GAA wins European Citizen’s Prize 2013 – as nominated by Sean Kelly MEP

[Words by European County Board] 



I am delighted to announce that the Gaelic Athletic Association has become the first Irish winner of the European Citizen's Prize (2013)', Sean Kelly MEP confirmed today. 

“The honour represents an international tribute to the GAA’s massive contribution to citizens in Europe. The Association is a wonderful example of our European ideals of volunteerism, citizenship and promotion of healthy pastimes for young people,” Mr Kelly, a former GAA President said.

He stressed the prize’s relevance to both the 2011 European Year of Volunteering, as it is the largest voluntary organisation in Ireland, with over 250,000 people volunteering on a weekly basis through the GAA. 
The GAA will be awarded a special medal during a dedicated awards ceremony to be held in Ireland later this year. The Association will also showcase its organisation at the European Parliament in Brussels at a further European Citizen's Prize ceremony with other winners on 16-17th October 2013.

The European Citizen's Prize was launched by the European Parliament in 2008 to recognise the exceptional achievements of individuals, groups or organisations each year.

All roads lead to Luxembourg in June

This month the same destination is marked down in all the calendars of Belgium GAA players: Luxembourg.

With the next round in both the Hurling/Camogie and Football penciled in for Luxembourg it will be a busy month on the road south-east for Belgium GAA.

First up is the Hurling/Camogie on Saturday June 1st.

After a win in the first round in Paris the men will look to build momentum and a take a commanding lead in the competition.

While the ladies will look to avenge their narrow defeat in Paris and put themselves right back in contention.

We wish them the best of luck!!

Later in the month we head to Luxembourg again for the third and final round of the Benelux Football Competition.

The current standings are available on the website of the European County Board.

Championship Player of the Tournament

Congrats to Cillian O Donoghue on taking the Championship Player of the Tournament award recently at Benelux Round 2 in Brussels. 

Good to see that some things never change

Congrats to Anay Rios on winning Player of the Tournament at Benelux Round 2 in Brussels. 

Belgium Tournament Round-up: Results

men championship

GROUP GAMES
Belgium A (4-8) – Amsterdam (0-4)
Luxembourg (1-7) – Belgium (3-3)
Amsterdam (1-5) – Luxembourg (2-6)

FINAL
Belgium (3-11) – Luxembourg (0-7)

STANDING
1. Belgium – 25 pts
2. Luxembourg – 20 pts
3. Amsterdam – 16 pts

ladies championship

GROUP GAMES
Belgium A (3-9) – Belgium B (1-5)
Belgium A (1-7) – Holland (1-15)
Belgium B (3-9) – Holland (3-8)

FINAL
Belgium A (0-13) – Belgium B (1-5)

STANDING
1. Belgium A – 25 pts
2. Belgium B – 20 pts
3. Holland – 16 pts

men’s shield

GROUP GAMES
Belgium B (0-3) – Belgium C (3-6)
Belgium B (0-1) – Düsseldorf (1-14)

FINAL
Belgium C (2-6) – Düsseldorf (3-10)

STANDING
1. Düsseldorf – 25 pts
2. Belgium C – 20 pts
3. Belgium B – 16 pts

Belgium Tournament Round-up: All-Belgium Final caps a fine day in the Ladies Football.

by Janelle Mitchell (Ladies Football Officer) 

We had an excellent tournament this past weekend here in Brussels.  The weather held up and we even had a bit of sun to set the stage for a great day of football.

First up was Belgium Red (i.e. Tigers) vs. Belgium Grey (i.e. Old School Jerseys).  We were playing 11-a-side for this one and the intensity from both teams made for a thrilling match.  Tied at half, Belgium Red pulled ahead for the win in the late stages of the game. 

Next up, Belgium Red was taking on the ever-competitive Holland.  Again, both teams looked even through half with players like Linde, Maeve, Micheala, and Rosie stepping up their games both defensively and offensively.  After an interesting switch of positions by Holland (Rose moved back to cover Ciara), the tigers were able to pull away and put up both goals and points in the second half FTW (for the win!).

After this, Holland took on Belgium Grey.  Bros made her return up front and enjoyed all things forwards hope for: points!  This match was quite back and forth and nearing the final minutes of regulation, was all squared up and tied.  With the home crowd on their side and those old-school jerseys to boot, Belgium Grey was able to come out on top setting the stage for an all-Belgium final!

The final: back to 11-a-side with tired legs and minds ready to duke it out for the title.  It was A vs A in goals (Anna vs. Aine), captain Aisling vs. captain Ciara, Tigers vs. Oldies, etc.  And a solid final it was!  Belgium lines up quite well against Belgium - well all know each others strengths and weaknesses.  We know what pisses our opponent off, we know who is deadly around the goals, we know the little things that we may not normally know about our opponents.  And so we were off, with both teams converting points and goals early on.  As the sun was beginning to brighten, so did the 'fire' in the bellies of the Tigers and tournament all-star Anay used her 'spin-a-rama' move to put the points over.  The Tigers pulled away and were able to hold on to the late push by the Greys FTW.

Ladies, all around a successful tourny.  It is a pleasure watching and playing next to/against each and every one of you.  I think the level at which we played was a testament to the competitiveness and commitment of this club.  Special shout out to all of you who helped out in making the day run smoothly with all the odds and ends that needed to be done and/or baked.

GROUP GAMES
Belgium A (3-9) – Belgium B (1-5)
Belgium A (1-7) – Holland (1-15)
Belgium B (3-9) – Holland (3-8)

FINAL
Belgium A (0-13) – Belgium B (1-5)

Kelly drops by for master class

Check out the full article at the Hoganstand.http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=192354&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter#.UZTnFtRsOXY.facebook

Sean Kelly MEP  with Belgium GAA players Kevin Keary, Darragh Loftus and brothers Enda and Frank McNamara.