Welcome to the home of Gaelic Football in Hong Kong
ASIAN GAELIC GAMES HOSTS 2010
Hong Kong will host the Asian Games on September 25/26 2010. A record turnout is expected. Teams from China, Singapore, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, the Middle East, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines and India will be looking to dethrone the six time mens champions on their home turf. The Hong Kong ladies will be looking to regain the trophy they last took home in Hong Kong in 2004.
Upcoming dates
| Tues. 3 August | Training (All) | Happy Valley | 9.15 - 11 |
| Thurs. 5 August | Training (All) | Happy Valley | 9.15 - 11 |
| Sat. 7 August | Training (All) | Happy Valley | 4.15 - 6 |
| Tues. 10 August | Training (All) | Happy Valley | 9.15 - 11 |
| Thurs. 12 August | Training (All) | Happy Valley | 9.15 - 11 |
| Sat. 14 August | Training (All) | Happy Valley | 4.15 - 6 |
| Tues. 17 August | Training (All) | Happy Valley | 9.15 - 11 |
| Thurs. 19 August | Training (All) | Happy Valley | 9.15 - 11 |
| Sat. 21 August | Inter-Provincials / Tri-Nations (Round 1) | Happy Valley | 5.45 - 9 |
| Mon. 23 August | Training | Happy Valley | 8.45 - 10.30 |
| Tues. 24 August | Training | Happy Valley | 8.45 - 10.30 |
| Thurs. 26 August | Training | Happy Valley | 8.45 - 10.30 |
North Asian Games June 2010
On 18th June a small but keen contingent headed off to Seoul to represent HK in the games. There was a full ladies team, and a few stranglers from the men’s section. One of the two lone males, in particular was keen to be travelling with so many ladies in their company. There were high hopes all round!
The Korean club entertained us well in Itaewon on Friday night. Rather than drinking the night away, some opted to scavenge around for sandwiches and snacks for the next day, as we were told there was no food pitch side.
Saturday morning saw us up early and travelling in a convoy of coaches, trying not to get lost on the way to the ‘football academy’ where we were playing. HK wisely used the time to develop team tactics and have some one-on-one football talk. The shock of the altitude nearly sent us all back on the bus, but we adjusted slowly.
There were five men’s teams and four women’s teams. Unfortunately the pitches were not side by side so we only got to see the early stags of the women’s competition, and the finals. HK ladies' first game was against a Japan combined team. We managed a victory but it was a limped start. Korea Hollywood came out in the second game, guns ablaze! They come at us like a hurricane. We managed to close down the goal but walked away knowing that we had learned a lesson. Next up was Korea Syntek, this was a much closer game where HK started to realise they could keep up with these players. We narrowly lost but the result got us into the semi-final against the same team.
The semi-final saw HK lift their game immensely. The mid fielders worked hard to close down the options. They were supported by Diana and Shelley on the half-forward line. The forwards put away some nice scores. There was a lot more teamwork evident in this game. To help us along, we had Clara behind the goals assisting Dee Bradbury who stepped up to the difficult job of being goalie. Seamus, due to an injury, was on our sideline for most of the games. Michelle was a great help to our subs.
The mood was positive for the final; we had it all to play for. It was a new pitch with a bigger audience. This time we were mentally stronger and not intimidated by players who could actually solo the ball…we just stayed with them.
It was fantastic to see so many HK players lift their game to match Korea Hollywood. Our defence worked really hard and forced the Korea team to change their game. Katrina stuck like velco to the Korean No. 3 (Brona Malone) and prevented her from scoring for most of the game. The combination of our midfield and half-backs double marking the Korean midfielders (Ealga Ni Aodha and Norah Newcombe), worked well.
HK had to work hard to get the ball into our attacking half. Korea were fast to the ball and read it well. Our forwards took their chances well, with Shelley charging through to claim the only HK goal. The end scoreline of 2-4 to 1-2 does not reflect the level of play during the game. It was a tough final. Well done to all who travelled to Seoul!
Seamus, Walter and Frances were the sum total that the HK men could muster for the weekend but what they lacked in numbers they made up for in enthusiasm (and age!). The makeshift Seoul Aussie Bar accepted them with open arms and after 2 or 3 rounds of introductions they nearly pulled off the shock of the tournament by coming within a kick of a ball of upsetting tournament holders and favorites Seoul Celts in the first game of the day. They built on that despite (or because of) Seamus crying off injured (apparently hamstring but it was getting hot and there were girls with short skorts playing on another pitch) and Seoul Aussie Bar fought their way through to the Plate final against the Japan/Shanghai combined team. Walter demonstrated the best of Mayo wrestling skills in successfully pulling/dragging/humping the Shanghai star forward to the point of distraction and Seoul Aussie Bar ran out Plate winners in a tightly contested game. From there it gets a bit blurry as these things do but good times were had by all with Francis particularly enjoying the chance to get out of Hong Kong and smoke indoors for a change!
Inaugural Primary School Gaelic Football Championships
The inaugural Hong Kong GAA Primary School Gaelic Football championships took place on Wednesday 23 June 2010, in sunny Kings Park, Hong Kong. Over 70 boys and girls from Discovery College, Discovery Bay International School, Kiangsu Chekiang College International Section and French International School took part. Games were played on a 7 side, 10 a side and 12 a side basis. The four school teams were coached and organized by Damien Barry, JJ Neville, Sally Wong and Elaine Morgan. HKGAA club members and players William Murray, Shane Harmon and John Hone refereed the games.
This competition was the culmination of a pilot coaching scheme implemented by HKGAA, the Asian County Board and the GAA where a designated coach has been working in interested schools across Hong Kong and Asia. As well as the aforementioned schools, coaches Caolan McBreen and Barry Watters have also been running coaching sessions and clinics in Renaissance College, Singapore International School and Beacon Hill School with the help of teachers Joe Fahy, Tim Teehan and Declan Burke, over the last two years. Children from Britain, Australia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong, South Africa, Philippines, France and India to name but a few nationalities have been introduced to and participated in these training sessions and games.
Photos of the day can be viewed by clicking here
Kicking off the year
The HKGAA is mostly a gaelic football club, but also offers many other sporting and non-sporting activities, including hurling, golf, dragon boating, fitness sessions, mini-football and various social events. The club also has an expanding children's section.
New members are always welcome, young or old, guys or girls, of whatever ability.
If you're new to HK or gaelic football, please contact one of our committee members if you have any questions, or come along on Saturday for a look.
Check out the gallery area to find out more about what we get up to.
Summer League started April 17
Mens Contacts
| Happy Valley | Derek Ryan | Derek_Ryan@swissre.com |
| Discovery Bay/Tung Chung | Damien Barry | damien.barry@discovery.edu.hk |
| Central | Simon Galvin | Simon.Galvin@gs.com |
| Kowloon | John O'Reilly | johnoreilly23@gmail.com |
Womens Contact
| All Teams | Sarah Milner | slamteach@hotmail.com |
Everyone is welcome - This year sees six mens teams taking to the field. Shenzhen will again make the road trip and this year the cream of the Hong Kong Dragons Aussie Rules team will attempt to take us on at our own game.
All China Games April 24
Our friends accross the border in Shenzhen are hosting the All China Games this year. Hong Kong will be looking to send as many teams as possible, with the ideal team make up being of the summer league teams. Get your China visa's together and keep an eye on this space as more details are to follow. It does promise to be a cracking weekend of fun (and apparently football) in Shenzhen.
Some of the HK contingent at the Asian Gaelic Games in Penang. During 2008 the HKGAA had organised tours to Penang (Malaysia) for Asian Gaelic Games, Beijing (All China Games), Bangkok (Asian Invitational) and Taiwan (Murav Cup). These followed on from tours to Dubai, exotic Dublin, Singapore and Shanghai in the previous year. The HKGAA are the reigning Men's Asian Champions. Whilst the football is taken seriously around the business end of the season, the tours are as much about fun than anything else
'''The first HKGAA party that travelled to the Philippines way back in 1996. Can you spot Tom Connolly ?'''