The sun was setting in Chile and the temperature was dropping, but the shouts echoed loud across the Andes mountains. The Paraguayan Gaelic football team, nicknamed Las Arpas (The Harps), had just won their first major international tournament: The Lynch Cup in Santiago, Chile.
In a hard fought, equally matched game, Las Arpas defeated the Limerick Gaels of Argentina 7-5 in the tournament final, sending Paraguayan players and their supporters jumping, shouting, and crying in celebration after a desperately awaited final whistle and months of hard work.
“My favourite win”
“I have been playing Gaelic football since I was nine years old, but being part of Las Arpas and winning in Chile was different. This is my favourite win of my career,” said Irish national Jack Canning, who joined Las Arpas after moving to Paraguay in January, 2026.
Canning, along with his brother James, are the only current members of Las Arpas who played Gaelic football in their youth. The rest of the team learned to play in their adult life.
“Representing Paraguay and winning this tournament means so much to me. I am so happy to be part of this team and I am so proud of what we’ve accomplished together,” said Paul Bajac, the 21-year old Paraguayan striker who scored the tournament-winning goal for his country.
Las Arpas founder Mozz celebrated
Gaelic football originated in Ireland and is a unique sport combining elements of rugby and football where players can carry the ball with their hands but points are primarily scored with their feet by either beating the goalkeeper for three points, or kicking it through the uprights for one point.
Paraguay’s Gaelic football team was founded in late 2024 by an unlikely hero: Mozz Suraphot from Thailand.
“We think so highly of Mozz,” said Pat King, a member of the Chilean Gaelic football team. “What he has done for Gaelic football in Paraguay, and really for South America is incredible. We are so happy that Paraguay won.”
Ladies first
Paraguay sent one men’s and one women’s team to the inaugural Lynch Cup in Chile. The men’s team were crowned champions, but not to be overshadowed, the women’s team finished in second place, coming just two points short of victory against Cuenca del Plata from Buenos Aires, Argentina in the final.
To reach the final, the women’s team defeated Chile 15-1, recording their first ever victory. This was the first tournament where Paraguay fielded a full women’s team, and the club’s founder could not be more proud of them.
“I am so impressed with their skills. They are improving quickly and getting stronger every day,” said Mozz.
The women’s team was led by strong performances by their team captain, Aurelie Riant from Canada, and local Paraguayan star, Maria del Mar Gonzalez.
Champions of Chile
The men’s team beat teams from Chile, Argentina, and Peru on their path to becoming the Lynch Cup champions of Chile.
Each team in the six-team tournament played three games, and the top four teams after that advanced to the semifinal. Las Arpas had a decisive first match win over Peru, followed by a humbling 12-2 defeat to the Limerick Gaels, setting up a do-or-die game with the hosts, Chile. With a confident response, Las Arpas stormed out to an impressive 10-0 lead in the first half, leaving no doubt about their spot in the semifinal.
As luck would have it, Paraguay was matched with Peru in their semifinal game, requiring them to again beat the talented team made up entirely of Irish expats. In a spirited, and occasionally heated match, Paraguay won decisively, setting the stage for a rematch with Limerick in the finals.
Realising that Limerick had a very potent attack, Las Arpas made adjustments to strengthen their defensive core which proved pivotal.
Early momentum
The opening jump was won by Andrew Kaminsky of Las Arpas, tipping the ball back to Jack Canning, who after a few strides sent the ball airborne from the right side of the pitch and through the uprights for an extremely quick point that gave Paraguay and their supporters early momentum and belief.
Both teams played strong defensively, with Las Arpas being led by the outstanding and intimidating play of central defender Giovani Teixeira. The combatants traded points before Patrick Mc Enroy hit a long shot that tied the game 4-4 going into halftime.
Offensive impact
Both goalkeepers had ironically strong offensive impacts on the game. The Argentine keeper was heavily involved in the offence, hitting long kicks with impressive accuracy. Las Arpas’ goalkeeper, Niels Augustijn from the Netherlands, carried his smooth kicking style into the final, making two critical points from free kicks, something he did throughout the tournament.
After an Argentine point in the second half made it 5-4, Las Arpas fought back and scored the decisive goal when Paul Bajac evaded his opponent with a strong spin move and sent the ball goalbound, deflecting off an Argentine defender and into the back of the net.
The Paraguayan defense held strong in the final two nervous minutes before the final whistle blew and the Lynch Cup celebrations began. With this first major international win, Paraguay firmly entered the debate for best team in South America, a conversation only ever contested by Argentinian clubs until now.
Next stop, Ireland
The next competition for Las Arpas is the World Games in Ireland in July, 2026, where the team will look to build on the momentum generated in Chile and bring home Gaelic football’s biggest international prize.
If you are interested in competing internationally with Paraguay’s Las Arpas, or simply joining to make friends through sport, the club is accepting new members, from complete beginners to seasoned veterans. You can follow the club’s progress online, and get in touch with Paraguay GAA on Instagram.
