Brussels Invitational

On the corresponding weekend in March 08, Belgium' Gaelic Footballers held their first training session. The first weekend of March 09 saw the the arrival of Clare Island and Roger Casements of Coventry. It came about because our Chairman, Olof Gill, as I've told you many times hails from the Island. Many of the Casements players have links with the Atlantic Island also and hence the coming together of the three clubs. Olof has been working on the preparations since late last year and to his credit brought it to reality.

From our point of view, it was very pleasing to be able to field an A & B team. It meant each team would play three groups games and the a final would split the top two. A played B in the first match and it took the A's most of the first half to break the resistence of their opponents. Eoghan Kelly and Ciaran Hudson put in a good shift in their first appearance in a Belgian jersey. Colly Byrne chipped in with a few tasty scores also. The B's naturally struggled due to the fact alot of them have played very little football in the last few years. However, the likes of Ruairi and Johnny showed a healthy eagerness to get on the ball so that bodes well.

Next up Clare Island, with Olof starring at midfield pulled away from Casements with a couple of late goals. Casements were then in action against our B's and could have been undone if Belgium had had their shooting boots on. The home side won their share of possession but the poor conversion rate coupled with the consession of some soft goals ended their hopes.

The A's then went into battle with Gillers men. He had offered to play half and half with each team but I declined the offer. I obviously tried to make him feel like a langer about turning his back on us, but you cannot ask a man to play against his own club. Whilst it was a tight game, we controlled it and won out by a few points. I think Cluxton made a good save and Rochey chipped in with a few points.

We despatched of a weary Casements side in the last group game. By that stage the cobwebs had been blown off and we were moving the ball very well. Emmett was burshting forward at every opportunity as was his half back counterpart Kevin Keary. We will spend alot more time on trying to develop a style of play this year and it will be based on moving the ball fast and using our energy and pace to support the play.

Clare Island beat our B's convincingly to set-up a final meeting with Belgium A. Our opponents were tiring as the day went on, no doubt related to the previous evenings activities. However the first half was a tough contest. When you play teams from home the physicality is one of the big differences. They are stronger in the tackle and more focused on dishing out the hits.

I think it was 0-0 to 0-1 at half-time. It continued to be a lively affair in the second half and myself and Olof nearly came to blows at one stage. One of their lads was lying on the ball and i tried to remove it from his possession. Mr. Gill decided to put on his bobby hat and come in and lay down the law. Naturally I took offence but it never went beyond handbags. We pulled away after this and I was happy to be on the receiving end of an Eoin Sheanon pass to goal and put one of the final nails in the coffin.

That night we had a dinner for the bones of 100 people in The Old Oak. It was a great night and everyone who spoke, did so very well. We can all relate to the feeling of isolation and share many of the same difficulties in playing Gaelic Football. There were musical instruments a plenty and the singing and dancing went on and on. Not to let the side down, Rochey scampered home to get his tin whistle and play book to belt out a few tunes.

It was the first football tournament we have hosted and it went off very well. It increases the number of links we have but other clubs which we will hopefully exploit in the future. For now though, our focus turns to Amsterdam on April 4th.