Welcome to the Western Canada Division Website

Cumann Lúthchleas Gael an Iarthar Cheanada
Home of GAA in Western Canada

VANCOUVER TOURNAMENT 2010

The 2010 Western Canadian Championship commenced in Capilano Rugby Club, North Vancouver as the Vancouver Irish Sporting & Social Club, hosted the five WCD clubs and some visitors from Seattle also to the annual tournament.

The Men's reigning Champions, from the Wolfe Tones club in Edmonton started the day with an impressive showing against the Calgary Chieftains. However, the Vancouver clubs set the pace, with both the Harps and Celts recording victories over all three Albertan teams. That paved the way for a surprizingly competitive match-up between the local clubs.

The fraternal relationships that exist off-season between the Harps & Celts were clearly thrown out the window, in an often heated affair.

Late in the game, Dave Tonge, a 2009 All-Star, scored what everyone assumed would be the winning goal. But just as the World Cup continues to throw curve-balls at every opportunity, the Celts responded. A frantic challenge on an attacking Celt, and the ref had little alternative but to point to the penalty spot. The Celts duly converted through Cathal O'Loughlin and the teams were tied.

All Vancouver teams will travel to Red Deer sharing top spot in the table. The men's teams have 7 points from the available 8.

The Vancouver Harps ladies are also top having dominated their opposition. The Calgary ladies had a great turn-out for the second successive year, and like the Wolfe Tones, will look to take advantage of the Vancouver club at the Final Round in Red Deer.

Harps and Celts men did have a great match, but the game that had everyone talking was the clash between their female counter-parts. Aishling Jenning (Celts) and Renee McGloin (Harps) gave a master class in shooting and running, and the packed stand was fully entertained.

Spectators enjoyed a performance by the De Danann irish dancers shortly before the Vancouver hurlers played a demonstration match ahead of their historic trip to Chicago for the North American championships next Labor Day week-end. Denis Ryan led the way with direct Tipp hurling.

Saturday night took all the teams to Smiley O'Neals Bar on Pender, and with Roolya Boolya providing the music, a good time was had by all.

Sunday's games were close encounters. The Chieftains pushed the Harps all the way, while the Celts were defeated to set up a second successive Vancouver final for the Wolfe Tones men. Unfortunately for the Edmonton outfit the Harps were too strong and they had to settle for second for a second season running.

Again the Harps and Celts Ladies showcased their skills as they played for the Vancouver bragging rights.

Western Championship Results

Ladies -

Edmonton 0-0 Calgary 5-5 (20)
Harps 5-5 (20) Edmonton 0-0
Calgary 0-0 Harps 12-13 (49)

Men's -

  1. Calgary 1-4 (7). Celts 0-11 (11)
  2. Edmonton 5-5 (20). Red Deer 0-0
  3. Harps 1-8 (11). Celts 2-5 (11)
  4. Red Deer 0-0. Harps 5-5 (20)
  5. Edmonton 2-7. Calgary 0-6 (6)
  6. Calgary 5-5 (20). Red Deer 0-0
  7. Edmonton 1-2 (5). Harps 1-9 (12)
  8. Harps 5-14 (29). Calgary 1-3 (6)
  9. Red Deer 0-0. Celts 5-5 (20)
  10. Celts 0-7 (7). Edmonton 0-3 (3)

ALBERTA CUP EXPANDS

Update: Current Alberta Cup standings - here

Great news from Edmonton with the commencement of the 2010 Alberta Cup. The provincial championship has run now for 2 seasons in honor of the late Denis Walsh of Edmonton Wolfe Tones. Edmonton (2009) and Calgary (2008) have been the previous winners. Those two cities play against Red Deer and the competition has increased with Red Deers growth and Calgary & Edmonton's rivalries.

The 2010 Alberta Cup sees unprecedented changes in the format. From 3 teams the AB Cup expands to 6 men's and the Ladies from Calgary and Edmonton will play-off for a provincial bragging rights.

Men’s Alberta Cup 2010 (6 Teams)
Ladies' Alberta Cup 2010 (2 Teams)

The results from the 1st Round weekend were as follows:

Round 1
Round 2
Ladies - Round 1

Unfortunately that is all the football that was played. The weather was absolutely appalling all week-end. So bad was the snow (yes, SNOW) Sunday that the whole tournament had to be cancelled (10 cm of snow that fell on Saturday night.

These postponements mean the clubs will play for the Christy Whelehan trophy in Lethbridge in September.

All games were very competitive. Lethbridge put in a fantastic showing in their first tournament. Only two late goals by St. Marys Edmonton and some way-ward shooting by Lethbridge gave their first game a slightly lobsided look. They then came within 4 minutes of beating Red Deer but a little bit of experience from Mick O'Toole and Rory Lynch told the story in the end with three late points.

All the rest of the games were also very even which augers really well for the future of football in Alberta.

The ladies played a very entertaining game in very poor conditions. They will play 2 more times (at least) in Calgary to finish up the AB Cup.

GAELIC FOOTBALL FOR KIDS

June 26th & 27th, Capilano RFC, North Vancouver

For the Vancouver Tournament, June, 26th & 27th, The Western Canada Division will be running a FREE introductory event aimed specifically at Children so that they can learn about the unique and fun game of Gaelic Football. The course will be aimed primarily at the children/ spouses of participants in the tournament, which is growing every year. Organizers have welcomed the additional feature of their expanding tournament, and were eager to find activities to ensure that families & friends of those competing could have an enjoyable experience (we all know how restless those young ones get when asked to sit through multiple matches). Clearly however, if you do not have any connection with the players or teams, yet want to bring your children along to one of the sessions, you are more than welcome to do so.

Like soccer, the gaelic games require little equipment, namely cleats/ runners, socks, shorts and light top. Be sure to pack plenty of sun-screen in case the sun is too oppressive.

The hugely successful Vancouver Gaelic Football tournament will running alongside, so families are encouraged to hang around, spectate and support the local teams, as they compete in adult competition over the course of the week-end.

There will be 3 classes over the course of the week-end, at the following times:

All are encouraged to be at the venue at least 30 mins prior to the session, to ensure that we can get young players and their families registered. There will be plenty of other activities for Kids to participate in with coloring, games, and other fun ‘stuff’.

Contact ronandeane@hotmail.com or 604-898-1441 for further details.

REMEMBERING A LEGEND

Jack Bell

It is with great regret that we inform you of the passing of Jack Bell on Tuesday March 23, 2010. Jack was a former Louth Gaelic Footballer (and St Mary's GFC in Ardee), proud member of the Edmonton Wolfe Tones, and namesake of Edmonton's annual fall tournament.

Jack Bell played senior football for Louth and emigrated to Edmonton in 1956. Louth went on to win the All-Ireland in 1957 and Bell took on the role of Gaelic football missionary in Edmonton. Bell, who was named to the Irish Millennium Gaelic All-Star team, formed a team in Edmonton, which folded after a few years due to lack of competition. At that time, a team would have to travel several thousand miles to compete.

FULL 2010 SCHEDULE

March 6, 13, 20, 27 - Vancouver
Mixed 7’s Tournament
Venue: Andy Livingston Park, China Town – Vancouver, BC

May 29, 2010 - Calgary
Exhibition Match
Venue: CCIAC RFC Grounds - Calgary, AB

June 5 & 6, 2010 - Seattle
Hurling & Ladies Football Tournament
Venue: 7201 E Green Lake Drive N - Seattle, Washington, USA

June 12 & 13, 2010 (tentative) - Edmonton
Alberta Cup – Round 1 – Christy Whelan Invitational Tournament
Venue: TBA

June 26 & 27, 2010 - Vancouver
Western Canadian Champ’s – Round 1
Venue: Capilano RFC Grounds - 1910 Glenaire Drive - North Vancouver, BC

July 17, 2010 - Calgary
Alberta Cup – Round 2
Venue: CCIAC RFC Grounds - Calgary, AB

July 31 & Aug 1, 2010 - Red Deer
Western Canadian Champ’s – Finals
Venue: Titans RFC Grounds - Red Deer, AB

August 21 & 22, 2010 - Calgary
Alberta Cup – Round 3 – Calgary Invitational Tournament
Venue: CCIAC RFC Grounds - Calgary, AB

September 4,5,6, 2010 - Chicago
Vancouver Harps attend NACB Hurling Championships

September 11, 2010 - Calgary
Gaelic Games Day
Venue: CCIAC RFC Grounds - Calgary, AB

MARK YOUR CALENDERS - CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE

The Dates for Western Canadian Championships in 2010

WESTERN CANADA DIVISION - AGM 2010

Western Canadian Division AGM was held on Wednesday, 27th January, 2010 (730pm BC; 830pm AB)


Congrats to the 2010 Divisional Board on your new posts.
Also to the Formal appointments for the 2010 Discipline Committee

Looking forward to a very competitive and enjoyable 2010, and seeing everyone over the course of the coming season.

2009

2009 WESTERN CANADIAN CHAMPIONS

SEAIMPÍNÍ Na h-IARTHAR 2009

Edmonton Wolfe Tones

Edmonton Wolfe Tones
Tom Butler Cup Winners


Vancouver Harps

Vancouver Harps
Tom Gibbons Cup Winners