PICTURES: GAA Dads & Lads from around Ireland roll back the years for huge football blitz

The GAA’s Dads & Lads initiative was in full flight for the second weekend in a row as attentions turned to the big ball with hundreds of footballers from across the country togging out for the national blitz at the National Sports Campus in Abbotstown, Dublin. 

A total of 26 teams from 13 counties made the trip for a day of football and craic in the capital. The hurling blitz was staged last weekend with over 660 players taking part across both codes.

USE THE ARROWS OR 'NEXT' TO BROWSE THROUGH THE FULL GALLERY

Footballers from all backgrounds and skills made the journey on Saturday with Kildare’s Monasterevin and Leixlip represented, Stradbally from Laois, and Louth’s Geraldines and St Bride’s. Teams from Antrim, Armagh, Dublin, Down, Fermanagh, Meath, Monaghan, Tyrone, Westmeath and Wicklow ensured a strong provincial mix. 

Teams: Colin Gaels, Antrim; St. Comgalls, Antrim; Eire Og GAC, Armagh; Pearse Óg, Armagh; Naomh Olaf, Dublin; Robert Emmets Aul Fellas, Dublin; Round Towers Clondalkin, Dublin; St Finians Swords, Dublin; Bosco, Down; Carryduff, Down; Belnaleck, Fermanagh; Leixlip, Kildare; Monasterevan, Kildare; Geraldines GFC, Louth; St Brides, Louth; Stradbally, Laois; Bective, Meath; Simonstown Gaels, Meath; St Peter’s Dunboyne, Meath; Sean McDermotts, Monaghan; Killeeshil, Tyrone; Killyclogher, Tyrone; St.Marys Rochfortbridge, Westmeath; Éire Óg Greystones, Wicklow; Grey Emmets, Wicklow; Newtown Bens, Wicklow.

Dads & Lads is a social hurling and football initiative for those aged around 35 and older keen to enjoy Gaelic games outside the traditional competitive structures of the GAA.