions.** Every field in the contact/join form and newsletter sign-up form has a visible, programmatically associated label. Required fields are clearly marked in text. * **Error messages.** If something is missing or entered incorrectly, a clear error message explains the problem and how to fix it. Errors are linked to the relevant field and announced to screen reader users. * **Autocomplete.** Name, email and phone fields support your browser's autofill, so you do not have to type the same information repeatedly. ### 3.5 Performance The site is a lightweight static website with self-hosted fonts, scripts and styles, so pages load quickly even on slower connections and older devices, and no third-party resources are needed to read the content. ## 4. Known limitations Despite our efforts, some content may not yet be fully accessible. We know about the following issues: * **Archived photographs.** Older photographs in our gallery archive, particularly those from earlier seasons uploaded before we adopted our current practices, may have only brief or general alternative text rather than detailed descriptions of who or what is shown. We are working through the archive and adding better descriptions, starting with the most viewed albums. * **Embedded third-party content.** Embedded YouTube videos use YouTube's own player, which we do not control. Some videos, especially older match footage filmed by volunteers, may not have accurate captions or audio description. Where possible, we provide a short written summary or match report alongside the video. * **External websites.** Links to social media platforms, governing bodies, sponsors and other organizations take you to websites that are outside our control and may not meet the same accessibility standard. * **Documents.** Any downloadable documents we link to, such as fixture lists or event flyers, may not always be fully accessible. If you need one in an alternative format, please ask us. If any of these affects you, contact us and we will provide the information another way. ## 5. Compatibility The website is designed to work with: * recent versions of major browsers, including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari and Microsoft Edge, on desktop and mobile; * common screen readers, including NVDA and JAWS on Windows, VoiceOver on macOS and iOS, and TalkBack on Android; * browser zoom, operating-system text scaling, high-contrast modes and reduced-motion settings; * keyboard-only navigation and other assistive input devices. The website relies on HTML, CSS and JavaScript, using JavaScript mainly for enhancements such as the cookie banner and form feedback. Very old browsers that do not support current web standards may display the site differently. ## 6. Feedback and contact We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of our website. If you find a barrier, cannot access any content, or need information in a different format, such as large print, plain text or an accessible document, please let us know: * Email: [info@wildgeesegfc.org](mailto:info@wildgeesegfc.org), with "Accessibility" in the subject line * Online: our [contact page](https://wildgeesegfc.org/contact.html) (choose the subject "Other") Please tell us the page address (URL), what you were trying to do and the problem you met, and, if you are happy to, your browser and assistive technology. **Our response times.** We aim to acknowledge accessibility feedback within **5 business days**. Where you need information urgently, for example details of an upcoming training session or event, we will prioritize sending it to you in an accessible format. We aim to fix reported issues, or explain our plan for fixing them, within **30 days**. As a volunteer-run club, more complex changes may take longer, but we will keep you informed. Questions about physical access at training grounds or event venues are welcome too. We handle feedback in line with our [Privacy Policy](https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html). ## 7. How we assess accessibility Our volunteers assess the website through self-evaluation, which includes: * automated testing with accessibility checking tools; * manual checks of keyboard navigation, focus order and color contrast; * testing with screen readers and browser zoom; * reviewing new pages and features against WCAG 2.2 Level AA before they are published. We review the site at least once a year and update this statement when we make significant changes or learn of new issues. ## 8. Date of this statement This statement was prepared on October 8, 2026, and was last reviewed on October 8, 2026. For information about how we use browser storage and how we handle personal information, please see our [Cookie Policy](https://wildgeesegfc.org/cookie-policy.html) and [Privacy Policy](https://wildgeesegfc.org/privacy-policy.html). The rules for using the site are set out in our [Terms of Use](https://wildgeesegfc.org/terms-of-use.html).