The Hague,
Sat, April 20th
Belgium GAA
got their competitive season off on the right foot with wins in the Men’s
Championship, Ladies Championship and a 2nd 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 18th, 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
