European GAA set to gather in Athlone
September 23, 2013AIT, Westmeath GAA and the European GAA are making final preparations for weekend of October 19th/20th as Athlone, Co. Westmeath prepares to host European GAA's season finale - the 2013 O'Neill's European Gaelic Football Championship finals.
Over 500 players representing almost 20 countries in more than 30 teams are expected to take part along with travelling friends and club members who will be joined by many families of Irish players based in Europe. Over 80 games will take place over two days at the Athlone Institute of Technology campus in what is the largest "Gathering" event in Westmeath this year.
This major GAA event in Athlone will see the town become not only the centre of Ireland, but also the centre of Gaelic sports in Europe for the weekend. It is the culmination of another fantastic Gaelic games season in Europe that has seen participation from almost 70 clubs in 24 countries.
Looking forward to the event Liam Ó Néill, Uachtarán, Cumann Lúthchleas Gael said: "It is an exciting period for the GAA in Europe to reach the climax of their season in Ireland. It provides a fantastic opportunity for their Irish players and non-Irish players to be a part of the GAA Gathering celebrations. The promotion, development and enjoyment of our games in Europe is clear for all to see and I wish all players, teams and officials a warm welcome and the very best of luck in Athlone.
Pat Quill, Uachtarán, Cumann Peil Gael na mBan echoed these sentiments adding "Gaelic games continue to go from strength to strength in Europe and Ladies Gaelic Football plays a key role in this growth. The fastest growing sport in Ireland has a strong and diversified identity in Europe and we are glad they can come "home" for their European Finals.
According to Brian Sheehy, Meath native and Chairperson of the European GAA "this year's finals will be a celebration of an amazing season on all fronts for European GAA. Throughout the year in all codes, the players, clubs and officials have put in huge effort, commitment and sacrifice and it is brilliant to end the playing side of our season with a big marquee event such as this in the magnificent facilities at AIT".
Looking forward to welcoming the visiting teams, Gordon Brett, Head of Sport at AIT said "we are delighted to welcome everyone to AIT where they can experience the superb sports and other facilities that has already hosted the Sigerson Cup and Community Games this year". "This will be the largest event in Westmeath's celebration of the Gathering and fits in perfectly with Athlone's celebration of it's designation as a European Town of Sport for 2013 which Westmeath GAA is proud to support" added Sean Sheridan, Cathaoirleach of Westmeath GAA
The European Football Finals are kindly supported by O' Neill's sportswear who also sponsored the European Hurling and Camogie Championship Finals in Belgium.
The European Board now has almost 70 clubs located in 24 countries across the continent, having grown rapidly since its foundation in 1999 with just four clubs.
The competitions will be played at three levels (Senior, Intermediate and Junior) amongst the men, whilst the ladies football will be played in one competition.
The Senior grade will feature clubs with a majority Irish players and longer playing histories, whilst the Intermediate grade will feature clubs that have a good mix of Irish players with experience and native players who have grown and developed significantly in the last few seasons.
The Junior grade features clubs that have grown over the last few years and have put in significant coaching and development over the years. Most teams will have a majority of non-Irish players, along with many newly formed teams who, while new to the game, are hugely committed to the developing Gaelic games in the long term.
Every Ladies football team has at least some non-Irish born players with up to 35% coming from varying backgrounds in Europe and further afield.
The 32 counties of Ireland are represented by players in Europe and some of these are listed below.
Player Name Club/Town/ County Club in Europe/Country
Niall Scullion Erins Own Cargin,Antrim Stockholm/ Sweden
Sean Simpson St. Galls, Antrim Munich/ Germany
David Lewis Armagh Lyon/ France
Kevin Hughes Armagh Rennes/ France
Clodagh Ryan Carlow Paris/ France
David Murphy Carlow Paris/ France
Daire Kivlehan Killeshandra, Cavan Munich/ Germany
Padraig Brady Cavan Zurich/ Switzerland
Christine O'Gorman Shannon, Clare Brussels/ Belgium
Bryan Flanagan Kilkee, Clare Prague/ Czech Republic
Rose Holland Ballyhea, Cork Holland Ladies/ Holland
Eoin Barry Murphy Cork Helsinki/ Finland
Martin Mc Clean Kilcoo, Derry Amsterdam/ Holland
Brian O'Kane Derry Stockholm/ Sweden
Cathaoir Sona Carndonagh, Donegal Oulu/ Finland
Diarmaid Gallagher Carndonagh, Donegal Rovigo/ Italy
Daniel Craven Down The Hague/ Holland
Eoin Campbell Warrenpoint, Down Lyon/ France
Airy Cleere St. Sylvester's, Dublin Guernsey Gaels
Ciaran Murtagh Saint Peregrines, Dublin Zurich/ Switzerland
Ciaran Smyth Enniskillen, Fermanagh Malmo/ Sweden
Kevin Keary Mountbellew Moylough, Galway Brussels/ Belgium
Brendan O'Greachain Ballinasloe, Galway Stockholm/Sweden
Aisling Fenton Waterville, Kerry Brussels/ Belgium
David Corcoran Killarney, Kerry Amsterdam/ Holland
Cathal Davey Kilcock, Kildare Luxembourg
Claire Mc Laughlin Leixlip, Kildare Zurich/ Switzerland
Daniel Kearney Paulstown, Kilkenny Zurich/ Switzerland
Grace Dunphy Kilkenny Paris/ France
Joe Whelan Durrow, Laois Malmo/ Sweden
John Payne Mountmellick, Laois Guernsey Gaels
Leo O'Neill Mohill, Leitrim Tallinn/ Estonia
Shane Healy Manorhamilton, Leitrim Zurich/ Switzerland
Billy Finn Limerick Gothenburg/ Sweden
Tom English Ballylanders, Limerick Moscow/ Russia
Tara Skelly Newtowncashel, Longford Augsburg/ Germany
Noel Grehan Ballymahon, Longford Malmo/ Sweden
Donal Greene Louth Slovak Shamrocks
Ronan Costello Louth Barcelona /Spain
Eileen Jennings Castlebar, Mayo Paris/France
Ruairi Duffy Westport, Mayo Geneva/ Switzerland
Brian Sheehy Dunshaughlin, Meath Zurich/ Switzerland
Domhnall Reynolds Ratoath, Meath Oslo/ Norway
Ciara Mulligan Castleblayney, Monaghan Stockholm/ Sweden
Brian Clerkin Monaghan, Monaghan Saint Gallen/ Switzerland
Patrick Ramsayer Birr, Offaly Saint Gallen/ Switzerland
David Mitchell Offaly Warsaw/ Poland
Kenneth Feely Roscommon Paris/ France
Anthony Doherty Roscommon Prague/ Czech Republic
John Harkin Sligo Brussels/ Belgium
Maeve Mc Lynn Sligo Brussels/ Belgium
Shay O'Doherty Clonmel, Tipperary Maastricht/ Holland
Shane Crean Clonmel, Tipperary Slovak Shamrocks
Sean Leo Kelly Tyrone Saint Petersburg/ Russia
Chris Taggart Castlederg, Tyrone Rome/ Italy
John Hynes Tramore, Waterford Saint Gallen/ Switzerland
Keith Hearne Waterford Stockholm/ Sweden
David Gavin Mullingar Shamrocks, Westmeath Barcelona/ Spain
Jennifer Nolan Athlone, Westmeath Vienna/ Austria
Matt O'Hanlon St. James Ramsgrange, Wexford Madrid/ Spain
Eddie Condren Castletown,Wexford Zurich/ Switzerland
Caoimhe Ni Shuilleabhain Eire Og Greystones, Wicklow Brussels/ Belgium
Colin Byrne An Tochar, Roundwoood,Wicklow Brussels/ Belgium Tweet
