Squad growth has Cambridge Parnells GAA Club primed to make an impact in new season

Cambridge Parnells GAA Club are gearing up for their biggest year yet.

The club is the only Gaelic football team in Cambridgeshire or East Anglia.

Home games take place on Coldham’s Common, and the Cambridge Parnells have grown in recent times with an influx of students and increasing numbers of English-born players.

Some have Irish heritage but many soccer and rugby players are being attracted to what is an extremely accessible sport with an unrivalled team spirit and social scene, but the growth bucks the trend as Gaelic football in Britain has been hit hard by the pandemic with many Irish workers moving home.

”It has been a bit of a struggle to keep things going over the past few years but we seem to have turned a corner. Even on the cold nights towards the end of last year, we were getting 25-30 people down for training,” said player-coach John Hockey, who works in the University of Cambridge’s department of engineering.

“The aim now is to take that momentum and build on it. We have had a lot of new recruits and some local players who were very successful at under-age level who we hope to bring into adult football now. We are hoping to make a big impact this season.

“I’d recommend the sport to anyone, even if you don’t want to play competitively. A lot of our members come solely for the training, it’s a fun way to keep fit and make friends.”

Cambridge Parnells have men’s and women’s teams, who train together once a week, for the 15-a-side sport that is played on a field slightly larger than a rugby pitch that combines the high posts of rugby, and the nets and goalkeeper of association football. Three points are awarded for a goal past the keeper and one for a shot hit over the bar.

With leagues, cups, and the all-important ‘Championship’ dotted throughout the warm weather months, Cambridge face teams from the surrounding area including the likes of Watford, St Albans, Luton, and Oxford.

Club captain Barry Grogan, a powerful forward, said: “I may be biased but I think Gaelic football is the best sport around – the community aspect of it is unique, not only in Ireland but for those living away from home.

“Our team and indeed the entire organisation is welcoming to those moving from Ireland. Indeed, we also have numerous players who have no connection themselves to Ireland or from family and just enjoy the game and craic of the social life.”

Cambridge Parnells returned to training on Wednesday (January 19) at the Abbey Leisure complex at 8pm. All new players are welcome.