Iberian Championship

[thejuice]

Barcelona win first round of Iberian Championship
Monday, 3 March 2008 16:45
The European Gaelic Football season got underway on Saturday in Barcelona, Spain, with five teams competing in a fiercely contested day's play.

Teams from Madrid, Pamplona, Valencia, Valls and hosts Barcelona played ten games in a league format before Madrid reached the final.

They were joined there by Barcelona Gaels who qualified on score difference from Valencia when both finished joint second.


This was a magnificent effort from a Valencia team in only their second season, explained Tony Bass, Secretary of the European GAA County Board.

Valls, backboned by Australian Rules players, entered their first ever European Board event and recorded their first ever competitive win, whilst a Pamplona team with many native players were very unlucky not do better on the day.

Referee Willie Cashin ( Tipperary ), who is also the European Board club development officer, said that it was very heartening for the GAA to note that over 50% of the players were non-Irish..

In an entertaining ladies football challenge, the experience of Barcelona Gaelettes proved too much for the newly formed Valancia girls.

The next round of the Iberian Championship takes place in Pamplona on March 29th, before moving on to Madrid in April and Valencia in May.

The winners will qualify for the pan-European Championship which takes place across the continent from July to November.

Full Results:

Barcelona    2-08    Valls     1-00
Barcelona   2-09   Madrid     0-07
Pamplona   1-02   Valencia    1-08
Valls           1-00     Madrid     1-07
Valencia     2-02   Barcelona     1-04
Valls           8-06     Pamplona    0-02
Madrid       3-04    Valencia       1-03
Pamplona  0-02     Barcelona    3-11
Madrid       5-04    Pamplona      0-02
Valls          0-03    Valencia     0-06   

Final     

Barcelona    6-09  Madrid   0-04

Ladies Football 

Valencia Ladies 0-10  Barcelona Gaelettes     2-12

[Lorcs]

The 2008 Iberian Championship will come to a close in Valencia (Spain) this Saturday 31st May, with the first hosting of a tournament by Sant Viçent GAA.

3 mens teams are level on 61 points as the tournament approchaes, so it's winner takes all on the day. Holders Barcelona Gaels, new-comers Valencia and perennial challengers Madrid Harps will battle it out for this year's title, with Pamplona's Naomh Fermin GAA hoping to put in a good show on the day.

In the ladies event Barcelona Gaelettes are assured of the overall title with a 3rd place finish, but will want to close out the local season in style, as will Valencia and Madrid.

More details can be found at: http://valenciagaa.com/tournament.html

[Plastic Paddy]

Is there any hurling tournaments in Europe. We are a club in England interested in going out there for a match or 2 this year

[youngfella]

Paddy,  what club are you with mate ?

[Plastic Paddy]

John Mitchels Birmingham

[Lorcs]

Paddy, there are several clubs playing hurling in Europe.

Contact the European County Board¡s Hurling Officer, Trevor Keating of Inneoin Zurich: trevor.keating@ubs.com or the County Secretary: secretary@europe.gaa.ie

[Gold]

Whats the weather like out in Spain now?

What are you doing with yourself out there Lorcs?

Any jobs going?

[Lorcs]

Pissing rain, for the first time in about 2 years... reservoirs are pretty much empty, we could do with a few weeks of this, but it's looking like a wet ould tournament down on the Costa!

As for jobs, economy is gpoing down the drain, same as in Ireland, heavy overdependence on construction over last number of years, and that's coming back to haunt them. I'm in business consultancy myself. Depends what sort of work you'd be looking at, and where. Spain's a big place...

[Lorcs]

Saturday's forecast:

http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/wxdetail/SPXX0082?dayNum=2

[Gold]

thanks

id work at anything out there for a bit of sun!

[Lorcs]

Madrid reign in Spain

01/06/2008

There was some pulsating football played all the way through this championship and today was no exception, all teams giving their everything. Before the start of the day, Valencia , Barcelona and Madrid were all in with a chance of being crowned champions and it showed with the commitment on display from all three. Added into the mix was a Pamplona team determined to get their first win of the season and try and upset the apple cart.

In the end it was Valencia and Madrid who went through to the final on points difference from Barcelona meaning the Catalans have to settle for 3rd place this year. The final itself was frenetic and at times a bit messy on account of the greasy ball, but, in the end Madrid pulled away for a deserved win.

Andy White (Valencia) "I'm disappointed about the final result but we've had a great year and a great championship considering it's our first year in competition. I'm certain we'll be back stronger next year"

Evan Lester (Madrid) " It's been a great championship which ended with a great final between two very good teams. I have no doubt that Pamplona , Barcelona and Valencia will all be back better than ever next year"

In the Ladies tournament Madrid won as well to make it a Double on the day, their third tournament victory of the year, but their non-attendance in Barcelona has cost them dear, with Barcelona crowned worthy Iberian champions 2008 - Madrid leapfrog Valencia and takes 2nd place in the final table.

Valencia girls started off the day with a solid draw against Barcelona but Madrid proved just too strong for them in the next game, and that result coupled with the result of the final game meant that Madrid and Barcelona would dispute the final where again Madrid were far too strong for the ladies from Catalunya.

Paul Murphy (Valencia)


Mens Results

Barcelona  1-4  1-3  Valencia
Madrid  2-10  1-0  Pamplona
Valencia  3-5  1-6  Madrid
Barcelona  0-10  0-0  Pamplona
Valencia  4-8  0-1  Pamplona
Barcelona  0-5  0-8  Madrid

Final
Madrid  0-7  0-4  Valencia

MVP: Evan Lester (Madrid)


Ladies Results

Barcelona  1-04  0-07  Valencia
Valencia  1-06  5-04  Madrid
Madrid  2-06  2-00  Barcelona

Final
Madrid  0-9  0-2  Barcelona

MVP: Martina Rooney (Madrid)

[Lorcs]

Sun cream and umbrellas, football boots and dancing shoes, cars loaded, wallets ready and lifts arranged, the Harps were on their way to Valencia.
It was the biggest Gaelic footballing exodus of the year from Madrid and so well it should have been as the men´s team were on their way to try and claim their first Iberian crown since 2005 while the Ladies had been training hard in anticipation of maintaining their victorious tournament record for the year.


After a late kick-off on Saturday morning the men got off to a good start with a comfortable win over an always game Pamplona (2-10 to 1-0) with Valencia next up. But with Barcelona already having beaten Valencia by a point it was a do or die game for the Valencia lads and after just ousting them by a point a few weeks earlier the Harps knew this would be a tough one. And so it turned out to be. The Harps got off to a great start against a very strong wind and led at half time but the Valencia lads hadn't got going yet. Two goals in the second half soon put that right and all of a sudden the Harps were struggling with the wind behind them. A third goal late in the game gave Valencia a 5 point win which meant that a 2 point victory was required against Barcelona to advance to the final.

Final Score: Valencia 3-5, Madrid 1-6.


Meanwhile the ladies got their tournament under way with a comfortable victory over a talented Valencia side. With Martina Rooney bossing the midfield and Nuria Atencia providing the fire power up front with 4 goals and being ably assisted by Liz Fleming, Madrid looked very strong and the only concern was, would they be able to keep this going for the rest of the day. Well the answer was an emphatic yes.

Final Score: Madrid Harps 5-4, Valencia 1-6


Roll on Barcelona in the next game but they were to provide a sterner test. This was a very tight game but goals from Nuria Atencia and a screamer from Martina Rooney along with a couple of crucial points from Liz Fleming gave the Madrid team the advantage which they were to hold on to and book their place in the final (against Barcelona again).

Final Score: Madrid Ladies 2-6, Barcelona 2-0.


The men´s team now had to face an always strong Barcelona team knowing that a victory alone would not be good enough for a place in the final. A 2 point victory was required and so both teams took to the field to renew some old acquaintances. In another tough battle Madrid eventually prevailed by 3 points ensuring them a place in the final.

Final Score: Madrid 0-8, Barcelona 0-5.


As the wind started to gust and rain started to drive, the men's final got under way in fading light. It was a chance for the Madrid boys to put right their earlier defeat to Valencia. This was to prove to be another keenly contested game but with Sean Donnegan and Paul Tighe taking control of the middle, the Valencia boys were struggling to get their hands on the ball and take advantage of the strong wind in the first half. However some bad wides from Madrid meant that at half time Valencia would have a 1 point advantage due to some excellent long range points playing with the wind. Early points from Evan Lester and Paul Tighe along with consistent free taking from Sean Donnegan meant that Madrid were able to open a slender lead which they would not relinquish.

It wasn't expected that Valencia would lie down and lie down they did not. Showing great spirit and no shortage of skill they threw everything at Madrid in the final minutes but the strong wind meant that they had to work the ball very close where they would meet a fresh Mick Jordan and Javi Vicente with no way past.

And so it was, Madrid held on to win the tournament which along with their victory in Madrid and a second place finish in Barcelona meant that they were Iberian champions.

Final Score: Madrid 0-7, Valencia 0-4.


But the football wasn't over yet. Pitch narrowed and goalposts brought on, the Ladies had a chance to make it a double.


They took to the field to meet Barcelona once more and as ever it proved to be a bit of a battle. But the Madrid Ladies looked strong, as they did throughout the tournament, and were always in control of this game. The absence of any goals was due in no small part to good defence on both sides which meant that long range points were the order of the day. With the wind behind them in the first half Madrid made the most of it and built up a 5 point lead before the break. But with legs starting to tire it was down to willpower to hold onto that lead for another half. Once again Martina Rooney proved to be the difference in the sides. Covering the length and breadth of the field tackling and attacking she was an immovable force as far as Barcelona were concerned. When the final whistle went Madrid Ladies had won their third tournament of the league and were the only unbeaten team of the day.

Final Score: Madrid 0-9, Barcelona 0-2.


Along with scooping 3 of the 4 trophies available on the day Madrid also picked up both Player of the Tournament awards. Martina Rooney for the ladies and Evan Lester for the men.

What was also impressive on the day was the improved skill level shown right throughout both teams particularly among players such as Paddy Harrington, Thomas Collier, Javier Vicente and Dave Walsh who are either recently converted to the game or have been absent from it for some time. For the ladies this included, Dulcinea Alonso and Noellia Blanco whilst Eva Del Pozo Ortega (Kennedy) was making her Gaelic Football début (in runners)!


In true GAA tradition the victors and participants celebrated together till the wee hours of the Valencia morning. After a feast of Paella the following day it was back to Madrid to nurse those aching muscles.


Congrats to all who participated and particularly to Valencia who did a fantastic job hosting their first tournament.

By JJ Keaney (Madrid)

[Lorcs]

2010 IBERIAN CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS

Barcelona Gaels played host to the fifth and final round of the 2010 Iberian Gaelic Football Championships on Saturday 19th June, following the earlier rounds in Valencia, Marbella, Madrid & Pamplona.

Madrid Harps Ladies had already wrapped up the title a fortnight previously in Pamplona, but all was to play for in the men's event, with Barcelona just 1 point ahead of both Valencia and Madrid at the start of the day – it really was winner-takes-all!

MEN

A perfect pitch, 25º heat and some light cloud meant that everything was set for a great day's football. In addition to the three Iberian teams, and in the absence of Pamplona, 23 hardy souls made the trip down from Toulouse and Lyon, although the results against the French teams were not to be taken into account for the business-end of the day.

Madrid Harps struck the first blow, defeating Valencia Sant Vicent in a game they managed to control quite convincingly. The madrileños had travelled with a full squad, whilst the men from the Levante had only 2 substitutes to get them through the day – given the heat, this was probably no small factor. Madrid, despite seeing a penalty saved, eventually ran out winners by 4 points (2-07 to 0-09)

Barcelona-Valencia was next on the cards, with Valencia needing a win to have any chance of reaching the final on aggregate score difference. Barcelona's forwards ran riot however, and the game was practically over as a contest in the first half, although the men from Valencia kept plugging away to the end, to no avail. Final score 3-07 to 1-02.

Given these results the group game between title-holders Barcelona & Madrid was a bit of a damp squib, both teams choosing to make sure all squad-members got a run-out, testing tactics and looking for a chink in their opponent's armour, with a draw the final result (0-04 each)

The final was to be a different matter, with both teams almost at full strength, although Madrid had lost their main free-taker to a hamstring injury during an earlier clash. Barcelona got off to a flying start, racking up a 3 point lead in the first minutes, as some erratic goal-kicks, loose defending and inconsistent refereeing had Madrid nerves on edge.

At this point a lightning break down the pitch led to an excellently taken goal from the Madrid lads, and morale was quickly restored. Towards the end of the half an excellent save from the Madrid goalkeeper, combined with several missed chance for the Gaels, meant that at half-time the teams were still level (1-00 to 0-03). The 2010 Championship would go right down to the wire - everything was to be decided on 15 minutes of football...

The second half saw Madrid snatch the lead, notching another goal and several points, whilst Barcelona's forwards were well marshalled by the Harps' defence. Barcelona did have their chances however, erring with several efforts for points, and almost breaking the crossbar with a thunderous 20m free. A goalmouth scramble could also have yielded a green flag for the Gaels, but the Harps' last line of defence just about held out. Another few points were added, for a 6-point win for Madrid Harps on a final scoreline of 2-04 to 0-04.

Toulouse and Lyon, with a heavy contingent of non-Irish players, contested games throughout the day against all of the Iberian teams, and also played a match between themselves - although the rumoured Spain-France international failed to materialise! Both teams demonstrated that there is plenty of talent north of the Pyrenees, and if recently-formed Toulouse can recruit all those Irish Airbus workers, they will be a force to be reckoned with in the future.

With this result, Madrid Harps proclaimed themselves worthy winners of the 2010 Men's Championship, with 2 tournament wins, 2 runner-up spots – and 3rd place in their home tournament! One of the most curious aspects of this year's competition is that no team has managed to win their home event - perhaps the pressures of organising these increasingly complicated competitions distracts teams from the job in hand on the day on the pitch?

Congratulations, on an individual level, to Donal Keaney (St. Peter's Warrenpoint) , named tournament MVP, and to Sergio Canive, who signed off from his Harps career with a massive performance throughout the day.

The competitive nature of the Regional Championship is clearly shown by the fact that no team has ever managed to retain the title - Madrid now move to the top of the honours list with 3 titles (2010, 2008, 2005), to Barcelona's 2 (2009, 2007) and Marbella's 1 (2006).

Curiously, had Barcelona finished 2nd in Pamplona, rather than 3rd, a tie would have occurred, with both Madrid & Barcelona teams on 106 points... no-one is quite sure what the criteria are for resolving this situation, so it's an issue to be looked at in time for the 2011 edition of the European Rules!

A special mention must be given to the other participating teams this year – Pamplona, newly-formed Seville, and the reborn Marbella Costa Gaels – for the effort invested in organising tournaments and travelling consistently.


LADIES

A fantastic day's football was also had in the Ladies Tournament, where Barcelona, Valencia and Madrid were chasing the silverware on offer to the tournament's winners, with Madrid's "Harpettes" having already assured the overall Championship title with victory in the previous round Pamplona. Madrid, despite losing key players to injuries & holidays, managed to field 5 players and (with some reinforcements from Valencia) made in through to the final, where Barcelona's greater hunger eventually saw them triumph by 4 points (2-08 to 0-10).


Roll on Europe, and the 2011 Championship 


FULL RESULTS

Men
Barcelona   1-06   1-03   Toulouse
Madrid   2-07   0-09   Valencia
Barcelona   3-07   1-02   Valencia
Madrid   0-05   3-05   Toulouse
Valencia   2-03   3-03   Toulouse
Barcelona   0-04   0-04   Madrid

Men's Final
Barcelona   0-04   2-04   Madrid


Ladies
Barcelona   1-06   1-04   Madrid
Madrid   2-08   0-04   Valencia
Barcelona   1-13   1-05   Valencia

Ladies Final
Barcelona   2-08   0-10   Madrid


For further information contact:

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Madrid Harps GAC
www.madridgaa.com
MadridHarps@gmail.com

Contact:

Itziar                   +34-687-735-074         +34-687-735-074
Evan                   +34-645-164-913         +34-645-164-913
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