Tipperary footballer representing Italy at the GAA World Games
The former Clonmel Commercials player will represent Italy
Clonmel's Adam O'Ceallaigh will soon be proudly representing Italy at the GAA World Games, which are to be held in Waterford this July. O’Ceallaigh forms part of the Italy GAA panel, competing in the Open category in the football code.
Originally from south Tipperary, Adam was immersed in Gaelic football from an early age playing with Clonmel Commercials from under-6 right through the club ranks.
He joked that he "didn't really have a choice" in the matter, as his father's second job is on the field as manager, “so football was always a huge part of family life”.
Now living in Rome, Adam works as a full stack software developer and has been playing with Rome Hibernia GAA since 2023. Comfortable at either full-back or centre-back, he has become an important member of the club and has earned his place on the Italy GAA panel for this summer's World Games.
The Italy squad is made up of players from Rome Hibernia GAA and Sant'Ambrogio Milan GAA, bringing together Irish and international players who have helped grow Gaelic games across Italy.
Italy will be sending two teams to the GAA World Games in Waterford this July, competing in both the International category and the Open category, which is made up of Irish players. The panel is made up of players from both Rome and Milan, representing the growing GAA community here in Italy.
ROME HIBERNIA GAA
Rome Hibernia GAA caters to men’s and ladies’ Gaelic football, hurling, and camogie, and competes in the Central–East Region of Gaelic Games Europe.
The club has gained international recognition, especially here at home in Ireland following a historic audience with Pope Francis during which the club presented an O’Neills football as a symbol of heritage and goodwill.
In recent years, the club has participated in a range of exhibitions, demonstrations, and cultural initiatives, including collaborations with the Irish Embassy to the Holy See and Gaelic Games Europe to showcase Gaelic Games during the “Jubilee of Sport” in Rome. In 2025, these efforts included the presentation of a customised Rome Hibernia GAA jersey for the Jubilee to Pope Leo XIV.
The club continues to expand its sporting and cultural presence, with members selected to represent Italy at the 2026 GAA World Games in Waterford.