GAA in Britain

Started by BennyHarp, June 20, 2007, 12:18:20 PM

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theticklemister

Brilliant job Benny lad. Good luck on Sunday. I have been on Irish TV couple of times this year aleatory!'MartinLogan has seen enough of me !!

theticklemister

Benny harp won't be seen for a few days! Well done lad

BennyHarp

#827
Cheers Tickle. It's been a long time coming and to win in a fairly convincing fashion was good as it took the stress off the final few minutes. Big game for the club in two weeks in Edinburgh against Connolly's.....that'll be a massive task. Where you at their game in Manchester yesterday by any chance?
That was never a square ball!!

theticklemister

Na lad. I was down in Pairc na hEireann shouting on John Mitchels. Fergal Kiernan from Lancashire was reffing it. If u need his number to contact him give me a PM

theticklemister

LANCASHIRE SEASON PREVIEW 2017
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The 2017 season has already begun in earnest, as we look at the runners and riders for each of the competitions. New managers have arrived on the scene, and as is the common occurrence, new players have come into the clubs.  There is renewed optimism among most of the clubs that they are better placed so they can compete for trophies this year. So sit back and enjoy the 2017 season preview!

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

If odds were given....

John Mitchels 8/11
St.Brendans 2/1
Oisins 3/1
St.Peters 8/1

Last year..................
John Mitchels swept all before them and look odds-on to be amongst the trophies again. Oisins had high hopes 12 months ago of breaking up their monopoly, but fell well short as the season progressed; and it was in fact St.Brendans who were the closest challengers to the Liverpool men.  The last remaining club at Senior, St.Peters, were in a period of transition and hopes are high for a much improved campaign this time around.

JOHN MITCHELS

The juggernaut rumbles on. No sign of stopping, but er, ahem....... This writer thought last year that they would be caught. How wrong was I? I should have known better. John Mitchels are simply an irrepressible force and I'm going to back them here for league and championship success from the off. I don't want to be caught out again. The Liverpool men annexed every honour in Senior and Junior football last year, bar the All-Britain Club Championship; where they were defeated in the final after extra-time. The squad they possess is the envy of others throughout the province: even with the enforcement of the Senior 12, they have players as good outside this sphere than inside.  Mitchels can mix the rough with the smooth and they never-say-die-attitude is probably the finest trait that they have. In last year's Lancashire Championship Final, they were never at the best but dug out the win against St.Brendans. In the All-Britain Final against Dunedin, they were by far the second best all over the field but came back to level proceedings and nearly snatched victory in the end. They are battle-hardened.

Management:
Barry Morris (Fermanagh), Colly Gallagher(Donegal)

Squad
Matty Deaney, Alan Brown, David McTeggart, Niall McShane, Sean Rice, Paraic McGuirk, Marty Carey, John McDermott, Denis O'Neill, Craig Owen, Paddy Mulligan, Edward Jackson, John O'Hagan, Rory Sharvin, Peter Farrelly, Sean Clarke, Mark Sweeney, Daniel McGonigle, Paddy Murphy, Michael Molloy, Rory Carty, Sean Carty, Darren Healy, Hugh Ferguson, Tom Lochran, Darren Russell, Aidan Slattery, David Loftus, Paul Connon, Luke Kelly

Players In
Cormac Crowe (Tipperary), Tony Goggins (Galway) , Sean Swift (Fermanagh), Paul McCartan (Down), Chris Horan (Kerry), Ryan McCoy (Antrim), Philiip Smith, Luke O'Brien

Players out
Michael Higgins (Down), Kieran McIntyre (Derry), John Dorgan (Cork)

Star Players
Niall McCartan (Wing Forward): Niall was new to the club last year, but he immediately made an impression with his driving runs down the wing. His strong carries and eye for a score will yet again make him an indispensable member of the John Mitchels team. He has given much-needed help to Molloy in the scoring stakes.

Craig Owen (Anywhere):  Barry Morris loves nothing more than a player breaking a challenge or take a long range score, cue Owen. Owen was the standout player last year for the men in blue and yellow. His versatility is a huge asset, and the Louth man can not only play anywhere; but on most occasions he gives a MOTM performance when there.

Paraic McGuirk (Centre-half back): The 'big man' is the rock in the heart of the John Mitchels defence, and the huge piston which fires the John Mitchels engine into overdrive.  He will again be important for the season ahead.

Michael Molloy (Corner Forward): One thing that John Mitchels lack, is they don't have enough out and out forwards. In Molloy however, they have the best one in the county.. The Donegal man made a welcome return to club colours last year and reminded everyone of what they missed. Hopefully, he will stay injury-free this year and continue his fine scoring tallies

Strengths
-They have numerous championships and leagues in recent years. They know how to do it!
- Most talented squad in the county, if not the country. John Mitchels could play at Senior level in any other county in Ireland.
- In Barry Morris and Colly Gallagher, they have one of the finest management duo about.

Weaknesses
-Over reliant on Michael Molloy for scores? That's the question. They will need to unearth a few more scoring forwards to regain the All-Britain.
-Is the hunger still there? I have asked this question numerous times and every time the answer was a flamboyant YES. To hell, I'll ask it again...........
-A few of the lads are getting on. Great servants like Edward Jackson, John McDermott, Paddy Mulligan, Alan Brown, Niall McShane, Denis O'Neill and Sean Rice; who will replace them? (Thanks to John McDermott who I met in town earlier who reminded me about some 'oul' boys who I forgot about)

ST.BRENDANS

They can now be considered serious title contenders. After a progressive 2016, they have overtaken Oisins as the main pretenders to the John Mitchels' crown. Brendan Grieve, their manager, has got to know his players a lot better after coming on board last year. Their new home of Trafford MV, is a wonderful setting and hopes are high that they can make this place into a fortress. Their squad is as strong as it has been in a while and the returning Greg Jacob will add a bit of bulk and presence maybe at full-forward, if his legs don't allow him to cover the ground further out the field. St.Brendans have a lot of numbers in their squad and including in these numbers are a lot of talented and physically strong. If they are to make the breakthrough, this could be the year.

They will be helped with the return of the 'Boys of the Old Brigade', Decky Alder, Greg Jacob, Nathan Plant and Sean Monaghan. These players have a serious pedigree and will add to the options for Brendan Grieve.

Manager (s)
Brendan Grieve (Antrim), Jonny Plant (Lancashire), Sean McMahon (Tyrone)

Squad
Aaron Grugan,  Barry Collins, Brian Johnston, Brian Sheridan, Camillus Smith, Chris Mullen, Chrissy Ryan, Christian Keown, Cripy Morris, Ciaran Connolly, Colm Conway, Conor Beard, Conrad Tierney, David Duffy, Eanan McGarry, Ethan Toner, James Mulligan,  Joe Niland, John Gibney, John Reilly, Kieren Delaney, Lee Gavin, Liam Kelly, Liam Kildunne, Mark Dunphy, Michael Collins, Michael Murphy, Niall Connolly, Paddy Fox, Paddy Murphy, Rory Maguire, Ryan Sweeney, Sean Kelly, Shane Hourihane, Stephen Rafferty, Stephen Sands, Tom Grady

Players in
Mark Dunphy (Donegal Boston), Sean Kelly (Tyrone), David Duffy (Donegal), John Reilly (Mayo), Decky Alder (Down), Greg Jacob (Wexford), Nathan Plant, Sean Monaghan

Players out
Aaron Murtagh (Sligo)

Star Players
Chris Mullen (Midfield): The Down man came over last year and made a great impression for club and county. He gives St.Brendans a great physical presence around centre-field.

Stephen Sands (Midfield/Centre-half forward): Sands was arguably the best player for the county last year with his high-fielding and accurate free-taking, providing the catalyst for All-Britain success. He plays just as well for his club on a regular basis.

Paddy Murphy (Wing-back): Strong as a rock, as well a great carrier of the ball; he will again play a major role for St.Brendans this year.

Strengths
-Physically very strong in every area of the field, they will not shirk against opposition in this facet of the game,
-Hunger is there after years without success, well it bloody well should be. They haven't won a Senior Championship since 1996. That's a gap of going on 21 years. In the previous 21 years they captured the Lancashire football title 13 times.
- They have a huge number of home-grown players. This can improve their chances of success for two reasons. Firstly, these local players can show pride of the parish which sometimes Irish imports fail to mirror and secondly, these players do not fly to Ireland as often as the Irish migrants.

Weaknesses
-These recent championship teams don't have the pedigree of the teams before them.
-Young players who had so much success at underage, have failed to replicate this on the adult stage.
-Last year they outdone Oisins and were John Mitchels' closest contenders.  Can they do this again and maybe even better, take the crown off John Mitchels? Time will tell.

ST.PETERS

St.Peters are going through a period of transition. Like St.Lawrences, injury and emigration has hit them hard and the glory days of All-Britain success in 2012 seems like a long time ago.But there is hope. The off-season has given them time to freshen things up as the season begins. They will not field a Junior team this year and so are putting all their eggs into the one basket, hopefully they get back to winning ways.

Squad
No squad supplied

Players In
Christopher O'Donnell (Donegal), Paul Beirne (Roscommon)

Star Players:
Gary Morris (Centre-Half Back): Lives on the age, he likes to tread a fine line. If you take this away from his game, your losing the very qualities he brings to the fold. Goes for every ball like its his last, he'll have to give his usual 100% again this year.

Ronan Gallagher (Midfield): Like Morris, he always give it his all. Has been through the good and bad times with St.Peters and he wants to return to winning ways. Gallagher can be found blocking a ball on his own 21m line one second, and then scoring at the other end a second later. The leader of St.Peters.

Strengths
-They will improve upon last year, that, there is no doubt. There is a great pride in the club and this will enforce a change of fortunes.
-They have had a successful recent history. No reason not to return to these winning ways. Since 2000, they have annexed the Senior Championship 6 times; not a bad feat considers the success of John Mitchels.
-They are solely concentrating on Senior football this year after trying to combine it with Junior last year.

Weaknesses
-St.Peter's possess a small squad, although it contains some superbly talented players, they might feel the pinch come the summer.
- Last year they failed to field on a number of occasions, hopefully they don't replicate this.
-While the rest of the Senior teams are physically strong and posses a lot of height, St.Peter's lack the two attributes. This led to some of their best players playing around the middle, although not suitable for the physical rumble-tumble of centrefield. The loss of county midfielder Kevin Lenigan will add to the worries of Barry McGeehan about the midfield sector.

OISINS

There is a change of manager at Oisins this year with long-time coach Niall Farren stepping side with Andy Smith and Deaglan O'Hagan taking up the mantle. Farren, had much success in the league format but could not break John Mitchels' stranglehold on the championship. It's time for someone new. Oisins possess a huge squad, (they will field 3 teams this year) and in this squad they possess some of the finest footballers in the county. The problem is, when they have had the chances of beating Mitchels over the years, they have failed. Subsequently, this 'mental block' has had an effect on the team. They have fallen down the pecking order last year and it is important that this does not happen again, or they may be a long time between the Greenbank and Trafford sides. 

Manager (s)
Andy Smith (Lancashire)m Deaglan O'Hagan (Antrim)

Squad
Gary Anderson, Alan Armstrong, Mark Boyle, Aodhan Byrne, Aidan Carberry, Leigh Clark, Mick Comney, Olan Coyle, Ryan Devlin, David Doherty, Niall Donnelly, Ciaran Dunne, John Farmer, Thomas Finlay, Damian Fitzpatrick, Mark Fleming, John Garritty, Brian Gillespie, Thomas Harkin, Ciaran Harper, Sean Horan, Seamus Kerlin, Conor King, Mick Lavelle, Paul Mackey, Padraig Magee, Luke McAllister, Daibhidh McArdle, Pio McCarthy, Gerald McCaughey, Mel McCaughey, Fintan McCluskey, Jason McGale, Darren McIvor, Joe McKenna, Rory McLaughlin, Thomas McMenamin, Stephen McRrory, niall Mellon, Conor Morrissey, Patrick Mulhern, Cathal Murphy, Paul Noone, Christoper O'Connor, Declan O'Hagan, Tiarnan O'Hagan, Conor Phillips, Nichloas Raffert, Fergus Riley, Donal Scally, Sean Scally, Cathal Skeffington, Conor Teague

Players in
Aidan McVerry (Armagh), John Lively (Down), Patrick McCafferty (Mayo),  Cathal Skeffington (Tyrone),

Players out:
Michael Donnelly

Star Players:
Ciaran Harper (Centre-Half Forward)
Harper still is the focal point for the Oisins attack. His free-taking is excellent and weighs in with plenty of scores from open play.

Cathal Murphy (Corner Forward)
Murphy has been named in the Oisins squad this year, so hopefully he is injury-free. He didn't get much game-time last year, but if he is back to his best; there is not a better forward in the county. The former Laois under-21 will give Oisins a cutting edge up front.

Gerard McCaughey (Full Forward)
The big man weighed in with some important scores last year for the County and will again be important for both his club and Lancashire this year. It's important Oisins know where to place him to get the most out of him.

Niall Donnelly (Midfield)
Donnelly is a great piston in the Oisins machine. His brute strength and excellent passing, can hopefully push Oisins to a better year in 2017.

Strengths
-They have been consistently in the top2/3 teams in the county over the last 10 years.
-Huge squad to pick from. When others struggle during the summer, Oisins continue to roll out hugely talented teams.
-Old Bedians. They train on the best pitch in Lancashire and they get to play in the best surface in the county 50% of the time.

Weaknesses
-The loss of Niall Farren is huge. He had a wealth of inter-county knowledge and Oisins will find it hard without him
-Failure to break the glass ceiling. Over the last 5 years they have reached numerous county finals. They were unsuccessful in all of them.
-Injuries. They have had terrible luck with some of their best players gaining injuries. If this does not clear up, they will again be watching someone else lifting the championship again.

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JUNIOR TEAMS

ST.LAWRENCES

Last year was a difficult year for St.Lawrences: this was a culmination of years of emigration and injuries finally taking its toll. They dropped to Junior last year and remain here until they can build themselves up to the strength of the early noughties. It will be a difficult task, but there are some determined people in the club and they are striving to bring back the better days. They have a great club structure, so hopefully it will come. New manager James Kearney has been with the club for over 4 years and he knows the ins and outs of the Turn Moss club. He is a committed club man and hopes his enthusiasm and endeavors will bring a fruitful season.

Squad
Liam O'Connor, Stephen Durham, Conor Boylan, Patrick Gordon, Gerry Langan, Ethan Gorman, Josh Creswell, James Kearny, Eoin Lenehan, Sean Hynes, Garret Kellet,Gus McEinri, Patrick Gleeson, Ciaran McFadden, George McCallion, Conor Martin, Trevor O'Grady, Liam Johnston, Eoin Patterson, Dan Turley, Garbhan McManus, Justin Cleary, Liam Jennings, Niall Conway, Sean McHenry, Padraig Gaughan, Seamus O'Grady, Patrick Mitchell, Thomas Clarke, Declan Connolly, Adrian Nash, Eoin Watts, Joe Brayne, Rory O'Donoghue, Dermot Costello, Eamon Hansberry, Sean Walsh, Luke Byrne, Tom Fox, Shane McGoldrick, David Ruane, Ryan McTeggart, Steven Corroon, Daire McKiernan, Paddy O'Halloran

Players In
Steve Corron (Westmeath), David Ruane (Mayo), Ryan McTaggart (Fermanagh)

Manager
James Kearney (Tyrone)

Star Players
Stevie Durham (Midfield): An Gaelthact man keeps delivering year on year. He has been through the good times and the bad times with St.Lawrences,  and still sticks with it. He is the finest catcher of the ball in the county, well, suppose he had to be when competing against Darragh O'Se during training in his old club. He will be St.Lawrences main man again, as they turn their attention to 2017.

Garbhann McManuns (Corner Forward): Main source of scores for the Chorlton men last year and was severely missed when returned to his native Fermanagh in the summer. He will again be their go-to-man this season

Srevie Corroon (Wing back): The new recruit has impressed Already this year with his blistering pace and athleticism

Strengths
-The Club. They have a ladies and mens team as well as a thriving underage scene. They have gone under a whole 're-brand' this year. The creation of a new club crest and with new rigs on the way; there is a great sense of optimism about the club.
- Great turnout at trainings in early season. The club are training at the home of Sale Sharks and the early season response has been encouraging. Some of the old lads have decided to give it another rattle.
-New Season, new start. A good rest have recharged the batteries and they are ready for the new campaign ahead.

Weaknesses
-They had a poor 2016 season.
-Due to emigration and work offers, they have lost a lot of players over the last number of  years. They must rectify this in the coming seasons.
-Lack of physique in prominent positions had cost them dearly last year. A lot of their players are of the smaller ilk, and maybe must adapt their play to suit this.

WOLFE TONES

Wolfe Tones this year are under a 4-way manager stewardship, with all 4 well-known to the players. The inclusion of playing stalwarts John Eustace and Mickey Gallagher will be welcome additions. Eustace and Gallagher of have two of the most consistent players for the club over the last number of years and will bring a lot of respect to the table. They go into this season after a disappointing 2016. The highlight of the year was their near defeat of rivals John Mitchels in the Junior Championship Semi-Final: a game where they came back from the dead to earn a replay only to be well beaten in the reply. The Tones possess a strong spine but will need help for John Carlin in the scoring stakes to progress this year.

Manager(S)
Alan Doherty ( Louth ), Jerome Doyle ( Armagh ), John Eustace ( Wicklow), Michael Gallagher (Donegal)

Squad
Richie Barry, Gabe Clerkin, John Eustace, Finnian O'Callaghan, Ryan O'Neill, Jamie O'Reilly, Steve Moore, Niall McEldowney, Niall Connelly, Fabian Devlin, John Corley, Henry Halligan, Jp McArdle, Kevin Shannon, John Cleary, Ryan Addis, Dave Coughlan, Caoimhin O Scanail, Ryan Power, Peter Cosgrove, Patrick Shaughnessy, Chrissy Fay, Colm Wray, Dave Leyden, Mark Gibbons, Connor Curran, Fiachra Galvin , John Carlin, Conor Harper, Patrick Finnerty

Players in
Paudie Connelly, Christy Doherty (Derry), Mark McIlveen (Derry), Seanan Maguire

Players out
Christy Harkin, James McCann, Neil Grehan, Niall Scullion, Adam O'Hare, Michael Coleman

Star Players
Peter Cosgrove (Versatile): The main driver behind the team. The long-serving player had a terrific year last year when remained injury-free for most of it. No better man in the county for running off the shoulder at speed, he will again be a major part of the Wolfe Tones' plans.

Caomhan Scanlon (Midfield) The rangy and athleticmidfielder, turned down John Mitchels 3 years ago to line out for the Wavertree outfit and has turned out to be their main player since. No doubt he would have started for Mitchels if stayed: Mitchels' loss has been Wolfe Tones gain. Good for a couple of points a game as well a yellow card: the Tones may actually use him this year to gain a few 'marks' around the middle of the field.

John Carlin (Corner Forward): Deadly from placed balls, when he is on song there is no forward in the county as good as him. Needs to be available as often as he can.

John Eustace (Full Back): Just like a good whiskey; the older he ages, the better he gets. Gentleman off the field, but terrier on it; hopefully he will have a few more years left in the tank.     

Strengths
-Under new management. This may give them resurgence this year.
-The club is relatively new, the volunteers behind it are young. There is a lot of energy here, they could you use this to relatively galvanise the club.
-In recent seasons, older members of the club have returned to help out. It is important that these members stay involved

Weaknesses
-Liverpool having only two clubs may seem as an advantage, but when you consider in the other team is John Mitchels that you see what I mean. Most players do their homework before joining a club, and they usually join the more successful.
-They have a small squad to pick from. They need to make sure the players are available as often as they can be.
-Physique, they are similar to St.Lawrences in this regard. This hurts them around the middle especially.

ST.MARYS

Unlike many of the other clubs in Lancashire, where their players are mostly Irish-born, St.Mary's buck the trend with the vast majority of players being Englis-born. There is something special about this. This is the way it should be done over here. They are a credit to the county, but their next step is developing these lads into good adult footballers. This is very hard, but as long as there is improvement each year then they are on the correct path. Players from St.Pats Chester have transferred to them for the year, 13 in fact and this will help. Hopefully they continue to improve and gather more experience. 

Squad
Dominic Barrett, Jason Callaghan, Noel Church, Conor Colbert, Michael Connolly, Jak Dallen, Kieron Doherty,Raymond Donnelly, Noel Dunne, Shane Fahy, Alex Ford, James Fitzpatrick, Brendan Gallagher, Brendan Groarke, Trevor Hill, Thomas HUane, John Knight, Dale Jones, Kevin Knight, Eoin Markey, Ryan Marsden, Declan McDaid, Liam McKeeney,Daniel McKenna, Ciaran McLaughlin, Michael Morrin, Josh Morrisey, Gerard Murphy, Connor Reidy, Ciaran John Ryan, Stephen White, Robert Wightman

Management
John McKnight (Lancashire)

Star Players:
Thomas Huane
Talented player who has come through the underage system and played every level from U10's. Heavy scorer from play / placed balls.

Jak Dallen
Dallen is a natural ball carrier and tracker. St.Mary's will look to him this year.

Raymond Donnelly
Donnelly is another underage player who started as another U10 - another natural ball carrier / excellent long range passer / placed free taker

Strengths
-Getting the young boys that little bit older. Another year of experience at adult level will do no harm.
-Energy from the youth. Youth knows no fear and because of the huge majority of boys from the locality. There is great pride amongst them as young Englishmen who to try and make a mark in a game where the vast majority of the players are Irish
-The influx of St.Pat's Chester boys will add another 13 lads to the squad.

Weaknesses
-Will the Chester boys make it every week? Hopefully they can make it up the road for training and games
-Experience, or lack of. They are still young and don't have that vault of experience as other clubs may have
-Regular games throughout underage up to adult level. This tells the tale when you play at a Senior level.

Wolfe Tones St Lawrences GAA Club Manchester St. Peter's GAA Manchester John Mitchels Gaa Liverpool St Brendan's GAA Manchester Oisín C.L.G. Manchester ST.MARYS

BennyHarp

Great work as usual Tickle! I fancy Brendan's to be big players this year if they can get everyone out!
That was never a square ball!!

theticklemister

Yeah looks like Brendan's have a big push in this year

Kilkevan

Did the Chester club fold? That's a pity if they did because I used to drink in the Catholic Club there and I know how hard they worked to get it the GAA club off the ground. Am I right that John Mitchels had links to Pogue Mahone's, another former haunt up Liverpool way.

theticklemister

Chester have folded and players have gone to St. Mary's in Manchester. Not many of them have actually gone up there to be honest which is a shame.

Pogues has gone day buck. Hardly any live music and when a band does play; it's not Irish folk which you would suspect. Lots of Irish bars have shot up recently which has hindered Pogues.

Kilkevan

Quote from: theticklemister on June 21, 2017, 12:47:49 PM
Chester have folded and players have gone to St. Mary's in Manchester. Not many of them have actually gone up there to be honest which is a shame.

Pogues has gone day buck. Hardly any live music and when a band does play; it's not Irish folk which you would suspect. Lots of Irish bars have shot up recently which has hindered Pogues.

I always liked Pogues because there was more of the rebel craic there than anywhere else in Liverpool and the Guinness was great by UK standards.

theticklemister

Rebel craic well gone now lad. Liffey offers it however

BennyHarp

Free 14 day trial with GAAgo if anyone wants to watch the league finals. https://www.gaago.ie
That was never a square ball!!

theticklemister

It's been 120 days since anyone chatted on here............... whats the chances of getting a bit of GAA talk on here again?

under the bar


BennyHarp

Some craic in the London final. 10 men v 12 men. Looks like the ref has lost the plot.
That was never a square ball!!