Ligue Bretonne de Football Gaélique logo.

The French revolution in ‘Football Gaelique’ continues this weekend in Brittany, France with the semi finales of the 2011/2012 Coupe de Bretagne de football gaélique.

The first semi final takes place this afternoon at 14:30pm (CET) in Brest, between hosts Brest and neighbors, St Brieuc, while the second semi sees high flying Guerande at home to four time Brittany Championship winner, Liffre.

Here to talk about both semi finals is Nantes GFC player and official, Dimitri Martin and Brest secretary and player, Ronan Kerleo.

Listen here: 11:21

NOTE: Watch out for report on Week 2 of Summer ’12 Mixed 7s from Wellington, NZ and also this weekend a chat with the folks at INDY HURLING about their big SUPER BOWL exhibition on Tuesday night, Jan 31 in downtown, Indianapolis, IN.

NY Tyrone Senior Team 2011 at Gaelic Park, New York City. (Photo by Margaret Purcell-Roddy).

In today’s podcast GaelicSportsCast continues its series profiling GAA clubs in the New York region when looking at the New York Tyrone Gaelic Football club out of the Bronx.

NY Tyrone fields both Junior and Senior squads and while this year was a tough one for the juniors it was a magnificent year for the seniors who finished the league top of the table and reaching the championship game were just denied by holders NY Leitrim in OT.

The club has its eyes set very much on the future and here to tell us about that and the early years for NY Tyrone GFC is longtime club official and secretary, Seamus McNabb.

Listen here: 27:26

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

Founded just three short years ago, the club affiliated to the New York GAA Minor Board, set out from the start to broaden the scope of the player base beyond the Irish American community and introduce Gaelic football to mainstream America.

This strategy has worked wonders for the promotion of the sport in the region and to talk more about that and get an insight into Setanta’s beginnings, we speak today with founder member and Setanta GFC President, Jerry Padian.

Listen here: 29:04

Setanta GFC website: http://setantagaa.shutterfly.com/

There was two Cup finals to be decided in football with League winners, Kingdom Kerry Gaels trying to over come St Kiernans in the Conway Cup, while in the Junior competition, the McArdle Cup, Reading side St Anthony’s were hoping to oust the more fancied, Cuchullains.

At Greenford we saw the conclusion to this year’s Division 3 Football League when South London club, Dulwich Harps were up against favourites, Garryowen.

Meanwhile in hurling Kilburn Gaels were trying to add successive Cup titles in as many weeks when taking on London championship runners-up, St Gabriels in the Ryan Cup at Ruislip.

Here to tell us how it all panned out is London GAA Chairman, Tommy Harrell.

Listen here: 14:32

Europe GAA since its foundation over a decade ago, with a half dozen teams, has seen phenomenal growth rate over the past few years with some 45 clubs participating across six regions in 12 countries at present, and, the hosting of the finals today in the European City of Sports, Limerick marks a homecoming for most and a new beginning for others.

The event throws in early today at the University of Limerick for the group stages with the finals of the Mens Football Championship and Mens Shield, and, Ladies Football Championship taking place later in the evening at the Gaelic Grounds.

There will be six teams (11 aside) in the mens championship with defending champions Den Haag again looking strong after taking Round 1 in Belgium, however, they will have to watch out for Guernsey who beat them at home on the Islands in Round 2 and both are tied on points going into today’s competition. Belgium who are in third spot will also have a say with the likes of Luxembourg, Spanish champions Valencia, and Stockholm battling it out for the minor placings.

In the ladies championship, unstoppable Belgium who have already secured their fourth title in a row, will nonetheless feature plenty of competition with 8 teams in action where Paris, Holland, Stockholm and Barcelona will be fighting it out for second and third places while the likes of Munich and the combo team of Niort (France)/Copenhagen and Swedish side Gothenbourg, will be battling for the remainder of the spoils.

In the biggest competition of the day the Mens Shield there will be 12 teams in action and like the ladies, Amsterdam by winning the first two rounds have already taken the title but there will still be plenty to play for in this very competitive event which features many non-Irish players. Teams such as Frankfurt, Copenhagen, Toulouse and Zurich/St Gallen will also be eagerly contesting for honours.

There will be some 350 players taking part in the competition with many European nationals kicking a ball in Ireland for the very first time while for other non-Irish from places like America, China, Columbia and Iran it will also be a very big first playing their new sport on Irish soil in this historic event.

(Watch out for results & full podcast report on the tournament).

In the first London championship semi final, the inform Fulhman Irish just about did enough against a tenacious Kingdom Kerry Gaels in a back and forth game, while in the second semi 2010 finalists Parnells, looking good at the break, had to pull out all the stops after a great comeback from St Kiernans almost paid off.

Here to give us a rundown on both matches and look ahead to this weekend’s intermediate and senior hurling finals, is London GAA Chairman, Tommy Harrell.

Listen here: 17:32

Sunday Schedule London GAA
Ruislip Oct 9, 2011

London Intermediate Hurling Championship Final
13:15 – London Michael Cusacks v Fulham Irish

London Senior Hurling Championship Final
15:00 – Robert Emmetts v St Gabriels

Action from the St Mikes (back & white) and St Vincents game. (Photo courtesy of Toronto GAA).

Last Sunday in Toronto turned out to be a great day for the St Mikes GAA club as they scored success in all three of this year’s league finals at Centennial Park.

There was never any doubt about the result in the mens football league final where ‘Mikes ran out comfortable 10 point winners.  The result meant that the winners put paid to rivals St Vincents ambitions of overturning the recent championship final loss to the same opposition.

A well prepared and very fit  ‘Mikes hit the ground running and never let up all through. They lead by 1-7 to 0-3 at half time with the goal coming from corner forward Karl Foley.
St Mikes maintained their intensity throughout the second period and well on top they ran out easy winners [15] 1-12 to [5] 0-5.
‘Vincents never really looked like they could turn things around only managing a brace of points in the second half.

So St Mikes seniors add the league title to their recent championship success to crown off a great season.

Toronto GAA PRO, Ross McElhone said, “St Mikes fully deserved the win and are the best team here in the city and set the marker for others to aim.”

St Mikes captain, Barry Connolly who won an All Ireland junior club medal (2008) with Moycullen, Co Galway, and who has played with the Toronto side on and off over the last 5 years, spoke of his delight to be part of the squad.
“St Mikes are a great club and it is a huge honor to play for them. There is some great people in the club and great history. It’s different from a club at home as there is always new people coming into it and so is vibrant with new challenges from year to year.”

In the Intermediate League Final, it was the case of another championship final rematch this time between, St Mikes and Brampton.

In the recent championship decider, Brampton got the better of the Toronto side but it was no such luck on Sunday as ‘Mikes turned the tables with a [21] 2-15 to [16] 2-10 victory.
This one was intense from the off with each side going point for point in the early stages. St Mikes lead at the break and managed to maintain that edge in the second period before going on to win by five points.

Unfortunately there was no Ladies League Final as championship winners Durham, being depleted numbers wise, were unable to field
a team and this meant that victory was awarded to St Mikes and another trophy for the club – their fourth out of a total of six.

Looking back on the year, the Toronto PRO noted that it was a good season with many positives.
“It has been a successful season. You had Toronto Gaels there who were on the brink of extinction last year but were able to turn it around this year. They were very prominent in the championship and indeed in the intermediate as well where they kept things going throughout the whole season. As well as that, it was great to see Brampton picking up the Intermediate championship. They have been working very hard over the last couple of years.
“And, it was fantastic that we had the second league (intermediate) this year. The numbers were there for that and this is a great boost for GAA here in Toronto,” stated McElhone.

(Feedback in podcast interview with Ross and Barry, affected sound quality and so unfortunately no podcast with this post. Apologies.).

Meanwhile on the other side of the Atlantic, London GAA after a break last weekend, swings back into action with some very exciting games down for decision.

On Saturday at Ruislip, the main focus will be on the replay of the London Intermediate Football Championship, between Heston Gaels and Round Towers, while on Sunday all eyes will be on the semi finals of the London Senior Hurling Championship with 2010 champions, Kilburn Gaels against Robert Emmetts followed by last year’s runner’s up Sean Treacys taking on St Gabriels at Ruislip.

London GAA Championship

Saturday, Sept 24, 2011 @ Ruislip
London Intermediate Football Championship Final (replay)

3.00 Heston Gaels v Round Towers

Sunday, Sept 25 2011 @ Ruislip
London Senior Hurling Championship Semi Finals

2.30 Kilburn Gaels v Robert Emmetts
4.00 St Gabriels v Sean Treacys

Stockholm Gaels mens and ladies teams with legendary GAA commentator, Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh. Mícheál who attended Europe Pan 1 commentated on both the mens and ladies finals. (Photo courtesy of Stockholm Gaels).

About this time in Europe each year, Gaelic sports enthusiasts are thick on the ground as it marks the beginning of the first round of the mens and ladies European football championship series.

All summer long in the six regions that comprise Europe GAA: North West Bretagne, North West, Iberia, Scandinavia, Benelux, and, East and Central, teams had been competing in mens football for places in the three Pan European Championship Final Rounds.

In the mens championship, regional winners and runner’s up get automatic qualification for the Pan Europe series and once the series begins the team leading the table at the end of Round 3 – which for the first time ever is being held at Limerick in Ireland this November  – will be crowned European champion.

The ladies European football championship format is a little different in that teams compete in 7 rounds across Europe – including the final three Pan Europe rounds – with table toppers all season, the victors.

Mens champion’s Den Haag are going for three in a row this year while Belgium ladies look unstoppable as they seek a fourth title in succession.

Last Saturday, the Pan Europe series began in earnest with Round 1 taking place at Leuven, Belgium.
Six mens teams lined up for Round 1 honours while a further 8 teams lined out in the ladies competition. In the mens Shield competition, which is pretty much open to all-comers, a fantastic 11 teams took to the field.

The usual suspects Den Haag and Belgium took the mens and ladies Round 1 titles respectively, while Amsterdam won out in the Mens Shield.

In this podcast we focus on the mens and ladies championship as we were unable to obtain a report on the Shield though results are given at the end of the podcast.

A very busy man last Saturday was player, coach of Stockholm mens and ladies teams, and Europe GAA PRO, Philip O’Connor, and, he spoke to GaelicSportsCast about the mens and ladies competitions at Leuven.

Listen here: 21:37

2011 Pan Europe 1 – Belgium Results

London GAA Chairman, Tommy Harrell presents the JFC Cup to St Joseph's captain, Alan Fee. (Photo courtesy of London GAA).

After a two week schedule break, due to holidays and the recent All Ireland Hurling final, it was all action once more at Ruislip with a pair of London GAA finals to be decided and crucial senior football championship games also down for decision.

On Sunday, in the London GAA Intermediate Football Championship final, an excellent game saw Heston Gaels and Round Towers battling to a draw but in the Junior football final we had a winner when St Joseph’s grabbed the spoils with a couple of points to spare.

There was four very important senior football clashes over the weekend as they would decide this year’s championship semi final pairings.

On Sunday we saw surprise packet Fulham Irish shocking last year’s champions, Neasden Gaels, while St Kiernans always had too much for Moinderg.

On Saturday, 2010 runner’s up Parnells impressed when accounting for unbeaten Kingdom Kerry Gaels, but the ‘Gael’s had accumulated enough points to reach the semi finals.
Tir Chonaill Gaels meanwhile had four points to spare over Tara but didn’t make it through as they were relying on the Kingdom’ to overturn Parnells.

Here to tell us about the weekend’s games is London GAA Chairman, Tommy Harrell.

Listen here: 17:36

London GAA SFC 2011 Semi Finals
Sunday Oct 2 @ Ruislip
Fulham Irish v Kingdom Kerry Gaels
Parnells v St Kiernans

London GAA SHC 2011 Semi Finals
Sunday, Sept 25 @ Ruislip
St Gabriels v Sean Treacy’s
Kilburn Gaels v Robert Emmetts

Finals Schedule
Senior Hurling Final, Oct 9
Senior Football Final, Oct 16

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

Though the club calls Westminster, Maryland, home, many of the players come from the surrounding area of Pennsylvania, Washington DC and North Virginia all close to the famous Mason Dixon line, hence the name.

The club has a passion for the sport and is very proud that all players traveling to California for the ‘Nationals are Americans.

Here to tell us about the club and it’s ambition for the future is chairman, Ryan Foley.

Listen here: 15:36

Tomorrow Friday Sept 2, Day 1 of the North American GAA Finals we here from Canada GAA Secretary, John O’ Flynn and North America PRO, Tim Flanagan.

When it looked like ‘Vincents had done enough and would win the day, a late flourish by ‘Mikes pushed the game to Over Time and from there the champions never looked back.

In the ladies championship decider, the crowd enjoyed another thrilling match that saw Durham edge out St Mikes by the minimum, while in the Intermediate mens final, Brampton had a comfortable victory over ‘Mikes.

Here to give us team line-outs, full results, and tell us all about the finals, as well as look ahead to Toronto’s first representation in decades at the North American finals this weekend in San Francisco, is Toronto GAA PRO, Ross McElhone.

Listen here:  18:24

Picture of the Phoenix Gaels (in white) and the LA Wild Geese (yellow) before a recent game. (Photo courtesy of Phoenix Gaels).

While the All Ireland Hurling Final takes center stage in Ireland this week, North America too will be attracting followers of Gaelic sports as the annual US National Finals are set to begin on Friday, Sept 2-4 at Treasure Island, San Francisco.

Clubs from all across America and even Canada will be making their way to the Golden State in search of honours this weekend and in the lead up to the start of competition, GaelicSportsCast profiles some of the various clubs in action.

Today we focus on Junior D Football hopefuls, the Phoenix Gaels from Arizona.
The ‘Gaels have been going about their business quietly in the south west and are growing both football and of late hurling in the region – the latter with help from LA.

To tell us all about this club, who have to overcome the challenges of the Sonoran Desert climate, is Phoenix Gaels Chairman, Jason Ryan.

34:49

NOTE: Reports from Boston, Toronto and Chicago finals later.

Robert Emmett’s in their clash with champions Kilburn Gaels, edged over the line with a pair of second half goals making all the difference. The other senior hurling clash saw St Gabriel’s come from behind in another close finish.

While there was no senior football action last weekend we did have the semi finals of the men’s intermediate and junior football championship, which saw Round Towers and Heston Gaels qualify for the intermediate final, and Cuchullain’s and St Joesph’s come through to battle it out for Junior honours next month.

Tir Chonaill Gaels side, who came out on the losing side to Cuchullain’s, created history in becoming the first ever team to field an all English team in the junior championship.

Listen here to London GAA Chairman, Tommy Harrell talk about that feat and on the rest of all the action from Ruislip.

14:57

The two senior football championship semi finals games went ahead, however, the last intermediate semi final was disrupted by the severe weather.

In the first senior semi, St Vincents upset Durham in one of the games of the year, while in the second Toronto Gaels were no match for 2010 champions, St Mikes.

The one intermediate semi final fixture played saw Brampton beating Toronto Gaels.

Here to give us all the details of the games is Toronto GAA PRO, Ross McElhone.

20:24

Toronto GAA Championship Finals
Sunday Aug 28, Centennial Park

Senior Football Championship Final
St Mikes v St Vincents

Ladies Football Championship Final
St Mikes v Durham

Intermediate Football Championship Final
St Mikes v Brampton

Action from yesterday's NY GAA senior hurling final between winner's NY Offaly (green, white & gold) and NY Galway at Gaelic Park, Bronx, New York. (Photo by Peter Marney).

GaelicSportsCast is delighted to partner with New York GAA in bringing you the remaining NY GAA championship games from Gaelic Park in the Bronx, New York.

Over the next 7 weeks, GaelicSportsCast brings you all the latest news from Gaelic Park starting with yesterday’s action which saw NY Offaly hurlers write themselves into the history books.

On Sunday in Gaelic Park, NY Offaly for the first time in the club’s history garnered their 5th title in a row when easily overcoming NY Galway. This magnificent feat sees the club become the second team ever in the history of the New York GAA to do the elusive five-in-a-row.

In the men’s senior football championship meanwhile, Armagh had a good win over 2010 runners-up Cork while in the intermediate championship, last year’s junior champs, Donegal had a comfortable win over Brooklyn/Long Island Gaels.

Here to tell us about Sunday’s action and give a full report on the season to date, GaelicSportsCast is delighted to welcome back excellent NY GAA reporter, Eugene Kyne.

Listen here: 26:37

It turned out to be a thriller with ‘Kiernans holding on in the end by the minimum, while in the other Group 2 game on Saturday, Fulham Irish had a comfortable win over Moinderg.

In Sunday’s championship action, Kingdom Kerry Gaels accounted for Tara, while in the other game though a close finish, last year’s runners-up Parnells impressed when downing, Tir Chonail Gaels.

Here to tell us about the weekend’s games, including the latest on the Intermediate football championship is London GAA Chairperson, Tommy Harrell.

13:46

Action from the Boston Galway versus St Christophers clash last Sunday at Canton. (Photo by Rory O'Donnell).

With this year’s Boston Northeast GAA Championship coming down to the wire as just two weekends are left before the ‘Playoffs, it was no surprise that we had some very competitive games last weekend with Galway footballers showing they could be a danger yet to one and all.

Lying in the middle of the table and having had come close on a few occasions, Boston Galway had a great win on Sunday over 2009 champs St Christophers.
Only a point separated them in the end with the winning score coming from Sligo countyman, David Kelly, whose arrival should be a big boost for the men in maroon!

Meanwhile in other senior football action Connamara Gaels held off Mayo, Kerry defeated Armagh Notre Dame while Wolfe Tones beat Cork.

In hurling action we had another thriller, this time between third place Tipperary and bottom of the table Galway.
A last gasp goal saw Tipp salvage a draw against a very lively Galway.

To find out the details of the action and to learn what it all means as we near the end of the regular season, GaelicSportsCast spoke earlier today with Boston Northeast GAA PRO, Rory O’Donnell.

17:48

Boston Northeast Championships Results July 16-17, 2011

That competition saw its final round last weekend – the finals are in September - with Durham grabbing the top spot after their four point win over Toronto Gaels on Sunday. St Mikes secured the other top seed when finishing second to Durham in the league.

At the last round of the Intermediate Mens Football League, Brampton finished in pole position with St Mikes next. Meanwhile, the Ladies Football League continues at present.

Here to tell us about the final rounds, table positions, and the championship schedules is Toronto GAA PRO, Ross McElhone.

12:17

2011 Toronto GAA Mens Senior & Intermediate Championship Schedule

Boston North East GAA Chairman, John Farrell presents The Ladies Senior Football Championship Cup to Tir na nOg captain, Sinead Bannon. Sinead is a graduate of the Irish Sports Youth League. (Photo by Rory O'Donnell).

That storied mens football club in Boston, Aidan McAnespies is putting in one hell of a senior football campaign this year as with three rounds left to play before the playoffs they are the only team to remain unbeaten and lead the Boston Northeast Football Championship.

McAnespies had a convincing win over arch rivals Donegal over the weekend, while in other action St Christophers had a good win over struggling Shannon Blues.
Second place Connemara Gaels were held to a draw by Kerry, and Galway had an important win over Mayo.

In the final game of the three game series in the Ladies Football Championship, last year’s champions Tir na nOg proved too strong once more for Boston Shamrocks and as a result of taking three out of three, Tir na nOg are crowned 2011 champions.

In hurling meanwhile, Fr Tom’s beat Galway in a thriller on Saturday while on Sunday, Boston Wexford held on to beat Tipperary.

In Junior C Hurling action Portland beat Worcester to go top of the table.

Here to fill us in on the latest from Boston is Northeast GAA PRO, Rory O’Donnell.

20:04

Boston Northeast Championships Results, July 9-10

NOTE: Watch for new weekly podcasts coming from Chicago and Toronto, Canada.

The sport of soccer is synonymous with Liverpool but of late Gaelic football has started to take a hold in the University community with a growing number of players, both Irish and native, now enjoying the sport.

Two University of Liverpool students Sean McGoldrick and Chris Elliot having finished playing for the college, last year decided it was time to branch out and start a new GAA club in Liverpool and so was born the Liverpool Wolfe Tones.

It wasn’t easy at the start but today this second GAA club in the city is going from strength to strength and has already tasted success in the Lancashire Junior Championship and the Pennine League Division 2.

Here to tell us about this brand new club is co founder and chairman, Tyrone native, Chris Elliot.

27:28

NOTE: Watch out for up to the minute reports on this weekend’s historic first ever US National Collegiate Hurling Championships in Chicago with GAA reporter Coilin Duffy.

Coverage sponsored by Mycro Sportsgear

The Barley House Wolves team who defeated Portland last Saturday in the first ever Northeast Junior Hurling Championship game at Concord, NH.

On account of almost all games being rained out the prior week, this weekend at Canton, Boston MA saw a host of senior football championship first round games and Sheehan Cup hurling action pack a busy fixtures calender.

The game of the weekend in senior football turned out to be the clash between Connamara Gaels and Shannon Blues’ with the ‘Gaels edging a thriller on Sunday.

Last year’s football champion’s Donegal, got their championship season off on the right foot with a comprehensive win over 2009 champs St Christophers.
In other first round ties, Aidan McAnespies, Wolfe Tones and Mayo, also recorded good wins over Galway, Armagh Notre Dame and Cork respectively.

Meanwhile in hurling, Wexford reached this year’s Sheehan Cup final with a three goal win over Galway while Fr Tom Burke’s put themselves in with a chance of getting to the final with a fine win over Tipperary.

History was also made last weekend as the first ever Northeast Junior C Hurling Championship (mostly American born players) began with New Hampshire’s Barley House Wolves seeing off Portland HC of Maine.

Here to fill us in on all the weekend action is Northeast GAA PRO and Boston GAA reporter, Rory O’Donnell.

24:25

Boston Northeast Division Championships Results, Weekend May 22, 2011

The first game of 2011 Senior Football Championship last Sunday was played in poor conditions with Kerry getting a late victory over Cork. (Photo by Rory O'Donnell).

It was a wet start to the 2011 US Northeast Football Championship in Boston last weekend as only one early game was played with the rest of the fixtures postponed due to torrential rains.

The first senior football game of the day however went ahead – in very difficult conditions it has to be said – between Boston Kerry and Cork with the Kingdom snatching an unlikely victory.

The conditions didn’t make life easy for the players as a low-scoring first half ended with the Corkmen enjoying most of the play, but suffering shooting blues, only led by a slender point at half time.

Cork pushed into a three point lead in the second half and looked to have done enough nearing the finish, but Kerry not giving up, fired 1-2 in the closing minutes to grab a [12] 2-06 to [9] 1-06 victory.

Here to tell us about the game as well as the format for this year’s football championship is Northeast GAA PRO and Boston GAA reporter, Rory O’Donnell.

14:53

Exhibition football matches being played for the first time ever at rugby's Infinity Park stadium in Glendale, Colorado

The Denver Gaels GAA Club has taken Gaelic sports to a place where they have never been before.

Last month, the Gaels played a half time exhibition game during a US college rugby match at Infinity Park stadium, the brand new Municipal Rugby ground in Glendale Denver, Colorado.
This stadium is one of the premier rugby venues in America and regularly hosts national championship games.

Early this year the Denver Gaels, along with the stadium and Diageo – the sponsors of the ‘Gaels and the Glendale Raptors who play at the venue – wanted to promote the stadium as well as football and hurling in the area.  
An arrangement was made and now US rugby followers are being exposed to football exhibitions during a game.

The first exhibition was played in April and centered around football as a means of kick-starting interest in the game locally, with the next down for May 31st .

The Denver Gaels club started with a football tradition back in the mid 90s but since then the club, made up of almost 90% American players, has focused on a growing hurling tradition.
Denver Gaels GAA Club Chairman, Eamonn Ryan recently spoke to GaelicSportsCast about that tradition as well as the club’s efforts to promote Gaelic sports in the Rocky Mountain state of Colorado.

22:14

Mac's take the first blood of the 2011 season when beating Boston Wolfe Tones in last Sunday's O'Brien Cup Football final. (Photo courtesy of Rory O'Donnell).

One of the strongest senior football clubs in Boston, if not America, Aidan McAnespies showed again why they are a force as they crushed Boston Wolfe Tones last Sunday to take the first US Northeast competition of the season, the O’Brien Cup.

The ‘Tones had been putting in some impressive performances early on in the young season and looked like they could continue that form in last Sunday’s Cup decider. However, ‘McAnespies in a final are always hard to beat and so it turned out last week when they ran out comfortable seven point winners on a scoreline of [22] 0-22 to [15] 1-12.

Wolfe Tones got off to a flyer though when grabbing a goal in the opening minute but that was as good as it got as McAnespies proceeded to run riot hitting no less than 11 points on the trot without a response from the shell shocked ‘Tones.  At the half, McAnespies led by almost double scores 0-13 to [7] 1-04.
Wolfe Tones did manage to get back in the game and slowly pegged back the lead to 3, however McAnespies kicked on once more and were never troubled again.

In hurling, the second round of the Sheehan Cup saw a reversal of fortunes for Tipperary.  They had crashed heavily last time out to Wexford but against Galway on Sunday they were back on song and full value for their 11 point [21] 0-21 to [10] 1-07 victory.
After a close first half with Tipp leading by 4, they upped the anti in the second half and Galway just could not follow suit.

In the other Sheehan Cup second round, Wexford continued their good early form with an easy victory over [24] 2-18 to Fr Tom Burkes [11] 1-08 and they now sit top of the table.
A goal midway through the first half saw Wexford build a deserved five point lead at the break. Tom’s put in a better showing in the second half though as they reduced the deficit to a goal early on.  But Wexford responded well with a succession of points before a second goal sealed the deal and ran out 13 point winners in the end.

NOTE: No podcast with report. Weekly Boston podcast from next week.

This is the first of four tournaments in the hurling and camogie circuit and European hurling champions Belgium will be anxious to get their season off to a good start. However, three time European champions, hosts Den Hague and Zurich, along with Luxembourg will also have their say.

The Camogie competition sees an unprecendeted 5 teams in action from Zurich, Luxembourg, Paris and two from Belgium battling it out for the opening points of the season.

Meanwhile, the Mens Benelux Football Championship and Ladies European Football competitons got off to a very successful start in Berbourg, Luxembourg last month when record attendence numbers witnessed some stellar football at the FC Berdenia stadium.

In the mens competition and much to the joy of the many locals at the game, Luxembourg regained their tournament title from last year when beating European champions, Den Hague by [13] 1-10 to [9] 0-09 in extra time, while in the ladies final another fine competition saw European champions, Belgium A beat out rivals Paris by [12] 2-06 to [7] 0-07.

In this podcast, GaelicSportsCast takes a look back at that tournament when talking to Luxembourg GAA PRO, Damien Higgins, and also looks ahead with Den Hague GAA Chairman, Mathew Morris to Saturday’s hurling opener in Holland.

21:55