Thanks to “The Gooch” for giving a shout out to Killarney Scorchers Summit Team. Colm “The Gooch” Cooper is an Irish Gaelic footballer and considered by many as one of the greatest ever footballer to play the game.

Kerry GAA Legend Colm "The Gooch" Cooper gives shout out to Killarney Scorchers Team travelling to Florida for The Summit Championships

The Gooch's  career has spanned 15 years in the green and gold Kerry jersey in which he earned five All Ireland medals, nine Munster title and eight All Stars. He also has an All Ireland Senior Club title with his club Dr Crokes.

Some of our Cheerleaders also play Gaelic Football

Credit: Michelle Cooper Galvin

Credit: Michelle Cooper Galvin

Most children in Ireland will have played Gaelic on some occasion - at school, with friends or at the local GAA club.

Gaelic Football - one of Ireland's oldest sports and Competitive Cheerleading – one of Ireland youngest sports  - have they anything in common? 

We spoke to some of the cheerleaders to find out more about these two sports in Ireland and this is what we learned.

  • Both are team events where the importance of working together is vital. 
  • Skill development, teamwork and good sportsmanship are all components of Gaelic Football and Cheerleading. 
  • Hours of practice is put into both sports – in the field and gym by the footballers, and in the sports gym or hall by cheerleaders. 
  • Fitness and strength are vital for both sports – cheerleaders need to build up their stamina to be able to compete high energy routine – comprising of tumbling, stunting and dance and footballers need to have the stamina to last the 70 minutes of playing on the pitch. 
  • Both sports require their athletes to be strong  - football is a contact sport with physical tackles and cheerleaders need excellent core strength to be able to do the advanced tumbles and through athletes up in the air.

This article was submitted to the IrishCentral contributors network by a member of the global Irish community. To become an IrishCentral contributor click here.