HARTFORD GAA
History of Hartford GAA
As far back as the early 1900's Hartford (Connecticut) and the surrounding towns were playing competitive football.World war two impeded the progress of Gaelic football in America, emigration from Ireland being halted. In 1947 American shores were opened again to emigrants. Irishmen were anxious to retain ties with their country joined together to play their national sport. In 1950's and 1960's several of the Hartford players made up the new York selected team.This was a great honor for the greater Hartford Irish community.
Emigration halted again in the late 1960's and thus the tide turned. A major program was launched to introduce american youth to Gaelic football. The program prevailed and the club enjoyed a national championship win and many state championships throughout the 1970's and 1980's. However in the 1990's Gaelic football once again died out in Hartford.
Hartford Senior Gaelic Football was resurrected in 2007.Two years later Stephen Miskell (a native of Killererin GAA)and Johnny Murphy created the youth football program.The program has grown from 34 players to over 60 players in just two years. Hartford have just recently established a U-10 hurling program.
They hope to keep the GAA tradition alive and thriving in Hartford. Their U-16 team travelled to Ireland in 2011 and stayed with clubs in Galway. Cork ,Clare and Kerry.