Gaelic Football Laochra

Gaelic Football Laochra
Cover featuring Aidan Forker
DeveloperBuck Eejit
PublisherHome Entertainment Suppliers[1]
Platforms
Release28 May 2026
GenreSports
ModesSingle-player, multiplayer

Gaelic Football Laochra is a sports video game developed by independent studio Buck Eejit. The game, which features Gaelic football, was released on PlayStation 5, Windows and Xbox Series X/S on 28 May 2026.[2]

The game is the first Gaelic games video game released on major platforms since 2007. Unlike the previous games, Gaelic Football Laochra is not licensed by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) and does not feature realistic county kits or stadiums. Player names and likenesses are also unlicensed. All-Ireland winning captain and Armagh player Aidan Forker appears in-game and on the cover art.[3]

Development

Buck Eejit Games first announced that it was developing a Gaelic football game slated for release in 2024. The game was developed at its studio in Belfast, Northern Ireland.[4] Originally titled "Gaelic Football '25" and partially funded via a Kickstarter campaign, it was billed as the first GAA-based video game released since 2007.[5][6][7][8]

In May 2025, it was proposed that the game could be released in "summer 2025".[9] In July 2025, the game's developer stated that it was then in its "second round of playtesting".[10] In April 2026, the developers announced that the game was due to be released on 28 May 2026 with Armagh footballer Aidan Forker being the cover star.[11][12]

Gameplay

There is a career mode, which allows players to chose their own team.

The game also features tournaments and matches for solo play or local competition, along with multiplayer. It also has a creation suite, which allows players to create custom players, kits and clubs.[2] Speaking with BreakingNews.ie in 2023, Peadar McMahon said: "There are over 2,000 clubs in Ireland so getting all of their approval would have been a logistical nightmare".[3]

Commentary in the game is provided by the MidWest Radio presenter Michael D McAndrew.[13]

Reception

Ed Power of The Irish Times gave the game a negative review.[14] Writing for The Xbox Hub, Neil Watton said the game was "Rough Around The Edges – But That Might Not Matter". Watton's review noted that, "Visually, Gaelic Football Laochra isn't exactly going toe-to-toe with the likes of EA Sports FC 26 any time soon. Some of the animations and presentation look a little stiff, and it definitely has that unmistakable smaller studio sports game feel in places".[2]

References

  1. ↑ "Gaelic Football Laochra". Xbox.
  2. 1 2 3 "Gaelic Football Laochra Finally Gives The GAA Its Long-Overdue Gaming Return". The Xbox Hub. 28 May 2026.
  3. 1 2 "First Gaelic Football game in nearly 20 years is released". BreakingNews.ie. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  4. ↑ "About". Buck Eejit Games. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  5. ↑ Fox, Kenneth (11 May 2023). "New Gaelic football video game developers bringing the Irish sport to life". breakingnews.ie.
  6. ↑ Ainsworth, Paul (March 2025). "'Overwhelming' response to call for testers to experience first Irish-made Gaelic football game". The Irish News. Archived from the original on 10 June 2025. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  7. ↑ McCauley, Ciarán (8 June 2025). "Can Gaelic football finally have its video game hit?". BBC. Archived from the original on 8 June 2025. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  8. ↑ Ainsworth, Paul (27 October 2024). "Gaelic football game by Belfast developers set to be released on PlayStation 5 and XBox". The Irish News.
  9. ↑ O'Rourke, Barry (23 May 2025). "First new Gaelic football video game in 20 years set for summer release". RTÉ. Archived from the original on 8 June 2025. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  10. ↑ "Buck Eejit Games - Facebook Post - 26 July 2025". 26 July 2025 – via facebook.com. We are currently in the second round of playtesting. More information on release coming soon
  11. ↑ Meany, Marty (25 April 2026). "Gaelic Football Laochra is the first new GAA video game in nearly 20 years". goosed.ie.
  12. ↑ Audley, Fiona (7 May 2026). "A new Gaelic football video game which captures the 'speed, skill and atmosphere' of the Irish sport is set to launch this month". Irish Post. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  13. ↑ "First Gaelic Football game in nearly 20 years is released". breakingnews.ie. 28 May 2026.
  14. ↑ "Searching for Irish sports El Dorado: Is the new GAA video game any good?". Irish Times. 8 June 2026. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
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