My first experience of St. Peter’s Hurling club was on January 2nd, 2015 when I went to the first practice match (or ‘scrimmage’ as it’s so affectionately called by our American counter parts) of the year. I was instantly blown away by the number of players out in force, 35+ were out ready to hurl on the first Sunday of January. In all my years of playing I had never seen such a good turnout and enthusiasm for the first session of the year for any club I played with prior.
Another thing which caught me by surprise was the standard at which the game was played at, there was a lot of Irish expats who of course had been hurling since they were young but the American contingent can more than hold their own with anyone despite having less than half the experience some of the Irish born players had. These former Lacrosse, baseball and even American football players all brought different strengths which they leveraged to adapt to this new sport.
Saying that no matter how new or old to the sport of hurling you are or your experience level everyone is made feel welcome and the coaches go out of their way to ensure everyone develops and improves on the skills they need to work on. All while creating a friendly, fun atmosphere where people can build relationships and a community together.
When I moved to San Diego in January of 2019, I knew two people; My brother and my fiance.
I joined St. Peter’s Hurling Club soon after. The club was welcoming and patient with me as I learned the new sport.
I had grown up playing hockey in the Bay Area so I felt that Hurling wouldn’t be difficult to learn, and to some extent my sports background has helped a ton, but the men in this club were quick with pointers during training and were enthusiastic with their support during games, even when I felt lost out on the field.
From youth sports, through high school and into adulthood I have played on many sports teams, but the passion, comaraderie, and commitment to winning that this club possesses is stronger than any team or club I have played with before.
The members of this club are great competitors on the field, great friends off the field and genuinely good people all the time. I’m happy to say, they are some of the most outstanding bunch of lads I’ve had the pleasure of knowing.
San Diego has been an amazing place to live, but with the help of this club, it has been easy to call it “home”.
After spending the year of 2018 in San Diego, and playing with St. Peters for most of that time, I guess you can say I got to know the team very well.
From my arrival in San Diego in January, it took me a bit of time to get settled, but once I got involved with St Petes they made me feel right at home. Having played hurling from a young age back home, I was very impressed with the setup the club had, and training from the offset was both high intensity and very enjoyable.
Great training and a highly motivated team lead to a very successful year for the team, all culminating in victory at the USGAA Finals in Philadelphia. I’m happy to say that I have made many great friends through the team, and they’re the best group of lads you could meet.
Even after returning to Ireland, I’m often in contact with lads from the team, and to this day still feel part of the team, which goes to show the quality of this San Diego hurling side.
I went to SD on a J1 last summer and decided to join up with St. Peter’s to play a bit of hurling. I wasn’t expecting to come into such a well run club full of Irish and Americans alike, all exceptionally devoted to hurling. Instantly myself and Donal, another J1, were accepted as one of their own.
There was a wide variety of people involved, ranging from Irish lads living the American dream, all of which had played hurling at some level here in Ireland, to Irish-Americans who picked up the sport from a relative and even people who had just seen videos and decided that hurling was the sport for them.
It was a great experience playing with this group of lads, from trainings on a Wednesday and Sunday, which we were always sorted for with a lift (shout-out to Tommy Dormer), to playing matches in San Fran and finishing up at the North American Hurling championships hosted in Virginia. Nationals was easily the best weekend of the summer; hurling, drinking and shifting, can’t ask for much more.
I went to San Diego for the summer of 2019 in search of a laugh, some sun and a change of scenery, like all the other j1ers who made the same journey. I decided last minute to bring my hurley, purely to have the option of going for a few pucks on the beach in the evenings, and so as not to be completely off the pace upon returning back to training after a summer of taking it handy. The eye would be in at least! So, while joining up with St.Peters was honestly fairly low on my list of priorities as I left Shannon airport last June, I’m extremely grateful and happy with myself that I did.
I ended up going training after playing in the annual St.Peters vs j1s challenge match, and despite all the distractions and attractions San Diego has to offer I found it hard to stay away. The cameraderie between players from all backgrounds, from Irish lads who were born with a hurley in their hand to Americans who were only beginning in their hurling journey was something that I wasparticularly impressed and taken aback by. This atmosphere of community and sense of togetherness is something St.Peters are very proud of, and it wasn’t long until myself and other j1 players were made feel part of the team, and not just guests parachuted in for the summer.
On the playing side, two trips to San Francisco to compete in the San Fran championship and one trip to Virginia for the nationals were highlights of the entire j1 experience for me. The standard is good and the nature of American hurling is enjoyable, with 13 a side games allowing for plenty of space and opportunity to get on the ball. Conditions were always perfect too! While unfortunately my time in the St Peters jersey ended with no silverware, coming up just short in the nationals after extra time in the semi final to the eventual winners, Offaly Boston, I returned home with memories and friendships I will cherish much more than any medals that could have been won.
So while hurling was far from my mind at the start of the summer, St.Peters undoubtedly added great value to my j1 holiday. It was a pleasure to play with a committed group of hurlers, who all know how to enjoy the finer things in life also! I wouldn’t hesitate to direct anyone heading to San Diego, be it to live or on a j1, in the direction of St.Peters, and I’m proud to have played a small part in the history of a growing club with many years of success ahead of them. SoCal abú!
You’d think that after 20+ years of baseball and 6 years in the Minor Leagues that baseball would be my favorite sport. But after about 3 practices and one game of hurling things changed pretty quickly.
Baseball definitely helped the transition easier, catching high balls like an outfielder or trying to hit a home run every time I swing. Now it’s a new challenge to learn the rest of the skills/tactics.
Everything else that comes with hurling is an added bonus. Getting to compete again is huge for me, the cardio component makes sure I don’t get out of shape.
But the camaraderie is probably the most
Important. Being new in San Diego I’m lucky to have this group of guys to grab a beer with (or two or ten).
I try and recommend hurling to anyone who has played any sport in the past, come see if you can hang.
I was living in San Francisco in 1999. One Friday after work I decided to stop by an Irish pub for a bit of end of week celebration. Looking up from the bar I noticed an old television playing a grainy VHS tape of some crazy sport I had never seen before. That sport turned out to be hurling and that chance encounter started me down a path I’m still following twenty years later. The following year I moved to Southern California only to find out that there were no active teams. I spent the next ten years trying to find a way to give this game a try and finally stumbled upon a group holding training sessions in the summer of 2010. I’ll never forget showing up to Liberty Station that day to find a loud Irishman handing out hurls from the trunk of his car and four or five people with American accents that looked as unaware of what they were getting themselves into as I was. The field looked nothing like what I had seen on tv; no goals or uprights, no field markings, nothing but a big open space. That session and, come to think of it, the next couple of years, consisted primarily of ground hurling and constant shouts of “PULL!”. Sometime in the second year we managed to have enough players to have a decent backs and forwards session. We also managed to find our first game, yes one game for the entire year. The following year we played in our first national tournament, the year after that we returned to nationals and St. Peter’s won its first game. Nothing is so sweet as a victory after three years of absolutely killing ourselves in training and being toyed with in games by established clubs. All the while St. Peter’s was growing in numbers and structure. In competition we were still out of our depth more often than not, but a bond was growing among the players. A bond built through hard work, a desire to build something out of nothing, and the knowledge that we were all in this thing together. The following years saw the club formalize a structure that allowed us to grow numbers and build resources. We could now purchase badly needed equipment. We could rent field space instead of squatting at local parks and schools (and occasionally being chased off the grounds). We also reached a level where we could draw the attention of Irish players. This influx of skill and knowledge was a tremendous boost to the club. Not only did it add skill on the field, it provided guidance and support for the still developing American players. While I have never confirmed this supposition, I firmly believe that the hunger for the game among the American players re-lit a fire in the Irish players. And the wins began to add up. It’s funny how winning builds upon itself. We won our first North American championship in 2016, six years after forming as a club and three years after winning our first game. It was surreal, we won a Jr. B cup. To most of us it seemed like we had reached the pinnacle of what we dreamed may someday be possible when we were hacking around Liberty station in the early days. Two years later we won a Jr. A championship and it seemed like everybody expected the outcome. We now find ourselves an Intermediate club. Never in my wildest dreams would I have guessed we could reach intermediate level. Now I know, without a doubt, that St. Peter’s will be a Sr. hurling club. Sooner rather than later.
Over the years our numbers have grown tremendously, but we have also lost many members through the normal cycles of life. Some have graduated college and moved on to other parts of the country and world. Others gave everything their bodies could give and had to retire. Some of our many military members have been transferred, some into harm’s way. Marriages have occurred and babies have been born. In recent years we have been lucky enough to have a tremendous group of J-1ers join us from Ireland each summer, unfortunately we lose them at the close of each season. Through all the comings and goings one thing has remained constant, the quality of the individuals is what makes St. Peter’s special. Whenever I run into a former member it’s like they are still part of the club. They all consider themselves St. Pete’s men to this day, and they will always have a home with the club.
This club has been a huge part of my life over the past decade. As I head into the twilight of my playing days, I look back on my time with St. Pete’s and I can honestly say that I could not have hoped for more from a club experience. I have an eleven year old son who caught the hurling bug this year. Probably the best thing I can say about my club is that I would be proud to have my boy lineout for St. Peter’s in the years to come.
My first training session with St Peter’s came in January 2014. I was only there out of a sense of obligation. A club member named Justin Rhoads had given me this strange looking stick and asked me to come out to training and give it a try. As a former football player the physicality of the sport appealed to me but in the 20 years since I had hung up my shoulder pads I had not done anything more strenuous than trying to leg out a double in a beer league softball game. I was old, slow, out of shape, and already concocting excuses in my head as to why I wouldn’t be joining the team. I was just going to put in enough effort to tell Justin I tried.
I arrived at my first training in early January. It was cold, damp, and there was this old Irish guy yelling gibberish at everyone. I couldn’t understand what he was saying, but I could tell he was angry. He turned out to be the coach and I still remember the first thing he said to me, “you’re Justin’s friend? Then I expect big things out of you”. But after the warm up lap it was obvious I was the least fit person there. And after the first few drills it was obvious I was the least coordinated person there. If this was also the first training session for anyone else it certainly didn’t feel like it to me. I felt like I was a clumsy oaf trying to crash a well oiled machine. I was convinced I would not be able to make the team and that no one would miss me if I didn’t come back next week. In fact I stopped trying to think up excuses for Justin, I felt it was obvious to everyone on the field that hurling wasn’t for me. But then I noticed something weird happening. If I fell behind everyone would encourage me to catch up. If I wasn’t getting a drill everyone would help me figure it out. By the end of the 2 hours I felt I had bonded with everyone there. It didn’t matter that I didn’t know what I was doing, everyone appreciated the effort. I felt like I was part of the St Peter’s family after just one training. As I was packing up everyone stopped by, told me I did great out there, and most unexpectedly asked if I would be back next week. A few even insisted I come back. How could I say “no”? I felt a part of them now and, quite frankly, I was hooked on the sport after just one session.
I had never played a sport that required so much technical skill, agility, brute physicality, and fitness all at the same time. The support and camaraderie shown to me by my new teammates inspired me to improve. I was determined to contribute in anyway I could on and off the field so I wouldn’t let my new friends down. I was not expecting to be anything other than a sub but by the time we went to national’s that year, in Cleveland, I was the starting corner back. Later I was named rookie of the year. Not because I was the most talented rookie, I most certainly was not, but because my teammates had recognized the effort I put in to improve and contribute.
6 years later I am still doing all I can to help contribute on and off the field and I do not see that ending anytime soon. The club is like a big multi-national family. We attend each other’s weddings, we celebrate births and career advancements together, we keep in touch when life events require a teammate to move away. To watch the club grow from a middling junior C team to a very dangerous Intermediate side, while winning 2 national titles and several smaller tournaments along the way, is one of the things I am most proud of. I am sure if I went back to that day in January and told my past self that I would do all kinds of crazy things to help this team, like run and voluntarily go to Cleveland, he would have laughed in my face. But yet here I am and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Hon The Pete’s!!!
Arriving solo in San Diego on the grad visa was made much easier after my first training session with St. Peter’s. I was immediately welcomed by all and integrated into the team plans for Nationals in Seattle that year. A GAA brewery tour that weekend helped me getting to know the wider Irish community in San Diego. The Finals in Seattle went exactly as planned where I won my 1st County medal (after losing 4 in Galway!) after a closely contested final against St. Joseph’s. Missing the next mornings flight back to SD was a sign of great celebrations!
Training was planned with well thought out drills, match practice and a bit of craic! There was a great atmosphere and I looked forward to training each week. Club legend Jeff Mc Grath let me use his ‘76 Karmann Ghia Hoopty which got me to training (while regularly fending off middle-aged men interested in buying the car!).
The GAA year is structured well with plenty of games and tournaments to look forward to. The West Coast 7’s tournament in May was very enjoyable and provides open, high scoring hurling where a game can change in the blink of an eye. I hadn’t played 7’s since Primary School and hope to travel back for the tournament some day! The Rumble in The Rockies Denver tournament was also great, with a high quality of hurling and plenty of entertainment provided by John Green that year! Tom Kelly can elaborate!
St. Peters provided friends outside of training and puc arounds with Russell and Eoin among others! Finals in San Francisco the following year didn’t go as planned but was still enjoyable nonetheless. Its great to see the club go from strength to strength since and I’m sure they will continue to do so. #petes
I transferred to St Peter’s in 2016 for my J1 before leaving Ireland with the hopes of playing some hurling while in San Diego. What I didn’t expect was to meet such welcoming people and to make friends for life. Prior to joining St Peter’s, I hadn’t played hurling for 5 years through college. The comradery, the craic and dedication at St Peter’s changed all that. I been back playing since and love it more than ever.
Competing in and winning the junior B North American with this great bunch of guys will go down as one of my fondest memories. The support, dedication and atmosphere at the club is second to none and let’s be honest not many clubs can beat training on the beach in the California sunshine. Since my time with the club they have gone form strength to strength and I think it is only a matter of time before the club is competing at the highest levels in North America. Thanks St Pete’s for the homely welcome, the craic and the memories!
I moved to San Diego on a Tuesday morning in June 2016, knowing nobody. I messaged St. Peter’s GAA club on Facebook about joining the local hurling team and they immediately welcomed me in. It was on that Tuesday evening when a club stalwart Jeffy McGrath collected me in downtown San Diego for an hours puck around on the beach. The camaraderie and craic amongst the group was infectious and the family atmosphere made me feel as if I had never left my home club in Wexford. The welcoming was top class and something that I will never forget. The cup of tea and sandwiches in the Irish Outreach Centre that September set us on our way for the North American championships later that year. I fondly remember inspirational pep talks from one of our leaders Noel Mythen, reminding us that our size always outweighed the opposition. Silverware has become more frequent over the past few years due to the hard work and dedication of the core members of this club. I’ve no doubt that St. Peter’s will go from strength to strength in the future. This club was a real home away from home and I look back on my time with them with utmost enjoyment. Thanks lads!!!
