NZ Gaelic Football League Review

NZ Gaelic Football League Review

The first ever New Zealand Gaelic Football and Hurling League commenced on Sunday 21st October 2012 at Fowld’s Park, Rocky Nook Avenue, Morningside, Auckland 1022. Auckland GAA hosted the first part of the league. This was held in conjunction with the New Zealand Feis Weekend which was being held in the Auckland Irish Society.

It involved Auckland GAA, Hutt Valley/Wellington GAA and Christchurch GAA. The aim is to further develop the standard of Gaelic football within the country and to encourage other regions within New Zealand to take part in the tournament.

The event consisted of six Gaelic Football games with six teams (three men’s teams & three ladies’ teams) with a panel of twenty five players plus three coaching staff each taking part.

The day commenced when the National Anthems of both Ireland and New Zealand were played before the first game of the day when Auckland Ladies Team took on Wellington.

Auckland GAA PRO Carmel Ryan stated “there was a large attendance at the games despite the torrential rain, thunder and lightning”

Before Christchurch’s first game of day, Auckland GAA President Brian Foley paid tribute to Owen McKenna. Foley said “Tragically, on the 22nd of February 2011, aged only 40, Owen McKenna lost his life in the devastating Earthquake, leaving behind his family and friends both in New Zealand and Ireland. Owen was a passionate GAA supporter and had been involved in the recently reformed Christchurch GAA club”. This was followed by a minute’s silence.

Auckland Ladies Football team triumphed on the day winning the Jimmy Connolly Perpetual Cup. As the final game of the day had to be called off due to the terrible weather conditions, the Men’s football Paddy Somers Perpetual Cup will not be awarded until a later date when Christchurch take on Wellington.

The first game of the day launched with Auckland Ladies Team claiming the game in emphatic form with a 2.04 to .01 win over Wellington. The following game Auckland Men’s Team fended off the challenge from Wellington with a result of 3.14 to 1.10. Christchurch Ladies suffered a disappointment against Auckland which saw a score of 3.4 to 0.5. The game which was most talked about was the Men’s Auckland & Christchurch game. There was a great display of skill on the field which saw a victorious Christchurch win by 3 points. GAA is experiencing a rebirth in Christchurch. Since the earthquakes, a large amount of Irish have immigrated there to help rebuild the city once again. As a result, there is a huge interest in GAA and Sunday’s game highlighted that. Christchurch Ladies saw off resistance from Wellington with final score resulting at 2.2 to 0. The scheduled final match of the day. Christchurch Men versus Wellington was cancelled due to weather conditions and will be replayed at a later date.

Magner’s Cider sponsors of Australasian GAA had tent near the pitch which despite the bad weather conditions sold out on the day.

Rodney Walshe, Irish Honoury Consul General, Auckland presented the winning teams with cups and medals afterwards in the Auckland Irish Society.

Round two will take place in Wellington on 19 Jan 2013 and this year’s competition will conclude in Christchurch on 2 March 2013 with the overall winners crowned New Zealand Champions 2012/13.

Auckland GAA will have both Ladies and Men’s Gaelic Football team’s competing in all rounds. This is a very exciting time for Auckland GAA and for the future of GAA in New Zealand. Auckland GAA perceive the NZ League as an integral part of our plans to grow both Gaelic Football and Hurling in New Zealand.

Facts about Auckland GAA
• The first Australasian GAA was formed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1953
• This year Auckland GAA elected it’s youngest ever committee. Each committee member has brought a huge amount of enthusiasm and energy to the table and the idea generation has been admirable. Many procedures have been updated, new and improved methods of completing tasks and creative ideas for fundraising have been considered.
• Auckland GAA currently has five men’s teams - St Pats, Connemara Gaels, Celtic, Marist Rangers and Harps. There were also five women’s teams - Emerald City, Harps, Celtic, Connemara Gaels and Marist Rangers.
• Both Connemara Gaels and Emerald City teams consist mainly of New Zealanders.
• Currently there are no hurling or camogie teams in Auckland GAA. This year we have formed a hurling/camogie sub-committee to organise several one day tournaments with aim of commencing a league and championship next year. A hurling blitz- 7-a-side tournament was also held on Sunday which was very successful.

2012 Auckland GAA Executive Committee
President: Brian Foley
Secretary: Bryan Donnelly
Registrar: Elaine Clarke
Treasurer: Niall Hartigan
PRO: Carmel Ryan

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