European Championship Finals

19-20 October 2013 Athlone Institute of Technology

Clár oifigiúil Rúnaí: Antinae de Bháis European Gaelic Football Championship Finals

Clár an Lae/Programme

Saturday 19 October 2013 Sunday 20 October 2013

8.30 Team registration (upstairs in AIT 9.20 Tournament recommences International Arena) 12.00 Junior B Mens Final 9.00 Tournament commences Main pitch Games continue throughout the day. See schedule in centre 12.45 Senior B Mens Final pages of this programme. Main pitch

14.00 demonstration/skills 13.30 Junior Mens Final Astro-turf pitch Main pitch

15.00 Handball demonstration 14.00 Ladies Shield Final John Count McCormack Centre Astro-turf pitch

14.15 Intermediate Mens Final Main pitch

14.45 Ladies Championship Final Astro-turf pitch

15.00 Social Inclusion Children’s Game Main pitch

15.45 Senior A Mens Final Main pitch

19.00 Dinner followed by presentations and entertainment John Count McCormack Centre

Programme edited by Brian Clerkin Designed by Communications & Marketing Office, AIT Printed by Brosna Press, Ferbane, Co Offaly Athlone Institute of Technology 1 Welcome from ECB Chairman

n behalf of the European Board This weekend would not have been I would like to extend a warm possible without the immense planning Owelcome to all our clubs and their and support from everyone at AIT, players, friends of European GAA and all Westmeath GAA, and O’Neills. To them, a our guests. massive thank you. Our players appreciate it, especially the facilities they have the 2013 has seen a huge push in our opportunity to use, which may not be development in football and hurling, with normally available to them. multiple new clubs formed, our newly trained referees and coaching courses Athlone has been the focal point of taking place across the continent. To be our year in terms of events. We made invited to bring our finals to is a a change to our traditional style of deep recognition by the people who love competition in making it a two-day event. GAA, of the work we are doing and will Whether this continues will be for the continue to do. The fact that GAA players and clubs to decide. boards, institutions and companies want us to bring our players and clubs to Ireland I hope you all enjoy this weekend at home reflects our importance, not just to Irish for some of you, and to the home of the people abroad or our new homes and the GAA. Especially our non-Irish players, locals who adopted , but to enjoy it, the feeling of playing the game the greater GAA family. you’ve learned in your home town and bringing it to Ireland. Learn from the Uactarán Liam O’Neill has stated that experience and bring it home with you, the GAA abroad will be bigger than the encourage others to play and grow your GAA at home eventually, and that is the clubs. way we are going. We are a young Board in the greater scheme of things, but we Bain taitneamh as an deireadh seacthaine! will continue to push the development, increase playing numbers, improve the visibility of our games in the local communities we live in so, just like in Brian Sheehy Ireland, the GAA becomes a focal point of Chairperson of the European Board the community. 2 European Gaelic Football Championship Finals Teachtaireacht an Uachtaráin

s cúis mhór áthais na focail seo a This is an extremely exciting period for leanas a scríobh agus fáilte croíúil a Europe GAA and this event provides a Ichur romhaibh go léir go IT Áth Luain. fantastic opportunity for their Irish players and non-Irish players to be a part of the I am delighted to be afforded this GAA celebrations. opportunity to extend a special ‘céad míle The GAA has made giant strides in Europe fáilte’ on behalf of Cumann Lúthchleas and the promotion, development and Gael to you all for the conclusion of the enjoyment of our games across the region European GAA season. is clear for all to see. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who I have no doubt this festival will bring have aided this growth and progress for vibrancy and colour to Athlone that will be their passion, energy and remarkable remembered for a long time to come as enthusiasm to promote our games over 500 players from across 20 different overseas. countries showcase their passion for our games. Finally, may I wish all players, teams, officials and the organising committee the The 30 teams that will take part will be very best of luck and thank them all and the heartbeat of this competition over competition sponsors O’Neills for their the coming days and the added support support in promoting this competition. On of travelling friends, club members and the field there will be winners and losers indeed GAA enthusiasts here in Ireland but I have no doubt that good times will be making the journey to see old friends will had and further friendships forged. ensure a unique atmosphere for all those involved. Rath Dé ar an obair,

Those that travelled both near and far to support this wonderful occasion will not be left disappointed with over 80 games expected to be played on the Athlone IT campus this weekend to help make Liam Ó Néill this the largest ‘Gathering’ evening in Uachtarán Westmeath in 2013. Cumann Lúthchleas Gael Athlone Institute of Technology 3 Welcome from Ladies Gaelic Football President

uirim fáilte do gach éinne go Baile Cumann Peil Gael na mBan fully Átha Luain ar an ocáid spéisialta appreciates the work of the European Cinniu. Board under the leadership of Brian Sheehy, Tony Bass, Daire Kivlehan, our As Uachtarán of Cumann Peil Gael na ladies football officer Monica Duran and mBan it gives me great pleasure to their colleagues. I thank all the clubs welcome you all to Athlone this weekend, throughout Europe for providing social for the European Championship finals. I interaction and integration not only would like to compliment the European amongst the Irish community, but also with County Board for their dedication, the various nationalities amongst whom commitment and enthusiasm in the they reside. promotion of Irish games, culture and heritage. Finally, as Uachtaráin I would like to thank the match officials, team mentors, Gaelic games continue to go from strength sponsors, administrators, and the various to strength in Europe and ladies Gaelic committees who organise tournaments football plays a key role in this growth. throughout Europe during the year and for Such is the popularity and growth of successfully ensuring that this weekend Gaelic games throughout the world that came to fruition. it is only a matter of time before there will be international competitions. Europe is I hope you all have an enjoyable weekend well placed to play a leading role in this and make many new friends as well as exciting venture and potentially become renewing old acquaintances. the leaders. The Ladies Gaelic Football Association is proud to be part of the Pat Quill Gaelic games family of six sports – ladies football, camogie, rounders, handball Uachtarán and men’s football and hurling – and to Cumann Peil Gael na mBan help foster the close links that continue to develop between all five associations. 4 European Gaelic Football Championship Finals Welcome from Chairman of Leinster Council

chairde go léir, is mór an onóir domsa return home. Fáilte abhaile to one and all and a na cupla focail seo a scríobh inniu. it is my wish that everyone enjoys their stay, A rekindles old friendships and makes new ones. It gives me great pleasure to pen these few words on the occasion of the European In addition to our proud partnership with Football Finals. This year is unique in the Europe, Leinster GAA has also forged strong fact that the Finals are being held in Athlone, links with the third level sector. Athlone IT has which will ensure a very special atmosphere developed enviable sports facilities on their indeed. I look forward to two days of great campus, with GAA facilities a particular jewel action from both the men’s and ladies’ teams in the crown. A ringing endorsement of these encompassing senior, intermediate and junior facilities was evidenced as AIT has played grades. host to both the weekend and the Community Games earlier in the year. My This weekend perfectly complements thanks to all involved with the college, the Athlone’s appointment as a European Town of surrounding clubs and indeed the Westmeath Sport and all the more appropriate given that it County Board for all their assistance to date. is the year of The Gathering. My thanks to all our referees who are The European Board have once again officiating over the course of the weekend, done outstanding work in the build-up the volume of games make for a gruelling to this weekend, no mean feat indeed schedule and without their efforts, staging an considering that 24 clubs from over 70 event such as this would be impossible. Our countries participated over the course of the sponsors have been outstanding once again, championships. These Finals come hot on the and in this regard I would like to thank O’Neills heels of the historic participation of Guernsey and the Croke Park Hotel for their continuous Gaels in the Leinster Club Championship, support and I hope their representatives enjoy making it a hugely exciting time for all involved. the occasion. My thanks to Brian Sheehy, Tony Bass and their team for their efforts, which culminate this Finally, I hope that everyone attending these weekend. games, players, administrators and spectators alike will have a weekend to remember. This weekend, over 500 players from countries all over Europe will converge on Athlone for a Taitneamh a baint as na gcluichí! veritable festival of Gaelic football that will see over 80 games played. Of course, in addition Martin Skelly to the legions of European players, we will also Leinster Chairman see players from the 32 counties of Ireland Athlone Institute of Technology 5 Welcome from Chairman of Westmeath County Board

s Chairman of the Westmeath It is an exciting time for the GAA in Europe County Board, it is my privilage to reach the climax of their season in Ato welcome the European GAA Ireland. The promotion, development and Football Championship Finals here to enjoyment of our games in Europe is clear Athlone, and to our Uachtarán Liam O’Neill for all to see and I wish all players, teams, to this great Gathering, also Tony Bass, and officials a warm welcome and the very and chairperson of the European Board, best of luck in Westmeath. Brian Sheehy, and Gordon Brett, sport and recreation manager, AIT. This is a fantastic facility we have here in Westmeath AIT and Westmeath GAA This is the largest Gathering event in are very lucky to have it. Once again Westmeath this year. This major GAA Westmeath GAA is very proud to support event in Athlone will see the town not only this occasion. the centre of Ireland but also the centre of Gaelic sports in Europe for the weekend. Sean Sheridan Chairman, Westmaeth County Board 6 European Gaelic Football Championship Finals Welcome from President of AIT

thlone Institute of Technology is Since the foundation of the college in 1970, honoured to host the finals of AIT’s focus has been on providing higher Success Athe European Gaelic Football educational services for the people of the Knowledge Chamionships, a magnificent part of the Midlands and beyond; playing a catalytic The Gathering celebrations in Westmeath. role for the region. We are committed to providing a best-in-class education in Real world What a year for sport this has been at AIT. a setting that challenges and nourishes In February, we hosted and reached the the mind and the body. Sport is central semi-final of the Sigerson Cup. That same to this proposition, a factor which adds month our new International Arena was immeasurably to the attractiveness of ConnectedAIT your future starts here. officially opened by the Taoiseach and has Athlone for future learners, whether they be Situated in the heart of Ireland, Athlone Institute of Technolgy been in constant use since then, hosting from Trim or Turin, Ballina or Beijing. delivers an education that equips students for career and life a wealth of national and international success. AIT graduates lead companies around the world, competitions. During the summer, the HSE Finally, I wish all those visiting AIT and conduct life-altering research, design new ways of doing Community Games held their National Athlone this weekend a thoroughly Finals for the fifth time at AIT. And now, enjoyable and memorable time. things, and work for societal benefit. As a student at AIT, we are delighted to welcome ‘Gaels’ you will learn in world-class facilities, gain valuable practical from across Europe for this magnificent Beir bua. experience, and develop the knowledge and exposition of Gaelic football and sporting skills sought by employers. endeavour.

Such a packed calendar of activity on campus – and also in Athlone town itself Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin – is particularly appropriate given the President, Athlone Institute of Technology town’s designation as European Town of Sport 2013, an honour awarded by ACES Europe, the Federation for the Association of the European Capitals and Cities of Sport. This honour recognises that the town has a joined-up strategy for sport, where true partnerships are in place, as well as a real desire to deliver sport at the hub of the community. www.ait.ie

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Trying to connect the dots and create the building blocks for Gaelic sports in Europe

The GAA in Europe covers an enormous region from A Coruña in Spain in the west to Warsaw in the east (nearly 2,400km and about eight times wider than Ireland), and from Oulu in the north of Finland to Gibraltar at the south of Spain (nearly 3,000km and about seven times longer from top to bottom than Ireland).

The Zurich Saint Gallen team from Switzerland, winners of three tournaments at intermediate level in 2012

t would be impossible 2. Benelux (Belgium, When you break down for clubs to commute Netherlands, the regions into active Isuch enormous Luxembourg, Western areas there over 80 active distances across the Germany) cities/towns in Europe in continent of Europe, so for 3. France and North over 20 countries (named financial, geographical and West (France and above) who either have a common sense reasons, Channel Islands) well-established club, a European GAA is divided 4. Iberia (Spain, Canary developing club, a building into six separate and Islands, British project or presence but distinct regions, but come Overseas Territory of ultimately in their own way together for end of season Gibraltar) are contributing to Gaelic competitions. 5. Central and East games and ultimately Irish (Slovakia, Hungary, culture, identity and sports. Here is a list of current Russia, Eastern regions Germany, Poland, The regions themselves 1. Scandanavia/Nordic/ Czech Republic, account for all aspects Baltic (Sweden, Austria) of Gaelic Games: men’s Finland, Denmark, 6. Switzerland/Italy football, ladies football, Norway, Estonia) hurling, camogie, handball Athlone Institute of Technology 9 played to all the various Every week there seems Have you got any friends, standards of senior, to be an amazing story relatives or contacts in intermediate and junior to developing in European Europe? Please let them cover youth, university and GAA in some way or know of our activities and adult players. another. For example, very put them in touch with us. recently the club in Oulu, Great things are happening Clubs in places such as Finland hosted the World’s the future is bright for Luxembourg, Belgium Most Northerly GAA game European GAA! and the Hague have been in the world. Similarly, the around since the 1970s European Men’s Senior See more at: and then there have been Championship winners www.europegaa.eu a huge influence of new Guernsey played in the Facebook: European clubs in the last few years Leinster Junior Club County Board in Spain, Italy, France and Championship in 2013. Twitter @europegaa the Scandanvian region. Email: [email protected]

Gaelic games, Madrid style 10 European Gaelic Football Championship Finals Athlone Institute of Technology 11 Athlone: European Town of Sport 2013

t a ceremony in the European and sporting activity at the heart of life parliament, Brussels last in the town. A wide variety of sporting ANovember, Athlone was awarded interests are catered for here and with the prestigious title of European Town the investment in sporting infrastructure, of Sport for 2013 by ACES Europe, the people can train and play in facilities that Federation for the Association of the are on a par with the best in the world. European Capitals and Cities of Sport. ‘The economic significance of sports According to John Swanson, General to Athlone is also impressive,’ Prof. Secretary of ACES, Athlone has a Ó Catháin stated. ‘Hosting major ‘joined-up strategy for sport, where true national and international events like the partnerships are in place as well as a real European GAA finals, the AAI National desire to deliver sport at the hub of the Indoor Championships, the under-20 Six community. We witnessed great examples Nations matches, the HSE Community of clubs working together,’ he said, ‘as well Games National Finals, as well as various as the ability to deliver major sports events, triathlons, is bringing valuable visitors to such as the Community Games and the town; an economic contribution which the triathlon. The investment in sporting has benefited all sectors.’ facilities in the town took vision, courage and determination. It is obvious that there Athlone joins a select number of European is a passion in Athlone to have sport at its towns designated as European Town heart,’ Mr Swanson stated. of Sport for 2013, including Cairo Montenotte, Forte dei Marmi, San Giovanni Mayor of Athlone, Cllr Jim Henson Teatino and Castiglione della Pescaia in welcomed the accolade saying: ‘This Italy, as well as La Nucia in Spain and is recognition for the town of Athlone Náchod in the Czech Republic. as a centre of excellence for sport. We have a long tradition of participation and ACES European annually awards the titles achievement in sport at the highest level. of Town, City and Capital of Sport, taking In today’s society, sport is increasingly into account the role that sport plays in important for recreation and health each urban setting in bringing people reasons and Athlone Town Council is together, in improving people’s quality constantly working to ensure that sporting of life, their psycho-physical well-being, infrastructure is available to facilitate this. and integration across all classes and We look forward to further working with divides. ACES works with the European our partners on developing participation in Commission, and particularly on the sport in Athlone in 2013.’ initiatives presented in the white paper on sport. The President of AIT, Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin, said: ‘This international honour underlines the excellent work that is being undertaken in Athlone to position sport 12 European Gaelic Football Championship Finals Breakdown of Team Grades

(based on the regional season 2013 and grading tournaments in Vienna and Paris)

Senior Intermediate Junior Ladies Amsterdam “A” (NED) Amsterdam “B” (NED) Rovigo (ITA) Slovak/Vienna (SVK/ AUT) Belgium “A” (BEL) Belgium “B” (BEL) Lorient (FR) Belgium (BEL) Guernsey (GUR) Paris Gaels (FR) Padova (ITA) Holland Ladies (NED) Jersey (JER) Vannes/Saint Gallen Rennes (FR) Malmö (SWE) (FR/CH) Stockholm (SWE) Slovak Shamrocks Vannes/Saint Munich Colmcilles (SVK) Gallen (FR/CH) (GER) The Hague (NED) Vienna Gaels (AUS) Paris Gaels (FR) Zurich (CH) Rennes (FR) Luxembourg (LUX) Stockholm (SWE) Zurich (CH)

With over 400 players representing 12 countries and 27 clubs you can see the diversity and unique identity contained within European GAA. Furthermore there will be over 50 nationalities on display as well contained within the teams.

Wishing all the teams and mentors every success in the European Gaelic Football Championship Finals Westmeath GAA www.westmeathgaa.ie Athlone Institute of Technology 13 European Competition Winners Roll of Honour

Year Men’s Ladies Men’s Hurling Camogie Championship Championship Shield 2001 Paris Brussels 2002 Den Haag Luxembourg Den Haag 2003 Paris Luxembourg Den Haag 2004 Munich Luxembourg Zurich 2005 Paris Holland Zurich 2006 Den Haag Luxembourg Maastricht Zurich 2007 Luxembourg Paris Rennes Den Haag 2008 Belgium Belgium Copenhagen Luxembourg Luxembourg 2009 Den Haag Belgium Copenhagen Belgium Luxembourg 2010 Den Haag Belgium Copenhagen Belgium Belgium 2011 Guernsey Belgium Amsterdam Zurich Belgium 2012 Belgium Belgium Malmo Den Haag Paris 2013 Belgium Belgium 14 European Gaelic Football Championship Finals

Best wishes for a great weekend of games to The European County Board, To the participants in the European Club Gaelic Football Finals and to their hosts Athlone Institute of Technology

www.leinstergaa .ie Athlone Institute of Technology 15 GAA in Austria (Central and East Region)

The Vienna Gaels GAA The Vienna Gaels play in the Central and club was founded in 2004 Eastern region of European GAA against by members of the Irish teams from Switzerland, Germany, Czech community in Vienna to Republic, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary. promote Gaelic Games The club has an active membership of and the Irish culture. It about 50 people from a variety of mixed is the first and only GAA nationalities. club in Austria. The club has worked hard The Vienna Club hosted a valuable over the years to make both Men’s and coaching course this year for the Central Ladies teams. and Eastern Region. The club has solid foundations and extremely committed and In June 2004 Vienna hosted it’s first ever dedicated members and volunteers. European Gaelic Football tournament and have done so every year since then Honours including hosting their first ever Pan Men Regional Champions 2012, 2013 European tournament in October 2012. Men’s Regional Tournament Victory 2013 GAA in Belgium (Benelux Region)

GAA in Belgium has of 2012 and also the Hurling and Camogie officially been played for Championships of 2013. 10 years, but unofficially it has been played as long The club have produced large numbers as Ireland has been a part for the regional season and have been of the European Union. the only European team to put out 5 teams for one tournament which is a There are two official GAA monumental achievement. Belgium Ladies clubs in Brussels with are striving for their 6th European Ladies the Belgium GAA club Gaelic Football Championship in a row. and also the EC Brussels Belgium Men aim to defend their European Youth GAA Club. Belgium Championship so it should lead to a currently is representative fascinating tournament in Athlone. of Hurling, Camogie, Mens and Ladies Gaelic Football at both Belgium GAA provide a fine blueprint adult and youth levels. Belgium is a very for other clubs to follow in terms of successful club and currently holds 4 out competition, development, fundraising, of 6 European Championships with the club size and so many other aspects. Mens and Ladies Football Championships 16 European Gaelic Football Championship Finals GAA in the Czech Republic (Central and East Region)

In May 2009 a group of from a group of Irish Franciscans who Irish lads got to talking established their college in Prague in 1629 about Gaelic Football over and stayed here for 150 years till 1786. a quiet pint and this is They were called in Czech “Hyberni” - in when the idea of forming English Hibernians - derived from the Latin a G.A.A. Club in Prague form of their homeland Hibernia or Ireland. began to take shape. The following week, the first training session of This link, and memory of the college, is still the Prague Hibernians G.A.A. Club took recalled today by the usage of the street place with five people in attendance. Now name Hybernska. We hope this will be we have a squad of approx. 35 players; another long chapter in Irish-Czech history. the majority from Ireland with a few French, The Prague club boasts a good Mens and Czech, American and English. Ladies team who are well coached and always make a huge effort in the Central The team name Hibernians was chosen and East Region of European Gaelic as it connects the the past links between games. Ireland and Prague, drawing inspiration

GAA in Denmark (Nordic Region)

Copenhagen GAA was years. Copenhagen are Denmark’s only one of the first clubs club and they welcome people from all established in the walks of life and origin. Whether you are Scandanavian region, a student coming to study, a professional founded by a group of person who relocates, or a local wanting to aspiring expats in 2004. try something different, the club’s door is Since then the club has always open. grown steadily and now reports both Men’s and Ladies teams. Each year they try to The Copenhagen club has really re- make as many tournaments as possible established its roots in the last year or so throughout Europe and compete in both with the Ladies Football being the driving the Scandanavian Regional Championship force to help get the club restructured and and the Pan European competitions. back in action. The Men have responded to this affirmative action by the Ladies and The club is no stranger to success hopefully the Copenhagen club can be having won the Men’s European Shield restored to its former glories. Championship three times in the last five Athlone Institute of Technology 17 GAA in Estonia (Nordic Region)

The Tallinn team have represented Europe at the All-Ireland gone from strength Ladies 7’s tournament in Ireland recently. to strength in their The club has also produced a number development and that in of MVP Award Winners from Nordic large part due to the hard Championship tournaments which is a work and dedication of its fantastic achievement. members. The club has hosted two Nordic regional tournaments The Mens side of the club has also made in successive years which is a magnificent significant improvements recently and this achievement for a relatively new club. helps boost the whole club overall. The club is is negotiations to attain a full This club is the real deal and have had 15-a-side pitch facility as well as making a fantastic curve of development in the Gaelic sports an official sport of Estonia last two years. They have some seriously which will open the doors to funding, pitch dedicated members who not only want to allocations and membership recruitment. grow the club in Tallinn but also the sport The future is bright, the members are all around Estonia. committed and the structures are in place so with a bit of luck and a lot of hard work The club has been represented at Tallinn GAA could be up on the main stage European level as two of its players within the region pretty soon. 18 European Gaelic Football Championship Finals GAA in Finland (Nordic Region)

Helsinki Harps, Finland’s The Oulu and Helsinki teams both first official GAA club participated in the Tallinn tournament in in Europe started up August and then they planned to play a activities in 2011. Their two legged All Finland Football Final with first few years were all the first leg in Helsinki. Helsinki won on the about development of first day but what was to come was truly the club and immersion amazing. in their local community. This idea bore fruit as The Second Leg of the All Finland the club was able to Football Final was to become the “Most participate in a few Nordic Northerly GAA game in the World” that Championship matches. was endorsed by the Irish Music Festival of Oulu and Ambassador Donal Denhem. Then in 2012 there was an idea proposed There was a video documentary made for another club in Finland in a place of the game, a live stream as well as called Oulu which is 600km away from countless media focus and scrutiny. What Helsinki. Things then began to happen at has resulted is YouTube clips, gif videos, lightning speed. There were grand plans loaded photo albums and much interest of training sessions, All Finland Football and attention from all over the world. The Finals and joint participation in Nordic future of GAA is bright under the Northern Championships. I think what happened we Lights! can agree was totally fantastic and very unforeseen. Athlone Institute of Technology 19 GAA in France (France Federal and France Northwest Region)

Club list in order: Lille, Liffre, Guerande, Countances, Paris, Niort, Clermont, Brest, Naives, Lyon, Bordeaux, Marseille, Lorient, Nantes, Vannes, Tregor, Toulouse, Saint Brieuc, Rennes, INSA Rennes. 20 European Gaelic Football Championship Finals Athlone Institute of Technology 21 22 European Gaelic Football Championship Finals Athlone Institute of Technology 23 24 European Gaelic Football Championship Finals GAA in Germany (Benelux Region/Central and East Region)

Clubs as they appear: Munich Colmcilles, Frankfurt Sarsfields, Dusseldorf, Dresden GAA, Cologne Celtics, Augsburg, Berlin GSC.

Germany has the potential to emerge as There is a good mix between Hurling a real powerhouse of European GAA with and Mens Gaelic Football so far but the 7 clubs already established and keeping biggest slice of credit must go to the the games alive and a further 3 more in Munich Ladies who are much respected development and formation it really does in European Ladies Gaelic Football circles. look like German GAA is on the cusp of We will all keep our eyes on German GAA something big. in 2014 as big things are to be expected. Athlone Institute of Technology 25 GAA in Gibraltar (Iberian Region)

The Club was founded from ideal but you have to persevere. in late 2011, when three Things can change very quickly for the Irish lads, Peter Goulding, better or the worse but the one thing we Seamus Hayes and all hope is that the base structure and Oliver Gottmann met for foundation is there to cope with any of a pint in local Irish bar these ups and downs. and put the wheels in motion for the founding of the Gibraltar The Gibraltar Gaels have proven Gaels GAA Club. The club has grown from themselves very capable of dealing with strength to strength and now boasts over adversity and persevering through tough 25 members, including two Ozzie’s, an times but they are the stronger for it as a Italian, six Brits, and One Spanaird. The result and are slowly but surely plugging club are gathering speed playing friendlies, away there and making gains. providing a constant presence in Gibraltar The future is looking steady and well based and doing their best to get themselves in Gibraltar and hopefully they can kick on recognized and recruiting new members. and drive this Andalucian amalgamation further and further in the future. There The Gibraltar Gaels have found great are still major contributions to be made mutual benefit amalgamating with their in the Iberian region and larger European near neighbours in Seville and Marbella. tournaments from this special and unique There are times when the situation is far club. 26 European Gaelic Football Championship Finals GAA in Guernsey (North West Region)

This year marks the has been very successful for us and has 17th anniversary of the enabled us to recruit a lot of youngsters formation of Guernsey’s who don’t have Irish backgrounds.” first GAA club, Guernsey The Specsavers Guernsey Youth Games Gaels. Founded by a sees children between the ages of nine small group of ex-pats and 11 compete for their district in a wide living on the island, the range of minority sports, including Gaelic club has gone from strength to strength football, athletics, basketball, indoor bowls, since then and was one of the original girls cricket, girls soccer, hockey, nets, members of the European county fencing, squash, volleyball and table tennis, board, which was established in 1997. ten pin bowling, tag rugby and new sport Guernsey Gaels has been hosting its own Goal ball (which is for visually impaired tournament since 1998 and also competes Youngsters to participate in).The Youth in various tournaments throughout Europe. Games have given Guernsey Gaels’ youth Guernsey Gaels have always participated section a massive shot in the arm and in the European competitions. The club has helped the club to produce their own is one of the main social outlets for Irish players. The first batches of home-grown people living in Guernsey. Not surprisingly, players have already broken through to the it has close ties with Guernsey’s thriving senior team, including Joseph Mooney (of Irish community. Kildare descent), Seoirse Lee (of Galway stock), both lads from Guernsey. “The Irish community in Guernsey numbers between 1,500 and 2, 000,” explains Roll of Honor: Guernsey Gaels PRO John Payne. “Unlike 2011 Northwest France Regional Irish communities in other parts of the Champions world, most of us work in finance rather 2011 Pan European Champions than construction. While the majority 2013 Inter Insular Champions of our members are Irish, there are an 2013 European 15 a side Champions (now increasing number of locals becoming representing Europe in Leinster Junior involved, especially at underage level. We Championships) hold coaching sessions in the local schools between April and July as part of the Specsavers Guernsey Youth Games. This Athlone Institute of Technology 27 GAA in Hungary (Central and East Region)

Budapest Rangers GAA unprecedented double by winning both the Club, founded in 2003, ‘Championship’ and ‘Shield’ Tournaments, is Central & Eastern never before had this been achieved in Europe’s oldest, biggest ECB’s history. and leading gaelic games club and Irish sports The Club also successfully hosted the organisation. European County Board 2007 Annual Convention in December 2007. Budapest Club membership now comprises over 50 has one of the largest populations of Irish men and women - mostly Irish but growing youth in Europe. The Budapest Veterinary numbers of non-Irish including several Science University is home to almost 200 Hungarians - who enjoy regular training Irish students. The Club is proud to provide schedules and competitions throughout an outlet for these students to play gaelic Europe. The Club fields teams in both games in Hungary and participate in Irish Men’s and Ladies Football and has started community life. to develop in Hungary Ireland’s other The Hungarian hurling project is something national sport of Hurling. that has borne much fruit in the past few years most notably hosting a home hurling From humble beginnings, the Club has tournament and also participating in a few developed into one of the strongest hurling rounds of 2011. There were a few teams in Europe. The Club marked of the Hungarian representitives of the its progression on the pitch in 2007 in European Non-Irish team that participated Barcelona by winning a Pan-European in the Aer Lingus International Hurling Round for the first time. A Pan- Festival in Ireland in September 2013. European tournament was awarded to Budapest in 2008 the club pulled off an 28 European Gaelic Football Championship Finals GAA in Italy (Swiss/Italy Region)

GAA in Italy has exploded on the European Verona and Treviso. Ladies Football is also scene in the last 18 months. Gaelic active with clubs in Rome and Padova. Games, in all codes, are thriving in Italy The clubs of Rovigo, Padova and Rome and, guess what, there are hardly any Irish have all hosted their own tournaments in involved! the Swiss/Italian Region of European GAA in 2013. We can trace the development of Gaelic Games in Italy back to one man and one In just one year, there have been coaching event. The man is Raffaello Franco and courses, GAA Handball One Wall the event is his honeymoon in Ireland in tournaments, Poc Fada’s, Kids Coaching 2011. Raffaello, who is now Chairperson Programmes and a referee course, allied of the Ascaro Rovigo GAA Club, in his own with significant club and GAA exposure words says: “I have been humbled by what and promotion in the Italian media. The has happened, I never expected this. It has greatest success so far has probably been all been fantastic!” The Rovigo club has the referee course which produced five inspired their neighbours and bitter local Italian referees, some of whom will travel to rivals in Padova to set up a club. Rome Ireland to officiate later this month. has come on board and there are now development projects in Florence, Milan, Athlone Institute of Technology 29 GAA in Jersey (North West Region)

successful having won many Hurling and Football Championships and Tournaments. The structure and the culture behind the club on the island is very strong and depending on the year they can be very strong from year to year.

Jersey compete at Championship level in The Jersey club has worked extremely Pan European competition and attended hard over the last few years in developing the Championship round in Copenhagen its underage and youth programmes. This this past September. The Jersey club has paid significant dividends as they claimed the French Championship in 2012 play a lot of youth games against their and it has been a very strong year for insular neighbours and also their Breton Jersey and let’s hope it continues into the neighbours too. future. They recently defeated their arch rivals and insular neighbours Guernsey The co-operation and communication on a scoreline of 3-19 to 0-15 and if they between the North-West regional clubs is can produce those same players and that very strong and they even have a massive same form they will be a serious team to French Finals between the clubs in the deal with in Athlone at the Pan European French Federal, the French North West Gaelic Football Championship Finals. and Islands and also the Breton clubs from Cup, League and Championship. There are The Jersey club recently celebrated its plenty of opportunities to play competitive 20th anniversary and that is a quite unique games every year so hopefully as time milestone in European GAA as it officially passes we see more and more of Jersey makes them the 3rd oldest club and each passing year. unofficially the 4th. The Jersey Club are relatively new to European competition Watch out for the Jersey Irish GAA Club! as they previously played in the British Championships in which they were very 30 European Gaelic Football Championship Finals GAA in Luxembourg (Benelux Region)

Gaelic Sports Club Championship that beat the Hague Luxembourg asbl was in the first ever European 15’s game established in 1978. in European GAA history. The Ladies For much of the club’s Football made a resurgence this year as history GSCL arranged did the Mens Hurling. In 2013 so far the matches in Luxembourg greatest success of the club goes to the and around Europe. The Luxembirds Camogie team with a fine Luxembourg Gaelic Football tournament, victory in the Zurich tournament and an originally known as the Black Stuff 7s, official announcement that they were back is the longest running Gaelic sports on the scene for real! tournament on the continent. Luxembourg are a very successful club Since the establishment of the European with European Mens Championship County Board Luxembourg have entered victory in 2007, 4 time Ladies Football teams in European Competitions in all Champions and 2008 they won the Hurling codes with a good deal of success. This and Camogie double as well as another year the club entered both the Benelux European Camogie Championship in 2009. Championship in some tournaments They are a serious force to be reckoned and entered the European Premier 15’s with. Athlone Institute of Technology 31 GAA in the Netherlands (Benelux Region)

Clubs: Holland Ladies, Eindhoven Shamrocks, Amsterdam GAC, Den Haag GAA and Maastricht Gaels.

Holland has been Europe’s strongest as the Den Haag 5 European Hurling European GAA country since the late Championships and four European 1970’s. A country that once boasted over Football Championships, the Ladies 14 Hurling and Football clubs now does Football Champions of Europe in 2004 as very well with three of its clubs having well as Shield victories for Maastricht and already existed for over 10 years the sports Amsterdam in 2006 and 2011 respectively. of Gaelic games are very strong in Holland Holland is undoubtedly one of the in all codes. powerbases of European GAA and their clubs and their members give a huge Many European Championships amount of commitment and sacrifice to have passed through Holland such European GAA every year. 32 European Gaelic Football Championship Finals GAA in Norway (Nordic Region)

Oslo GAA is much more In a uniquely Irish way we have created than just a Gaelic Games a real sense of community for both the Sports Club. residents and newcomers to Oslo city by It is the first and only the formation of this club. Gaelic Athletic Club to be formed in Norway. Jobs In some ways the true value of the Oslo and businesses have cannot be measured with playing success been created and found for people living or not just yet anyway. As well as trying to get staying in Oslo, changing the lives of many a Ladies team up and going and the Mens for the better by being associated with club anchored in the local community the Oslo GAA. Oslo club is very attached to charity and goodwill driven campaigns. The Club provides a platform for people to build life long friendships and business The Bee for Battens Charity is a special aquaintances alike. Through the Oslo GAA charity for the Oslo club and they hold official website, Facebook group and the an Annual Santa Ski run as well as the sporting and social events in which the club has built the Bee for Battens Mini club participates in, Oslo GAA has become with Money donation banks where the a hub for networking and communications fuel usually goes. It is a truly spectacular for Irish people throughout Norway and club that gives lasting social and charity Scandinavia. The benifits have not been connections and inputs to Oslo and we confined strictly to the Irish Community. feel it will be a club that will be anchored Oslo GAA openly welcomes players, in its local community for a long time to members and friends to the club of come. The teams and playing will come any nationality, age or gender. We have later. The club is the most important thing. players, members and friends of the club from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, France, South Africa, and Australia to name a few with more and more people connecting every week with the club. Athlone Institute of Technology 33 GAA in Poland (Central and East Region)

Cumann Warszawa in Warsaw, Poland. The club has joint was officially founded in hurling and football sessions once a week October 2009 by Dubliner on Thursdays at Pole Mokotowskie near Colm Murphy, Clareman Pub Lolek at 7 pm and during the winter Eoin Sheedy, The Rebel training takes place indoors at the nearby Eoin Vaughan & Yellow Stadion Skra at 18:15. Bellied Janet Fleming. The first AGM took place in March 2010 The club depends greatly on the University where the proper committee was voted in students that come and go every year but at the meeting, consisting of Eoin Sheedy overall there is a steady base upon which (chariman), Colm Murphy (secretary) and to build a club going forward. Janet Fleming (treasurer). The club is attempting to get underage The aim of the club is to play and promote hurling off the ground as well as being as gaelic games and Irish culture in general, competitive as it can be in the East and as well as to provide the opportunities Central region. It has previously won a for the all the different community to good few tournaments in the Central and get together. The response to the club East region and also been very competitive so far has been tremendous, and the in Pan European Championships. committee are single-minded in their desire to make this the best organisation Let’s hope the Mens and Ladies team can it can possibly be. Cumann Warszawa keep it all going for the 2014 season! GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club 34 European Gaelic Football Championship Finals GAA in Spain (Iberian Region)

Clubs in list: Vilagarcia, Vigo, Valencia, Valdeorras, Seville, Santiago de Compostela (E.V), Santiago de Compostela, PonteVedra, Pamplona, Ogrobe, Marbella, Madrid (2), Madrid (1), Gijon, Ferrolterra, Estrada (1), Estrada (2), Betanzos, A Coruna (1), Barcelona, A Coruna (2). Athlone Institute of Technology 35 GAA in Slovakia (Central and East Region)

GAA in Slovakia has The Slovak Shamrock Ladies team has taken over in the cities of made itself a force to be reckoned with Bratislava and Kosice in in their brief involvement with European the last two years. The Ladies football. They had a very positive club which now boasts regional season which gives them some two full Mens teams and a solid building blocks to base their future Ladies team is truly one to upon. watch out for there in the Central and East Region of European GAA. It will be fantastic to have both the Slovak Shamrocks Mens and Ladies team in The club has had a strong season in 2013 Athlone for the European Gaelic Football and has attended the Coaching Course in Championship Finals. The future looks Vienna and all of the regional tournaments bright for the Slovak Shamrocks as they in the Central and East in 2013. have done it right and put the proper The Slovak Shamrocks played in the structures into the club from the start and Mens tournament of the Pan European hopefully they will reap the rewards long Competition in Vienna in 2012 but lost into the future. For the minute they are out in heart breaking fashion during a 30 here to stay. meter point shootout as a tie break decider after three clubs had finished level in all categories. 36 European Gaelic Football Championship Finals GAA in Sweden (Nordic Region)

Gaelic games in Sweden will officially Gothenburg have won a few Nordic be 10 years old in 2014. The trailblazers Championships in Mens Football and their and pioneers in this project were the Ladies team has come on in leaps and Gothenburg GAA club who successfully bounds over the years. The Malmo Mens gave the Swedes their first taste of Gaelic team won the Nordic Championship in Games. The Gothenburg club were 2009 and the European Shield in 2012 and assisted by the arrival of the Malmo club their Ladies team won the Nordic Ladies in 2009 who went on to shake up Nordic Championship in 2013. GAA by claiming the regional crown in their first ever year. The Stockholm Gaels came on the scene and have really taken control since 2010 The Stockholm Gaels jumped on board with 4 consecutive Nordic Championships in 2010 and a GAA revolution was born. in a row in Mens Football. The Stockholm All three clubs have gone from strength Ladies club had some supreme successes to strength over the years with all three with Nordic Championship victories in having vibrant Mens and Ladies teams and 2010, 2011 and 2012 and the Malmo all three having varying levels of success. Ladies deposed them this year in 2013. This project of development will come to There are huge youth projects underway a full fruition in 2014 as the Viking Gaels paving the way for the new generation of hurling club will make its debut to much Swedish GAA superstars. Also with new anticipated acclaim. club projects planned in a few Swedish cities the future is looking bright for Swedish GAA. Athlone Institute of Technology 37 GAA in Switzerland (Swiss/ Italy Region)

Gaelic games in Switzerland have been led in 2012 as well as two Pan European in the last 10 years by the Zurich Inneoin Championship rounds in Vienna and Club. The Zurich club plays all four codes Maastricht. The Zurich Ladies Gaelic of Hurling, Camogie, Mens and Ladies Football Club was also formed and things Gaelic Football. Mens and Ladies Football really took off for them. are the new kids on the block as Zurich had previously won four European Hurling In the Swiss/Italy regional season the Championships including a historic “three Zurich Men and Ladies teams remained in a row”. undefeated and took the regional crowns but the main project was development of The club received some noisy neighbours the new region and it was truly a special in 2010 with the arrival of the Saint Gallen success. The future looks bright with talk Bears. They played in the first ever Inter- of Basel and Neuchatel joining the Swiss Swiss GAA game and then amalgamated Gaelic games family in 2014. That will together for tournament purposes. Then leave 5 clubs with future and developing in 2012 the Geneva Gaels came on board competitiveness growing all the time and there was a real upsurge in Gaelic between the clubs the future is bright for games in Switzerland. The combined Swiss Gaelic games. Zurich/Saint Gallen team won one regional tournament in the Central and East region 38 European Gaelic Football Championship Finals Legacy Clubs (10 Years or older)

(Luxembourg, Den Haag, Jersey, Paris, Guernsey, Barcelona, Zurich, Amsterdam, Madrid, Belgium, Rennes, Munich, Marbella, Budapest, Brest)

New Teams that will be coming our way in 2014

Russia Moscow/ Saint Petersburg

Bulgaria Boyanovo/ Hylabovo

Sweden Helsingborgs, Kalmar, Orebo, Karlskoga

France Strasbourg, Aix en Provence, Angers, Carhaix, Dijon, Grenoble, Versailles, Tulle, Lannion, Le Mans

Italy Verona, Milan

Spain Almeria, Cordoba, Malaga, Granada, Lanzarote

Germany Bremen, Hamburg, Kaiserslautern

Finland Turku, Lahti

Switzerland Basel, Neuchatel Athlone Institute of Technology 39 Autonomous Communities, Nations, Cultural Regions, Federations and Organisations 40 European Gaelic Football Championship Finals

Athlone Institute of Technology Sports Scholarship Scheme

Athlone Institute of Technology’s Sports Scholarship Scheme recognises excellence and ambition in sporting endeavours. The scholarship scheme continues to grow, with 79 scholarships awarded across all sports for the 2012-2013 academic year.

Scholarship applications for 2013/2014 are invited from prospective students who are playing at, or are capable of playing at, a high level in their sport.

Closing date for receipt of applications for a scholarship is Monday 3 September 2013. Applicants must have applied for a course in Athlone Institute of Technology through the CAO, before the closing of the change of mind period on 1 July 2013.

For further information on the scheme or an application form contact: Gordon Brett Sport & Recreation Manager Athlone Institute of Technology Tel: 090 644 2565/642 4539 Mobile: 087 924 8139 Email [email protected]

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