The MONEX Asian Gaelic Games were played out at King's Park on 25 / 26 September 2010 as part of a six day festival of fun, and what fun it was. Some teams came for the football others for the fun, and hopefully most left Hong Kong satisfied with what was laid on. For the hosts, Hong Kong GAA, it was an absolute pleasure and for the most parts , were delighted with the response and cooperation provided by teams. In the words of the President of the GAA, Mr Christy Cooney, who was in attendance, "I have never seen a better organised competition in all my life. There were 650 players, 27 countries competed [14], 23 different nationalities, and in excess of 30[60] teams played off over two days. It ran like clockwork." It's hard to say who was responsible for what, but a huge thank you to the Hong Kong organising committee, the HK Club players and friends who chipped in over the weekend and lastly the competing players and their supporters who came from all over Asia.
As for the results, well, it was a mixed bag for Hong Kong this year. All of the results can be found on the tournament site by clicking here (including the cup competitions). In the Mens competition, our A team got off to a strong start on Saturday defeating Korea and Qatar, before being beaten by Singapore and Dubai. In the semis on Sunday, despite leading by three points and awarded a penalty, it was noticed that HK had 10 players on the pitch after a sub change over and the referee awarded a throw ball at the half way line. Despite several chances, Dubai ran out victors, before going on to beat Qatar in the final.
With mixed results on Saturday, our Mens B, C and D teams were all knocked out at the quarter final stages on Sunday with defeats against Shanghai, Suzhou and Viet Celts.
Our Ladies A competed in the Ladies Cup round robin tournament with teams from Korea, Dubai, and Singapore. With just one win from six, that being against Korea on Saturday, they exited the hard fought tournament. Singapore went on to win the Ladies Cup comfortably.
The Ladies B&C teams were coached, managed and loved by John Hone (aged 72). The B team beat Dalian comfortably in the Ladies Plate quarter finals before going out to eventual Plate winners, Viet Celts in the semis. The C team, who topped their group on Saturday with three wins, a magnificent achievement, were narrowly beaten by Beijing A in the quarter finals. Despite the lack of silver wear, the results at a high level demonstrate the strength in depth of the Ladies Section of the club - which did in fact contain the youngest player of the tournament - young Ciara Neville, aged 15.
And now for the hurling, something that is often passed over on this site, a huge congratulations to the combined Hong Kong / China / Taiwan team on becoming the Monex Asian Gaelic Hurling Champions. Despite losing to Singapore/Korea on Saturday, winning one game and losing one game in the round robin, they qualified for the final. The introduction of some HK footballers on Sunday saw them through a cracking final against Singapore / Korea to win 3-8 to 3-7. Congratulations to Derek Ryan and Gerry Considine who also picked up All Star Awards with Gerry collecting the MVP award for his performances.
The Asian Games this year welcomed an extended Underage competition with teams from Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia competing. The international element was held on the Saturday afternoon, where 6 teams competed. On the Sunday, teams from 5 different Hong Kong schools competed in a local competition. Both competitions were well received and drew large crowds to to Kings Park over the Games. A huge thanks to all teams for handing over the main pitch and giving the underage players a great stage to show-off their skills. Credit in Hong Kong must go to JJ Neville in particular and also Mikey Barry, Elaine Morgan, Tim Teahan and Sally Wong.
A word about the weekend itself, there were 650 players from 23 clubs and 13 countries, apparently representing 24 different nationalities. They stayed at some seven different hotels across Hong Kong and Kowloon and played over two days at two locations, Kings Park and Kowloon Tsai. Nearly 150 attended the private box at the races on the eve of the Games. Many thanks to the St Patrick's Society for assisting us with the organisation and congratulations to Mr Ian Lawlor on becoming the President for the year ahead. On the Friday, the Irish Chamber of Commerce hosted the Asia Pacific Irish Business Forum, which was attended by about 140 delegates.
The Asian Games were formally opened on the Friday night poolside at the Kowloon Cricket Club by Shane Harmon. Special Guests attending the eveninng included His Excellency, Ambassador of Ireland to China, Mr Declan Kelleher, Micheal O'Muircheartaigh, Uachtairean CLG Mr Christy Cooney. The event was well attended by nearly 400. Not quite the pool party of yester-year, it did act as good get together for all teams.
Over the weekend, there were some 160 games of football and hurling interspersed with entertainment from Irish dancers and singing from Celtic Connections, led by Canice Gleeson. To add most, if not all of the games started on schedule making it a pain free weekend for all players, apart from a few who were unfortunate to be carted off to hospital. A speedy recovery to those who suffered injuries, including our own Julie Preisler.
The Delaneys Bar worked full throttle over the weekend, dishing out burgers, pasta, gatorades and Guinness & Magners. Another new succesful concept that was employed was the use of water stations and refillable bottle - despite our greatest fears. The pitches looked splendid throughout the weekend and a huge thank you to all teams for keeping it that way. All presentations were done pitch side, with the A competitions being presented on the Main Pitch at the end. The format seemed to work well.
Celtic Connections before the FinalsThe legendary Micheal O Muircheartaigh commentated on the Mens and Ladies Finals from the roof of Kings Park. Introduced as Ghaeilge by John Hone, Micheal provided a fine show of wit and passion in commentating on two entertaining finals.
Sunday night at the Football Club was a memorable one. We wanted it to be everything it could be - and it seemed to be. 750 players and guests crammed the Sports Hall for a great night. Food / beers, a few short but good speeches, the All Star Awards, a tribute to Micheal O Muircheartaigh and some great entertainment from Ciaran McMullen, his band and his supporting guests Mr Joe McDonagh (the West Awake) and (for one weekend) Japan's Steve Martin (Sweet Caroline).
So the Games were described as the "finest ever" on the Sunday night - a huge compliment to all those involved. We didn't try to raise the bar so much, we just wanted to move it sideways a few yards. Put the focus back on the games and the schedule and making sure everyone knew what they were doing most of the time. It was to be the Players' games with the sponsors being fully part of that. We're happy that this was at least achieved. Can they be bettered, no doubt they will - but as long as the games run on schedule, that's all that should really matter. As a club, we are grateful for the large number of thank yous received from various clubs - the most encouraging coming from smaller clubs who commented that these Games provided a great incentive for them to go back and reinvigorate their club and come back with more teams for next year. To where they go next year, who knows - we can only wish them the best of luck.
The Asian Games is on Facebook - click here to find out all the latest news and goings on.
For the latest happenings in Asia with gaelic games please visit the Asian County Board website by clicking here.
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