'I think I prefer Gaelic football to hurling'

MERIEM DJAZOULI (29), originally from Algeria


"I guess here when you're a kid you do Gaelic football and then when I talk to people and I say I play Gaelic football, they say, 'oh yeah I did that when I was a kid but I never went back', and I think it would be good for them to go back."

NATHAN GRIMME (17), from Colmar in France

“I enjoyed it completely. It was a little bit difficult because we have never practised before but it was a chance to discover the traditional Irish sport. It’s really physical. It’s really good and very interesting.”

JONATHAN DE ANDRADE (27), from Salvador, Brazil

“Most of the sports nowadays are global sports: soccer, baseball, basketball. But Ireland has this particular thing with hurling and Gaelic football and with camogie as well. It was great craic. I wouldn’t mind playing again.”

ABDAL CHAUDHRY (24), from Pakistan

“I’d never played hurling before, I’d never even seen it so that’s why I came down today. It’s kind of different from all the sports I’ve ever played. I’ve played cricket and hockey and it’s still totally different. But it’s fun.”

FRANCESCA CASTROVILLARI (24) from Rome, Italy

“I’m here to study English for three weeks. I came today because my school organised it. I like it very much. It is fun. I think I prefer Gaelic football to hurling.”