If you like to play sports, get fit, make friends, and have a great time, you’ll want to join Asunción’s new club: Las Arpas, Paraguay GAA!
Dia duit agus fáilte chuig ‘Las Arpas’ Paraguay GAA!
That means “Hello and welcome to Las Arpas – Paraguay GAA” in Irish. You might have mistaken it for Guarani, but it’s actually Irish, a language not common in Paraguay. So why the Irish greeting for a Paraguayan club? Well, this is all about Gaelic Football, an Irish sport, and Paraguay’s only Gaelic Football club: Paraguay GAA.
What is Gaelic Football?
Gaelic football is played on a field with two goals at either end, similar to regular football (soccer), but with extended posts, like in rugby. It’s a mix of soccer, rugby, and basketball. Players can score either by sending the ball into the net (worth 3 points) or between the two posts over the bar (worth 1 point). Players can bounce the ball once every four steps or use a “solo” move, which is kicking the ball to themselves while running. Passing can be done by punching, tapping, or kicking the ball. Tackling in Gaelic football is limited to shoulder-to-shoulder contact, making it a beginner-friendly sport for those looking for a fun, fast-paced game.
And that’s played in Paraguay?
Yes! The first Gaelic Games in Paraguay took place on a cold July afternoon in Asunción in 2024. Afterward, the players formed Paraguay GAA (Paraguay Gaelic Athletic Association) with the aim of making Gaelic football a popular alternative amateur sport in Paraguay, focusing on inclusivity, camaraderie, and having the best ‘craic’ (fun) in town.
Why Paraguay GAA?
Paraguay GAA is a blend of sport and socialising. Whether you’re a local or an expat, man or woman, we train and play Gaelic football (and some hurling) every Sunday near Villa Morra/Sacramento in Asunción. It’s perfect for anyone wanting to try a new sport, meet new friends, or shake off a Saturday night hangover! Like rugby once was, we’re building an amateur sports team where the primary goal is to have fun, compete in tournaments with teams from Argentina and Chile, and WIN!
About Paraguay GAA
Our team colors represent the flag of Asunción (Red and White), where the club was founded. Known as “Las Arpas” (The Harps), our club’s name and logo reflect the harp, a traditional Paraguayan instrument, as well as Ireland’s cultural symbol, the Cáirseach. The white harp in our logo signifies the cultural overlap between Paraguay and Ireland, united through Gaelic football.
In 2024, we play every Sunday at Funcionarios del IPS Asociados from 16:00–17:00 hrs. The cost is only 10,000 gs per person.
So come join us, make new friends, and play a sport that’s relatively new to Paraguay! Bring a few friends along if you’re coming, and don’t forget to follow us on our social media, on Paraguay GAA’s Instagram and Facebook!
Míle Buíochas agus Paragua Abú!
(That’s “Thank you and Paraguay for victory” in Irish)
See you on Sunday!
