Football Round One: Luxembourg

Saturday 9 April 2011 saw Belgium GAA face scorching temperatures and strong oppostion in Luxembourg. The first round of the mens Benelux championship and the ladies pan-European championship took place in Berbourg. It was a long day, punctuated by sunburn and ambulances.

The mens teams were divided evenly for the day, with the A team coming 5th overall and the B team overcoming Amsterdam to gain 3rd place in the standings.

The ladies teams were playing on the deadly astroturf surface nearby, and their competition saw the A team retain the Luxembourg cup for a third year after their final against Paris. The B team won the 5th/6th place playoff against the home team.

Well done to all the teams involved, get well soon to those recovering from injuries on the day (Anay, Ciara, Eoin and Sinead), and to remind everyone that the summer is on the way and suncream is the most important accessory for any self-respecting GAA player.

A team reportage from Colin Byrne:

It was a mixed day for Belgium 'A' in Luxembourg with a new-look team taking the field under the watchful gaze of Conor Aylward and Conan MacOscair. First up was Amsterdam and things looked good for the Belgians when they ran up a 4 point lead at half time following a well taken penalty from Michael Hough and some excellent runs from half back Paddy Cassidy into the forwards. Paul Quinn, Johnny O and Ger McMahon were also showing prominently at this stage.

However, the work rate fell off considerably in the second half as Belgium lost ground around midfield and failed to win much breaking ball, thus allowing Amsterdam come right back into it. In the end Belgium had to rely on a dubious free from the aforementioned Michael Hough to secure a draw (1-4 to 0-7), even if substitute Ruairi Duffy did have the chance to sneak victory right at the death. Goalie Brendan Lynch also deserves special mention for the string of saves he pulled off to deny Amsterdam.

The second game against the hosts was always going to be a tough one, given the determination of Luxembourg to reclaim their home tournament losing it to Belgium in 2010, and so it proved. The hosts had a very strong midfield while Belgium were having difficulties in that area, not helped by an injury to Darragh Cotter which restricted his movement. Phil 'Crusher' Cushen performed miracles in the half back line but was unable to stop the Lux runners from coming through to set up 3 goals in total – 2 in the second half which negated a mini revival from Belgium. Again it could have been a lot worse were it not for goalie Brendan Lynch. As it was the game finished 1-04 to 3-10 and, thanks to the result between Amsterdam and Luxembourg, Belgium A were disappointed to be competing the 5/6^th place play-off against Lux 'B' rather than the semi final.

This was a game which lacked the usual tournament intensity – though Conor Aylward and Ruairi Duffy did try to liven up with 2 of the better displays of the day – even if they were playing for the opposition! This was a game in which Belgium 'A' were well on top and, although it was won by 5 points, most of the players would agree it should have been a bit more. Chances were not taken, runs were not made and wrong options were taken. However, a win is a win and even if it didn't mask the problem areas shown in the other two games, it was a good way to finish the day.

B Team reportage from Dave Barrett:

Canadian Experiment Bears Fruit

The Aussies have the Irish experiment in the form of Setanta, Kenneally, Walsh and Co. In Belgium we have our very own Canadian experiment in the form of Will. If Saturday was about seeing a guy’s potential, the big man did himself no harm.

He was the star of the show against Lux B in the first game with the tasty feints and no look passes. People talk about transferable skills in sport and he has certainly brought a few from across the pond. His goal towards the end of a 3-10 to 0-4 victory over Lux B capped a fine debut.

With The Hague having already beaten them, it meant we had both qualified for the semis from the three team group. In our head to head, we were still well in touch at half time thanks largely to a resolute defence with Kev and Ross excelling in the full back line.

Outside them, Shane was marshalling one of The Hagues’s more prominent attackers to reasonably good effect. The other member of the quartet, 48 year old Fergal Mythen, was anonymous for large parts of the day. From a defenders point of view that can be taken as a compliment because if his house wasn’t in order we’d have been a lot more aware of him!

Ricky, Eoin and Timmy took most of the scoring responsibility but a lot of those chances were carved from the industry of Conor Mul and Mike. However, the gap in class became more evident in the second half and whilst the defence maintained good discipline, the runners coming through were picking off scores from distance. The Hague progressed and we headed for a semi with Lux A.

The Lux lads looked the most balanced side on show and have a few new lads who have brought a lot of quality to their side. Our legs were going a bit and it was very much the same story as the previous game. Again our defence was firm, conceding very few shots on goal but Lux were able to pick off points from distance.

The score of the game came when Johnny P summoned Gordon Ramsey from the bench and whilst his angle may not have met the culinary tastes of most managers, he served up a magnificent dish from out near the sideline.

Things ended badly as Eoin went in to contest a ball and dislocated his shoulder. This will leave him sidelined for a considerable amount of time and it’s a big blow for him as well as the hurling and football teams.

On to the 3rd and 4th place playoff and there was no hiding our determination to finish the day on a high. A placed ball from Ricky got us going and despite the visible tiredness, the lads worked like dogs, displaying great attitude and commitment. We led at half-time and fortunately the penalty that sealed the game arrived before Timmy departed to cuckoo land. He rippled the net and soon after came off worse in a clash with Mike and had to leave the field with concussion.

We departed satisfied but realistic about our performance. Most lads had played to their ability and could be happy with their showing but The Hague and Lux have set the standard which we must now aspire to. Kev, Ross and Will led the way for our player of the tournament. Kev is knocked out by virtue of the fact that such performance is expected of him whereas Ross and Will were more unknown quantities going into the day. My vote goes to Ross due to 1) my bias for defenders and 2) his consistency over the four games.

Kelly getting stuck into European GAA

(The following is an article by Belgium GAA's own Dave Barrett, published on www.joe.ie on 6 April 2011)

It’s nearly two years since former GAA President Sean Kelly was elected to the European Parliament. In that time he’s also served as Honorary President of Belgium GAA. This week he tells JOE about the challenges facing GAA clubs abroad.

The GAA began with a seed of thought, first sown in a room in Hayes Hotel, Thurles in 1884. In the 127 years that have followed, it has flourished, dispersing its roots to every corner of the country. It has even stretched beyond to reach the major landing places of the Irish all over the world; from New York to Sydney and on again.

Sitting in his office in Brussels, Sean Kelly, Fine Gael MEP and former President of the GAA is watching it take an ever stronger grip on Europe.

Boom time

It’s boom time for GAA on the continent with new clubs popping up at a rapid rate. From Coruna to Stockholm to Tallinn to St. Gallen, Gaelic Games are setting their roots in the ground.

It is not just down to emigration, in a lot of cases it is non-Irish people who have seen the games first hand in Ireland that are bringing the games home to their country. Kelly has been able to observe its development closely in his role as Honorary President of Belgium GAA.

Of course, as President of the Association and through his work with the overseas committee, he has been familiar with the activity in Europe for some time.

“I attended the Annual European Convention in Luxembourg some years ago and was told how hurling in Europe dates back to the 14th century when two legions of the French army played against each other. There were so many Irish enlisted at the time.”

Kelly’s previous involvement was from a distance but now that he is based in Brussels, he has been able to observe things more closely. One thing he says hasn’t changed since he was last involved is the profile of the people: “young, educated, smart Irish”.

Impressive

Since his return, Kelly has been impressed by what he has seen. “The commitment to the club and the sense of community is just the same (as home) and the rivalry also. Usually in Ireland, your rival will be just down the road whereas here it could be a couple of hundred miles away in Paris or The Hague. I found that particularly enthralling”.

Having hosted and attended the last two Belgium GAA AGMs, he has also admired the way in which the club is run off the field.

“The meetings were more focused than an AGM might be at home, which may be more general. Here there is a great focus on what the club wants to do, very specific. The decision making is almost businesslike.” Belgium is just one example but you will find similar approaches across the clubs of Europe.

Another feature which caught Kelly’s attention was the number of females in attendance; something he feels is an example to clubs at home. “The ladies are far more involved and not just in traditional ways like fundraising, but in all aspects of the club."

Roots

When he compares other overseas units to Europe, he sees the main difference to be the transient nature of the people in clubs in Europe. “In England, the US and Canada, people have put down roots and are very settled. They have people involved for 30, 40 or 50 years and it’s passed on to the next generation.”

Belgium is a good example in this regard, as there was a club in Brussels in the 90s but it disappeared, only to be resurrected in 2004.

Still, whether they are in Ireland or abroad, GAA clubs face many of the same challenges; player numbers, funding, fixtures, competition from other codes etc.

Challenge

However, one challenge which is more unique to the units abroad, especially in places like Europe and Asia, where the history of the games does not stretch so far back, is securing places to train and play games. Where established sports like soccer and rugby can apply for use of public facilities, the lack of international recognition for GAA clubs means their requests often fall on deaf ears.

Recently, Kelly made headlines on various GAA news outlets, calling for the GAA, Ladies Football and Camogie Associations to work together and seek international recognition for Gaelic Games.

Speaking at the Belgium GAA AGM he commented: "As it stands, our games have no international status and therefore no legal status in countries such as Belgium, France or Germany. This means in practical terms that clubs based in these countries can not apply to local authorities for free use of public sports facilities, as our games are not seen as sports per se.”

Recognition

"The lack of recognition is hobbling the development of our games on the ground. Our clubs in units such as Europe have to go to great expense to hire private pitches, while other sports can access public facilities for free.”

"Therefore I call on the three associations running our games to come together and found an International Federation and affiliate it to the European and International Olympic Committee, the gold standard for recognition of Sports.

His comments were heard around the world and have received support from units in the USA, Great Britain and Europe. According to Kelly, the reaction has been positive, from clubs at least.

“People have been in touch, wondering how it could be done, who would you have to get in touch with and how they can help progress it.”

But what can Kelly do to push this initiative forward, whilst sitting in his Brussels office, far from the rooms where such decisions are made? As far as concrete decisions are concerned, he can’t do a whole lot in the immediate future, but he is undeterred.

Kelly recalls his experience of Rule 42. “Change takes time within the GAA. You must articulate your idea, give people the opportunity to discuss it and let it take root.”

Importance of GAA abroad

International recognition is more important than ever for the association with so many leaving the country. The GAA abroad can provide a soft landing for those people.

“If you wanted to reach out to the broadest possible community you could do it through the GAA. Getting involved in a GAA club is possibly the best thing a young person emigrating can do in terms of networking, getting jobs etc.”

Securing the future of these clubs is paramount and international recognition will help overcome some of the blocking points. “Many at home don’t realise the sacrifices players abroad make to play the game.

“First of all, most clubs in Europe and Asia don’t have a pitch. They have to go looking for one, pay for it, get goalposts, put them up, and then they have to more or less pay to play and it’s all done by the players themselves. If you could get Gaelic Games recognised, that would free up funding from the local councils and reduce some of the burden.”

Receiving this international recognition would go some way to solving these problems, but it will also open other doors. When Kelly touted the idea of having hurling as a demonstration sport at the 2012 Olympics, he was told that without the recognition, it was a non-runner.

Kelly believes the GAA is missing an opportunity by not being officially recognised abroad. Now he says, “It’s time to take the opportunity”.

With his backing and the growing swell of support amongst the GAA abroad, it will hopefully become a reality in the not too distant future.

http://www.joe.ie/gaa/gaa-features/kelly-getting-stuck-into-european-gaa-0010925-1