Dynamic Wantagh Duo Keeps Traditions of Old Irish Sport Alive

The saying, "Young at Heart," is commonly used in today's society but Michael and Brendan O'Hara of Wantagh are coining a new phrase, "Old at Heart," as they spend their youth playing one of Ireland's oldest and beloved sports, Gaelic football.  The two brothers, who are 14 and 12 years of age, respectively, uncovered their love and appreciation for this Irish sport after enrolling four years ago in Long Island Gaels, the region's only Gaelic football club, where they practice eight months a year and compete in over a dozen games annually.

Though both are involved with other sports, with the older O'Hara participating in baseball, basketball and American football and the younger sibling playing on Wantagh Middle School's Lacrosse team, they each had a very personal reason for embracing Gaelic football.

"Since my mom is from Ireland and we visit the country every year, I wanted to take on this sport because its represents who I am and where I come from," said Michael. "Since my mom is familiar with this sport, she's able to enjoy watching me play and to share in my appreciation for it."

"I know that my mother is proud that I am playing this sport," added Brandon. "I feel good knowing that I am part of something that is special to my own heritage."

The O'Hara boys' mother, Anna, said she applauds the Long Island Gaels club for providing her children with the vehicle for tapping into a sport that is so close to their family ties and culture. "It is a credit to the Long Island Gaels' staff and volunteers that Gaelic football remains so alive today," she said. "Thanks to their efforts and love of the game, they are allowing new generations the opportunity to enjoy this traditional sport and the chance to meet and interact with other Irish youth."

"Gaelic football was a game we all learned while growing up in Ireland so it brings me great satisfaction to see children like Michael and Brendan playing it here in the states," said Long Island Gaels President Seamus Kerr Kerr. "The game really bonds these children because they all have their Irish heritage in common and serves as a platform for bringing Irish youth together."

Michael O'Hara said that Gaelic football has become his favorite game. "Gaelic football's long distance nature presented me with a fresh and new challenge," he said. "I also like that the fact that Gaelic football is fair in the sense that size doesn't really matter. It's all about skill, coordination and speed."

Both O'Haras competed for the first time this year in the Continental Youth Championship (CYC) Tournament at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, representing the only brothers to jointly play in Long Island Gaels' Under 14 Boys Gaelic Football team division. The international competition featured 150 teams from the United States, Canada, London and Ireland.  

Though their teams did not win in this year's tournament, Michael said the experience was rewarding and well worthwhile.

"While we didn't place during the competition, our team became even better and stronger for it in the end," he said. "Since there is a lot more pressure in the CYC Tournament than there is when it comes to the typical games we play against teams throughout the tri-state, we all pushed ourselves to the max and brought out the best in each other and our abilities."