PICTURES: Kneecap star swaps the stage for hurling pitch in GAA clash with family twist
GAA roots run deep for Kneecap's Móglaí Bap as he lines out in a Division 4 league game alongside his older brother
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.
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.
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.
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.