“Always Bet on the Plunks”: A New Generation of Hurlers Shakes Up the San Francisco GAA
A new force has emerged in the USGAA Western Division—and it’s not just a club, it’s a statement. With camo kits, a scrappy ethos, and a roster composed almost entirely of American-born players, the Joseph Mary Plunketts are redefining what hurling looks like in the Bay Area.
Named for the Irish poet and revolutionary who played a pivotal role in the 1916 Easter Rising, the Plunketts channel a bold, uncompromising energy into one of the strongest hurling communities outside of Ireland. For a city with a deep GAA tradition, the emergence of this new club marks more than just the arrival of another team—it signals a generational shift.
The Plunks are primarily made up of Irish American players born and raised in the Bay Area. Some came up through the San Francisco Youth GAA program, Others have just discovered the sport. All share an ethos of sacrifice, hard work, and pride—qualities they see mirrored in their namesake, Joseph Mary Plunkett.
“Plunkett rose up when it would have been easier to stay down,” says Keane. “Without action, there is no change. That’s how we see ourselves. We want to see hurling grow in America. That’s something to fight for.”
It didn’t take long for the new club to make its mark. In October, the Plunketts traveled to Arizona for their first-ever tournament, the Cactus Cup. With “Joseph Mary Plunketts” scrawled on white tees for uniforms, they arrived as underdogs but left undefeated and victorious.
“Some of the other teams laughed at us when they saw our kits,” Keane recalls. “But they weren’t laughing when we walked with the cup.”
Despite their brash attitude and outsider image, the Plunketts are deeply committed to the values of community and identity that define the GAA. But they do it their way. Where some clubs are anchored by ties to counties in Ireland, the Plunketts draw strength from their roots in San Francisco. They’re proud to be a new generation raised in the diaspora, not just keeping Irish culture alive, but pushing it into new territory.
“People ask, ‘Do we really need another club?’” says Keane. “We’re not here to take anything away from what already makes San Francisco GAA great. We’re here to add to it—to open the door wider, to give more people a chance to fall in love with this game.”
Though most of the Plunks are Irish American, it’s no requirement. “With the Plunketts, it’s about attitude. When you board the ship, it’s time to set sail. And in our case, we’re sailing upwind and against the current. Anyone is welcome—as long as they understand that,” says Keane.
Their journey has already produced a rallying cry that’s catching on: Always Bet on the Plunks. It’s more than a slogan—it’s a mentality.
“It basically means don’t bet against us,” Keane says. “And if you do—eventually, we’ll beat you. Shoutout to Joey Lewis for coining that.”
Whether or not the Plunketts go on to win titles, one thing is already clear: they’ve created something rare and vital. A team born of vision instead of legacy. A space for homegrown hurlers to dream big, work hard, and write their own chapter in the story of the GAA.
In a city built on reinvention, that might just be the most Irish thing of all.
