Interview with Stephen O’Rourke, Chairperson of Cologne Celtics Gaelic Sports Club e.V / GAA.

How Cologne Celtics came to be?

The Cologne Celtics GAA Club was founded by a group of German lads who were on holiday in Ireland and were fascinated by Hurling. That was back in 2012 and since then the club has further developed, adding Gaelic Football and Camogie to its ranks and boasting over 40 members.

How many years have you played GAA in Cologne?

As mentioned the Gaelic Games have been played in Cologne since 2012. In that time the club has competed in official @GaelicGamesEuro European GAA and even at the GAA World Games in 2016.

Do you have plans to come to Ireland to play?

The club was due to travel to Co. Cork this St Patrick’s Weekend for a weekend of culture and games to mark the twinned cities commemoration of Cologne and Cork, which was to include a hurling game against St. Finbarr’s @the_barrs.

But Corona Virus or Covid-19 got in the way and we had to postpone! We’re looking to get it going again for next year.

Would you like to see a GAA World Cup?

There is already something similar – the GAA World Games, the last of which was held in Ireland last year and to which our club sent some players. But in any case we are in favour of any cups or competitions that allows us to play games and have the craic with other clubs the world over!