PICTURES: Kneecap star swaps the stage for hurling pitch in GAA clash with family twist

It was a family affair on the hurling pitch in Belfast at the weekend as Kneecap star Móglaí Bap, real name Naoise Ó Cairealláin, swapped the microphone for his hurl to tog out for his childhood club alongside his older brother.

The Irish-language rapper, who has been making waves with the chart-topping trio Kneecap, lined out for St Paul's GAC in a Division 4 Antrim league clash against Belfast Saints HC on Sunday afternoon.

The match ended in a 3-16 to 2-13 defeat for St Paul's, but the family ties ran deep. Naoise was joined on the field by his older brother Ainle, while their uncle Anthony Carleton refereed the match.

Sharing a post-match photo of the trio on his Instagram story, Naoise joked: "Uncle was referee and still didn't win."

CAPTION: Naoise Ó Cairealláin, Anthony Carleton, and Ainle Ó Cairealláin. Credit @moglaibap/Instagram

While Naoise is more familiar with mics than hurls these days, sport is very much in the family's blood.

Ainle, who transferred home to play with his native St Paul's after a stint with the famed Na Piarsaigh club in Cork, has an impressive résumé in sport and health.

CAPTION: Ainle and Naoise Ó Cairealláin. Credit @moglaibap/Instagram

A former Antrim senior hurler, he spent time in Australia working with AFL side Adelaide Crows before joining the Cork senior football backroom team under Brian Cuthbert. He also runs the highly regarded ACLAÍ Health and Performance gym in Cork and has lectured in sports science with Setanta College and University of Limerick.

Middle brother Cairbre Ó Cairealláin is one of the GAA's most respected strength and conditioning coaches.

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A former Antrim minor, he played a key role in Tipperary's All-Ireland hurling victory in 2019 under Liam Sheedy, before joining John Kiely's Limerick setup, where he helped secure two further All-Ireland titles and three Munster championships. He is currently working with the Derry senior footballers.

CAPTION: Ainle and Naoise Ó Cairealláin. Credit @moglaibap/Instagram

While Naoise is forging a global music career with Kneecap, Sunday's fixture was a return to grassroots and a reminder that the Ó Cairealláin brothers are still just as at home on the pitch as they are on the stage or sidelines.

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