(back row, l-r): JP Mulherin, Dermot Bergin, Fergal Mythen, Kevin Keary, Sinead Fitzsimons, Laura Whiskerd, Anay Rios and Gráinne Ní Fhlatharta (front row, l-r): Marian O' Malley, Jess O' Flynn, Jane Brennan Missing from photo: Caoimhe Ní Shuilleabháin
Congratulations to the Belgium GAA members who ran the Dendermonde 10K race on Sunday 20 March, raising well over €2,000 in sponsorship for the club in the process. The ladies footballers, who organised club participation in the race, have set a great example for the rest of the club to get raising money in the rest of the year.
Thanks to all those friends, families and colleagues who sponsered the runners.
(Note: everyone is welcome to join Sylvia McCarthy in her replacement race later in the year.)
January, the most depressing month of the year, is drawing to a close. With spring only around the corner, Belgium GAA is waking up from its winter hibernation, squinting up at the slightest hint of sun in the sky, stretching its lazy limbs and proclaiming itself ready to get back to work.
Before the torturous training sessions can take place, a bit of housekeeping has to be looked after, in the form of the Annual General Meeting (AGM). Kevin Keary will chair the AGM in the European Parliament on Tuesday 25 January 2011 at 19h (if you need a card to gain access to the EP, please email Kevin on kevinkeary@gmail.com).
Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting and to take advantage of the opportunity to get active in the committee. In the words of Chairman Keary, "It is important to have fresh involvement, so all members of the club - new school, old school or any school - are welcome to express their interest".
On Saturday 6 November, the European football finals took place in Maastricht, for the third and final time in as many years. It was an epic day for Belgium GAA, the only club to bring 6 teams (plus a number of supporters) to a tournament, which was attended by 420 players in total.
The day started off like any other November morning, dismal and grey, as everyone waited around Schuman for the convoy of cars heading to the Netherlands. Thankfully, by the time the first whistles blew, the rain had eased slightly and by the afternoon, some watery sunshine trickled through the clouds. The Belgian Men were divided between two competitions: Championship and Shield. Although recording a definitive win over Luxembourg, the A team came up against severe resistance from Den Haag and Paris, and came 3rd overall in the Championship. The B team went confidently into the Shield, recording wins over Lyon and Rennes, before being beaten by a mere 4 points by Amsterdam (the ultimate winners of the Shield tournament) in their last group match. Meanwhile, the C team, also playing in the Shield, faced some difficulties against Liffre and Prague, but beat St. Malo in the final group match. In the words of Dave Barrett, "To put this in perspective, St. Malo beat out the Bs in Munich and also in a playoff on Saturday. In our home tournament in June, I felt afterwards we were wasting our time as the lads were trampled on. However, the team was much stronger on Saturday and we’d expect some of the lads to step up to the A & B teams next year." For more of Dave's analysis in the coming days and weeks, read his blog here. Although confirmed as European Ladies Football Champions (since the Munich tournament in September), the Belgian ladies were not about to take the day lightly. For the first time in their short history, the squad boasted 3 teams (A, B and An Bheilg), and each team marked their own victory on the day. The A team won the tournament, beating Paris in the final, the B team overcame Copenhagen in the 5th/6th place play-off, and the C team beat Paris Gold in the 7th/8th place play-off. Many thanks go to our (injured) sideline staff, Laura Whiskerd and Stephanie Dunn, who managed to be in about 6 places at once. All credit to Maastricht Gaels and to all those involved in making Maastricht yet another memorable tournament on the European GAA calendar. Photos of the day, with thanks to Stephanie Dunn and Jelena Radakovic, will be available on the website as soon as possible.
It's that time of year again, when Belgium GAA descends on Maastricht to play football and cause all kinds of trouble, both on and off the pitch. This year, at least 70 Belgium GAA members will cover the short journey to the Netherlands, where 10 ladies teams and 19 mens teams will go to battle. Numbers and spirits are high. Below is a photo of the club's 2008 crowning achievements...may 2010 be as fruitful again!
Come along to our Halloween themed quiz, complete with scary cocktails, spooky music, and the opportunity for you all to get dressed up in your ghoulish gear (optional but preferable). There will be great prizes on offer.
€5 per person, maximum 5 people per table. Reserve early and on time by emailling Laura (lwhiskerd@gmail.com).
LATEST NEWS!
De Valera's have kindly offered to award a €100 prize for the Best Costume of the Night!!!
The Brussels Kids Gaelic Football is starting back this weekend, Sunday 3 October at 14.00h - & then every 2nd Sunday - at the usual BSB grass pitch in Terveuren.
The dates for the next while -3/10;17/10;31/10;14/11;28/11;12/12;23/1;6/2;20/2;6/3/11
For more info, check the club website - www.playgaa.be
The Hague get a great start in battle to retain Men's Championship
Jersey take honours in Shield round
Congratulations to Belgium GAA who have retained their ladies football championship with two rounds still to play. The Belgium club have now won four rounds and with the winners of each round collecting 25 points, second place 20pts, and so on, no team can overtake Belgium. Runners-up position is still up for grabs with Paris Gaels, Holland Ladies and Munich all in with a chance.
Reigning European football champions, The Hague, who defeated Paris Gaels in the men's Championship round, came from behind to clinch the first round in an exciting final which saw them overhaul Paris Gaels who appeared to be heading for the points when leading by four points with just with five minutes left. They will be difficult to dislodge after a good start but all the teams including 3rd placed Luxembourg, Belgium, and Guernsey competing at this level for the first time, fought hard and there was little to choose between them at the group stage. Next month Stockholm Gaels and Budapest Rangers will enter the fray and present new challenges for these five. This is also the first time that seven teams have entered the premier men's football competition.
Jersey Irish made the long journey from the Channel islands and were rewarded by taking in the first round of the Shield with a hard fought victory over Frankfurt Sarsfields who were making their seasonal debut. St. Malo, a team of indigenous French players surprised most observers by taking 3rd, place whilst Belgium "B"and Copenhagen were in the mix until the final group game. Next month other clubs are expected to join this group in what could be the most exciting Shield competition in years.
Player of the Tournament awards went to former Kerry county ladies star, Grainne Ní Flaharta (Belgium- ladies); Michael McAnea (Paris Gaels - Chp) and Mark O'Shea(Jersey - Shield)
15 teams competed in 36 games in warm sunshine in a superb tournament excellently organised by the Munich Colmcilles club and officiating by a team of referees drawn from European clubs. Afterwards, the 200+ players and supporters enjoyed a typical meal in the Augustiner Brauhouse, Munich's oldest brewery dating back to 1328, where they also had a sneak preview tasting of the „Oktoberfestbier“ brewed exclusively for Munich’s Oktoberfest, which celebrates 200 years beginning next week.
The next round takes place in Budapest in Hungary next month (Oct.9th) with the final round of all three competitions being hosted in Maastricht (NL) on November 6th along with the ECB gala presentation night.
ENDS
NOTE:-
In each round, the winner is awarded 25 points; 2nd - 20pts; 3rd-16 pts; 4th-13pts; 5th-11pts; 6th-10pts; 7th-9pts .....10th-6pts.
Ladies Chp - Best five rounds from seven are counted; in Men's competitions all three rounds count. The Men's competitions entries are decided after the completion of the five regional leagues which were contested by almost teams before the summer break.
(back row, l-r): JP Mulherin, Dermot Bergin, Fergal Mythen, Kevin Keary, Sinead Fitzsimons, Laura Whiskerd, Anay Rios and Gráinne Ní Fhlatharta
