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Na Laochra Aeracha
Testimonials Having only been living in Cork for about a year, I was keen to join a team sport to get fit and meet new people. As a queer woman who hasn’t played Gaelic football since primary school, I was reluctant to join any women’s teams in the area for fear I wouldn’t be good enough or fit in. I saw some social media posts about LGBT+ GAA teams popping up around Dublin and knew that was something I’d be interested in. Through Instagram I came across the Laochra Aeracha training sessions. I decided to go on my own and while I was a bit nervous at first, Aaron and all the team made me feel very welcome. The training sessions are fun and the right amount of challenging. It is a very safe space and from the moment you arrive you know that there is no judgement and everyone is at their own level of fitness/ability. I’ve met some lovely people and look forward to continuing the training. - Maeve Henry
club name, no club crest, no committee, no funding, and no social media, so there was plenty to work to do over the Christmas and New Years holidays. During this period, a friend of Aarons and fellow member of Frontrunners Cork’ Dean Kinsella was keen to help put all the pieces together. By the first week of January ’24 we had created our club’s name and crest, and with the support of Sporting Pride Ireland, we got our Instagram page up and running. The following week we secured a slot in the Glen Resource Centre for training every Wednesday from 6:30-7:30pm and started to spread the word. We were thrilled to see the positive reaction we got from everybody. Each week we grew more and more and today we have over 1000 followers on Instagram with over 50 actives members regularly attending training.
In January of this year, Munster’s first LGBTQ+ inclusive GAA club Laochra Aeracha, was launched. Our aim is to bring Gaelic football to the LGBTQ+ community and our allies in Cork, in a friendly and social manner, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. We wanted to be open to everybody, with no previous experience required to join. Cork has a thriving LGBTQ+ community, so it no surprise that we already have several active and diverse LGBTQ+ sporting clubs running successfully for many years now. One gap that had yet to be filled however was GAA. Sporting Pride Ireland had tried to support the founding of an LGBTQ+ GAA club back in 2022, but it failed to get off the ground due to lack of a local support network at the time. Interest grew however and in September ’23 the cogs were in motion again, this time however from a few members of the local LGBTQ+ community. We were already very aware of another LGBTQ+ GAA club in Dublin called Na Gael Aeracha, which was founded several years ago and has seen huge uptake in its membership since its initiation. The prospect of having something similar in Cork got us very excited! If Dublin could do it, why couldn’t the Rebel County? Laochra Aeracha club founder and lead coach Aaron Kelly has been involved with several other LGBTQ+ sports groups in Cork such as Hellhounds, Cork Rebels and Frontrunners, since moving here from Clare four years ago. Aaron already plays Gaelic Football with Douglas GAA club, so he was perfectly positioned to take up the task and lead the group. All he needed now was a few other interested like-minded people to come together to get the ball rolling, no pun intended! ‘I had heard of the LGBTQ+ GAA team in Dublin and thought I would love to play if it ever came to Cork. I thought an LGBTQ+ GAA team would be amazing. A few people had mentioned to me over the years, that I should try and get one up and going. Well, fast forward to September of last year, and I said why not give it a go and put a feeler out there. I asked the other LGBTQ+ sports clubs I play with to help spread the word. The message got out there and we had three sessions in November ‘ 23 to test the waters. I thought that maybe the middle of winter wasn’t the best time to start, but I was wrong. To my delight and surprise around eighteen people showed up each week over the three weeks. The response was huge, and the interest was phenomenal. Some of the people that came along had some experience as teenagers, while for many it was their first time. Everyone looked out for and encouraged each other. We started with a few fun drills, nothing too serious. Creating a friendly and welcoming environment here I believe in is key to building a successful club. Its important that everyone feels safe when joining a new club, so we focused on a making it fun. I have received incredible support from many people across the LGBTQ+ community and our allies in Cork, for whom it would not have been possible.’ – Aaron Kelly. With the three-week trial in November ‘23 a huge success, we decided to take a break over Christmas with the goal of creating the club itself in January. At this stage we had no
The support we have received since the club’s initiation in January has been incredible. Cork Sports Partnership reached out to
us in January and offered to cover all our costs for the Glen Resource Centre training pitch for ten weeks, which was greatly appreciated. To our delight we have also received other donations from local
I played GAA briefly when I was younger but similar to many queer people, I found it a bit intimidating to fully participate. It felt surreal to be on a pitch and feel so welcome - all while having so much fun. If I’d felt this comfortable when I was in school, I think it would have been transformative. I host my own drag show on Wednesday nights which unfortunately
LGBTQ+ organisations and businesses such as first aid kits, training gear and footballs etc. Right now, we are focused on securing a larger training pitch to accommodate our ever-increasing club members, as well as
clashes with training, so I may have to rock up as my alter ego and run to the gig afterwards. I never thought I’d be playing GAA full stop let alone in drag. He has created something extremely special. The club is a way for people to be active, social and explore a new skill - all while feeling secure and having the laugh. - Krystal Queer
finalising the design of our club training kit. Although we are focusing primarily on Gaelic Football for the moment, the potential for the club is huge and given the level of support we have received thus far, we could diversify into other
I have been training with Na Laochra Aeracha since January and it has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. When I stopped playing football over 10 years ago, I never envisaged that I would be able to return. And when I came out as gay four years ago, I definitely didn’t see where I could enjoy sports in an environment where I could be unapologetically myself. But every single time I have gone to train with Na Laochra Aeracha, the acceptance, inclusion, care and respect is superbly evident. There is room for everyone in the group, with many of us coming from different levels of sporting experience, different backgrounds, and different identities. Having a visible LGBTQ+ GAA club in Cork is so important, as it allows anyone and everyone to enjoy GAA in a safe space. I am so happy I made the decision to join the team and if you are reading this and are unsure if you should give it a go, trust me, you won’t regret it, go for it! - Adam Barrett
GAA sports in the future. Our goal is to create a friendly, inclusive, and fun space for people to enjoy GAA sports. Our training consists mainly of drills for the moment, but later in the year we hope to develop our team by taking part in friendly matches with other clubs. Joining Laochra Aeracha is a great opportunity to meet new people, make new friends and learn a new sport in a fun and accepting environment. Our ethos is first and foremost about inclusivity, welcoming anyone and everyone from any race, gender, and sexuality to come along and join the family. By Dean Kinsella (Public Affairs Officer and Social Media Administrator)
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