Courtesy of Greg Gornick, Chestnut Hill SID

PHILADELPHIA, Pa., – Taking on duties as tour guide, Chestnut Hill College Head Women’s Soccer Coach, Seamus O’Connor will escort his women’s soccer team on a ten-day trip to his homeland of Ireland in August. In addition to historical and cultural site-seeing, the Griffins will compete in three contests and hold an instructional clinic for local youth.

"This is such a wonderful group of young women and I am very proud to bring them to Ireland to represent Chestnut Hill College and the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference," said head coach Seamus O'Connor. "Both on and off the field I am sure these women will make a great impression on the people of Ireland and I am also sure that Ireland will give the players a lifetime of amazing memories and stories. This trip offers our players a great combination of soccer and education. I am very excited to share the wonderful experiences and people of my home country with my players and to showcase to the people of Ireland the quality of young women and female athletes that is produced here at Chestnut Hill College."

The women’s soccer team will depart from John F. Kennedy International Airport on Friday, August 5, arriving in Dublin, Ireland, the next day. Competition will begin in Dublin on Sunday, August 7, with the Griffins challenging the Cabinteely Ladies Football Club. They will then travel to challenge the Limerick Ladies Football Club on Tuesday, August 9, and the Lifford Ladies Football Club, of Clare County, on Thursday, August 11.  Additionally, the women’s soccer team will run an instructional clinic for the local boys and girls of O’Connor’s home town, Kinvara, Galway County, on Saturday, August 13.

The trip, however, is not all work as the Griffins will also get to see several historical landmarks including; The Hill of Tara, the Book of Kells, Glendalough National Park, the Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry, and several castles and monuments that tell the history of Ireland. 

the team will experience the culture of Ireland by attending traditional Irish music and dancing shows, as well as visiting the locations where many of the greatest artists in the world such as James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, Seamus Heaney, Frank McCourt, U2, the Pogues, and Riverdance found their inspiration. During their journey, you can follow the adventures of the women’s soccer team, who will be sharing their Ireland experience through use of a team blog.

Fundraising efforts to help pay for the trip are underway. Anyone interested in donating to this priceless experience should contact Coach O’Connor via email at O’Connors@chc.edu.