Monaghan win Ulster title

[Blacksheep]

International Top Town Competition for Foreign Nationals
Saturday, 21 April

On Saturday 21st April over 50 foreign nationals from all over Ulster participated in an International Gaelic Football tournament organised by the Ulster Councils Regional Development Officers, Diarmaid Marsden, Paul Callaghan and Una McKay.

This was a follow on from the inaugural tournament that took place in January. Some of those teams that played in January were back again to play their new favourite sport.

The RDOs have targeted various workplaces across the province that employ a significant migrant workforce. Basic coaching sessions have been attended well and the companies have really bought into the whole idea. Some of the guys are now interested in joining their local clubs and essentially this is what the whole initiative is about.

On Saturday the following companies entered the tournament.
Silverhill Foods, Emyvale
SDC Trailers, Derry
Rye Valley Foods, Carrickmacross
There was also a representative team from Portadown Tir na nOg and another team consisting of players from Donegal town and Dungannon.

Unfortunately a representative team from ABP meats, Lurgan and the winners of the last tournament Newry Mitchels had work commitments on this particular occasion, and could not attend.

Nationalities from Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, South Africa, Portugal, Brazil, Iraq and Afghanistan were present for this unique event.

Each team played a minimum of 4 games and the standard of play was at times superb considering that for some this was a first attempt at competitive gaelic football.

After the series of round robin games Silverhill from Emyvale and Rye Valley Foods from Carrickmacross emerged as the two strongest teams.

In a highly competitive final Rye Valley Foods emerged victorious with a superb performance of skill, athleticism and score taking.
Pride of place goes to Eduards Laksa (Eddie) from Lithuania who claimed the player of the tournament award after an impressive scoring display scoring 1 goal and 5 points from play in the final.

Many thanks to the teams that participated and to those companies that helped organise a great day out for their players and their numerous supporters. Thanks also to the likes of David Smyth (Portadown), Brendan McNally (Emyvale) and Declan Farrelly (Rye Valley Foods) who have helped to coach the teams and manage them on the day.

A big thank you has to go to Ulster Bank who sponsored the whole event. The winners and runners up were presented with medals, while all participants were presented with a T-shirt. Food was also provided for everyone present.

This particular initiative seems to be going from strength to strength and from an Ulster Council point of view the fact that the players are keen for more and interested in joining their local clubs makes it all worthwhile.

The Ulster Council intend to target more businesses and roll out specific coaching sessions and more tournaments over the next few months.

For further information contact
Diarmaid Marsden 07920 528792. dmarsden@ulster.gaa.ie
Paul Callaghan 07920 528786 pcallaghan@ulster.gaa.ie
Una McKay 07920 528793 umckay@ulster.gaa.ie

[Jinxy]

Well done to all concerned. Get them involved with their local clubs and we're on the pigs back.

[darbyo]

Brilliant to see this happening, does anyone know if the other provinces are doing something similar?.

[armaghniac]

As some of the OWC posters will point out, in the eyes of real Ulster people all Monaghan people are foreigners!

[thejuice]

Thats brilliant, every county should be doing the same. The GAA should be concentrating also in areas where they might not have their usual influence, urban areas that would be looked on as rugby or soccer towns.

[Fear ón Srath Bán]

Great stuff indeed, the more the merrier, maith na Ulster Councils Regional Development Officers.

And not to put a dampener on things and not wishing for anything to befall, but the worst case outcome here could be, were Ireland to take the much foretold economic downturn, and these non native-Irish had to return to their own native lands, is that they could well act as gaelic games evangelists, and spread the good word far and wide; then at some fairly distant future point, there may truly be the seeds of a Gaelic Games World Cup!

[ziggysego]

Brilliant news indeed. Congratulations to all involved.

[Gaoth Dobhair Abu]

Excellent, this is what the GAA needs to be doing - outreach like this is invaluable!

[Fionntamhnach]

I remember a tournament they held like this for mini-games at the MUSA earlier this year, was great to see.