This weekend sees the third installment of the British Universities GAA Mens Gaelic Football Championship when teams from all across the UK gather for the largest tournament in the championship, the Division 3 Finals.
This competition is one of the most eagerly awaited of the three ‘Championship Divisions (1 & 2 also) as it features many teams with a good representation of British born and non-Irish players.
The 2012 championship sees another huge representation with an impressive 17 team participation in this two-day tournament which begins tomorrow, Saturday Feb 18 in Birmingham.
There will be brand new winners this year as last year’s victors, University of Glasgow moved up to Division 2 and indeed won last weekend’s 2 A championship. The weekend’s tournament is divided into four Groups and competition is likely to be lively as only the top teams in each group will make it into the semi-finals.
In Group One, Imperial can be seen as probable favorites as they are usually up there with St Mary’s but this year they have found the going difficult after losing a lot of players. However, it would be a surprise if they don’t come out on top. Last year’s beaten finalists, Teesside University will also be ones to watch as they had a good league campaign.
Group Three should see three wins for Newman. They also had a good league campaign and are an outfit with ambitions of playing in Division 2. The rest in this group may take points off each other as there isn’t much between the sides.
Group Four – the Group of Death.
Competition will be keen here as there are five teams in action and each has an extra game. Brighton are quietly confident as are Sunderland but the dark horses could be Aston. They have a big squad this year, and with no traveling to do, they will be fresh.
Everyone is also looking forward to seeing how the French side from Rennes University will get on this year.
(NOTE: No podcast with this post.)
