ASPIRING Gaelic footballers spent an afternoon learning more about the game with members of the Irish Guards Regiment.
At the invitation of Woodley Town Mayor, Cllr Dave Mills, those representing Setanta GAAspent Saturday afternoon with members of the British Army at The OakwoodCentre in Headley Road.
The Guards belong to the Gardai Eireannach Gaelic Football Club and, for the first time, will play in the London League and its cup competitions next year.
It is the first time a team from the British armed forces have been welcomed into the GAA.
It was fitting the Guards made there way over to the borough, as they got to meet staff and playersbof a club which was only launched this year.
And they were present to witness the unveiling of Setanta’s new emblem. Adapted from the Wokingham Town Council coat of arms, officials have designed a badge which bears the inscription ‘E Glande Quercus’ which has been translated from Latin into Gaelic.
“The children really liked the Wokingham crest and the parents liked the motto ‘E Glande Quercus’, which means ‘from the acorn, the oak’,” said Derek Gannon, a founding member of Setanta who revealed the emblem along with Cllr Mills and Cllr Philip Mirfin,Wokingham Town Mayor.
“We weren’t allowed to use the motto in Latin, but could translate it into another language. We translated it into Gaelic.
“We also simplified it greatly, but we are really pleased with the result.”
Inclusive of all boys and girls across the borough, Setanta currently works with childrenbetween the ages of six and eight. However, a 10-year plan to have a teamcompeting in every age category from U6 to U18 in the London Championshipsand All Britain Championships is in place.
A reception was later held at the centre for parents, local residents and councillors to meet with the soldiers.
