BROTHERS Pearse aim to hit the ground running when they start the new Gaelic football season at home to St Benedicts Harps on Sunday (1.00).
The Huddersfield club made the Yorkshire semi-finals last season, but suffered relegation from the top flight of the Pennine League, which also takes in clubs from Manchester and Liverpool.
A quick return is the aim for the historic club who were founded in 1954 and now play their senior matches at Colne Valley High School (the juniors remain at All Saints).
Secretary Ollie Walsh believes St Benedicts, from Leeds, and Manchester side St Anne’s will be among the sides to watch out for, with new club Wolf Tones, from the Gaelic games stronghold of Liverpool, an unknown quantity.
“Benedicts have always been strong on the youth side, so should have some decent players coming through, while St Anne’s are a well established side,” he said.
“Liverpool’s other club, John Mitchells, are very strong, and the city’s Irish connections and big student population mean there are a lot of players to call on, so Wolf Tones could benefit from that.”
Leeds trio JF Kennedys, Hugh O’Neill’s and Young Irelands make up the seven-strong division, and club stalwart Walsh is hoping some of Brothers Pearse’s up-and-coming youngsters will shine.
“We’ve put in a lot of work on the youth section and forging links with local schools in recent years, and it would be nice if it started paying off,” he added.
