Belgium Ladies Gaelic Football

Belgium GAA Ladies and Mens Football Tournament – 8 May 2010

ladiesgaa — Wed, 05 May 2010 11:31:01 +0000

On Saturday 8 May, Belgium GAA will host its first tournament of the year, which will take place in the Catholic University of Leuven/ Louvain (more information on getting to the pitches below).

This is the first time that Belgium GAA will host a round of the Ladies Football European Championship, and a round of the Benelux Mens Football Championship, so we are pulling out all the stops.

Everyone is invited to join in the day, club members and non-members alike. So if you fancy fresh air, sunshine (fingers crossed), the chance to get out of Brussels for a day, good food and drink, and the opportunity to see teams from all over Europe tearing into each other in a bid to win medals, trophies, honour and glory, then Leuven on Saturday is the place for you!

This competitive spirit will continue into the evening in De Valera’s bar in Place Flagey, sponsors of Belgium GAA. Here, from 22h, you can enjoy the other side of European GAA, the side that makes speeches, sings, and dances its socks off until the early hours of Sunday morning.

If you can’t make it this month, never fear! Next month, on Saturday 26 June, we will do it all over again, except this time, we will be hosting a round of the European Hurling and Camogie Championship.

For more information, please visit the Belgium GAA and Friends Facebook page or the Belgium GAA Ladies and Mens Football Tournament event page.

Pitch Information:

If you are travelling by car

Leuven (Flemish spelling) / Louvain (French spelling) is situated about 10 km outside the Brussels Ring. Click here for the exact location of the pitches.

If you are travelling by train

Trains go from all the main Brussels train stations to Leuven approximately every 30 minutes. The journey from Gare du Midi is 25 minutes. This is the link for information on the train schedule: http://www.b-rail.be/main/E/
Click here for a map of the distance between the train station and the pitches (2.7km). If you are playing, it may be best to get a taxi from the station.

Want to work for the Ladies Gaelic Football Association?

ladiesgaa — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 11:46:07 +0000

URBAN PROGRAMME OFFICERS

The Ladies Gaelic Football Association, founded in 1974, has over 132,000 registered members in Ireland. The game is played in countries across the world. Five Provincial Councils covering Ireland and Britain are responsible for running championships and competitions in their provinces.

To continue its development as one of the largest, fastest growing, active and dynamic sports in Ireland and in line with our strategic objectives for the next 2 years, the Association is looking to fill three positions of Urban Programme Officer, covering the following areas; Dublin, Munster and the Midlands/West. These posts are supported by the GAA.

Based in the respective area, reporting to the National Games Development Officer, you will be responsible for:

The delivery of a number of tailored and national programmes within your urban area focusing on promoting the programme to maximize participation, recruiting and training coaches with the intention of delivering high quality programmes,.
Working with local sporting partners to establish clubs in selected areas.
Meeting targets and implementing strategic policies and objectives as agreed by the management committee of the Association.

These posts are a critical component of the modernisation process of the Association. Successful candidates will have:

a third level qualification or equivalent in a subject which can be proven relevant to the post.
Minimum one year’s relevant experience within the last three years in a position which provided experience of delivering or involvement in sports related programmes either within an organisation or in a voluntary capacity
Demonstrable experience of organising events, with a record of working within the structures of a sporting organisation and excellent IT skills.

For a copy of the full job description and application form for these positions please contact:

Helen O’Rourke Chief Executive,
Ladies Gaelic Football Association,
Croke Park,
Dublin 3. Tel: (01) 8363156.
Email: info@ladiesgaelic.ie

Please be sure to provide your name and address, email and contact number in your correspondence to enable an application pack to be forwarded to you as soon as possible.

Please note that applications will only be accepted in hard copy by the Association.
Completed application forms must be received by the Association not later than 4.00pm on Monday 19th April 2010. Late applications will not be accepted.

Belgium Ladies in Peil magazine

ladiesgaa — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 09:45:08 +0000

It’s only a few weeks before we send a team off Valencia for the first round of the 2010 European Ladies Football Championship, so here is a quick reminder of all that we achieved in 2009, courtesy of Peil magazine.

http://issuu.com/belgium_gaa/docs/peil_magazine_winter_2009

It’s great to see that we are appreciated back in Ireland. The team going to Valencia on 17 April will be completing a circle that began back in 2008, when we were only feeling our way on the European scene.

Look how far we have come. Allez les Belges!

smc

Will you meet me on Clare Island?

ladiesgaa — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:10:10 +0000

Wednesday March 17th Paddy’s Day and the drinking is easy, but the hearts and minds of Belgium GAA’s finest are set on the Clare Island Tournament this Saturday 20th March.

Belgium GAA men travel to the soft and craggy isle off the coast of Mayo this weekend seeking to retain the Frank Hayes Memorial Cup. The three-way tournament features the hosts, Clare Island, Belgium GAA and Roger Casements of Coventry.

The same clubs field in the Ladies’ Tournament, with our all-conquering Belgium GAA ladies travelling in strength to try and wrest the crown from the Champions, Roger Casements.

In what promises to be an intriguing three-way tussle, the home team Clare Island ladies will be hoping to upset the apple cart, but Caoimhe Ni Shuilleabhain’s Belgians will be strongly fancied.

Our intrepid travellers will depart Roonagh Pier at 10am on Saturday morning. A long day of football, Gale Force Westerlies, pints of the famous ‘Special’, soup and sangwiches and boogeying the night away to the Saw Doctors awaits.

As the saying goes, “Up the Wesht!”

Meanwhile, tournament organiser Olof Gill is facing somewhat of a dilemma:

“It will be tough challenge for us,” said Gill.

“Which team are you talking about?” asked your puzzled reporter.

“Ah well, eh, I’m confused…honesht to God” said Gill, who is facing a torrent of abuse no matter which jersey he pulls on on the day.

Reports from within the Belgium GAA camp suggest Davy Barrett is lining up a spectacular ambush on Gill, should his colours change.

“I’ll knock him as far as Inishturk, like”, Barrett is reported to have said.

When contacted, Mr Barrett refused to comment.

Night at the Races! Wed 25 June 2008 – Old Oak Pub

ladiesgaa — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 21:13:32 +0000

Hello All!

Race Night at the Old Oak Pub promises to be a fantastic night of fun and frolics!

Here’s your chance to show your true support for the club and all you need to do is to show up, place a few bets, collect the winnings, and odds are, you’ll have fun!

Form guides on all the races will be available from 18.30. So the sooner you get there the more time you’ll have to read up on the odds! Races will start from 19.30 onwards. (At least 6 races to punt on.)

For those of you used to the finer things in life why not treat yourself and some friends to a really special night and book one of the very limited VIB (Very Important Better) boxes. For a mere 48 Euro (tables of 6 max) you’ll receive a prime spot to watch the races (and manly challenge! More on this later), dedicated bar service (no queuing), personal book maker-ette who will come to your table to take your bets & pay your winnings as well as a welcome drink when you arrive. Book at mullanshauna@hotmail.com

Hope to see you all there!

BELGIUM LADIES WIN MADRID TOURNAMENT: TOURNAMENT REPORT

ladiesgaa — Thu, 01 May 2008 15:18:55 +0000

Girls and honoured lads

Where do I start? A fantastic weekend from start to finish.

Friday:

We set off on Friday morning with 7 players and Ana’s imaginary Jane (The real Jane flew in from Dublin later on). Michael made sure we got into Madrid 10 minutes early and that we all new about it!!! I can still here that noise going off in my head We made it to the hostel (thanks to Steph’s neighbour for the directions), checked in (thanks to Ana for negotiating with the “too cool for school” staff) and proceeded to enjoy the sights, shopping, weather and of course tapas of Madrid. Ana, the director/manager/captain of food, did a great job and everyone went to bed on Friday night with a full and satisfied tummy and ready for the challenge ahead.

Pity the gobshite next door, together with his chorus of gigglers had to wake us up at 3 am and reveal himself in his “y-fronts” when we went out to sort him out but that wasn’t going to stop us- Champions in the making!

Saturday:

Anyway, on to the tournament. We arrived at the pitches and after one or two hitches, like full bladders, a lack of toilets, a few minutes to go to the first match and a near mutiny, we got going and faced Madrid in the first round.

The line out: Aine “Schmichael” Murphy in goal; Ana “schneeky febreeze” Rios in left back, Steph “The Eagle” Dunn in right back; “Magic” Mide Ni Shuilleabhain and Caragh “Wonder Woman” O’Connor in mid-field; Maria “The Bomber” Brosnan, Barbara “Over the Bar” Wynne and Jane “Back of the Net” Brennan in the forwards. And believe me everyone had earned their new titles by the end of the day!

Round 1:

Opposition: Madrid

Score: Belgium 2-7 v Madrid 1-5

Weather: Middling to warm- sun shining and a bit of dew on the grass

Report: A solid performance by everyone and a great team effort to start off the campaign to victory. Mide played a stormer and ensured we saw them off with 2 lovely goals. They don’t call her “Magic” for nothing.

Round 2:

Opposition: Paris

Score: Belgium 6-3 v Paris 2-6

“The Bomber” and “Back of the Net” put 6 goals past them in the second half

Weather: Hotter than the last match

Report: We had to umpire the Madrid v Paris match and to be honest things started to look like they wouldn’t be as straight forward as we thought. The plan was to beat Madrid and that Paris would do us the same service, so we could cruise into the semi-final. But alas it was not to be. Madrid saw off a tough Paris side well and we knew that Paris would come out at us all guns blazing and that they did. It took us a bit to find our feet and we went in at half-time a point or two down. It didn’t end there though and we came out with even more and bigger guns. I don’t think they scored in the second-half thanks to the amazing goal keeping of “Schmichael” and the defending of “The Eagle” who had certainly gotten the measure of her player and “Schneeky Febreeze” who was invincible in left back from start to finish. Magic and Wonder Woman were on fire and what can I say, The Bomber (5 goals) and Back of the Net dazzling. Roll on the semi-final……….

Semi-final:

Opposition: Munich

Score: Belgium 3-8 v Munich 0-4

Weather: Much hotter than the last match

Report: Again a tough start and the weather, while wonderful for the beach, was starting to take its toll. We went in a point down at half time but we dug deep and came out in the second half to mesmerise them. What a team effort. Superb play from everyone and all over the pitch. Despite making about 10 switches they couldn’t stop us. Caragh’s passing was excellent and Jane set Mide up for a beautiful goal. The kicking boots were well and truly on.

The final:

Opposition: Madrid

Score: Belgium 2-7 v Madrid 3-1

Weather: Bleedin Hot

Report: We went into this game champions already. What an achievement to have started training 5 weeks (ish) before this tournament and to have made it to a final. Who would have thought that two footballers (joined by the Bomber Brosnan a week before the tournament), a camogie player, a few soccer players and a few hockey players would have made it to the final of a round of the European League. We were going home with medals and our heads held high already. Then we started as we meant to go on. An amazing performance by everyone. We were up against a full Madrid panel, the weather and some questionable decisions by the ref but sure no worries. Aine “Schmichael” Murphy, what can I say the kick-outs were fantastic, straight into one of our player’s hands everytime. The defence, amazing, the ref summed it up… you were impenetrable. Mid-field and forwards, fair play to you, you kept on going and going and going. Fantastic! Caragh was particularly brilliant, scoring from two 45s and two goals on top of that to make sure we brought home the cup. David Beckham eat your heart out!

Conclusion: Very emotional, very happy and very tired but throughout the day our fitness stood to us. So you’ll be happy to hear that there will be plenty of sprinting and tough training sessions before Luxembourg

Saturday Night:

Dinner: Food was nice and the wine was free. Can’t go wrong!

Prize giving: We swept the board. Congratulations to Caragh, who well and truly deserved player of the tournament for a truly outstanding performance and to Jane and Steph on winning the champagne that they kindly contributed to filling the cup.

After-party: We’ll have to make up for it this week! I’ll be in touch about it.

Sunday:

Packed-up, checked out and went home. Michael got us home 18 mins. early and we finished the weekend off in Devs. What can I say brilliant.

Special thanks to our wonderful supporters Tom and Dora, the first-aid man without whom we wouldn’t have been able to last until the end, the supportive texts and calls from everyone in Brussels and Amsterdam and to the team. I’m so so proud.

Your sore and bruised but very very proud captain

Barbara

THE END

Belgium GAA: first club night out of the year

ladiesgaa — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:38:52 +0000

Folks,

Brussels G.A.A. was formed a number of years ago, catering for organised Hurling and Camogie and some ad-hoc Gaelic Football. The onset of the 2008 season saw the club take some significant decisions:

1) Changed the club name to Belgium G.A.A. to appeal to a wider audience (Antwerp, Leuven etc)
2) Set up as an “asbl” non-profit in Belgium
3) Relocated to the Military Pitch to makes ourselves more accessible and purchase full sized portable goals
4) Added organised Men’s and Ladies Gaelic Football
5) Developed a new website (www.belgiumgaa.com) and club branding dedicated to all sports

The season is now up and running for one month. The Hurlers have already hosted and competed well against a team from Ireland. The Camogie girls participated in and finished runners up at a tournament in London. Ladies & Men’s Football are training hard despite the disappointment of a couple of canceled tournaments. Despite less play than anticipated, the Men’s Football team can celebrate their first victories over Amsterdam and Maastricht. And the new website is up and running, has had over 1300 hits, and is complete with photos of all the latest club and sports events.

We are approaching 50 Members this year and expect it to increase further. With the season now up and running, we would like to invite you to our first club night out of the year, details below.

Location: De Valera’s, Place Flagey

Date/Time: April 12, 8pm

We hope you can make it out; and of course friends and family are invited as well. All current and prospective members are welcome, even if you haven’t been able to make it out to training or have yet to submit your membership form to Becky.

Best Regards,

Belgium G.A.A. Committee