A LIFFORD architecture student describes his recent visit to Palestine to teach young refugees the sport of hurling as “the greatest experience of my life”.
Cathal Ó Gaillín, together with social care worker Claire Liddy from Co Clare, travelled to the West Bank at the start of January.
They spent two weeks coaching and building the Moataz Sassour GAA Club, which was launched in August 2024, in Ramallah, as well as holding hurling camps in Bethlehem, Tulkarem and Al- Khalil (Hebron), where new clubs are to be established.
GAA Palestine provides a sporting outlet for youth in the occupied West Bank. It is the brainchild of London-Irish man, Stephen Redmond, who visited the West Bank in January 2024 and put the idea of a GAA club to the community leaders, the Excellence Centre in Hebron and the Amari refugee camp in Ramallah.
With a team of passionate volunteers in Palestine, Ireland and the UK, GAA Palestine believes in the power of sport to transform lives, foster unity, and build a brighter future.
Their mission is to introduce Gaelic games to the children of Palestine, providing them with a safe, supportive environment where they can learn, grow, and thrive away from the turmoil of conflict.
Cathal felt privileged to witness at first hand the transformative power of sport in the lives of the children, aged between eight and 14 that he coached.
“Childhood in Palestine is defined by trauma and this is a great way for children to gain confidence, and have the freedom to enjoy themselves.
“Hurling is a fun sport and to see the smiles on the children’s faces as they learn to roll the ball was priceless, they really enjoyed it.
Childhood in Palestine is defined by trauma and hurling is a great way for children to gain confidence, and have the freedom to enjoy themselves.
“When you are living under occupation, just existing is something. To give the people there these connections outside and the ability to experience and develop this new sport is wonderful.”
The Moataz Sassour GAA club boasts an impressive 28 members and is continually growing.
Local men, Khaled and Amer, assisted by Shaher, have been coaching the team since their first training session in August, learning skills through watching Irish GAA videos on the internet.
They were hugely enthusiastic to have in-person support from Claire and Cathal, who spent time doing indoor and outdoor hurling training with the coaches and the young players
This was Claire’s second visit to the club, teaching some of the basics of hurling to the fledgling players last summer and bringing out donated equipment of hurleys and sliotars.
Claire had previously joined FAJR Scientific, an international surgical care charity, on several visits to the region (Palestine and Lebanon) where she is working to establish a mental health support programme for children suffering in the face of war and violence.
She was very impressed with the difference in how the club is now operating.
“It’s so efficient and well organised, the children are so passionate and enthusiastic about the club. Nearly 40 children attended one of our training sessions. They are all so proud of the skills that they’ve learned in this short space of time.”
Cathal grew up playing GAA sports with Naomh Pádraig GAA Club in Lifford and now plays with the Dalriada club in Aberdeen, where he is at university.
His love of the GAA and his deep solidarity with the people of Palestine drew him to visit the country.
“There’s no better way to show solidarity, than to do it in person,” says Cathal, who raised £2300 for GAA Palestine by running 150km through the month of December.
Childhood in Palestine is defined by trauma and this is a great way for children to gain confidence, and have the freedom to enjoy themselves.
— Cathal Ó Gaillín
The money will be used to purchase equipment, helmets and kits to help get the GAA Palestine junior clubs up and running.
“To be in Palestine is something I can scarcely believe happened. I feel honoured to be able to play a small part in supporting this.
“The entire community there made me feel at home. I was blown away by the hospitality and the sense of community in the Amari camp.”
Amid the joy of working and socialising with the coaches and children, the 24-year-old was all too aware that danger was never far away.
“It’s one thing to see the West Bank on the news, when you’re face to face with the apartheid walls and the checkpoints and the armed soldiers: you feel this kind of fear in the pit of your stomach.
“You’re always aware that if the occupation decides to raid or let off a few rounds, you are in danger. That’s the harsh reality for these people day-to-day. Occupation affects every facet of daily life.”
The plan going forward is to set up more GAA teams in Palestine to develop the sport.
“I’ve every confidence they can continue to grow and develop into an entirely self-supporting and sustainable outlet for local children whose lives are dictated by occupation and displacement.
“All being well, we will see a league going, but the reality is that they are under occupation and if a checkpoint is closed on the way to a game, there is no way through.”
GAA Palestine is planning to bring some of the young new Palestinian hurlers and their coaches to Ireland this July.
“The itinerary is yet to be finalised, but as well as playing the sport, we want to take them around our island and show the great solidarity Ireland has with Palestine.
“Something that struck me very hard when we were discussing the visit was when someone asked me what the beaches were like in Ireland.
“These children live only about 34km from the Mediterranean, but as long as the occupation remains, they won’t be allowed to go.
“So, for them to be able to see the sand and the ocean, something we take for granted, would be amazing,” says Cathal, hoping he can personally show them Donegal’s stunning beaches.
To support the work of GAA Palestine, visit whydonate.com.
