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Thanks for that lads, as far as I can see there is no defined time limit, so I guess  we're not getting away with it on that basis! I've taken the easy step of contacting the Co. Board asking what's happening...

I'm currently trying to navigate the muddy waters of the GAA's disciplinary system for the first time, and was wondering if anyone can clarify the following:

• Is there a time limit on the receipt of the referee's report after a game, i.e. should a County Board receive the report no more than X days after the event?
• Should participating clubs recieve a copy of said report after a game (especially if yellow / red cards were shown), and within what timeframe?
• Is there a time limit on the communication of a proposed disciplinary sanction to a club/player, i.e. should a sanction be communicated no more than X days after the event?

I have skimmed through the Offical Guide and can't make head nor tail of it, so unless anyone can help, we'll just have to call in the lawyers! 

Seriously though, this involves a game at European level, and we're not sure what the situation is, have yet to recieve any word from the County Board (17 days after the events "alleged" to have taken place), and want to know our options

Thanks in advance,
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)

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)

Saturday's forecast:

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

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...

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

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

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Sure players in Europe don't get injured, why would they need insurance
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Over the last 2 years, have seen broken ankles/fingers/noses/hands, dislocated shoulders & fingers, and a fella lost an eye... 

Thanks J70

Thanks for that, more or less what I'd thought

Folks, will be in NYC between 16/04/08 and 20/04/08

What sports events (baseball, gridiron, basketball, ice kockey, etc.) can I get to see at that time of the year, if any?

Ardal, off the point, but what part of Spain are you in?

We're always on the lookout for footballers down in Madrid....

I'd be interested in listening in to the St. Gall's game from Madrid as well...

"People have a provisional driving license and are told they can drive on their own..."

"Also people with a second provisional license told they can legally drive on their own..."

I thought that you had to be accompanied by an experienced driver (with a full licence) if you were on a provisional (1st or 2nd or 3rd or 4th...)?