A brief history of Belgium GAA

Some highly recommended reading material on the history of Belgium GAA from former player, captain and trainer Eoin Sheanon for livegaelic.com

Click on the link for the full text and you might just learn something:  

http://www.livegaelic.com/gaa-abroad/gaa-abroad-belgium-gaa/ 

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
--------------------------------------------------------
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
--------------------------------------------------------
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
--------------------------------------------------------
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

Belgium GAA’s new committee and a preview of our forthcoming newsletter...in 1 post!

Belgium GAA 2013 - show me your Meitheal

Dia Dhaoibh go léir,

I'd like to welcome old and new members to the club for the 2013 season, Belgium GAA's TEN year anniversary. I'd like to say a massive thanks to the outgoing committee for their hard work in 2012 and in previous years. This year's committee stands on the shoulders of giants!

Last year was an incredibly successful year for the club both on and off the pitch. I'm sure if it wasn't for the financial support and fundraising, our trophy cabinet would not be as full. We received fantastic support from our sponsor's (DeValera's and the Old Oak) and all club members helped fundraise to make sure that our Treasurer had an operating surplus at the end of the year. Considering our expenditure for 2012 was €17,464 with pitch rental alone at the VUB costing €9420, that was no mean feat. To sustain this level of investment we need a huge effort again in fundraising and a generous sponsor.

I'm delighted to announce that for 2013, De Valera's, the Old Oak and 6 Nations will be our sponsors. We've signed an exclusive sponsorship agreement with them this week which holds expectations from both sides - the club will be paid a fixed amount for fifteen (or possibly more) official events that we hold in either venue, including the end of year dinner, quizzes, post tournament nights out and watching some of the main GAA games on TV. This Sunday our sponsors play a massive role in the organisation of St.Patrick's Day, securing sponsorship from drink companies and utilising contacts to get the club great deals on the facilities we use on the day. With the sponsorship, the club saves a significant amount on VAT which is important for this year if we order jerseys/gear/equipment. In total the club will benefit €4,000-€4,500 through sponsorship. In return for this, we have agreed to support and promote our sponsors in all communications and at pitchside for Belgium tournaments. Again like last year we've agreed not to promote any other bar in Belgium GAA emails, facebook etc.

One of our aims for this year is to involve as many of the wider Irish/Belgian/international community in club events. This year we will receive a grant of €5,000 from the Department of Foreign Affairs for a project which the heroic Shane Ryan created entitled 'Brussels Community Gaelic Football Parish league'. We will run a parish league throughout the year that involves the wider Belgium/Irish/international community, especially the kids club. More info will follow from the code officers. I'd also like to create some open events where people who have never played Gaelic Games and who are possibly scared of official training, could come and pick up a hurl/football and learn about our sport and our club. I'd especially like to target those who are slightly older and who haven't played in years due to family commitments.

Finally I'm making a personal plea to all members to strengthen the Belgium GAA Meitheal by volunteering and helping the club in 2013. Each member should recognise the costs of running the club and the effort people put in to make sure this club is such a success. Some members pour their heart into the club - by researching new drills for training, organising gear, picking up rubbish after tournaments and cleaning toilets after the Fr.Ted ceili, or moving goal posts with mice in the back of a van etc. We need your help at all times. If you feel like you could contribute to the club by writing a post match analysis, or buying bananas in Colruyt or anything else you can think of please contact us. Tell your friends, invite them to our events and most importantly get people playing our wonderful Gaelic Games.

Go n-éirí libh go léir,

Maria