Gaelic Football is a field game often described as a mixture of soccer and rugby, although it predates both of those games. Indeed it is argued that Australian Rules (AFL) evolved from Gaelic Football as a result of the many thousands who were either deported or immigrated to Australia from the middle of the nineteenth century.

A group of Munster men; Seamus Clancy, Kevin Malone, Aidan McDermott, John Petty, Declan Brown, David Fahy, Noel Canavan and Eddie Maloney were the founders of Michael Cusack’s GAA Club and were instrumental in establishing the first Men’s Gaelic Football team in 1988.

Since then, Michael Cusack’s Men’s Football teams have been triumphant in all NSW competitions and players from all over Ireland (as well as some foreign imports!) have played a big part in their success.

In addition to our founders, other players who have given loyal service to Cusack’s Men’s Gaelic Football over the years include: Barry O’Connor and Michael (Skelly) Carrol (Louth), Declan Garry (Clare), Ger Power and Brendan Coleman (Cork), Mark (Tosh) Campbell (Armagh), Brian Daly and Darren Kierce (Clare), Conor Burke (Limerick), David Farrelly (Dublin), Podge O’Reilly (Longford) and Mark Murphy (Fermanagh).

A new era – Michael Cusack’s Ladies Football

1991 witnessed the dawning of a new era for NSW GAA and Australasian GAA with the introduction of Ladies Gaelic Football in Australia.

Various attempts had been made in the past to get a competition up and running for girls in NSW but nothing much ever seemed to come of it. However, this time interest was running high and 3 Ladies teams entered the 1991 NSWGAA Championship – Michael Cusack’s, Central Coast and Young Irelands.

Michael Cusack’s and Young Irelands reached the final with Cusack’s winning a thrilling match by 4-8 to 4-3. Captain on the day was Eileen Whelan (Limerick). This was the first officially organised “Ladies Gaelic Football Championship” in Australia and it was a great feat for the Cusack’s girls to be the inaugural winners.

Henry Phelan and Aidan McDermott (Coach/Trainers), Eddie McGrath (Maloney), Therese McHugh (Galway) and Liz Quaid (Limerick) were instrumental in setting up the first Ladies team.

We welcome players from all backgrounds and abilities – if you are interested in playing Football with Cusack’s please contact us