LATEST NEWS  

13th Dec 01 Sunday Times gives coverage to European GAA sports grounds and the GAA scene in Europe. Full article here, by sports journalist Michael Foley .(word doc)

13th Dec 01 London and Westmeath: receicve no good finance news from Croke Park. 

London GAA has been warned by Croke Park that it runs the risk of being thrown out of the National Leagues if it doesn’t reduce its costs. read article in HoganStand online magazine

After all the rounds of the championship that Westmeath played last year, and all the times their fans filled Croke Park and other stadia around the country, including up to the Final of the National League Division which they won... 
From the hundreds of thousands of punts gained by Croke Park from WestMeath matches, a paltry £45,000 was given towards Westmeath County Board.The wonderful odyssey enjoyed by Westmeath this year has left the county board with a bill of over £45,000.

10th Dec 01 Frankfurt Sarsfields GAA hold their first meeting and launch their website. at www.nodonn.com Frankfurt Sarsfields had their first official meeting on Tuesday 4th of December in O'Reillys Irish Pub in Frankfurt. They've recently started playing both hurling and gaelic football in the city and are looking for people interested in joining the club.Their new website will keep you informed of upcoming meetings and events. If you are interested in playing or helping to organise the club, please contact [email protected] 

6th Dec 01 2001 Year Review: First Euro-League, Ladies Football, New Clubs, Hurling, UnderAge, The Year Ahead! ... more 

2001 saw the First Ever European Gaelic Football League played over 6 Rounds with 9 teams;  Thirteen new GAA Clubs/Teams were established;  Ladies Football had 4 teams playing in various matches in Belgium, Luxembourg and Netherlands;  Hurling matches were played in Langres France, and Guernsey, while new hurling developments were seen in Finland and Germany;  Founding members of the European Board and European GAA Clubs returned to Ireland during the year.  There's an interesting list of events and fixtures for 2002 already... click here for details of this and a full Review of 2001.

05 Dec 2001

United Arab Emirates:  Championship in Ladies & Mens Football, Hurling and Camogie. Abu Dhabi plays against Dubai on 5 different occasions from October 18^th through to May 23^rd, comprising of 5 Rounds of the UAE Championship. There are 4 matches played,  one in Men’s Gaelic Football, Ladies Gaelic Football, Camogie, and Hurling. Players from Al Ain and Ruwais also play in this championship.
October 18^th Round 1 Matches in Dubai:
Men's Football: Abu Dhabi Fianna 2-14 Dubai Celts 3-10
Women's Football: Abu Dhabi Fianna 0-4 Dubai Celts 1-6
Hurling: Abu Dhabi Fianna 2-10 Dubai Celts 1-7
Camogie: Abu Dhabi Fianna 1-6 Dubai Celts 5-7

USA: Inaugural Intercity Tournament North American GAA held its inaugural intercity GAA Tournament in Boston,  on Oct 20^th & 21^st. The long awaited intercity U.S. Gaelic football tournament became a reality last weekend when the North American County Board staged the inaugural event at Boston's beautiful Irish Cultural Center in suburban Canton. Perfect weather and the magnificent conditions of the playing field contributed to a most successful tournament which was sponsored by Guinness and Setanta Sports. Boston may consider themselves all-American champions having captured this title following their win over New York in an exhibition game a few weeks ago. Teams from the three other major cities, Chicago, Philadelphia and San Francisco participated in the event. Given that the vast number of players have been out of action since the national playoff over the Labor Day weekend the general standard of play was of a high caliber. The final between Boston and Chicago was a most enjoyable game with the home side coming out on top by four points, 2-10 to 1-9.

Scotland: Univeristy of Abertay Dundee plays in Trench Cup Final in Parnell Park Dublin. Scottish University wins the British Universities Championship, and then makes history in Dublin, when as British Universities Champions, Abertay played the Irish Trench Cup Winners IT Tallaght, in what is now recognised as the overall Trench Cup Final.
Beaten finalists for the previous two years, University of Abertay  Dundee, travelled to Birmingham earlier this year to attempt the unthinkable conquering task of winning the British Universities Championship Finals. Abertay en route to the final played colleges from the North-West & Upper-Midlands Division & London Division. In the quarter-finals a 2-point victory over Glenmorgan, led to a classic Semi-Final encounter with Liverpool John Moores, which Abertay won on a penalty shoot-out, after the match was tied at 0–6 each. Third time lucky was on Abertay’s side in the final winning 1-09 to 1-08 against Brunel. 
The year will go down in history for Scottish GAA as Abertay University played against Offaly Seniors in a challenge match on 24^th October, and on Friday 26^th October were in Parnell Park for the Trench Cup Final. 

30th Nov 01 Survival Guide the GAA Dinner Dances ... extract from www.anfearrua.ie

22nd Nov 01 Application to join your Professional Football Academy

DEAR SIR
My name is Ollliw Osmund Sulinam; I was born on the 16 March 1983 in Lagos State Nigeria, sir I will like to enquire for an entry to you foot ball Academy I am striker with good skills and accurate passes, I have develop passion for football since my tender age I have been looking forward to be professional in the nearest future and it as always be my dream to play this game professionally. I am looking forward for you assistance to pick me up from the GRASS TO GRACE.

This is my profile below:

NAME :Ollie Osmund Sulinam
ADDRESS: Block 5 Flat 5 Rafiki Simba Crescent  Lagos, Nigeria.P.O.BOXxxxx festac town festac Lagos state Nigeria
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND: secondary schl. Cert., diploma in cargo handling, diploma in information management in computer
PAST CLUB: LUKY FC state league armature championship
PRESENT CLUB: NIL                     
POSITION: SRIKER
HIEGTH: 5FEET 10 INCHES
WIEGTH: 70 kG   
SPEED: 80%
PASSES: 60%
SKILL: 80%
BEST MATCH PLAYED: LUCKY vs. UNION BANK, vs. FIRSTBANK, SUPER LEAGUE MATCH, LUKY vs. PEPSI TEAM.

Sir I will be very great full if my application can be favorably considered 
thank you and GOD bless you.

Yours truly

Ollie Osmund Sulinam

21st Nov 01 Never Too Old To Play Hurling, ask Willie Cullen,!!!
... but who's Willis Cullen??

19th Nov 01 New GAA Developments in Pamplona Spain, Frankfurt Germany and  Groningen Netherlands 

Based in the northern part of Netherlands, the city of Groningen will soon be seeing a new sport in its playing fields. There are currently five or six enthusiastic players of hurling primarily, but who also play gaelic football. The new club is hoping to attact more 'experienced' players from the Irish community there, to create a blend of Dutch and Irish players in this city. Anyone intersted should contact Dennis Ensing [email protected] .
Frankfurt in Germany is seeing what could emerge as the fulcrum of Hurling in Europe, as a new group of hurlers looks set to form a strong Hurling Club in the city.  As this new club is on the horizon, they look forward to 2002 as a year of development and a year which will see Frankfurt emerge as a force in the hurling scene in Europe. A contact for the new group will be provided shortly.
There are 8 Pamplona based footballers setting up a new GAA unit there. They are hoping to start playing shortly. With contact already made to the units in Madrid and Barcelona, and the planned Glynn/Barnstown match in Barca in February,  the Year 2002 could see Spain emerge as a GAA stronghold in Europe. For info on the new group in Pamplona, contact Eoin Tuckey, [email protected] 

18th Nov 01 Reps from The Hague, Guernsey, Munich, Rennes, Luxembourg, Brussels and Paris attended Saturday's EURO-GAA General Meeting, either in person or by conf. call... Barcelona had a rep at the Special Congress in Dublin. The financial position, and funding of both the Euro Board as a unit and of each individual club were debated at length by the delegates. Mary Gavin provided everyone present with role descriptions for each officer position of the GAA Board, and will send it onto those who linked in via satellite, or telephone. The  general consensus was that the Euro League 2001 was a great success, Events for 2002 are listed below. Each club has made a variety of commitments to be met by Nov 30th, to do with finance, their view and aspirations for the Euro-league 2002, the Dublin 2002 International festival European teams, sponsorship plus other miscellaneous issues. 

The Provisional List of Events for 2002 is:

• January 19th, AGM, Luxembourg,  to be attended by Croke Park delegation.

• February 16th, Glynn/Barntown to play European Selection in Barcelona

• Start March, Round 1 of Euro-League is Rennes/Brest

• Munich to Host Round 2 St.Patrick's weekend, mid-March

• End-March/Start April Round 3 in Paris

• End April, Round 4, in Guerney

• End May, Round 5, in Luxembourg

• End June, Round 6, in Brussels

• July, Brussels U14 team play at Feile Peil na nOg in Ireland.

• June/July, Annual Hurling Tournament/Exhibition, arranged by Luxembourg in a European town/city. 

• July/August, European Team Practice Match, possibly against Jersey

• September, European Ladies Team and Gents Team to play at International Football Festival in Dublin.

• Mid-October, Brendan Maloney Tournament, The Hague Euro-League Round 7.

• LADIES GAELIC FOOTBALL LEAGUE/MATCHES to be added to the above

• There may also be Additional Hurling Matches.

• It is also usual that each club has other matches arranged locally, against a visiting Irish Club, a summer Students group, or against a nearby club.      

18th Nov 01 Congress Delegates vote to Abolish Rule 21

18th Nov 01 European GAA Board Delegates attend historic GAA Congress.  

12th Nov 01 European GAA Board votes for the removal of Rule 21 Following the votes of most European Clubs, Representatives of European GAA County Board will vote at Special Congress on Saturday to Remove the Rule 21 from the GAA Rules.

25th Oct 01 Gaelic football. It’s part soccer, part rugby and part handball. At first glance, it appears as if neither the players nor the umpires could quite agree on what sport to play—so they just set off with each doing his own thing. It doesn’t change much with a second look either. Energetic, yes. Spectacular, undoubtedly. But it remains a chaotic hybrid.

“Well, that’s not the way we view it,” says Paul Larkin, vice chairman of the recently formed München Colmcilles Gaelic Athletic Association ... 

Read the Report about München Colmcilles Gaelic Athletic Association, on Munich Found Online.

16th Oct 01 New acting Chairperson is Barry Moroney of Guernsey Gaels Congratulations to Barry on being elected to his new post. He will serve as acting Chairperson (following Mark Scanlon's recent return from Paris to Ireland)  until the AGM, at which time he will take his full official post. Barry has served on the committee since the foundation of the European GAA County Board, as treasurer for the last 2 years. 

15th Oct 01 Paris clinch European Title, as score difference gives them 2nd place in Round 6. In the Brendan Maloney Tournament, held at The Hague this past weekend, this Sixth and Final Round  of the European GAA League was to decide the 2001 Gaelic Football Champions of Europe. Two teams from St. Margarets were represented in the local  tournament. Both got to the Semi Finals. The hosts The Hague got to the Semi's in convincing style, but Paris Gaels level on points with Munich, scraped into the Semi's on much better score-difference. Although Paris were beaten by the Hague in the Semi Finals, they had done enough to secure second placed European Team. Although The Hague were the top placed Euopean team, they were pipped for the title by Paris.  One point denied them of the Brendan Maloney cup, as St. Margarets narrowly defeated The Hague in the final of the local Tournament, with The Hague rattling the cross-bar and goal-post in the dying minutes, to deny them the Cup.

Semi - Finals: 
St.Margarets-A defeat St.Margarets-B
The Hague defeat Paris Gaels 

Full scores and details will be available later. Congrats to Paris Gaels on winning the European Title, and to St.Margarets, for regaining the Brendan Maloney Cup.

11th October 2001 Special General Meeting in The Hague this weekend  At the meeting of the European GAA Board, officers and club reps, which will be held at O'Casey's, Noord Einde in the Centre of the Hague at 11am.    A  new Chairperson will be elected, and the state of affairs of the Euro-GAA Board, competitions and clubs will be discussed. All clubs -new, old or if you're thinking of starting-up -  are invited to send a representative to this meeting.

11th October 2001 Garristown Ladies and Brussels Men are not travelling to The Hague  To the regreat of the organisers, Garristown ladies Footballers will not be travelling to The Hague, due to an upcoming fixture in Kenmare for the Meath ladies. However, ever faithful ex-Paris Gaels player Ann Donnelly and ex-Brussels Val Boland are travelling to The Hague for the weekend matches, as well as Emma Ni Dhonaill (Donegal, ex-Lux.). Due to unforeseen circumstances, and problems outside the control of the clubs organisers, Brussels men have had to pull-out of Round 6 of the European GAA League this weekend. Cathal Lynch and a number of other Brussels individuals, will however be travelling to the events.

8th October 2001 4 Teams can still win this year's Euro-League, with a win in ROUND6 this weekend After clinching a superb win in Brussels at the end of June, Paris Gaels have leap-frogged The Hague and Guernsey to top the League table with 28 Points, The Hague(IC-NL) on 25 Points, Guernsey Gaels on 26. Gaelic Sports Club of Luxembourg after 2 great performances in the 2 recent Rounds are making a very late surge, and a win at The Hague on 13th October could give them the Outright European title. Recently formed Munich Colmcilles have made a great debut and in just 2 rounds the Germans came a creditable 4th in Luxembourg, and 3rd in Brussels (just including European Clubs).  Brussels have been very unlucky this year, having being pipped by just 1 point for a Final place, on 3 occasions. Rennes reached the final in ROUND 1, and came 3rd on 2 later Rounds, while Brest were the second placed European Club at Guernsey, Round 3. Barcelona made a huge debut in Round 4, winning in their clash with Munich. 

The Climax, the 6th and Final Round will be hosted by The Hague, all matches starting at 11:00 sharp this Saturday 13th October.  All matches are 11-a-side. For those unused to the 11-a-side format, instead of having 3 players per line, you have 2 - ie. 2 on full backs, 2 half backs, 2 midfield, 2 half-forwards and 2 full-forwards. Live coverage of these matches is very possible, with so much at stake and so many teams still with the potential of lifting the First Ever European League Cup.  Home advantage  favoured  Guernsey in Round 3, Luxembourg Round 4 and Paris in Round 2, but will the home team in The Netherlands  do enough this weekend to recapture the top of the table? The only advice for any European GAA supporter this weekend is : GET yourself to The Hague for 11am on Saturday Oct 13th. DON'T MISS IT.  Click for Directions

8th October 2001 Munich determined to win the 6th and Final Round of GAA League. While the League leading Teams have been watching each other's moves this year,  Munchens Columcilles have come from no-where to claim fourth place at their debut Tournament in Luxembourg, Round 4 of this 2001 European GAA League, defeating one of the tournament favourites Guernsey Gaels.  Round 5 at the end of June, was witness to a third place finish by the team from Germany, when they again  outscored favourites Guernsey, defeated hosts Brussels in a superb match, and also finished ahead of The Hague, another team chasing the Cup on Saturday next.  The 6th and final round of the First ever European Gaelic Football League is being played this coming weekend, in the Netherlands. Although Munich are not in a position to lift the overall European Title, they are hoping to capture their first Cup by winning this Round 6 of the series.

8th October 2001 First 4-Team European Ladies Gaelic Football Tournament, this weekend  Thanks to the efforts of Patricia Hickey from Brussels, Mary Gavin of The Hague, and the Ladies from Luxembourg and  Paris, the first ever 4-team European  Ladies Football Tournament takes place this weekend in The Hague. Paris have already played a Brussels/Luxembourg selection in Luxembourg, last May.  At home, Brussels defeated Luxembourg at the end of June, but narrowly lost to Paris. The Hague in preparation for this October fixture, played a Luxembourg selection in a friendly match, on September 15th. Munich may field a team early next year. This is about to become a major event in the annual GAA calender, less than 8 months after the Gent's First ever European Gaelic Football league started. All matches start at 11:00 on Saturday, 13th October. Don't miss it!   Click for Directions

8th October 2001 Meath Ladies from Garristown to play European  Ladies Gaelic Football Team  in the Hague.  Former Paris Gaels player and Euro-GAA Assistant Secretary, Ann Donnelly has arranged for her local Ladies Football Club to travel in numbers to the Netherlands, for a challenge match versus the European Ladies Football team. This will be the first time that the European Team will be formed by the four ladies football teams of the new European Ladies Football GAA League. Indeed it should kickstart the campaign for the 2002 Internaional Festival in Dublin, when  Europe will play against opposition from across the globe.

30 September 2001 St. Margarets return to defend Brendan Maloney Cup. St. Margarets GAA Club began their European adventures when they  travelled to Paris to play against Paris Gaels in October 1999, a match played one half in Hurling, one half in Football. A year ago they returned to Europe by special invite to the Brendan Maloney Tournament. Having narrowly won the event last year, they are returning this year to defend their crown. 

All Gaelic Football Teams in Europe are invited to The Hague on 13th October for The Grand Finale of the First Gents' Gaelic Football European League, which has seen teams from Luxembourg, Guernsey, Rennes, Brest, Paris, Munich, Barcelona and The Hague compete in the first year of this League. This event will combine with the 5th Annual Brendan Maloney Gaelic Football tournament, in which the European teams and some invited Irish GAA Clubs take part, St. Margarets returning from Ireland to defend the title they won last year.All starting at 11:00, 13th October 2001, Hague Rugby Club Ground.  The Tournament is 11-a-side. Click for Directions

29 September 2001 Three Team Tournament with Munchen Kangaroos, Frankfurt Redbacks and Munchen Colmcilles  Following Munich Columcilles great win over Munchen Kangaroos earlier this month in the Aussie Rules / Gaelic Rules First match in a new Series,  preparations are now complete for the second test match.  This time  there will also be a third team in the series from Frankfurt, Frankfurt Rednecks.  The matches are taking place this weekend in Munich. Played  in 4-Quarters, the arrangement for this speacial rules match serires, is a change from the GAA/Aussie Compromise arrangement. In Munich they play one entire half in Aussie rules, ball and ref, and one half in Gaelic rules,  GAA Football, & ref..  As well as providing great entertainment, The Colmcilles are looking forward to having a good test match as preparation before they leave to compete in the last leg of the Euro GAA League in the Hague, on October 13th.

24 September 2001 Thanks to Cathal Lynch (Euro GAA Sec.), for arranging All-Ireland Tickets for European Clubs. Over the past four weeks there has been alot of work behind the scenes by Cathal Lynch and his correspondence with Croke Park. It has ensured that up to 40 European based GAA followers could attend The All-Ireland Hurling and Football Finals. 

23 September 2001 Galway win Sam. The West put the dissappointment of the Hurling Final behind them and went into The All Ireland Football Final more focussed, and more driven than ever before. Galway would not lose this one. In triumphant style, Galway outplayed, outclassed, and out-manoeuvred  Meath stars to capture the Sam Maguire Cup and bring it back to Galway.

23 September 2001 Congratulations to all Europe-based Galway supporters, the Galway team, and  all our Galway friends . Enjoy the celebrations!

23 September 2001 Brussels celebrate All-Ireland Football Final weekend with BBQ at the Irish Club. 
All across Europe, in cities and towns, from Stalis on the Grecian island of Crete; to Torremolinos in Spain, packing into Jimmy's Irish Bar in Kusadasi Turkey, crowds in Murphys Ibiza, Celts Bar in Portimao Portugal, The Custom House Hotel on Channel Islands. Festivities will continue into the night in the BlackStuff Luxembourg,  Flannagans Koln, and Mulligans Amsterdam. The Poteen Still & the Spring bar in The Hague have been struck by  Galway fever, Munich's Shamrock is buzzing, and people were thronged into Flann O'Briens in Paris all Day long. There's cheering coming from  O'Reilly's in Heidelberg and Frankfurt. People have been passing The Old Emerald Isle in Berlin, wondering why the great superb atmosphere in there.  All across Europe, thousands booked their seats early in their local pubs and venues for the event of the year, The All-Ireland Football Finals.

22 September 2001 Paris Gaels regulars Sinead Morgan and Mark Scanlon (Chairperson European GAA) return to Ireland. 
Sinead Morgan is one of the founding members of Paris Gaels GAA. With Ann Donnelly, she has helped setup the Ladies Gaelic Football Team and Club in the French Capital. Sinead has been to more Training sessions in Paris than anyone else.  She has attended more European GAA Tournaments & matches than anyone else in the club over the past 5 or 6 years. Having served in various posts on the GAA Board in Paris, it is an understatement to say that Paris Gaels will be at a great loss as she returns to Ireland.  
Mark Scanlon, while he might claim to be no more than a Clarecastle mucksavage,  he has been a mastermind behind the success in the Paris Gaels GAA as aTeam and as a Club, and even more so in the setup and affiliation of the European GAA Board. Still the Chairperson of the European GAA Board since its inception in November 1999, Mark's vision is one of the reasons why we have today a European GAA Board, why we have clubs across Europe working together for the good of the sport, & the enjoyment of playing. He has shown his true love for the game. 
To Sinead and to Mark, we thank you and wish you every success in your horizons ahead.

21 September 2001 Munich Columcilles defeat Aussies, and more to come next weekend.   The Columcilles from Munich have made history last weekend defeating the Aussies of Munich in a 4-Quarters Compromise Football match. Changing from the 'compromise rules', they played one entire half in Aussie rules, ball and ref, and one half in Gaelic rules,  GAA Football, & ref.. Following this triumph, next weekend will see a second Test Series, but this time there wil also be a third team in the series from Frankfurt. Details of when & where are on the Munich Colmcilles website.

20 September 2001 Lux play The Hague in Mixed Football   An Irish Sports Day wouldn't be the same anywhere in the world, unless there's a drop of rain. Unfortunately the Gods didn't let us down in The Hague on 15th Sept, Saturday last. It poured! It dampened our clothes and many decided against venturing out to this annual Irish Day in Netherlands. Well, much to the credit of everyone who did turn-up, their spirits weren't dampened and following entertaining athletic & novelty  events, we had the Mixed Football match with the Luxembourg and Hague Ladies joining with the Gents players to play an exciting and most enjoyable match. The only losers were the people who stayed at home to miss this great occasion. The Céilí and Music, with refreshments and singing, rounded off a fantastic and most enjoyable event.

12th Sept 2001 Our Sympathy to all our US readers. Please sign Guestbook, which for the next few weeks is a book of condolences. It will be sent to New York GAA Club / North American GAA Board.  

10 September 2001 Running Pulling Kicking Fielding Pucking Dancing Eating Drinking Relaxing Gambling Skipping Bouncing Mingling   As well as the normal fun events listed 1-48 in the List of Events,  ( Field and Novelty events for all ages; Tug o'war, Grand Raffle, Egg throwing, Dancing, and a host of Children's games and activites )The NL Irish Club has teams playing Gaelic Football, Ladies and Gents, with expected visitors from Koln, Luxembourg and Brussels who will also be playing Hurling matches against the locals. Anyone interested in playing/watching is invited to come along They would love to see you participating in the Sports day events at The Haagsche Rugby Club on Saturday 15 September 2001 in The Hague.  Directions The organisers are guaranteeing a superb afternoon & evening, with a BBQ, Bar & Snacks

10 September 2001 Tipperary won the 2001 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Title yesterday in a pulsating match against hurling greats from Galway. Tipp played 18 unbeaten matches in 2001. This year saw 3 county- teams that played out of their skins for 1 match, Limerick when they beat Cork, Wexford when they beat Limerick and Galway when they beat Kilkenny.  Tipperary, on route to win the All-Ireland Final this year, had to defeat all 3 of these teams. May the Tipp supporters, spread across Europe, savour in this 25th title. For Galway no  words can describe the low feeling as the final whistle went yesterday. It's little consolation that Galway footballers are still on track in  their All-Ireland Football Final in 2 weeks time. To a hurling follower, a football title is a poor consolation, and vise-versa. Our congratulations also go out to Cork's Minor Team which defeated the Galway in the curtain-raiser yesterday.

07 September 2001 Hurling and Ladies Football at Irish Club Netherlands Sports Day  on 15th September. At 15:00 sharp, the Irish Club Sports Day commences on Saturday, featuring a Hurling match with players from the new German Hurling Club Frankfurt - as well as other hurlers from Dutch and European cities/towns; Ladies Gaelic Football with a chance for The Hague ladies to make an impact on the European GAA circuit;  Field and Novelty events for all ages; Tug o'war, Grand Raffle, Egg throwing, Dancing, and a host of Children's games and activites. The organisers are guaranteeing a superb afternoon & evening, with a BBQ, Bar & Snacks. 

07 September 2001 All Ireland Hurling Weekend. Galway and Tipperary. 
Check out where to watch the match  in Europe, a great atmosphere  is guaranteed at every venue. You can also listen to the matches on the internet or radio. Or watch on the internet:  Click here: Where to watch the All-Ireland

07 September 2001 Thanks to Adrian & Finbarr who depart from Munich and Barcelona.
Two of the founders of Europe's newer GAA Clubs are returning to Ireland at the end of August. Finbarr Barrett moved from Paris where he played with Paris Gaels to Barcelona, where he has been instrumental in setting up the first  ever Spanish GAA Club, Barcelona Gaels, and helped bring a team to Luxembourg this year, and has laid the foundations for the club to long continue as he moves on to newer horizons. He also has done much to promote the games in Madrid, and has been busy arranging a GAA match in Barcelona's Olympic Stadium / Nou Camp next Spring.  
Adrian Patton first contacted the GAA in Europe for support in setting up a club in Munich, since then he has helped setup what is now one of the strongest clubs in European GAA. He has pledged to stay in contact with the club and hopes to  return to Munich next Summer.  To Adrian and Finbarr, thank you for all you have done. It is a testimony of your efforts that the clubs are now strong enough to continue in existence without you, that you have set up the structure in the club to achieve that, is immense in such a short space of time. 

21 August 2001 Poly on Tour Moscow 1992 ... more
Russia's first exhibition of Gaelic Football was played on astro-turf in the Lenin Olympic Stadium on St Patrick's Day 1992.  2001 Sigerson Cup Champions Ulster University of Jordanstown, made another bit of GAA history in 1992, when,  as Sigerson Finalists, they made the voyage to Russia, where they stepped onto the Moscow snow in a special invitation Exhibition match.

20 August 2001 DOES ANYONE REALLY CARE WHETHER GAA IS PLAYED IN EUROPE OR NOT?
Are we all just kidding ourselves thinking that there's any future for Gaelic Games in Europe ? If an Irish GAA player is based in some European City, and wishes to stay reasonably fit to play football or hurling,  he/she may be better off playing rugby or soccer, some game which is well structured, well organised and with tough training sessions to keep one fit.  What do you think? What do others think? 
Perhaps the GAA scene in Europe is just a good excuse to socialise and a good way to meet people, and to settle into a new city.  Apart from trying to roundup whoever is available for a rare scheduled GAA match,  when else do you really want to play football or hurling? 
Or is there a genuine passion to play the great games of hurling and gaelic football? Is that enough?
Does Croke Park GAA actually care whether there is GAA in Europe or not, do they see Europe as a real County Board, with the same rights as any other county? If so, do they allocate Europe GAA the same amount of All-Ireland tickets as they do to other county boards? Is Europe GAA getting the same recognition for its achievements, now that Barney Winston and Joe MacDonagh (& Mr. Tierney) are no longer in charge !!!
Since the GAA voted NOT to open Croke Park to non-GAA sports, should GAA be really played on cricket /rugby /soccer grounds across Western Europe? It's time to HAVE YOUR SAY !  Check out  the new discussion pages,  for all your views on GAA in Europe. Post your views, read others' views and respond. Should GAA be played on Rugby / Soccer / Cricket Gounds across Europe? vote now 

17August 2001 The Grand Aussie-Rules / Gaelic Challenge  in Munich, Aug 23rd.
The planned match against the Aussies has been postposed by 1 week, to allow a mixed-rules Training session with the Aussies on Tuesday 14th August. The eagerly awaited challenge match between the Irish and Australians is now to take place in Munich, on Thursday 23rd August. It will be a full 9-a-side test match, 2 halves of 30 minutes each.  Each half will be played fully to aussie rules/ gaelic rules (and the appropriate ball & referree for the code).  Subs are also allowed.
All come along to watch and if you think you can handle it maybe join in too!!

10 August 2001 Gaelic Football Training starts in Copenhagen The  efforts of Michael Neugebauer are coming to fruit with the first ever Scandinavian Gaelic Football Training session. The Training sessions are now weekly, in Fælledparken.  Feel free to join any training session on Sundays in Fælledparken by the Nissantribunen at 15:00. For further information contact Michael  on e-mail or phone 28 84 47 83
or visit Kennedy's Irish Bar at Gammelkongevej 28 Kbh. V
Michael has also launched a new Copenhagen Gaelic Football Club Website, which will be developed as the numbers of players increase.  http://www.copenhagengaa.s5.com   Well done Michael and keep up the great work!

10 August 2001 Hurling Interest at the North Pole One of the best Hurling Websites online, has been created and designed by Ronny Holm in Hammerfest, North Norway- next stop the North Pole.  How his interest for hurling came along he doesn´t know, all he knows is that the sport sure deserves more publicity in the world that it gets now.. have fun!!  Due to the short outdoor season in the North of Norway, May to September, it's difficult to get a Hurling team together, in fact the community there is not very large at all. Well done Ronny on your great website, and promoting the great sport of Hurling! http://www.hurling.f2s.com/

09 August 2001The 1st Ladies Gaelic Football 4-Team Tournament welcomes Luxembourg, Brussels and Paris to challenge hosts The Hague. Garristown Ladies Football Team from North County Dublin,  travelling in force to The Hague, are planning to take on a ladies European Selection. The 11-a-side matches start at 11:00, 13th October 2001, Hague Rugby Club Ground. 

08 August 2001 All Gaelic Football Teams in Europe are invited to The Hague on 13th October for The Grand Finale of the First Gents' Gaelic Football European League, which has seen teams from Luxembourg, Guernsey, Rennes, Brest, Paris, Munich, Barcelona and The Hague compete in the first year of this League. This event will combine with the 5th Annual Brendan Maloney Gaelic Football tournament, in which the European teams and some invited Irish GAA Clubs take part, St. Margarets returning from Ireland to defend the title they won last year.
The 11-a-side matches all start at 11:00, 13th October 2001, Hague Rugby Club Ground. 

02 August 2001 München Columcilles first club meeting.  München (Munich) Columcilles had their very first club meeting of the München Colmcilles G.A.A. Club on 17th July 2001. The meeting was held in the Old Irish Pub. They called this meeting to try and establish themselves as a properly run club and to discuss the future of the club with regard to sponsorship, tournaments, jerseys, committee, insurance, etc. A sincere thank you to those who attended it. Minutes will be published on the new München ColumCilles website www.munichgaa.tripod.com
Club Officers
President: Adrian Patton
Chairman: Niall McCorley
Vice-Chairman: Paul Larkin
Secetary: Maria Lane
Vice-Secetary: Dan Galavan
Treasurer: Paudie O'Kelly
P.R.O: Dáire Kivlehan
Trainer: Noel McKenna

31st July 2001 Spain plans for Euro-League 2002  Negotiations are underway between the Barcelona Gaels GAA Club and a new group of footballers in Madrid, with the future of a Spanish GAA team being planned for 2002. The new committee in Barcelona is supporting the set-up of the club in Madrid, led by Madrid based players. "Eventually we should have a strong spanish team"  commented Finbarr Barrett,  one of the founders of Barcelona Gaels. Publicity for the games in Spain is widening thanks to their efforts, with a report about them in a local sports paper (300K circ.)  this week and on GAA Discussion website anFearNua in the coming weeks. Plans are already underway for a Barcelona based European GAA match in February 2002,  with a visiting  Club Team from Wicklow. 

27th July 2001  European GAA website wins Golden Web Award 2001-2002 
This Award is presented to those sites whose web design, originality and content have achieved levels of excellence deserving of recognition.

26th July 2001  Hurling and Ladies Football at Irish Club Netherlands Sports Day  on 15th September. At 15:00 sharp, the Irish Club Sports Day commences on Saturday, featuring a Hurling match with players from the new German Hurling Club Frankfurt - as well as other hurlers from Dutch and European cities/towns; Ladies Gaelic Football with a chance for The Hague ladies to make an impact on the European GAA circuit;  Field and Novelty events for all ages; Tug o'war, Grand Raffle, Egg throwing, Dancing, and a host of Children's games and activites. The organisers are guaranteeing a superb afternoon & evening, with a BBQ, Bar & Snacks. 

23th July 2001 The state of our Gaelic Games has never had a stronger foothold across Europe than it has today, thanks to the efforts of individuals volunteering their time in cities across Euro-land to set-up and develop new clubs, teams and new tournaments.
Since the inauguration of the European GAA Board at the end of 1999, it has become one of the forerunners in the development and growth of Gaelic Games across the planet.
The first six months of 2001 :-

• the launching the New European Gaelic Football League, starting with 7 teams - Paris Gaels, GSC Luxembourg, IC-NL The Hague, EC Brussels, Guernsey, plus 2 new Breton Clubs.

• 5 Rounds of the European League already contested in Rennes, Paris, Guernsey, Luxembourg and Brussels.

• the establishment of 4 competitive Ladies Football Clubs, with a new Ladies Football League due to be set-up later this year;
• Brussels U14’s famous result at Feile Peil na nOg in Thurles, as well as hosting Sylaun/Corofin Galway U14 club in Belgium;
• Successful European Hurling Matches at Guernsey and Langres France.
• European Tournament debuts made in Round 4 by newly formed Barcelona Gaels and Munich Colmcilles
• The first ever Tournament hosted in Brittany, with Breton clubs  Ar Gwazi Gouez (Rennes – Wild Geese) and Bro-Leon (Brest).
• The ongoing set-up of Na Fianna in Milan & the revival of Dusseldorf GAA club.
• The Hurling developments in Wittenberg Gael Galls Club, and a new Hurling group at the University in Cottbus, both in Germany.
• New GAA Teams are being established this summer in Copenhagen, Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Berlin, as well as a start being made in Lahti Finland.
• The re-launch of this European_GAA website.

13th July 2001  Gaelic games are growing across Germany...more  Munich Colmcilles made their debut in European GAA this year, with great success in Luxembourg and Brussels in May and June. Dusseldorf, German GAA Team of the 1990's, are hoping to revive their team, having last played at the BlackStuff 7-a-side in 1998.
Gael Gall Hurling Club was founded in Wittenberg in June 1999, and on 7th June this year a new students Hurling Group was founded at Cottbus University. To our knowledge, gaelic games are being played regularly in Frankfurt, Hamburg and Hannover. A few players based in Dresden have also played with the Wittenberg group. 
Recent enquiries have arrived about setting up GAA Teams in Berlin and Stuttgart. Plans for an All-Germany GAA tournament for September have only just begun. If interested, get in contact asap. See the blue 'more' link above.

11th July 2001  Brussels U14's are rewarded with a famous result...more Watched by GAA President Sean McCague and Sean Kelly Chairperson of the International Dimension Committee, Brussels U14 footballers came from behind to score a late goal and secure a historic draw against  Kilrossanty Team from Waterford. While most of the teams taking part in Feile ns nOg are 13 and 14 year olds, the Brussels Team is made up of boys ranging in age from 10 to 14, so to secure a draw in this competition was indeed a superb achievement.  What's more, the Brussels lads impressed the National Press, as the Irish Independent reporter wrote a full article about the Brussels Team at Feile na nOg, such was their impact.   

10th July 2001 4 Teams can still win this year's Euro-League, with a win in ROUND6 in October. After clinching a superb win in Brussels at the end of June, Paris Gaels have leap-frogged The Hague and Guernsey to top the League table with 28 Points, The Hague(IC-NL) on 25 Points, Guernsey Gaels on 26. Gaelic Sports Club of Luxembourg after 2 great performances in the 2 recent Rounds are making a very late surge, and a win at The Hague on 13th October could give them the Outright European title. Recently formed Munich Colmcilles have made a great debut and in just 2 rounds the Germans came a creditable 4th in Luxembourg, and 3rd in Brussels (just including European Clubs).  Brussels have been very unlucky this year, having being pipped by just 1 point for a Final place, on 3 occasions. Rennes reached the final in ROUND 1, and came 3rd on 2 later Rounds, while Brest were the second placed European Club at Guernsey, Round 3. Barcelona made a huge debut in Round 4, winning in their clash with Munich.

The Climax, the 6th and Final Round will be hosted by The Hague, the provisional date for the fixture is 13th October.  Live coverage of these matches is very possible, with so much at stake and so many teams still with the potential of lifting the First ever European League CUP.  Home advantage has played to favour  Guernsey, Luxembourg and Paris, but will the home team in The Netherlands  do enough to recapture the top of the table?

6th July 2001  Brussels Kids represent Europe at Féile na nÓg  On Thursday 5th July, the boys and girls teams teams from Brussels left the European mainland and touched down in Ireland to make their second appearance in  Feile Peil na nOg in Thurles from 6th to 8th July. We wish all the team and the organisers every success. Well Done to the Brussels Kids for a fantastic achievement on represening the continent at such a major event.

2nd July 2001 Paris Gaels make clean sweep in Brussels on 30th June...more.  In an extremely closely contested 6-team Round 5 of the European League,  Brussels were pipped by a single point by the Champions Paris in the qualifiers, for a place in the final. The Hague and Luxembourg played out a thriller in the  prelims, while Guernsey and Munich renewed their meeting of a month ago, with Munich again proving the stronger. Other exciting Round Robin matches saw Munich and Brussels playing a 2-7 to 1-7 duel, and Guernsey and Paris renewed old rivalries in a great encounter. At the end of the qualifiers, Luxembourg and Paris remained top of the table, and played out a pulsating final of epic quality, with just the goalpost and one point seperating the teams at the end. A  tremendous victory for Paris in this quality run event.

Refusing to be upstaged, the Paris ladies then went on to win the 3-team Ladies event, against Luxembourg and Brussels. The Final saw a reversal for last-months match when Paris goals made the difference over Brussels in a 2-4 to 0-5 final, only after Brux had secured a final place over Luxembourg by 2-6  to 1-4 in the Semi-Final.

26th June 2001 Brussels played Sylaun/Corofin Juvelile GAA Club...more Brux Kids are preparing for their trip to Tipp for the Feile Peil na nÓg, part of Feile na nGael in July. As part of this preparation Brussels invitied Galway club Corofin/Sylaun to Belgium for the weekend 23/24 June, where we had several, much needed practice matches for the local Brux UnderAge Teams. We thank the Galwegians for travelling in such numbers, 20 kids and 6 adults, and the local organisers Gerry McGovern and John Ludden, plus the rest of the superb committee, as well as the parents of all the kids.

26th June 2001 Brussels hopes for home victory in Round 5 of the Euro-League...more this coming weekend, 30th June. There will be another Ladies Football Classic between Brussels/Lux V's Paris. If it is a repeat of last month's classic then we're in for another thriller this weekend in Brussels. Don't miss it!
Men's Team from Brussels have a problem to suss out which team is most dangerous in Round 5. Teams from Paris, The Hague, Luxembourg, Munich, special Irish Guests Euro-Stars, and possibly a team from Rennes and/or Guernsy are expected. Hosts Brussels will field 2 teams this year. Paris, The Hague, and Luxembourg have all won earlier rounds, Guernsey and Rennes have contested earlier finals, while Munich in its debut defeated the Blackstuff & Guernsey finalists. So who will be champions in Belgium ? A betting man wouldn't bet on this one!

25th June 2001 Langres & Luxeuil-les-Bains weekend of European Hurling...more Paris Gaels defeated Luxemburg in a closely contested 8-a-side Hurling match of high standard at this annual Hurling weekend, organised by GSC Luxembourg Asbl.  Galway man Sean Waters drove the sioltar further than anyone else to win the Poc Fada na hEorpa title. In conjunction with the Hurling events, Luxembourg CCE clubs also provided music song and dance, as more than 300 locals in Langres (France) enjoyed the festivities. Langres Celtic links go back to pre-Roman empire times.

19 June 2001 Langres & Luxeuil-les-Bains welcome a weekend of European Hurling...more from 22 to 24 June. Saturday 23rd will feature a premier hurling match, as well as the now annual Poc - Fada na hEorpa.
Organised by the Gaelic Sports Club of Luxembourg Asbl, an annual European Hurling match is staged at some European city with cultural or historical links to Ireland, a new venue each year. Players arrive from clubs in Ireland, Luxembourg, Germany, Brussels, Netherlands and Paris, plus 'last-minute-recruits' are also very welcome, so anybody turning up on the day will get a game.
This year the game will take place in Langres on the rugby pitch and begins at 15h45. As a warm-up for the match itself the Poc fada na hEorpa competition will take place at 15h15. A fantastic achievement to have organised this annual event for the past 24 years, the Luxembourg committee must be highly commended.
Anyone interested in taking part, or requiring further details, should contact Liam Egan at: [email protected] or [email protected]

11 June 2001 The EC Gaelic Club in Brussels is hosting Round 5...more in the British School of Brussels (BSB) in Tervuren on Sat 30 June next, starting at approx 1.30pm This will cover Mens' , Ladies' and Under-Age Football. For the Mens', it will be Sevens like in Lux 2 weekends ago.
For the Ladies', another Brux GAA & friends V Paris GAA & friends match, like that played in Lux, is planned. All Ladies' from all Euro Clubs and anyone else are welcome. For the Under-Age, again all Under-Age from Euro Clubs welcome. We would appreciate your support for our youngsters efforts and to give them a good send on their "Trip to Tipp" the following weekend 6-8 July where they represent Europe in the Feile Peil na nOg in Thurles (while there, we will be the guests of the Killenaule GAA Club).
That evening, there will be a meal & presentation (& maybe even a beer or two !) at the premises of our main sponsor here in Brux, the Wild Geese Bar.

8th June 2001 New GAA enquiries from Finland, Denmark and Cottbus Germany...more A new Hurling students' sport group was founded at the University of Cottbus, Germany on 7th June, contact Arnd Brandl for details at [email protected] . Meanwhile Enda Mc Guinness has stirred the curiosity of a few Finns in Lahti Finland, and hopes to spread this wonderful sport there, beginning this week. Contact Enda at [email protected] . Copenhagen Denmark has a few players interested in starting 'Gaelic Footy'. Contact Michael Anders Neugebauer who is trying to get a few players together [email protected] .

28 May 2001 Luxembourg are Champions of Europe ...more After a series of classic football matches and extremely close encounters The Gaelic Sports Club of Luxembourg (GSCL) defeated favourites Guernsey Gaels in the BlackStuff 7-a-side Final, to emerge as Gaelic Football champions of Europe.
The BlackStuff 7-a-side Gaelic Football Championship hosted teams from Paris, The Hague (Irish Club Netherlands -IC NL), Liberty Lads (a group of Dubs based across Europe), Irish guest team Mountmellick, tournament favourites Guernsey Gaels, two teams provided by hosts Luxembourg, and two teams making their first appearances in European GAA competition, Barcelona Gaels and Munich Colmcilles.
A great football semi-final between Dutch side IC-NL and Guernsey Gaels marked the islanders' route to the Final. A cracking goal by the Luxembourg seperated the them from Liberty Lads in the second Semi Final.
The hosts GSCL II played against the Guernsey favourites, for the BlackStuff 7-a-side Cup in an epic final watched by hundereds, which saw the Luxembourg clinch the Cup from Guernsey's grasp who thought they had done enough with 8 points. Luxembourg finished stronger, with a total tally of 2-5, winning the Blackstuff Title for the first time in almost a decade.

28 May 2001 Brussels Ladies defeat Paris in curtain raiser...more Brussels Ladies and Paris Ladies travelled to Luxembourg in far greater numbers than the Brussels/Paris men. Short 2 players, Ann Donnelly (Meath, ex-Paris) and Emma Ni Dhonaill (Donegal, Lux.) came to Brussel's rescue, and helped Brussels defeat Paris Ladies 1--5 to 1--3 in a close & entertaining 10-a-side game which was the curtain raiser to the BlackStuff final.

25 May 2001 Gaelic Sports Club Luxembourg 7-a-side Draw...more 7-a-side tournament on Saturday 26th May 2001, at Rugby Grounds, Cessange, Luxembourg, 10:30am

22 May 2001 Guernsey favourites for BlackStuff 3-in-a-row ...more -preview : The annual BlackStuff 7-a-side is the oldest and most prestigious European GAA tournament on the European circuit. 10 teams are expected to take part this year, with teams from Guernsey, Paris, Rennes, Brussels, The Hague, Luxembourg, Mountmellick, the Euro-Dubs, and for the first time in European GAA we welcome teams from Barcelona and Munich. 100 footballers are expected on Saturday, including ladies football 7-a-side teams from Brussels, Paris, The Hague and Luxembourg.

6th May European GAA Round 3 Results from Guernsey... more
All matches in the latest Round of the European GAA League were played this weekend on Cricket fields in Guernsey.
The teams participating were The Hague, Brest, Renne, while Jersey and Guernsey had two teams each. Jersey who had 6 London Juniors were held level at half time by Guernsey, but a few lucky breaks went Jersey's way, winning 3-11 to 1-6. An entertaining Hurling match saw Jersey defeat a Europe Team 5-17 to 1-10.

31st March Round 2 Hosts Victorious over the Dutch...more The Paris Gaels GAA Club hosted Round 2 of the Euro League at A.S.P.T.T Rugby Grounds. Rennes, Brussels, Luxembourg and The Hague took on the host favourites Paris Gaels. The Hague were losing finalists 6-8 to 2-2 in favour of Paris Gaels.

3rd March Ar Gwazi Gouez Rennes hosted the First round of the Euro League...more at the Le Rheu Rugby Club in Rennes. It was a superb performance by the Hosts against established European GAA Teams. Rennes recorded victories over Brussels, Brest and Guernsey. Brussels were unlucky to lose the semi-final to The Hague/Paris by just 1 point. The final was between Rennes and Hague/Paris , Rennes narrowly losing 1-4 to 2-3.