Kildare club Straffan welcomes new members from Ukraine

Five Ukrainian children have been warmly embraced by Kildare club Straffan GAA who have welcomed and integrated them into their community and underage set-ups.

The Straffan club invited the children to join their club and train with their teams and last week presented them with jerseys, which was an idea brought to the Straffan executive by club mentor and member Damien Fitzpatrick.

The children recently started school in the area and Straffan GAA were keen to invite them to play Gaelic football.

At their first training session, the children were presented with both Straffan and Straffard LGFA jerseys - the club links with Ardclough allows girls from both clubs to play football.

"Once Damien and I discussed the jerseys, it was clear that it was the right and obvious thing to do," said Straffan treasurer Francis Farrell.

"There are a few Ukrainian people in the village and we just asked if they would come and see the club, play some football with us.

"We wanted to welcome them to our community and also present our jerseys to them.

"One of the little lads has already got fairly stuck in at training and is embracing GAA. He used to play soccer in Ukraine for an Under-9 team and he is obviously very sporty. We are checking to see how he is getting on and his coach reports that he has no problem picking the ball up, running with it and even soloing.

"I think all the children are delighted with it."

"He can most definitely get stuck in and understand what needs to be done. His hand-to-eye coordination is already there enabling him to pick up the key skills.

"I think all the children are delighted with it. The girls have been very much embraced by Straffan too and I know everyone involved has welcomed them with open arms."

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