Belgium GAA set down marker in The Hague with double win

The Hague, Sat, April 20^th

Belgium GAA got their competitive season off on the right foot with wins in the Men’s Championship, Ladies Championship and a 2^nd place in the Men's Shield.

Ladies Championship

Competing in the Ladies Championship with Belgium were Holland Ladies and Paris. The ladies were straight out of the blocks marking up an impressive 4-11 to 0-2 win against Holland Ladies.

The second group game against Paris was a different affair as Paris won by a narrow margin. (Belgium 3-4 Paris 5-1)  

However, in a tightly contested final the result was flipped. Belgium found another level to their play and edged a narrow contest 0-9 to 1-4 for Paris.

Men’s Championship

After an early departure from Brussels, the Men’s Championship team got off to a great start with a 2 point win against Luxembourg (Luxembourg V Belgium A 0-6 to 1-5), before handing a heavy defeat to newcomers Eindhoven (Belgium A V Eindhoven 6-8 to 0-4).

Despite a one point defeat to Den Haag (Den Haag V Belgium A 1-7 to 1-6), the Men’s Championship finished off the group round with a strong performance against Amsterdam (Amsterdam A V Belgium A 0-3 to 3-6).

Once the rule book was checked and points difference taken into account, Belgium A would face Amsterdam A in the final.

The final was a tense affair and closely contested, but the Belgium boys were able to take their goal opportunities when they came and ran out deserved winners 2-7 to 0-7.

Congratulations to goalkeeper Shane Ryan on his player of the tournament award. A pair of point blank saves in the final a highlight from a great day between the posts.  

Men's Shield

The Men’s Shield had a later start to the day not setting off until 11am due to the smaller number of teams in the Shield competition.

Upon arrival the first group game had ended in victory for Dusseldorf against Amsterdam B. The Men's Shield team would face off against an Amsterdam team fighting for survival in the small group.

After a tense start, the team grew in confidence and skill as the game drew on. A flurry of points and a goal from Pierce put the Belgian boys ahead. A penalty was awarded after Conor Mulv was taken out in the box. Unfortunately when the penalty was missed, Amsterdam sprang back to life, scoring a goal and a couple of points.

The last few minutes were tense but the final whistle came in time for the Belgian boys who held on for the win to knock out Amsterdam B. (Amsterdam B V Belgium B 1-5 to 1-6)

That set up a double header with Dusseldorf. The final group game or “shadow boxing match” was unspectacular with both teams ringing the changes and keeping their cards close to their chests. Dusseldorf edged it with a couple of goals in the second half (Belgium B V Dusseldorf 1-7 to 3-7)

Although the Men's Shield were ready for a tussle in the final, the concession of an early goal left a mountain to climb against quality opposition.

As in the Men’s Championship, goal opportunities were key, in this case Dusseldorf profited, running out winners by 5-4 to Belgium B’s 1-4.

A great days work and debut by Padraic Varley in mid-field was rewarded with the Men's Shield player of the tournament trophy.

Looking forward

Overall it was a great start to the competitive season for Belgium GAA with a double win and two players’ of the tournament.

The next round will be in our own backyard on Saturday May 18^th, where Belgium GAA will hope to go one better and secure a rare clean sweep in all competitions.

Until then, training is every Monday (20h) and Thursday (20h30) in VUB. New players’ are always welcome! Check out our website (Belgiumgaa.com) for more!

Full results from The Hague

Men Championship

GROUP GAMES

Amsterdam A V Den Haag 0-8 to 0-4 Luxembourg V Belgium A 0-6 to 1-5 Amsterdam A V Eindhoven 3-4 to 0-3 Luxembourg V Den Haag 1-4 to 0-7 Belgium A V Eindhoven 6-8 to 0-4 Amsterdam A V Luxemb'g 0-9 to 0-9 Den Haag V Belgium A 1-7 to 1-6 Luxembourg V Eindhoven 5-8 to 1-2 Amsterdam A V Belgium A 0-3 to 3-6 

Den Haag V Eindhoven 4-8 to 0-1

Belgium A 6
Amsterdam A 5*
Den Haag 5*
Luxembourg 4
Eindhoven 0
* Amsterdam A went through to final due to group win V Den Haag 
3/4th PLAY-OFF
Den Haag V Luxembourg 0-6 to 4-2
FINAL
Belgium A V Amsterdam A 2-7 to 0-7
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Ladies Championship

GROUP GAMES
Belgium V Holland Ladies 4-11 to 0-2
Belgium V Paris 3-4 to 5-1
Holland Ladies V Paris 0-2 to 5-3
GROUP STANDINGS: Pts
Paris Gaels 4
Belgium 2
Holland Ladies 0


3/4th PLAY-OFF
Den Haag V Luxembourg 0-6 to 4-2
FINAL
Belgium A V Amsterdam A 2-7 to 0-7
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Ladies Championship
GROUP GAMES
Belgium V Holland Ladies 4-11 to 0-2
Belgium V Paris 3-4 to 5-1
Holland Ladies V Paris 0-2 to 5-3
GROUP STANDINGS: Pts
Paris Gaels 4
Belgium 2
Holland Ladies 0


GROUP GAMES
Belgium V Holland Ladies 4-11 to 0-2
Belgium V Paris 3-4 to 5-1
Holland Ladies V Paris 0-2 to 5-3
GROUP STANDINGS: Pts
Paris Gaels 4
Belgium 2
Holland Ladies 0


Paris Final V Belgium 1-4 to 0-9
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Men's Shield
GROUP GAMES
Amsterdam B V Dusseldorf 1-2 to 1-7
Amsterdam B V Belgium B 1-5 to 1-6
Belgium B V Dusseldorf 1-7 to 3-7

GROUP GAMES
Amsterdam B V Dusseldorf 1-2 to 1-7
Amsterdam B V Belgium B 1-5 to 1-6
Belgium B V Dusseldorf 1-7 to 3-7
GROUP STANDINGS: Pts
Dusseldorf 4
Belgium B 2
Amsterdam B 0
FINAL 

GROUP STANDINGS: Pts

FINAL

Dusseldorf V Belgium B 5-4 to 1-4