Essex Shillelaghs GAA
Gaelic (Irish) Football | Boys & Girls | Ages 5-16
Gaelic (Irish) Football | Women | Ages 17+
West Orange Resident Registration
Non-Resident Registration
About Us
The Essex Shillelaghs GAA program introduces Gaelic sports to Essex County. In association with the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh of Essex County, Town of West Orange Recreation Department, and the New York GAA Minor Board, the program aims to increased awareness and involvement within the community, as well as building a regional network within the Irish community across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
Players, parents, and guardians can rest assured knowing that the league prioritizes the safety and well-being of all participants. Qualified coaches and referees will oversee each event, ensuring that players adhere to proper techniques and guidelines. Additionally, the league will provide opportunities for young athletes to enhance their physical fitness and mental resilience through structured training programs.
It’s not just about the game – it’s about the experience! Get ready to make new friends who share your enthusiasm and discover the sense of belonging that comes with being part of the Essex Shillelaghs GAA family.
What is Gaelic Football?
Gaelic football seamlessly blends the excitement of soccer, the skills of basketball, and the strategy of football. Played with a distinctive round ball, Gaelic football takes place on a rectangular field where two teams compete to score points by either kicking the ball into the opponent’s goal or over the crossbar.
2025 Gaelic Football
Program Overview
Our 2025 Gaelic Football program is open to children aged 5 to 16 and offers a fantastic opportunity to learn and enjoy the unique sport of Gaelic games. Our progam is in association with the Town of West Orange Recreation Department and the New York Minor Board of the GAA (NYMB).
Here’s what you can expect:
Spring Season
Our primary season is in the Spring, with weekly practices in West Orange beginning in mid-March and running through early June for all age groups. Our practice fields include Stagg Field and Minish Field in West Orange. U8s though U16s will practice on Wednesdays at 6pm with some additional practices on Saturday afternoons at the coach’s discretion. U6s will practice on Saturday mornings at 11am.
All practice times are subject to change.
The focus of practice is to develop player skills through fun-filled drills, games and scrimmages for all levels. Our hope is that the young players will enjoy the game as much as we do and become interested in “playing up” in competitive travel games with the NYMB.
All players are encouraged to participate in the competitive travel games with the NYMB at the U8 and older age levels. The is no additional fee for this activity. The NYMB games are played on Saturday afternoons beginning in mid-April and conclude with playoffs by mid-June. The NYMB league features as many as 20 teams from across the Tri-State area including Long Island and Connecticut. The games are hosted on the NYMB home field, Redmond Park in Yonkers, NY, but there may be games in Rockland (NY), Dutchess (NY) or Queens (NY). Typically, the season includes 5-6 game days, plus the one-day championship tournament.
Our season officially ends at the Irish Sports Expo on June 22, 2025. The Irish Sports Expo is a fun-filled day of games, picnic, and awards at the Shillelagh Club in West Orange.
Fall Season
A short season is held in the fall for interested players and is included in your registration fee. Weekday practices begin after Labor Day and conclude with the shorter daylight hours in early October. The NYMB will hold 4-5 Saturday afternoon game days at Redmond Park between September and November. Schedules will be available in September.
Uniforms
NYMB travel players will receive team uniform shirt at the field on game day. They must be returned at the end of each games.
All players receive a practice T-shirt which are yours to keep.
Our Gaelic Football program for children aged 5-16 will begin in September with practices taking place at Minesh Field in West Orange. Players will join teams for ages u6, u8, u10, u12, u14 & u16, and our away game schedule will run September – November.
Click Here to Learn More and Register for our Youth Program
Women’s Gaelic Football
In association with the Town of West Orange Department of Recreation and the New York Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA), we are excited to announce our women’s Gaelic Football program for 2025.
Nicknamed the “Shi-Ladies”, women 17 years of age and over will practice weekly in West Orange and join a team playing with the NYLGAA on the weekends in a spring and fall season. The league competitions will be in the “B” division and first time players will find themselves very welcome.
Registration for the 2025 Season will be available in January.
Click Here to Learn More and Register for our Ladies Program
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Have Questions or Ready to Join?
Whether you have questions about our Gaelic Football program or are ready to join our great community, we're here to assist you every step of the way. Reach out to us today and let's kick-start your Gaelic Football journey together!
*Professional photos courtesy of Richard Morris.