Indy Hurling showing how it's done at the Super Bowl Village on Capitol Street in Downtown, Indianapolis last night Tues, 31, 2012. Go INDY!

GaelicSportsCast goes live to the Super Bowl Village in Downtown Indianapolis.

It’s a fantastic night for the Indy Hurling club and the sport of hurling tonight as the game is showcased to thousands of Super Bowls fans at the Super Bowl Village.

Indy hurling is putting on a great show with basic drills and a hitting cage and football fans of all ages are having a go.

GaelicSportsCast catches the excitement when talking with club PRO, Kyle Keesling ….

Listen here:  8:12

The event takes place on Tuesday,  January 31st,  at the Super Bowl Village in Downtown Indianapolis.
GO INDY!

NOTE: Watch out for GaelicSportsCast preview of the event this weekend when chatting with the Indy club.

Listen here: 30:41

Music:  Militaire Electronic; Wallpaper and Cipher by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
and, music also by John McCartan and Lunasa.

Have a Great New Year in 2012  listeners and website visitors.

And, lots of exciting new plans for early 2012 with new programme style, content ….and delivery on the way. More on this in the coming weeks……2012 is going to be a brave new world for GaelicSportsCast!

Also in the loop Podcasts from Tennessee and Portland Maine.

Gaelic Football coaching app to be launched in December by Elevate Sports Solutions.

The world of coaching and performance analysis is becoming an increasing feature of Gaelic Sports across Ireland and on the international GAA scene.

Coaches are putting a huge amount of time and effort into the development of teams and athletes and a new company, Elevate Sports Solutions based in Derry, Northern Ireland, this December is launching a unique set of coaching tools and services that could well have a significant impact on the development of coaching Gaelic Sports.

Elevate Sports Solutions is set to launch next week the first of two resources for coaches – Gaelic Football Coaching Cards, and one of the first of its kind in the world of GAA – Gaelic Football Coaching Apps for iPhone, iPad and Android.
The company also specializes in fundamentals, coaching strategies and offers an Elite Level Performance Analysis service.

In this podcast, GaelicSportsCast talks to two of the people behind Elevate Sports Solutions, former Derry footballer, Jonathon Bradley and hurler and footballer, Donal Leahy.

Listen here: 33:11

For more information go to  http://www.elevatesports.co.uk

Queensland camogie team celebrate their history making feat after taking the first ever Australasian Camogie Championship at Gaelic Park, Willawong Brisbane on Saturday last. (Photo courtesy of Queensland GAA).

What a time it turned out to be for Queensland GAA both on and off the field at the Australasian Gaelic Games, Brisbane last week.

After the Biblical floods of last January that gutted the club house and destroyed playing facilities, it was nothing short of a miracle that last week the men, women, children and players from the GAA community at Willawong in Brisbane should have everything back in working order to host a very successful Kepplers 2011 Australasian Gaelic Games at Gaelic Park, Oct 2-8.

And, on the field of play Queensland GAA did themselves proud also when taking three of the four major trophies in a very competitive Australasian championships.

The week long tournament saw a return to the fold for NSW teams, however last year’s hosts from New Zealand could not make it on account of commitments with the Rugby World Cup taking place in their country.

Here to tell us about this year’s championships that saw many firsts, is Australasian and Queensland GAA Chairman, Seamus Sullivan.

Listen here: 24:14

Mens Football Championship Final
Victoria [15] 1-12  NSW [12] 1-9

Hurling Championship Final
Queensland [14] 1-11 Western Australia [12] 1-9

Camogie Championship Final
Queensland [20] 2-14 Western Australia [10] 2-4

Ladies Championship Final
Queensland [23] 4-11 Western Australia [14] 1-11

Minors
Victoria [11] 1-8 Queensland [10] 1–7

Full podcast report coming up later today, Tuesday on the Australasian Gaelic Games in Brisbane.

Sydney Michael Cusack's celebrate Sunday's NSW football championship win at Mono Park, Sydney. (Photo courtesy of Michael Cusacks GAA club).

Reigning football champions, Sydney Michael Cusacks, hurling kingpins, Sydney Shamrock’s and ladies football heroines, Central Coast, retained their New South Wales GAA Championship titles yesterday, Sunday Sept 4th, at Mono Park, Sydney.

In a repeat of last year’s senior football final clash with Clan na Gael, it was a case of the same again for Michael Cusack’s as last year’s heroes ran out comfortable 10 points winners over ‘Clan.
It has been a tremendous year for the football side of the ‘Cusack’s club as Sunday’s victory saw them achieve a championship and league double this season.

However, when it came to the ancient game, it was the hurlers of Sydney Shamrock’s who once again proved to have the edge over arch rivals and this summer’s league winners, ‘Cusack’s when beating the men in red by three points in a low scoring game.

In the ladies championship final, it was the juggernaut that is Central Coast who once more took the spoils this time accounting for Cormac McAnallens in the final.

We did have a new championship winner in Camogie though as new kid on the block ‘Cusacks outgunned title holders ‘Coast by 9 points.

(No podcast with this post).

2011 NSW GAA Championship Finals Results

NSW GAA Championship Finals Schedule, Sept  4, 2011
Mono Park, Sydney

2011 NSW GAA Championship Semi Final Results

On Sunday we saw football league and defending champs, Michael Cusacks remain undefeated, while the big two in hurling ‘Cusacks and Sydney Shamrocks went at it once more.

In football, ‘Cusacks played Cormac McAnallens and came out on top by 4 points, while in the other championship clash, Penrith Gaels saw off Young Irelands by a single point. 
Penrith have been going well in the championship this year and with a game in hand over the rest of the field, they now lead the table.

The big clash of the weekend in hurling was between champion’s Sydney Shamrocks and their great rivals and recent league winner’s, Michael Cusacks. 
In the first round, ‘Shamrocks had beaten their rivals but it was ‘Cusacks who came roaring back on Sunday with a comfortable 8 point win.
In the other hurling match, Craobh Padraig routed Central Coast and the table now sees, Shamrocks and ‘Cusacks share the lead with Craobh Padraig next.

In the Ladies Football Championship, table leaders and champions, Central Coast are undefeated and remain the one’s to beat. On Sunday they had a comprehensive victory over second place McAnallens, while Clan na Gael edged out YI by the minimum.

Meanwhile in Camogie, McAnallens had a very good win over table leaders ‘Cusacks, while league and defending champs ‘Coast easily accounted for Clan.

Results NSW Champs, July 31, 2011

The prior week’s Round 2 games had seen wins in hurling for leaders, Sydney Shamrocks and Michael Cusacks, while in mens football there was wins also for last year’s winners and runners-up, ‘Cusacks and Clan na Gael respectively.

In Ladies football, Michael Cusacks and Cormac McAnallens were on song – with Central Coast getting a BYE game – while in Camogie Clan had a comfortable win over Craobh Padraig, but we saw a reversal of the recent league final result when newcomers ‘Cusacks this time did the business over Central Coast.

Last weekend’s senior hurling action saw a high scoring thriller between defending champions Sydney Shamrocks and Craobh Padraig, with ‘Shamrocks edging it by three in the end. Meanwhile, league champions ‘Cusacks had an easy win over ‘Coast.

In Mens football, Penrith Gaels had a good two point win over ‘McAnallens, while the ‘Clan and Young Ireland’s game ended in a draw. This week ‘Cusacks had the BYE game.

The ladies football action saw the all conquering ‘Coast put ‘Cuscaks to the sword with a win also for ‘McAnallens over ’Clan. YI had a BYE.

Finally in Camogie, ‘Cusacks had an impressive win over ‘Clan, while McAnallens shut out ‘Craobh Padraig.  ‘McAnallens had the BYE.

2011 NSW GAA Championship R2 & R3 Results

NOTE: Results posted when to hand from Sydney. 
Recent results kindly given by the Michael Cusacks club. 

Action from the final between winners Kilburn Gaels and Dunboyne. (Photo by John O'Loughlin).

Club managers and mentors participating in Saturday’s, inaugural Thurles Sarsfield International Hurling Festival, said that they were impressed with the organisation and future possibilities of the competition.

In this podcast, GaelicSportsCast speaks to clubs about their thoughts on this new event in Thurles.

We hear from the winning manager of Kilburn Gaels of London, Tom Bergin and Paul Reilly from runners-up, Dunboyne of Meath.

We get perspective from an American tourist and US college football coach who was at the final; listen to US Air Force Major Tim Neylon of the Lackenheath hurling club on the value of the tournament for his young all American team at Lackenheath Air Force Base in Suffolk. We hear from Naomh Moninne selector John Murphy of Louth and listen to Dee Doherty manager of the only hurling club in Derry City.

20:46

The 2011 NSW GAA Championship got off to an interesting start last weekend in Sydney.

Recent New South Wales 2011 Hurling League champions Michael Cusacks, didn’t get much time to ponder the heights of winning titles as the team that beat them in Over Time in both last year’s league and championship finals, Sydney Shamrocks, once more ruined the vibe when beating ‘Cusacks in the first round of the NSW Hurling Championship last Sunday at Mono Park.

‘Shamrocks had been the early form team in the recent league campaign but were shocked in the semi final when taken by Central Coast, who sucumbed to ‘Cusacks in the decider. However, last weekend in the championship opener, Sydney Shamrocks came back with a vengeance when emphatically beating the league champions by 11 points.
In the other first round hurling clash of the new championship, ‘Coast were suprised by St Pats. The winners put in a good showing when winning by a 7 point margin.

In the opening round of the Mens Football Championship, league champions Michael Cusacks did better when accounting for young Irelands by 6 points, while in the other first round tie, Penrith Gaels edged out 2010 championship runners-up, Clan na Gael by a single point.

Meanwhile in the Ladies Football Championship, 2010 victors and recent league winners, Central Coast continued where they left off last week with an easy victory over Young Irelands. The league runners-up ‘Cusacks also got their championship off on the right note with a good win against Cormac MacAnallens.

It was a similar story for the first round of the NSW Camogie Championship as league winners, ‘Coast and runners-up ‘Cusacks, both recorded wins over ‘MacAnallens and St Pats respectively.

2011 NSW GAA Championship Results – Round 1

MIchael Cusacks celebrate after beating Cormac McAnallens in last Sunday's league football final at Mono Park, Sydney. (Photo courtesy of Michael Cusacks GAA).

Though coming up short in the ladies football and camogie league finals, it turned out to be a fantastic weekend for Michael Cusacks as last Sunday at Mono Park in Sydney, the club took the double when winning this year’s NSW GAA men’s football and hurling league titles. 

In a repeat of last years men’s football final, this time around Michael Cusacks came out on the winning side over Cormac McAnallens on a scoreline of [16] 0-16 to [12] 2-06.

In the hurling, ‘Cusacks made up for the dissapointment in losing both the league and championship deciders last year when comprehensively accounting for Central Coast by [40] to 5-25 to [17] 1-14.

In the ladies football final, the all conquering champions of 2010 Central Coast had a six point win over ‘Cusacks [22] 2-16 to [16] 3-07, while in Camogie, it was a win again for ‘Coast over ‘Cusacks on a scoreline of [16] 4-04 to [9] 0-09.

Here to tell us about the league finals is Michael Cusacks PRO, Jamie Fitzsimmons.

12:10

After last Sunday's cancellation, will there be blue skies once more at Mono Park for this year's league finals? (Photo by Mark McGuinness).

More bad weather has hit this years New South Wales (NSW) GAA schedule, as the league finals fixed for last Sunday had to be called off due to heavy rains.

Bad weather has plagued the GAA in Sydney this year as early in the season several weekends were lost to the elements while a couple of weeks ago the final round of the league was also scuppered due to heavy downpours.

The league finals are rescheduled for this Sunday and officials are hopeful that the Mono Park venue will be playable this time around.

Jerome at his first port of call, Melbourne, during his recent tour of Australia.

Well known GAA journalist and web video specialist, Belfast’s Jerome Quinn recently undertook an epic journey to Australia to discover what is life like for new and not so new Irish immigrants, and how Gaelic sports and the GAA is playing a part in life Down Under.

Over a three week period, Jerome visited the cities of  Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

He video documented GAA life for newly arrived immigrants and their host clubs; spoke to former Irish footballers on the verge of breakthroughs in Aussie Rules and explored life after the devastating floods earlier in the year for Brisbane GAA .

GaelicSportsCast spoke  in May to Jerome about the tour and his impressions of life and the GAA in Australia.

26:43

Since his return from Oz, Jerome has created a fascinatiing DVD of his tour, ’The Irish in Australia’, available @ jeromequinnmedia.com

Central Coast put an end to the run of the 2010 double League and Championship winners and they did it with room to spare as six points separated the sides at the final whistle.
In the other semi final last year’s double runners up, Michael Cusack’s booked their place in the hurling league final when having a comfortable 9 point win over Craobh Padraig.

Meanwhile, in the mens football league semi finals, double league and championship winners from last year, Michael Cusacks in a repeat of the 2011 championship final, enjoyed an 8 point victory over Clan na Gael. In the other semi final Cormac McAnallens had an easy win over Young Irelands.

In ladies football, 2011 double champions Central Coast continued their domination with a comprehensive victory over ‘McAnallens while it was a much closer affair in the other semi final with Michael Cusack’s edging out last year’s runners-up, Clan na Gael.

In the first Camogie semi final, in form league leaders, Michael Cusacks had too much for ‘McAnallens while in the other semi final, the top two teams from last year, Central Coast and ‘Clan battled it out once more.
‘Clan had got the better of their rivals in the league final last year but succumbed to ‘Coast later in the championship final, and on Sunday in another great battle, it was ‘Coast again who had the edge with a 7 point victory.

Bad weather continues to plague New South Wales GAA fixtures, as unlike the prior weekend when the last round of the league was cancelled due to poor weather, the games went ahead on Sunday despite further rainy conditions.
More rain is being forecasted for this week in Sydney and GAA officials are hoping the weather clears for the league finals at Mono Park on Sunday.

2011 NSW League Semi Final Results

Action from last year's football league final. (Photo courtesy of NSW GAA).

Despite the best efforts of mother nature, scuppering two weekends of Gaelic sports in Sydney over the past number of weeks, this year’s New South Wales (NSW) GAA League action has gone according to plan for all the top fancies.

Last year’s football champion’s, Michael Cusacks lead the way in their table and look the team to beat once more.
In hurling, champs Sydney Shamrocks also remain unbeaten and look set to reach the final where they should come up against their great rivals ‘Cusacks.

In Ladies football, Central Coast continue to dominate and lead the league, however, a surprise has been thrown up in Camogie as Michael Cusacks have come from nowhere to top the table and stake their claim to silverware.

Here to tell us about this year’s season to date is NSW GAA Secretary, Mark McGuinness.

20:15

36:48

Based in Swatragh in County Derry, P O Kane Hurls is a member of the Irish Guild of Ash Hurley Makers, an elite set of 50 members who produce hurls for the top hurlers around the country and globe.

To mark the occasion, GaelicSportsCast features P O Kane Hurls in a podcast outlining the fascinating story of how Pat O Kane’s lifelong passion for hurling and camogie, steered him on retirement to begin and craft the art of hurley making.

He began by making hurls by hand for his beloved champion camogie club Swatragh but word spread of the quality of his work; demand grew and soon he was supplying hurling and camogie clubs, schools and colleges throughout Ireland and indeed to clubs worldwide.

Pat’s son Gabriel, who along with a dedicated team of staff, works with his father in the business and in this special episode of GaelicSportsCast, he tells about the process involved in making a hurl and recounts the P O Kane Hurls story.

  25:54

Frightening aerial shot of the recent floodwaters almost submerging the entire Queensland GAA facility in Brisbane. Roof of clubhouse and goalposts spared. (Photo courtesy of Queensland GAA-Michael Dunne).

This is an aerial photo of Queensland GAA grounds and clubhouse (in centre) during the height of the recent flooding in Brisbane. It recalls the gravity of the situation, not only for neighbours and their homes but also shows how closely things came to the local GAA community losing the clubhouse completely with water almost over the roof.

See post and podcast with Queensland GAA President, Seamus Sullivan below for full story.

Queensland GAA's clubhouse completely destroyed by the floods. (Photo courtesy of Brian Sullivan).

Queensland GAA’s home grounds in Brisbane, Australia have been devastated by the recent flooding in the region. After the waters subsided, the local GAA community were left reeling when they got their first sight of the scale of the damage inflicted by the terrible and massive flooding.
While the clubhouse building hasn’t suffered any apparent structural damage, flood waters rising to an incredible 2.4 metres in height almost reached the ceiling and destroyed everything within.
Three playing fields and other facilities have been left saturated and total damage estimates could be as high as 1/4 million Australian dollars.
An army of volunteers from the local clubs cleaned out the bar, kitchen and clubhouse area on Saturday and at a special meeting last night, Thursday Jan 20, committees began planning reparations and put in motion a worldwide GAA appeal for help.
The devastation now puts Brisbane GAA under pressure to get their grounds and facilities ready for the start of their season in mid March and to host this year’s Australasian GAA Championships in September.
GaelicSportsCast spoke yesterday with Brisbane resident and Queensland GAA President and Australasia President, Seamus Sullivan about the scale of the disaster.

27:31

Action from last weekend's International Rules clash between NSW GAA and AFL Sydney at Mahoney Oval, Sydney. (Photo by Mark McGuinness).

Could last weekend’s great win by Syndey’s GAA boys over a Sydney AFL All Star selection be a harbenger for more success later this evening Saturday, when Ireland take on Australia in the first International Rules test in Limerick…we’ll have to wait and see I guess!
However, certainty reigned last Saturday Oct 16, when a New South Wales (NSW) GAA selection won their very first Mick Raftery Cup at their third time of asking when toppling the best in the AFL Syndey by 25 points in this annual International Rules competition.
The Oval at Mahoney Park, Sydney was the venue for this novel event which pitted the very best Gaelic footballers from 5 senior football teams and four B teams against the cream of  Australian Rules players chosen from 10 premier league Ozzie Rules teams with a  further 11 teams to pick from in the 21 team AFL Sydney. 
Playing with a very strong wind in the first quarter, the Irish side got off to a great start when opening up a 24 point lead
with goals by Armagh man, Mickey Kennedy and former Longford county man and Michael Cusack’s Padraig Berry,  delighting the strong Irish contingent in the crowd.
AFL Sydney bounced back in the second quarter with three overs by Declan Donahue but poor use of the round football would ultimately prove costly as the Irish defence stayed firm to secure a 14-point lead at the main break.
In the third quarter, the GAA boys continued to apply the pressure when grabbing another six pointer, this time the goal coming from Roscommon native Roch Hanmore, who plays Australian Rules with the newly promoted Premier League side, UTS. 
The always strong finishing Australians were expected to put in a late push but any hopes of them retaining their crown was scuppered in the opening minute of the last quarter when the GAA’s, and UTS player, Alex Whooley goaled.
Final Score: NSW GAA 4.7.8 (53) AFL Sydney to 0.7.7 (28). 

After the match NSW GAA’s captain and Fermanagh native, Mark Murphy was presented with the Mick Raftery Cup, while NSW GAA’s Padraig Berry was presented with the Kerry Murphy medal for a ‘best on ground’ or man of the match performance. 

NSW GAA Scorers: 

Goals: Mickey Kennedy, Roch Hanmore, Padraig Berry, Alex Whooley
Overs: Padraig Berry 3, Mickey Kennedy 2, Fergal Purcell, Richie HoareBehinds: Fergal Purcell 2, Roch Hanmore, Cathal McKenna, Ciaran Brady, Padraig Berry, Alex Whooley, 1 rushed
Best: Philip Bredin, Mark Murphy, Cathal McKenna, Damien Flaherty, Padraig Berry, Fergal Purcell 

In the early game, NSW GAA ladies had an easy victory over SWAFL. (Photo by Mark McGuinness)

The Irish had started the day brightly as the NSW GAA ladies comprehensily beat the SWAFL
by 8.19.16 (119)  to 0.1.5 (8) in the first match of the afternoon. 

NSW GAA Scorers:
Goals: Fiona Cotter 3, Joann Roann, Sandra Ryan
Overs: Yvonne Connell 3, Michelle Bergin 2, Fiona Cotter 2, Laura McCann 2, Sandra Ryan, Eilish McCarron, Joann Ronan, Davina O’Hara
Behinds: Fiona Cotter 2, Pamela Fitzpatrick 2, Sandra Ryan 2,
Best: Suzanne Flaherty, Yvonne Connell, Carol Breen, Fiona Cotter, Keira Kinahan, Ciara McMenamin 

Best on Ground Medallist: Keira Kinahan (NSWGAA)

Afterwards NSW GAA Secretary, Mark McGuiness said that it was a great achievement for Gaelic football in the region and NSW GAA looks forward to more competition with AFL Syndey in the future.
“The NSW GAA is delighted that we have been able to claim the Mick Raftery Cup for the first time while our Ladies continue to hold the upper hand in their series. We look forward to continuing to work with the NSW AFL to develop and grow this annual fixture. NSW GAA would like to express its thanks to the Raftery family for its continued support of these fixtures and all those who have provided support for both our victorious teams, in particular Durty Nellys bar for their continued support of both teams.”

AUSTRALASIAN GAELIC GAMES FINALS RESULTS  

LONDON GAA
Oct 3, 2010
Mens Senior Football Championship
Neasden Gaels 1-07 (10) Parnells 0-07

Watch for Podcast report on Wed with London GAA Chairman, Tommy Harrell.

NEW YORK GAA
Oct 3, 2010
Mens Senior Football Championship
NY Leitrim 1-12 (15) NY Cork 2-08 (14)

Watchout for Podcast report, tomorrow Tues with NY GAA reporter, Eugene Kyne.

NOTE: Podcast report on finals will be posted ASAP

Plucking footballs from palm trees in Sydney...as Clan hold on to oust McAnallens. (Photo by NSW GAA).

Yesterday’s NSW GAA championships at Mono Park in Sydney produced some very exciting, football, hurling, camogie and ladies football as we had this year’s semi finals fixtures down for decision. In the first mens football semi final, table leaders Clan Na Gael put paid to league winners Cormac McAnallen’s ambitions when holding on for a nailing biting 2 point win, while in the other semi final, league runners-up Michael Cusacks had an impressive victory over Penrith Gaels. In the one ladies football semi final clash on Sunday, after falling behind early in the game, Michael Cusacks came back to overcome a spirited Clan, however, Clan Na Gael had better luck in Camogie when defeating McAnallens by 6 points. In hurling meanwhile, Sydney Shamrocks narrow 2 point win over  last year’s champs, Craobh Padraig sets them up for a rematch with league final rivals ‘Cusacks.  To tell us about the games is NSW GAA Secretary, Mark McGuinness.

14:09

NSW_Championship_2010_Semis Finals Results

It will be all to play for at Mono Park, Sydney on Sunday. (Photo by Mark McGuinness).

We will have an action packed weekend coming up at Mono Park, Syndey as the NSW GAA championship semi finals are taking place.  Last Sunday’s games highlighted the championship playoff round but things are turned up a notch this weekend as we will get to see who will reach the 2010 finals. Here to preview all the semis for GaelicSportsCast is NSW GAA Secretary, Mark McGuinness.

15:35

Mono Park, Sydney. (Photo by Mark McGuinness).

After a rain delay and surf weekend break, the NSW GAA championship resumed in earnest over the weekend with the start of the championship playoff round. The result that caught the eye yesterday at Mono Park, Sydney, was in seeing last year’s senior football champions Young Ireland’s go out of this year’s competition when easily beaten by surprise league winner’s, Cormac McAnnallens. Mac’s were dominant throughout and handed out a 14 point mauling to the YI’s. Meanwhile hurling champions, Craobh Padraig did much better when continuing recent good form, they recorded a similar margin of victory over Central Coast, while in another rematch of the league final, Michael Cusacks booked their place in the hurling final with a four point win over league winners, Sydney Shamrocks. ‘Shamrock’s will now play Craobh Padraig in the semi final next weekend. In Camogie, favourites Clan na Gael and Central Coast proved too much for Craobh Padraig and McAnallens respectively while in ladies football unbeaten Central Coast staked their claim in this year’s final when outsing Cusacks. The latter will now meet Clan na Gael in the semis after they overcame McAnallens on Sunday.

So next week we will have the  NSW Championship semi finals taking place where we will see:

10am (H) Sydney Shamrocks v Craobh Padraig
10.50am (C) Clan NaGael v Cormac McAnallens
11.30am (M) Clan NaGael v Cormac McAnallens
1pm (L) Clan NaGael  v Michael Cusacks
2.30pm (M) Michael Cusacks v Penrith Gaels

NSW_Championship_2010_Playoff Results & Semi Final Fixtures