MEP and former GAA President, Sean Kelly at the launch of the European Hurling and Camogie Finals in front of the European Parliament in Brussels. (Photo courtesy of European Parliament Photography Service).
It’s finals time for European hurling and camogie as teams from all over the continent gather to battle it out for this year’s championship honours in Brussels, Belgium today.
It has been a terrific year for hurling in Europe this season with keen competition and more teams taking on a leadership role this season.
Zurich with several home grown players have in particular shone and going into today’s final tournament they lead the way with 71 points, with Den Haag close on their heels on 70 and with hosts, and, last year’s champion Belgium in third spot.
Earlier on in the season, Den Haag with an all Irish side won their home and Budapest tournaments with Zurich in the runner’s-up slot on both occasions. However, Zurich on home soil for the next tournament, got their revenge over Den Haag with Belgium coming in third place once more.
The reason that Zurich are ahead of Den Haag on points is that in European hurling any teams that fields non-Irish or native players get extra points and this yet could prove crucial.
In Camogie, hosts Belgium are the title holders and having won all tournaments so far this year have already been crowned champions once again. Teams from Zurich, Paris and Luxembourg will join the hosts in the final competition.
The venue for the finals is the Catholic University of Leuven in Brussels with action starting from early this morning.
After the tournament there will be a meal and a presentation ceremoney at De Valera’s Irish Pub.
