In Vannes, the young players of Gwened took on Irish teams at the Samhain Cup, a tournament that highlights the quiet progress of this sport in Brittany.
On Saturday, October 24, 2026, the city of Vannes, in the Morbihan department, hosted the second edition of the Samhain Cup, an international Gaelic football competition. For the young players of the local club, Gwened Vannes Gaelic Football, the event represented a rare opportunity: to go head-to-head with the best Irish teams, the historic cradle of this discipline.
Gaelic football remains little known in France. Born in Ireland, it blends movements close to football, rugby and handball, with a ball that can be carried, passed by hand or kicked. Long practiced mainly by the Irish diaspora and a few initiated circles, it is gradually gaining ground across the Hexagon, and Brittany is among the regions where the momentum is most visible.
Hosting a competition of this level on Morbihan soil reflects this growth. It gives the Breton players a concrete benchmark for measuring their progress against more experienced opponents, accustomed to a busy schedule and to structured play for many years.
The Samhain Cup also showcased a special distinction: the Samhain Spirit Award, which rewards fair play. The Vannes players won it, a sign that a team's worth is not measured solely by the scoreboard. In a sport where physical commitment is intense, this recognition underlines the quality of the club's spirit.
Beyond the sporting result, this gathering contributes to spreading a discipline still unknown to the wider public. For Gwened and for Breton Gaelic football, the success of this day could serve as a springboard for new recruits and more regular exchanges with Irish clubs.
Gaelic football remains little known in France. Born in Ireland, it blends movements close to football, rugby and handball, with a ball that can be carried, passed by hand or kicked. Long practiced mainly by the Irish diaspora and a few initiated circles, it is gradually gaining ground across the Hexagon, and Brittany is among the regions where the momentum is most visible.
Hosting a competition of this level on Morbihan soil reflects this growth. It gives the Breton players a concrete benchmark for measuring their progress against more experienced opponents, accustomed to a busy schedule and to structured play for many years.
The Samhain Cup also showcased a special distinction: the Samhain Spirit Award, which rewards fair play. The Vannes players won it, a sign that a team's worth is not measured solely by the scoreboard. In a sport where physical commitment is intense, this recognition underlines the quality of the club's spirit.
Beyond the sporting result, this gathering contributes to spreading a discipline still unknown to the wider public. For Gwened and for Breton Gaelic football, the success of this day could serve as a springboard for new recruits and more regular exchanges with Irish clubs.
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Source: Ouest-France