Hong Kong Gaelic Football Summer League 2009
Nora in action against Shenzhen in the All China Games
About
The league will commence on 9th May in the Hong Kong Football Club. Teams compete in a minimum of 7-a-side (although probably 10-a-side) games over a period of six weeks, culminating in the Grand Finals in the last week. Each week, teams will play between two and three games. The league consists of many players of varying standards and is a great way to introduce yourself or friends to the game.
Players were allocated to teams in a public draft in Delaneys, Wanchai on 18th April.
Click here for the schedule and here for the league tables.
Men
There are four teams who will play two or three games per week. Each week additional players may be added to teams by the league committee. Additional coaching will be provided to new players throughout.
Ladies
There are three teams who play two games per week. Additional coaching will be provided for players new to the game.
Format and some important rules
- The league will run for a total of six rounds - and a grand championship day.
- Games are 7mins a side for Women and 10 for guys, one minute break at half time.
- Batons will be used for subbing on and off. Failure to use them will result in a free kick to the other side.
- Any free kick inside the 22 will yield 2 points if it goes over the bar.
- The games will finish on time regardless of the time they started.
- Each team to provide a ref and two lines people (lines just to police the baton - for when people forget!).
- Ref's have a difficult job and will make good and bad calls - please respect them at all times.
- Sportsmanship please! No claiming scores when you know it was wide, the other teams line ball or 45. The only thing at stake is your own reputation as a sportsperson.
- The Committee at its discretion may allocate newly signed players to a different side in order to balance numbers. The quality of player shall be the responsibility of the Captain.
Captain's Responsibilities
Each team will be assigned at least one captain It will be each Captain's responsibility to ensure the following:
- Obtain contact details of all his / her signed players
- Promote camaraderie in the side (otherwise Captain will be susceptible to a mutiny and poor turnout of the team)
- Ensure that they have sufficient players at least two days in advance of next game (otherwise report fact to the Football Committee - who can allocate new players (if available)
- Ensure that they have sufficient players for next game
- The Football Committee shall at all times retain the right to adjust the size and players on all teams in the spirit of fairness.
Competitions
Played between April and June. The teams play for the:
- Feargal Cleary Cup (Men's Grand Championship)
- Jo Lacy Cup (Ladies' Grand Championship)
- Noel Smyth Plate (Men's League)
- Fergal Power Plate (Men's Grand Championship Plate Winners)
- Katrina Williams Plate (Ladies' League Winners)
About the Cups
Feargal Cleary was one of the founding members of the club back in 1995, and the club's first chairperson. After leading the club to great success in the late 90's, Feargal led himself to Australia before returning to Hong Kong in 2003. On his returned he coached and trained with the club for a few more years, before returning to Ireland in 2005. Still a keen follower of the club and what's going on, the cup has a worthy name attached to it.
Jo Lacy, the wife of the great Michael Lacy, was one of the founding members of the ladies' section - a keen follower of the men (or Michael) to the Philippines for many years, she was instrumental in making sure that there would be a ladies team in Singapore 1999. Initially drawing on many of her rugby friends, the ladies enjoyed considerable success in their early years. After taking a break to have kids, Jo returned to the pitch one last time in Hong Kong in 2004, to help to ladies to their finest triumph yet. Jo now lives in Ireland with the family and Michael - although we're expecting an appearance in Singapore in June.
As for the other cups and plates, well they're all still playing, training and involved in the club in HK. We'll save the memories until they leave - if ever !!
The Cups are on display in Delaneys Wanchai for all to have a look.
Hong Kong Gaelic Football Summer League 2006
Congratulations to all Winners (& Runners-up)
The Men's and Ladies' leagues were won by Kowloon Kickhams and Setantas respectively. In a tough Grand Championship Final, St Kevin's came through again to beat Kowloon Kickhams. Setantas claimed the double in the Ladies by beating .
Hong Kong Gaelic Football Summer League 2005
Setantas - Inaugural winners of the League and Cup
Congratulations to all Winners (& Runners-up)
The Men's and Ladies' leagues were won by O Tooles and Setantas respectively. In a tough Grand Championship Final, St Kevin's came through to beat a tiring O Tooles. Setantas claimed the double by beating Na Fianna in the Final.
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