READING'S only Gaelic football club are looking to recruit new players as their pre-season training kicks off this week.

St Anthony's Gaelic Football Association – the only Gaelic sports club in Berkshire – will be hosting men's and women's taster sessions as they looks to expand ahead of the new season.

The women's taster sessions will be held every Tuesday evening at 8.30pm under the Palmer Park floodlights (RG6 1LF), while the men's will be held at Reading RFC (RG4 6ST ) at 7.30pm on Friday nights.

Gaelic Football is a team sport mainly played in Ireland between sides of 15 players, with a with a goal resembling that used in rugby but having a net attached.

The object is to kick or punch the round ball into the net, which scores three points, or over the crossbar, to earn one point.

Martin O'Sullivan, Chairman of St Anthony's urged people of all ages and abilities, regardless of whether they have Irish roots, to come along.

He said: “St Anthony's Gaelic Football Club caters for all levels and abilities interested in playing the game.

"We have been in existence since 1963 and we are very proud of the fact that we have been represented on the field of play by players from all countries.”

Although a traditionally Irish sport, St Anthony's is an all-inclusive club boasting players from several nations including Britain, Albania, Australia, USA and Sweden. They are one of 44 Gaelic football clubs in the UK.

St Anthony's men play in the London County Championship while the women play in their own London league.

O'Sullivan, who is also landlord at The Gateway Pub on GreyFriars Road in Reading, described St Anthony's a competitive and ambitious club which hosts regular social events.

“Gaelic football is not only a great active sport and fun way to keep fit but it is also a fantastic social opportunity to meet people from all walks of life,” he said.

“We would be delighted to hear from anyone who is interested in playing our game.”

For further details on how to get involved with St Anthony's, contact Martin O'Sullivan on 07967672784 or visit The Gateway Pub in Reading, or follow St Anthony's on Twitter @StAnthonysGAA