GaelicSportsCast » gaelic games

Clean sweep for St Mikes in Toronto

denis — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 18:33:20 +0000

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.).

#256 Great win for Boston Galway footballers

denis — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 18:51:58 +0000

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

#250 McAnespies still unbeaten, Tir na nOg win ladies, ‘Tom’s and Wexford lead in hurling

denis — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 16:43:26 +0000

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.

#197 John Moores back to winning ways

denis — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 22:10:44 +0000

Liverpool John Moores University, the team that won four UK championships between 2006-2009, returned to winning ways yesterday when taking this year’s British Universities Mens Football Championship, beating defending champions Napier University of Edinburgh at Pairc na hEireann, Birmingham.
This Division 1 decider produced a thrilling game with the Liverpool side just doing enough in the second half to hold on for a slender one point margin of victory 9 [0-09] to 8 [0-08].
In the Division 2 final it was another cracker of a game with this time the spoils going to Welsh side University of Banger when they saw off John Moore’s B outfit by 4 [0-04] to 3 [0-03].
Not to be out-done the final of the 17 team, Division 3 also turned out to be a thriller between Scottish side, University of Glasgow and Teesside University with the Scots landing victory by the minimum once more; final score 8 [1-05] to 7 [1-04].
Here to tell us about the finals and how the tournament went overall is Community Devolpment Officer for British Universities GAA, Shane O’Hanlon.

22:18

Will post full results when to hand.

#121 Orange groves, palm trees and hurling

denis — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 14:39:01 +0000

The Orlando Hurling Club. (Photo courtesy of OHC).

The trend of American adults taking up the ancient game of hurling continues at breathtaking pace. A month hardly goes by in the US these days without another new all American hurling club arriving on the horizon. One of the latest is the central Florida club, the Orlando Hurling Club. Founded last winter by American, Scott Graves, the club, a mere dream at the start, has begun to put down solid roots in this land of Disney and citrus. GaelicSportsCast recently caught up with Scott to talk about how hurling became a new passion for this baseball loving American and about the club’s recent trip to Georgia to compete for the “Azalea Cup’ in the Inaugural Georgia-Florida

Invitational.

18:30

Revenge for Penrith

denis — Mon, 24 May 2010 16:39:40 +0000

Recent action from Mono Park. (Photo by Mark McGuinness).

At Mono Park, Sydney yesterday, Round 7 of the 2010 NSW League in mens football saw Penrith Gaels gain a measure of revenge over table toppers Michael Cusacks, for their defeat to them in last year’s ‘League final. The win solidifies Penrith’s third table spot and increases their chances of again reaching the playoff stages. Meanwhile, Young Irelands win over Cormac MacAnallens on Sunday sees them just within a point of top place while ‘Macs have a big test ahead of them next week in the last round when taking on Clan NaGael for that all important final playoff birth.
In Camogie Clan Na Gael increased their lead at the head of the table when beating Craobh Padraig while second place Central Coast had an emphatic win over MacAnallens. While the top two seem destined to meet in the final, ’Cusacks at the bottom look the likely ones to lose out for a playoff place.
In Ladies Football the position at the top is a reverse of the standings in Camogie in so far as Central Coast in this instance continue to lead the way when recording a comprehensive victory over third place ‘Cusacks, while second place Clan Na Gael maintain their place with a six point win over ‘MacAnallens on a scoreline of 0-11 to 1-2 (5).
There was no hurling fixtures down for decision on Sunday.
So all is in readiness for a few hectic weeks of Gaelic games action in Mono Park as this year’s League arrives at the knockout stages where points accumalated won’t mean a hell of a lot from here on in.

NSW_League_2010_Tables&Results May 23

NOTE:
There will be Podcast reports for the knock-out stages of the NSW League

Coming up later today, ‘Big Apple Monday Night’ with reporter Eugene Kyne.

#53 Treacys into Cup Final

denis — Wed, 12 May 2010 20:34:30 +0000

The 2008 Sean Treacys vintage. (Photo courtesy of Sean Treacys).

A three point win over Sons of Boru last Sunday in Treasure Island, San Francisco takes Sean Treacys straight into the final of the St Patrick’s Cup. ‘Boru now have to battle it out with Ulster in two weeks time for the right to meet unbeaten ‘Treacys in the football final. Meanwhile the Celts got a boost when they recorded a good five point win over ‘Cusacks. Listen to Andrew Brennan’s report on the two games as well as him talking about the the final stages of the St Patrick’s Cup in hurling and the forthcoming championship schedule.

12:59

#37 – Berkeley gain revenge over Stanford in college hurling final

denis — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 16:56:40 +0000

Captains Fionnan O'Connor of Berkeley (left), and Sam Svoboda of Standford with Derry Murphy (San Jose) before the throw-in yesterday at Páirc na nGael Treasure Island, San Francisco.

Yesterday afternoon Saturday April 10, holders Stanford took on Berkeley in the final game of this years Northern California Collegiate Hurling championship. In a hard fought encounter all through at Treasure Island, the home of Gaelic Games in San Francisco, Berkeley this time gained revenge over their great rivals Stanford when coming out two point winners in an 11 goal thriller (1 g=3pts) on a scoreline of 5-10 (25) to 6-5 (23). Afterwards, GaelicSportsCast caught up with players from both sides for a rundown on the game.

9:20

2010 North American, Mid Atlantic Gaelic Games, Schedule

denis — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 16:55:58 +0000

Click on icon at the bottom right of the above calendar to add this calendar to your Google Calendar or use the icons below to view as a web page, or subscibe to the ICal Calendar or subscribe via XML.

#31 – The Big Four, Irish Tours, and, a home away from home – Part 2

denis — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 13:25:22 +0000

In Part 2 of GaelicSportsCast’s interview with Northern Ireland academic, author and former Antrim footballer, Dr Paul Darby about his new book, ‘Gaelic Games, Nationalism, and the Irish Diaspora in the United States,’ we hear about The ‘Big Four’ clubs in New York at the beginning of the 20th century, controversy surrounding Irish team tours to the US and the meaning that Gaelic Games stadia hold for Irish emigrants abroad.

25:48

Book available through: http://www.ucdpress.ie/display.asp?K=9781906359232&sf1=kword_index&st1=darby&m=1&dc=1

For customers in the US, the book is sold by Dufour Editions (www.dufoureditions.com) or can be purchased online through www.amazon.com.

#30 – Brilliant new book a tour de force on Gaelic sports in America – Part 1

denis — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:37:49 +0000

Northern Ireland academic, author and former Antrim footballer, Paul Darby who is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Sports Studies at the University of Ulster in Belfast, has written a brilliantly researched work and insightful account of the history of Gaelic Games in America entitled, “Gaelic Games, Nationalism and the Irish Diaspora in the United States”. By detailing the importance of Gaelic Games for Irish emigrants, the work fills an enormous void in the historical documentation of emigrant life in the US and is required reading for every GAA enthusiast in America. GaelicSportsCast spoke to Mr Darby about his new book in this first of a two part episode.

26:39 PART 1

#20 Recent Irish Immigrants in Canada swelling club ranks

denis — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 21:13:06 +0000

Secretary John O'Flynn (left) and Chairman Brian Farmer of Canada GAA at the grave of one of the founders of the GAA, Joseph P. Ryan, who is buried in Cranbrook, British Columbia CANADA during the 125th Anniversary Celebrations, December 19, 2009.

As Vancouver gets ready this evening to open the Winter Olympics, GaelicSportsCast sampled the atmosphere late Wednesday night when talking over Skype to Canada GAA Secretary, John O’Flynn about the recent influx of Irish migrants to Canada and what it might mean for GAA clubs across this vast northern land. Mr O’Flynn also spoke about the hopes and aspirations of the Canadian County Board.

32.39

#7 Up and coming Asia harbours ambitious plans for future

denis — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:34:07 +0000

ACB Chairman, Paraic McGrath and son Joseph. They play on the same team in Bangkok and Joseph, who never lived in Ireland, learned to play Gaelic football in Asia.

In our last visit trip to Asia this year, GaelicSportsCast speaks with Asian County Board Chairman Mayo man, Paraic McGrath, about the GAA scene in the region. Over the past two decades, Gaelic sports have been making steady progress where today some 600 players from various ethnic backgrounds participate annually in five major competitions throughout the region. The Asian County Board is planning for the future and one day hopes that an Asian team can represent them in the championships back home in Ireland.

21.48

#3 Going for five in a row – Hong Kong GAA

denis — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:23:28 +0000

Hong Kong GAA ladies teams taking a well earned break at the recent Asian Gaelic Games in Bangkok

GaelicSportsCast’s first visit to the land of Dragons and Emperors, China, took place last weekend when we spoke to the new chairman of Hong Kong GAA, Kerryman, Shane Harmon. The former Laune Ranger corner back, looks forward to HK’s hosting of the 2010 Asian Gaelic Games while also keen to sustain the health of the 100 + club despite the to-ings and fro-ings of many an expat player. He also hopes to further enhance Gaelic Games among the International expat community as well as among local and regional peoples, many of home have found a new fondness for Gaelic Football. And…there’s a small bunch of hurlers eager to get the ancient game going in this ancient land!

18.21

GaelicSportsCast now available on iTunes – put name in Podcast search window.

#2 Viet Celts

denis — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:43:22 +0000

Viet Celts hosting the Hanoi Invitational earlier this year

In our continuing profile of GAA clubs in Asia, this second episode sees GaelicSportsCast talk with Colm Ross, the Vice Chairman of the Viet Celts Gaelic Football Club in Vietnam. Colm tells about how the club has grown since it started up just two short years ago and of its progress in forming both men’s and ladies teams as well as a local underage tournament. He believes the Viet Celts have made a solid start and looks forward to future challenges.

18.03

# 1 Singapore Lions GAA Club

denis — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:24:54 +0000

Singapore GAA Club

IN this first episode of GaelicSportCast Podcast, GSC visists the tropics of Asia. Here we meet with one of the biggest GAA clubs in the region, the Singapore Gaelic Games Club. Singapore’s Asian County Board Representative, Gareth O’Brien tells about the clubs history, their success at the recent Asian Gaelic Games in October and their hopes for the future.

15.13