Albany Rebels to play for New York Cup this weekend

ALBANY — Gaelic football, it’s an Irish team sport similar to soccer and rugby, and we have a team right here in the 518.

On Sunday, August 5, the Albany Rebels (3-1) will face off against the Buffalo Fenians in the first ever New York Cup game at the College of Saint Rose’s Plumeri Sports Complex at 2:30 p.m. The Rebels are made up of players from around the region and Ireland.

“This competition represents the culmination of five years worth of work in establishing this club,” said forward and club chairman Cillian Flavin, in a statement released Wednesday. “The team has grown so much over the past year and have really improved their skill set. Winning this competition in its inaugural year would be a great achievement.”

The objective of the sport is to score points by kicking the ball into the opponent’s goal (3 points) or over the crossbar and through the uprights (1 point). Players advance the ball down the field by carrying the ball in their hands, bouncing it off the ground, soloing the ball (dropping the ball and then toe-kicking it upward into the hands), hand-passing and kicking the ball to teammates.

Syracuse’s Gaelic football club will also play a game in the tournament, but with a 0-4 record, they aren’t eligible for the cup.

Here’s the schedule:
Syracuse at Albany – 1:30 p.m.
Buffalo at Albany – 2:30 p.m. (New York Cup Final)
Buffalo vs. Syracuse – 3:30 p.m.