Ulster Council GAA

“Strengthening  Community Cohesion through the Development of GAA Clubs and Volunteers.”

The second Ulster GAA Club & Community Development Conference, sponsored this year by The Irish News will take place on Saturday 15th November at the Europa Hotel Belfast.

Some of the workshops include Pitch and Clubhouse Development, Club Branding PR and Communication, Women in the GAA, and Child Protection at Club Level.  There will also be a series of Keynote speeches and Feedback Forums.

The cost per delegate is £20/€25.  Places are limited to 400 so please book asap.

To register for the conference, e-mail clubconference2008@ulster.gaa.ie, or for more information call (028) 37521900.

Related:
- Ulster GAA Club & Community Development Conference Booking Form

This entry was posted on Monday, October 27th, 2008 at 4:00 pm and is filed under Homepage News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

M Donnelly Inter-Provincial Football Championship:
Munster 1-5 Ulster 0-5

Munster atoned for last season’s final defeat to Ulster, by making it a double victory over the Northern province in the M Donnelly Interprovincial Football Championship semi-final at Fermoy on Saturday afternoon.

In atrocious conditions for football with heavy rain all through, a superb 41st-minute goal by Cork’s Nicholas Murphy proved the difference between the sides.

After Donncha O’Connor handpassed to Murphy in the centre, the midfielder hit a stunning half-volley from 25 yards to the roof of the net. It was a sublime strike that put Munster into a lead that they never relinquished.

The opening half was a tight affair with both teams struggling to adapt to the woeful conditions. The only scores notched in the first quarter were two Tommy Freeman frees for Ulster but Munster did spurn two good goal chances with Patrick Kelly and Thomas O’Gorman both shooting wide.

Munster eventually got off the mark when their best forward, O’Connor, pointed and soon after the swung over a beauty from the wing. Brian Mallon put Ulster back in front before an O’Connor free left it 0-3 apiece at the interval.

In the second half Ulster struck first when Eoin Bradley converted a free but then Munster pounced for that wonderful Murphy goal. From there to the end Munster needed their defence to be strong as Ulster attacked strongly. Substitute Stephen O’Neill clipped over a free in the 50th minute yet Munster remained composed to add the insurance scores.

Daniel Goulding scored a free in the 52nd minute and his Cork teammate O’Connor crowned a fine display with a free in the 60th minute to nudge his team three points in front.

Yet Munster did need to survive one late scare to overcome Joe Kernan’s Ulster men. A long ball into the Munster goal spilled out of the defence’s grasp and after a frantic scramble it took Murphy to boot off the line and clear the danger, ensuring Munster’s place in next week’s final.

Scorers:
Munster: D O’Connor 0-4 (0-3f), N Murphy 1-0, D Goulding 0-1 (0-1f).
Ulster: T Freeman 0-2 (0-2f), B Mallon, E Bradley (0-1f), S O’Neill (0-1f) 0-1 each.

MUNSTER: P Fitzgerald (Tipperary); D Duggan (Cork), J McCarthy (Limerick), P Reidy (Kerry); T Ó’Sé (Kerry), S Lavin (Limerick), T O’Gorman (Waterford); J Galvin (Limerick), N Murphy (Cork); P Kelly (Cork), D O’Connor (Cork), M O’Gorman (Waterford); D Goulding (Cork), M Cussen (Cork), I Ryan (Limerick).
Subs: A O’Connor (Cork) for Kelly 38, L O’Líonáin (Waterford) for M O’Gorman 55, M Crowley (Limerick) for Ryan 60.

ULSTER: J Devine (Tyrone); F Moriarty (Armagh), V Corey (Monaghan), K Lacey (Donegal); D Harte (Tyrone), C Gormley (Tyrone), A Carr (Down); D Clerkin (Monaghan), R Kavanagh (Donegal); B Dooher (Tyrone), B Mallon (Armagh), D Hughes (Monaghan); S Johnston (Cavan), E Bradley (Derry), T Freeman (Monaghan).
Subs: K Toner (Armagh) for Johnston 35, S O’Neill (Tyrone) for Bradley 47, E Lennon (Monaghan) for Carr 47, R Flanagan (Cavan) for Hughes 49, R Woods (Monaghan) for Kavanagh 54.

Referee: Syl Doyle (Wexford).

This entry was posted on Saturday, October 25th, 2008 at 8:10 pm and is filed under Homepage News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

M Donnelly Inter-Provincial Hurling Championship:
Munster 2-14 Ulster 1-12

Munster withstood a strong second-half fightback to defeat Ulster in Saturday afternoon’s M Donnelly Interprovincial Hurling Championship semi-final at a rain-lashed Fermoy venue.

Reigning champions Munster had their hopes boosted from an early juncture in this game as they registered two goals inside the opening 12 minutes.

The first came from Eoin Kelly in the third minute when the Waterford man’s poorly-struck ’65 skidded on the surface and deceived Ulster netminder Ryan McGarry. The second arrived in the 12th minute when good work by Andrew O’Shaughnessy created the opening for Tipperary’s Seamus Callanan to whip a fierce drive to the net.

Those scores pushed Munster 2-0 to 0-3 ahead and they forged further in front before the interval with Kelly and Callanan both helping themselves to points. Yet Ulster kept in touch with Down forward Paul Braniff in superb form from frees and at the midway point there were just those two goals between the sides, 2-5 to 0-5.

In the second-half Munster burst from the blocks to move 2-8 to 0-6 after 40 minutes and the match looked a done deal. But Ulster mounted a powerful rally to throw the game back in the melting point. Antrim duo Aaron Graffin and Neil McGarry both starred in defence while Braniff continued to score freely up front.

After Braniff hit three points, Munster were rocked when Ulster goaled in the 45th minute after Shane McNaughton whipped a loose ball to the net. That left it 2-8 to 1-10 as the tie headed down the stretch.

Yet it was Munster who regained the initiative to close the game out in a formidable fashion. Clare duo Tony Carmody and Brian O’Connell struck two points apiece and with substitute Paul Kelly also impressing, Munster powered ahead on the scoreboard. They ran out five point winners to qualify for next Saturday’s final against Leinster.

Scorers:

Munster: E Kelly 1-5 (1-1 ’65, 0-4f), S Callanan 1-2, T Carmody, B O’Connell 0-2 each, N Gilligan, C Naughton, P Kelly 0-1 each.

Ulster: P Braniff 0-8 (0-6f, 0-1 ’65), S McNaughton 1-0, K Stewart, K Hinphey, K McKeegan, P Shields 0-1 each.

MUNSTER: B Cummins (Tipperary); C O’Brien (Tipperary), P Curran (Tipperary), S Hickey (Limerick); B Bugler (Clare), G Quinn (Clare), D Fanning (Tipperary); B O’Connell (Clare), T Kenny (Cork); T Carmody (Clare), S Callanan (Tipperary), C Naughton (Cork); A O’Shaughnessy (Limerick), E Kelly (Waterford), N Gilligan (Clare).
Subs: B O’Connor (Cork) for Gilligan (inj) 25, P Kelly (Tipperary) for Naughton 47, B Corry (Cork) for Callanan 55, D O’Grady (Limerick) for O’Connell 60.

ULSTER: R McGarry (Antrim); A Graffin (Antrim), N McGarry (Antrim), M Kettle (Antrim); G Clarke (Down), L Hinphey (Derry), J Campbell (Antrim); A Savage (Down), K McKeegan (Antrim); K Stewart (Antrim), K Hinphey (Derry), P Braniff (Down); S McNaughton (Antrim), B McGourty (Down), P Shields (Antrim).
Subs: N McManus (Antrim) for Kettle 15, P McCormack (Armagh) for McGourty 36, M Craig (Derry) for McKeegan 48.

Referee: Anthony Stapleton (Laois)

This entry was posted on Saturday, October 25th, 2008 at 7:45 pm and is filed under Homepage News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

AIB Ulster Club Senior Hurling Championship Final:
Cushendall 1-14  Ballygalget 1-13

Cushendall Ruairi Og held off a determined challenge by Down champions Ballygalget to clinch the AIB Ulster Club Hurling Championship title by 1-14 to 1-13 in Sunday’s exciting final at Casement Park.

The Antrim champions appeared to be well control on a couple of occasions throughout the game but Ballygalget, with man of the match Martin Coulter in superb scoring form, always found a way back.

Twenty minutes into the opening half Cushendall looked strong when they opened up a seven point lead, but three cracking points from Coulter and one by Steven Clarke closed the gap to 1-8 to 0-8 at the interval, the Cushendall goal coming from Conor McCambridge on sixteen minutes.

Turning to face a stiff breeze in the second half Cushendall knew they had a battle on their hands, but an early Paddy McGill point settled them and they held that four point advantage throughout the third quarter.

Ballygalget had closed to within a goal of the Antrim men when they were denied a goal because of ‘square’ infringement, a decision that angered the Ards following, though it has to be said that referee Martin Mulholland had clearly blown before the ball entered the net.

Spured by this let-off Cushendall pulled five clear with points from Shane McNaughton, who was again his team’s best forward, and Sean Delargy and appeared to be safe with just minutes remaining.

However Ballygalget were far from finished and a Paddy Coulter goal left just two between the sides as the game entered injury time. The Down men closed the gap to the minimum with a point from Steven Clarke but time had beaten them and Cushendall survived to collect another Ulster title and gain revenge for defeat at the hands of the same opposition in the 2005 final.

CUSHENDALL – Francis McAuley, Aaron Graffin, Oran Scullion, Michael McCambridge, Karl McKeegan, Neil McManus, Kevin Elliott, Donal McNaughton, Declan McKillop, Aiden Delargy, Brian Delargy, Patrick McGill, Aiden Delargy, Shane McNaughton, Conor McCambridge, Sean Delargy. Subs – Conor Carson and Brian McNaughton.

BALLYGALGET – Graham Clarke, Liam Clarke, Aaron Dynes, Christopher Braniff, Seamus Roddy, Gabriel Clarke, Stephen Johnston, Patrick Monan, Darren Flynn, Eoin Clarke, Gary Flynn, Steven Clarke, Martin Og Coulter, Barry Coulter, Shane Bailie.
Referee – Martin Mulholland (Derry)

(Report: antrim.gaa.ie)

This entry was posted on Monday, October 20th, 2008 at 10:52 am and is filed under Homepage News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

The GAA All Stars sponsored by Vodafone took place at a prestigious banquet in the Citywest Hotel on Friday the 17th October 2008 at which eight players from Ulster were honoured in the star studded selection.

The players who included Armagh’s Ronan Clarke and the magnificent 7 from Tyrone – Brian Dooher, Enda Mc Ginley, Sean Cavanagh, Conor Gormley, Davy Harte, Philip Jordan and Justin Mc Mahon, were representing a very successful year for Ulster that witnessed the achievements of Derry winning the National Football League, Armagh winning the Ulster championship and Tyrone being crowned All Ireland Champions. The final accolade of the year was that of Senior Footballer of the Year which also came north when Sean Cavanagh lifted this coveted award.

There was a significant attendance of players from all counties in both hurling, where Kilkenny equaled the record of nine awards, and football where the exploits of Ulster was recognized by nomination of players from five Counties. Speaking after the event at Dublin’s Citywest Hotel, the President of the Ulster Council of the GAA, Tom Daly, extended his congratulations on behalf of the Association in Ulster to those who received awards and those nominated. He said that ‘it is clearly reflective of the huge input made by the players in 2008. It was a truly a great year for Ulster football and the efforts were rewarded by major titles, recognition of the standards, the magnificent successes of Tyrone in winning the double, Armagh for their success in our Championship and Derry in taking the National League title also. The player of the award to Sean Cavanagh was the icing on the cake for what has been a great year for Ulster.’

This entry was posted on Saturday, October 18th, 2008 at 12:35 pm and is filed under Homepage News, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

THE Irish News and the Ulster Council are teaming up to launch the second Ulster GAA Club and Community Development Conference, which will take place on November 15 in the Europa Hotel, Belfast.The theme of this year’s conference is ‘Strengthening community cohesion though the development of the GAA clubs and volunteers’ and aster of ceremonies will be the BBC Championship presenter, AustinO’Callaghan.

Last year’s event was an outstanding success when over 450 people showed up for the conference at Stormont. Once again, 400 places are on offer this year and, judging by the early response, it is likely to exceed capacity. Irish News editor Noel Doran said: “The conference at the Europa will be a major event for the GAA in Ulster, but it also has a significance which
goes well beyond the association itself.

“We are delighted to be able to offer our support.”

Speaking of the event, Ulster Council President, Tom Daly said: “We are delighted to be organising the 2008 conference in partnership with the Irish News, a paper which gives outstanding coverage to all our Gaelic Games.

“The Irish News also supports our volunteers through its Club and Volunteer Awards and our players through the annual Allstars.

“I look forward to further developing our relationship over the coming years.”

The conference this year will focus on the community development and capacity building agenda of Ulster GAA, which services over 250,000 volunteers working in 580 constituent GAA clubs and 600 constituent educational units across the nine counties of Ulster.

The purpose of the event is to equip GAA club officials with the necessary skills required to further enhance and develop their club as the central hub of the local community.

The conference will include a range of workshops, keynotes and discussion forums facilitated by leading GAA officials, civil servants, business leaders and government ministers.
Last year’s keynotes included the then Minister for Culture Arts and Leisure Edwin Poots MLA, Minister for Education Catriona Ruane MLA, Margaret Ritchie, Minister for Social Development and GAA president, Nickey Brennan.

This year, significant figures from the political world will also attend as well as the GAA president, Nickey Brennan and
president-elect, Christy Cooney.

Ulster Council provincial director, Danny Murphy encouraged club volunteers to attend: “It is vital that clubs officials attend the conference so we can inform the grassroots of the new proposed government funding programmes, both north and south, which are there to assist in club development projects.
“Additionally, we want input from the clubs to our new provincial strategy, the views and opinions of our club level volunteers is vital to the strategy as we look forward to 2015.”

The new plan will steer the work of the GAA in the province up to 2015 and follows on form the last successful strategy ‘Beir Bua Nua’.

This entry was posted on Friday, October 17th, 2008 at 8:02 pm and is filed under Homepage News, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

On Saturday last, 4^th October Omagh Christian Brothers marked a truly historic occasion, the Diamond Jubilee of Brother Larry Ennis. He was joined in his celebration by three other Christian Brothers, Br. John Devanney from Galway, Bro. Kieran Loughran from Limerick and Bro Pat Holihan from Roscommon, who were also marking sixty years in the Christian Brothers. The celebration was hosted by Mr Paul Brannigan, the school Principal. Other Christian Brothers from throughout Ireland, friends of Bro Ennis, former colleagues from other schools and members of the current staff of Omagh CBS also attended.

The event began with Mass celebrated by Monsignor Donnelly PP who remarked during his homily that the Responsorial Psalm ‘Behold, Lord, I have come to do your will’, was an extremely apt choice in light of the commitment of the Christian Brothers over the decades and especially of Bro Ennis and his fellow jubilarians on this occasion. After Mass those present were invited to dinner which was followed by speeches from Bro John Ledwidge, Mr Frank Corvan, Vice Principal in St Patrick’s Grammar School Armagh and Bro Kevin Mullan, leader of the Christian Brothers European Province. They all acknowledged the tremendous achievement of Bro Ennis in celebrating sixty years as a Christian Brother. Bro Kevin Mullan spoke of the life of Brother Ennis epitomising the true pillars of Brotherhood, building strong links in the community, commitment, mission and service.

As he had done while in Belfast, Dublin and Armagh, Bro Ennis is heavily involved in football in gaelic football in Omagh CBS and continues to teach maths to anyone who needs him. He still tutors students in further and additional maths at A Level and takes great pleasure in assisting young men to gain entry to the highest regarded universities in these islands. Only last year two of his students at the Christian Brothers could claim 5 A Grades at A Level with the benefit of studying further maths with Bro. Ennis.

After 60 years in the Christian Brothers Bro Ennis has witnessed many changes in schools and society generally. He says that what has not changed is the pleasure that he acquires from teaching. Now the young are self assured and their aspirations extend higher, confident in the knowledge that they are equipped with the necessary skills and attributes to compete effectively in the modern world.  He disagrees that the youth of today are poorly behaved and more troublesome that their ancestors of previous generations. Bro Ennis argues that with numerous temptations in the modern world it is a clear indication of their strong moral character that so many of them become such well rounded young men at such a young age. He doubts that if such temptations had been put in front of his generation they would have turned out as good. He says that he finds it such a pleasure to work with the pupils in school and that they continue to challenge and energise him and that they ‘keep him young’.

This entry was posted on Friday, October 10th, 2008 at 3:14 pm and is filed under Homepage News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

On Saturday 4th of October in the Aura Letterkenny Leisure Centre Donegal, Sports Partnership alongside Ulster Council and Donegal County Board hosted a Sports Ability Day for people with disabilities.  Given the vast geographical range all areas of the county were represented from as far as Carndonagh and Ardara.

“The groups ranged in ability from hearing impaired, learning to wheelchair users and received an excellent standard of coaching from Gavin Craig, Simon Gillespie, Chris Walsh and Mark Crossan. It is important now that all GAA clubs take onus on becoming inclusive also if you have any players attending your club please contact your county games managers, Gavin Craig and Mick Murphy.”
 (Ulster Disability Officer, Una McKay)

Thanks to Mick Murphy, and RDO, Paul Callaghan for their co ordination and assistance on the day.

“These events are very worthwhile as it opens the doors to anyone who wishes to participate at sport’s either on a recreational or competitive basis. Obviously the next step for C.L.G.Dhun na nGall is to encourage clubs to host their own Have A Go Day’.”
(Gavin Craig, Donegal Hurling Development Manager)

Donegal’s next GAA for ALL coach education course will be held in Buncrana, February 23^rd 2009.  Email Una McKay umckay@ulster.gaa.ie  (+44 79 2052 8793) for further information.

Other Sports on offer included; Football, Badminton, Boccia, New Age Kurling, Cycling, Bocce, Athletics, Basketball and Archery. It is hoped that by trying new activities people may find a sport they wish to pursue.

Further support for Donegal can be received from Thérèse Laverty, Sports Inclusion Disability Officer on 074 (91) 16078/16079.

Related:

- Donegal Sports Ability Day Gallery

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 9th, 2008 at 1:44 pm and is filed under Homepage News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

The draw for the 2009 Ulster Senior Football Championship was made tonight, serving up a number of mouth watering ties, most notably the quarter final between the 2008 Ulster Champions Armagh and 2008 All Ireland SFC winners Tyrone.

In the Preliminary Round, 2008 Ulster SFC Runners-Up Fermanagh will take on Down, with the winners facing Cavan.

In the remaining Quarter Finals, Derry face Monaghan and Donegal will play Antrim.

Meanwhile, in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship, Antrim will take on Dublin in the quarter finals.

Dates and venues for all fixtures will be confirmed at a later date.

—

2009 Ulster Senior Football Championship

Preliminary Round
Fermanagh v Down

Quarter-Finals
Fermanagh / Down v Cavan
Tyrone v Armagh
Derry v Monaghan
Donegal v Antrim

Semi-Finals
Tyrone / Armagh v Derry / Monaghan
Donegal / Antrim v Fermanagh / Down / Cavan

2009 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship

Quarter-Finals
Laois v Galway
Offaly v Wexford
Dublin v Antrim
Kilkenny bye into semi-finals

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 at 11:00 pm and is filed under Homepage News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

The draw for the 2009 Ulster Senior Football Championship was made tonight, serving up a number of mouth watering ties, most notably the quarter final between the 2008 Ulster Champions Armagh and 2008 All Ireland SFC winners Tyrone.

In the Preliminary Round, 2008 Ulster SFC Runners-Up Fermanagh will take on Down, with the winners facing Cavan.

In the remaining Quarter Finals, Derry face Monaghan and Donegal will play Antrim.

Meanwhile, in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship, Antrim will take on Dublin in the quarter finals.

Dates and venues for all fixtures will be confirmed at a later date.

—

2009 Ulster Senior Football Championship

Preliminary Round
Fermanagh v Down

Quarter-Finals
Fermanagh or Down v Cavan
Tyrone v Armagh
Derry v Monaghan
Donegal v Antrim

Semi-Finals
Tyrone/Armagh v Derry/Monaghan
Donegal/Antrim v Fermanagh/Down/Cavan

2009 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship

Quarter-Finals
Laois v Galway
Offaly v Wexford
Dublin v Antrim
Kilkenny bye into semi-finals

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 at 10:58 pm and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

The GAA today unveiled details of their National Bursaries scheme for students attending Higher Education colleges as part of its ongoing commitment to Player Welfare. The scheme, which is now in its second year, will be open to members of the Association who are attending a full-time Higher Education course (except those who hold another GAA-related or college scholarship/bursary) and who are active participants in their Higher Education club.

Such students may often feel the necessity to work during their college years, but these grants will now allow them to work with their College GAA Club in a variety of areas without having to find work outside the college

Speaking today, the GAA President Nickey Brennan said: “It is envisaged that recipients will be selected on the basis of their playing commitment and administrative or coaching commitment to the college club. 20% of all awards in each province each year will be granted to students excelling in the areas of coaching and administration.” The President went on to pay tribute to the voluntary work of students with their College GAA Clubs and said that the bursary scheme would assist students, who might otherwise have to work to meet the costs of their education, in devoting more time to the promotion of Gaelic games in their respective colleges.

It was confirmed that the proposed Bursaries will be administered by the respective Provincial Councils and that  applications for the scheme will be considered by a sub-committee in each province, which will include representatives nominated by the Provincial Council and representatives of Comhairle Ard-Oideachais/ Higher Education colleges.

Ulster Council President Tom Daly supported this initiative by stating: “We would welcome applications from those students in our province regardless whether their attendance is at a college inside or outside of Ulster”.

It was also confirmed that in total, the GAA would be investing €260,000 in the scheme in its initial year, with the Provincial Councils contributing €155,000 of this amount and the balance coming from central resources.

Each bursary granted will be for €1000/£800 and payment will be made annually in two instalments of €500/£400. Further information and application forms for this year’s scheme are currently available to download from www.ulster.gaa.ie, the various GAA Provincial Council websites and offices and from the Higher Education Colleges website http://he.gaa.ie/. All completed forms should be returned to the relevant Provincial Council and the closing date for application will be November 1^st 2008.

Related:

- Student Bursaries Application Form

This entry was posted on Monday, October 6th, 2008 at 4:16 pm and is filed under Homepage News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Sunday 5^th October saw young hurlers from all nine Ulster counties getting the opportunity to display their skills at GAA headquarters, Croke Park.  The games were refereed by young whistlers from Antrim, Monaghan and Cavan.

Under 16 squads played in three blitz tournaments and each County got to play two games of 20 minutes per half. The full itinerary is outlined below:

Blitz 1

Blitz 2

Blitz 3

The players and mentors were also treated to a tour of the Stadium and the Croke Park Museum.

All our Counties enjoyed the fun day, where the focus was not on winning but in getting as many young Ulster hurlers as possible to experience playing in Croke Park.

This entry was posted on Monday, October 6th, 2008 at 9:45 am and is filed under Homepage News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Ulster GAA is hosting a facilitation meeting on Wednesday 8^th October 2008 from 11.00am – 9.00pm in the Glenavon House Hotel, Cookstown.

The purpose is to meet those clubs who intend to apply for Sport NI funding by the 17^th October 2008 deadline.  Each club will be offered a 30 minute slot with a panel of experts in this area.  Any club wishing to attend this meeting must contact Stephen Donnelly in writing at sdonnelly@ulster.gaa.ie by 5.00pm on Monday 6^th October 2008.  Requests will be dealt with on a first come first served basis.

This entry was posted on Friday, October 3rd, 2008 at 3:18 pm and is filed under Homepage News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

On Sunday, 5^th October 2008, at 1:30pm, a number of popular Irish Sporting personalities will help GAA Rounders celebrate 50 years since it’s revival by taking on the GAA Rounders All Stars of 2007, in what is expected to be a very thrilling game of GAA Rounders.

The sporting personalities taking part in the celebrations include:

Emma Byrne (Irish & Arsenal Goalkeeper),
Paul Brady (Champion Handballer)
Mary Leacy (Captain, Wexford Camogie)
Shane Byrne (Former International Rugby Hooker & Aughrim GAA star)
Catriona Foley (Captain, Cork Camogie)
Gary Kirby (Former Limerick & Joint Master Marksman, the Road to Croker 2008)

All are welcome to come and watch which is expected to be thrilling day of games.

Not only will you experience the sporting personalities playing GAA Rounders, but you will also see out GAA Rounders Inter Provincial Final at 3pm.

Venue is St. Judes, GAA Fields.
St. Judes is situated on the South side of Dublin near to the M50 Roundabout and beside the Spawell Complex.

Martina Kirwan,
National PRO, GAA Rounders

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 2nd, 2008 at 10:18 am and is filed under Homepage News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Such was the unprecedented response from schools that this blitz had to be subdivided over 2 days and 2 venues which could provide at least 2 fullsize pitches.

On Thursday 18th September 6 schools competed at Monaghan’s new county complex at Annyalla viz. Carrickmacross, Crossmaglen, Ballyshannon, Monaghan, Cavan, and newcomers Bessbrook. Here the schools were divided into 2 league sections, with playoffs between the respective 1st, 2nd, and 3rd placed teams. This produced a total of 15 games from which St Macartan’s Monaghan emerged as eventual winners.

The venue for Friday was the Woodlands complex in Belfast. This attracted 7 Belfast schools viz. Aquinas, Glen Road, Corpus Christi, Bearnageeha, St Malachy’s, Colaiste Feirste, and Edmund Rice College. They were joined by Lisburn, Randalstown, and St Columb’s Derry.

The 2 groups of 5 teams produced 40 league games, each of 15 minutes duration; St Malachy’s and Randalstown emerged victorious from the semifinals with wins over Aquinas and Colaiste Feirste respectively, with St Malachy’s just shading the subsequent final.

Over 300 students attended this year’s blitz, and played 58 games, which translates into almost 15 hours of hurling. Many thanks to those schools and coaches who attended, and cooperated so readily with the arrangements on both days. Thanks also to Jimmy Darragh (Comhairle Uladh for his support), and to Kieran Megraw, John Crossey, and Gavin Craig who acted as referees.

This initiative once again confirms that our young people will respond in considerable numbers if schools and organising bodies provide them with encouragement, direction, and opportunities. The future wellbeing of hurling in Ulster may be better served by duplicating and replicating events like Woodlands on 19th September when over 200 youngsters hurled enthusiastically throughout the day, rather than by counties migrating to Leinster.

Seamus Woods (Runai Colaisti Uladh)

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 1st, 2008 at 3:33 pm and is filed under Homepage News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.