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Tommy Barry dives for the ball in last night's game in Seville. INPHO/Jesus Spinola

Gaelic football on show at La Liga game in Seville

Thousands of Spanish soccer fans were treated to a unique half-time show at the Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan last night.

SPANISH SOCCER FANS at the Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan in Seville were last night treated to the unique sight of a Gaelic football match at half-time of a La Liga game.

Sevilla won their clash with Granada 3-0 in a game that saw Spain Euro 2012 winners Jesús Navas and Álvaro Negredo in action for them.

And it was another local sports team, the city’s Gaelic football side Éire Óg Sevilla, that partook in an exhibition match at half-time.

The event was part of a marketing plan undertaken by Sevilla FC to attract foreigners as new members of the club.

Throughout this season the club have dedicated each home game to a different country and last night’s promotion involved Ireland.

The Éire Óg players were involved in a seven-a-side game during a six-minute slot in the interval.

Tickets for last night’s game were just €5 for Irish passport holders, while the Irish flag was flown over the stadium, goalscorers were announced as Gaeilge and trad band Rare Folk entertained fans before the game.

Action from last night’s exhibition game. Pic: INPHO/Jesus Spinola

“The Spanish may have their bulls and flamenco, but we brought them culture in Gaelic football tonight,” remarked club co-founder and chairman Kevin Lenane.

The team, founded in 2010, is made up of expats and native Spaniards based in the city and is one of 14 Gaelic football teams now in action in the country.

And one of the Éire Óg Sevilla players, Clonmel native Tommy Barry, made a round trip of over 1,000km to line out in the game on the Andalucian coast.

Barry was originally involved with the club when he lived in Seville but has been based in Madrid since last May. He travelled down to Seville by train last night before the game before returning on an overnight bus to be back in the Spanish capital in time for work this morning.

Here’s your 2013 Sigerson Cup Guide: Part 1

Here’s your 2013 Sigerson Cup Guide: Part 2

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22 Comments
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    Mute Mike Kelly
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    Oct 19th 2014, 7:57 PM

    Am i right in saying that if an amalgamated team wins the county title in Kerry then Crokes will get to defend their munster title?

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    Mute Michael Twomey
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    Oct 20th 2014, 12:15 AM

    Yes correct

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    Mute Paul Leigh
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    Oct 19th 2014, 8:07 PM

    What’s the difference in the the championship Dr Crokes won today and the one Austin Stacks and Mid Kerry are playing for next week?

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    Mute Cathal O'Flaherty
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    Oct 19th 2014, 10:13 PM

    Next week’s game is the County Championship final.That competition involves senior club teams,plus amalgamated divisional teams made up of several non-senior clubs e.g. Mid-Kerry.If a divisional team wins the county championship,then the Club Champions represent Kerry in the Munster Club Championship.So if Stacks lose next week,Crokes will defend their title.

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    Mute Chris Horan
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    Oct 19th 2014, 8:27 PM

    Has it happened often in Kerry where the same team wins both club and county championships… I’m guessing the divisional sides aren’t allowed compete for the club title. Could someone shed some light on the format please.

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    Mute Michael Twomey
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    Oct 20th 2014, 12:17 AM

    Yes Crokes won both club and county championships in recent years. The club championship is just for senior clubs so no divisions allowed.

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    Mute William Coleman
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    Oct 19th 2014, 11:59 PM

    Bit unfair on stacks u think if mid Kerry win the county final the loosing finalist should represent Kerry in Munster

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    Mute Patrick O'Carroll
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    Oct 19th 2014, 8:28 PM

    If midkerry defeat Austin stacks next sunday it will mean Dr crokes will represent kerry in the allireland combetition..

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    Mute gerry campbell
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    Oct 19th 2014, 7:42 PM

    Well done the town.

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