News
2009 Ledcor Western Canada GAA All-Stars
The 3rd Annual Western Canada GAA All-Stars were formally announced on January 31st, 2010. Each club in the Division had input in the naming of the 2009 All-Stars teams, and the selections were a fair reflection of the strength of the clubs within the Division.
Vancouver Harps' Ladies dominated the selection receiving 8 All-Stars (a record total for any single club). Only Goal Keeper (Ashley Gerrard of Edmonton), one Mid-Field berth (Sinead Leacy of Calgary), and one of the Full-Forward line positions (Carol Ann Farrelly of Calgary) went to players from a club other than the Harps. Elan Park (2nd), Alaina Bleker (2nd), & Tara Philips (3rd) were former All-Stars selected again, and they were joined by Marie Dowling, Rita Burke, Stacey Lewis-Jaklin, Angela Oldknow, and Helen Keohane, all receiving their first All-Stars.
In the Men's, as was expected in a tightly fought Championship, the selections were more evenly spread out. Champions Edmonton received 4 All-Stars (Dave Higgins, Neil Doherty, Michael Collier, and Declan Reilly). Runners-up Calgary received 3, including another for the ever-present All-Star Tom McAroe (the others were Barry Sinclair & Adrian Lagan (2nd)). The newly formed Vancouver Celts had 2 All-Stars, with Gary Howe and Sean Twomey get the Celts first selections. Both the Harps and Red Deer Eire Og sides had the remaining 2 spots with Dave Tonge from Vancouver and another perennial All-Star, Mick O'Toole, rounding out the selection.
2009 Season News
December 4, 2009
We regret to inform you of the passing of former Vancouver ISSC Club Sponsor and Vancouver Harps Gaelic Footballer, Liam Gibbons.
Liam Francis Gibbons, born December 1, 1964 passed away all too soon and suddenly on December 4, 2009. Predeceased by his father Tommy; he is survived by his loving wife, Germaine; his beloved mother Agnes; siblings Theresa (Jim), Tom (Tracy) and Kieron (Danielle); nieces, nephews, extended family members and dear friends. Liam was a fun-loving man that was bigger than life itself. He will forever be remembered and cherished for his infectious laugh and love of all mankind. Funeral Services will be held at St. Joseph Parish 1612 E.12 18th Ave. in Vancouver. Prayers will be held on Tuesday December 15, 2009 at 7:00pm with Mass being celebrated on Wednesday December 16 at 10:00am. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Liam may be made to BC Cancer Foundation. Please visit the family’s on-line memorial register to leave a fond memory or message of condolence at www.personalalternative.com.
2009
WOLFE TONES MEN, HARPS LADIES, RULE WEST
On 25 & 26 of July, 2009, the 5 member clubs of the Western Canada Division descended on Edmonton to compete for the Tom Butler and Tom Gibbons trophies in the Western Canadian Championships (WCC's). The Divisional Board had determined that the WCC format in 2009 needed some spicing up and so, knock-out stages were introduced. Well, spice things up they did, and perhaps, the most enthralling contest in the new millennium decided the title at the finish.
The Vancouver Celts club arrived in Edmonton top of the table, but it was the home side that, after a good showing in Vancouver, finished top after round-robin play. Red Deer Eire Og almost shocked everyone when they ran out comfortable winners against the Chieftains to record their first WCC victory. The Vancouver Harps had to depend on points difference to ensure their qualification to the knock-out stages over Eire Og.
In the Ladies Championship, the Albertan clubs had far better turn-outs than their recent trips to Vancouver, and Calgary Chieftains, with powerhouse mid-fielder Sinead Leacy dominating, edged Edmonton to set-up a show-down with the all-conquering Harps. Their title on the line, the Harps showed their class. With impressive performances from tournament MVP Angela Oldknow, and strong work in mid-field by Rita Burke and Stacy Lewis-Jaklin, they were able to grind out the result that took the Tom Gibbons trophy back to BC for the 3rd year running.
In the Men's semi-finals, both Vancouver clubs, though competitive, came up just short against their Albertan opposition. Any club would have Dave Tonge (Harps) and Sean Twomey (Celts) in their team. This was the first season that two clubs competed in the Championship out of Vancouver, and the whole Division takes its hat off to the Vancouver ISSC who has taken this difficult first step to grow the games in Western Canada. Well Done to all those involved.
Those semi's set the stage for a match that had everything. When Calgary & Edmonton collide, they send reverberations through the GAA world. John O'Flynn might write another book that just recounts the 45mins of events that made this epic tussle such an incredible spectacle. At half-time, Edmonton were dead-and-buried; passes were going to ground, moves were falling apart in the last quarter of the field. Calgary, on the other hand, were scoring at will. "Coasting", was a word heard on the side-line. 7pts up with 10 minutes to go, & then, the whole complexion of the contest changed.
There is always some 'niggle' in these derby matches, and this one was no different. Calgary had their strongest player sent-off, and Edmonton sensed an opportunity. Up stepped Sean McMahon & Declan Reilly with crucial goals. Calgary were struggling now, but it was level. Cometh the Hour and cometh the Man! Fittingly, a fantastic effort, that hung in the air for an age from the boot of Brian Daly, was the winning score. The Wolfe Tones had done it.
Rumour has it, that a Westmeath man, on an Alaskan cruise, danced a jig for no apparent reason at 4:23pm on Saturday, 25th of July, 2009....
The next day, in tournament play, the Champions in both codes repeated their efforts.
Bill Morris and John O'Flynn should be commended for their referreeing. The Edmonton ISSC, as always, supported the Wolfe Tones in hosting an incredible meal and evening at the Irish Club. Congratulations Edmonton Men, and Vancouver Ladies... Kim Budd, take a bow.
Results - 2009
EDMONTON TOURNAMENT 2009: WESTERN CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS - Final Round
Saturday & Sunday, 25th & 26th July, 2009
Lep Tigers Rugby Grounds, Edmonton, AB
The Edmonton Wolfe Tones Club (Men), and the Vancouver Harps (Ladies') Gaelic Football teams, took the honours in the Western Canadian Championship in 2009.
Tournament Results:
Christy Whelehan Trophy (Men's) - Edmonton Wolfe Tones (defeating the Calgary Chieftains)
Edmonton Tournament Trophy (Ladies') - Vancouver Harps (defeating the Calgary Chieftains)
VANCOUVER TOURNAMENT 2009: WESTERN CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS - First Round
Saturday & Sunday, 27th & 28th June, 2009
Capilano RFC, North Vancouver, BC
Tournament Results:
JJ Hyland Memorial Trophy (Men's) - Vancouver Celts (defeating the Edmonton Wolfe Tones)
Kevin McFadden Memorial Trophy (Ladies') - Vancouver Celts (defeating the Vancouver Harps)
West Limerick Holdings Hurling Challenge - Vancouver Harps (defeating the Seattle Gaels)
Calling all Gaelic Footballers in the Lower Mainland.
With less than a month to go, the World Police & Fire Games are appealing to all ISSC Members to volunteer at the BC Games.
The World Police & Fire Games that will be held in Burnaby, BC in August 2009, and these Games have massive significance from an Irish perspective. This is the first time that Gaelic Football has been offered as an Police & Fire Games sport, and this is regarded as an excellent opportunity for exposure of Ireland's National Sport. The long-term plan is that Gaelic Football becomes an official sport at these Games, with demonstration status at the BC Games (2009) and New York Games (2011), and full status in time for the Belfast Games in 2013.
The 2009 Games organisers are expecting between 4 and 6 Gaelic Football teams to attend, with forces interested in participating from Canada, USA, Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and England.
Already the Canadian County Board of the GAA and the Irish Ambassador to Canada have expressed great enthusiasm and support for the addition of Gaelic Games to the roster of sports at such a high profile international sporting event. The games themselves expect 11,000 participating athletes in over 65 different sports.
The Vancouver Gaelic Football teams & the local Irish community will be working to make the introduction of Gaelic Football a success for the 2009 World Police &am Fire Games, the Gaelic Athlethic Association and for the Irish diaspora. The Gaelic Football tournament will be held on the August Bank Holiday week-end at the Burnaby Lake Rugby facilities.
If you are interested in volunteering at the Games, you can follow these links. More information can be found at www.2009wpfg.ca, or the Games organisers can be contacted at gaelicfootball@2009wpfg.ca
Edmonton Tournament
Western Canadian Championships - Final Round
Saturday & Sunday, 25 & 26 July, 2009
Leprechaun Tigers RFC Rugby Grounds (3004 92nd St), Edmonton, AB
LADIES
The Harps will have to step up on Albertan turf against the Ladies from Edmonton & Calgary. The Chieftains & Wolfe Tones will be a different prospect from their BC showing. There may even be some Aussie Rules Ladies gate-crashing the party.
MEN
The Championship concludes in Edmonton with the newly formed Vancouver Celts topping the table after the first 2 matches in Vancouver. The reigning Champions, the Vancouver Harps, and Calgary Chieftains & Edmonton Wolfe Tones, are snapping at the Celts heels. The Eire Og boys from Red Deer will be strengthened by the return of some of their All-Stars from 2008.
Look out for the Wolfe Tones & Chieftains second string teams to join in the action.
HURLING
Not confirmed but there may be a Hurling match for those who bring their càmàns.
Vancouver Tournament
Western Canadian Championships - First Round
Saturday & Sunday, 27 & 28 August, 2009
Capilano RFC Rugby Grounds, North Vancouver, BC
LADIES - Results
| G | P | T | Team | v | Team | G | P | T |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | Edmonton Wolfe Tones | v | Vancouver Harps | 5 | 4 | 19 |
| 7 | 7 | 28 | Vancouver Harps | v | Calgary Chieftains | 2 | 1 | 7 |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | Edmonton Wolfe Tones | v | Calgary Chieftains | 0 | 0 | 0 |
LADIES - Standings
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | PF | TF | GA | PA | TA | Pdiff | Pts |
| 1 | Vancouver Harps | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 11 | 47 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 40 | 4 |
| 2 | Edmonton Wolfe Tones | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 9 | 39 | (39) | 0 |
| 3 | Calgary Chieftains | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 12 | 12 | 48 | (41) | 0 |
MEN - Results
| G | P | T | Team | v | Team | G | P | T |
| 5 | 9 | 24 | Edmonton Wolfe Tones | v | Red Deer Eire Og | 1 | 5 | 8 |
| 1 | 4 | 7 | Vancouver Celts | v | Vancouver Harps | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| 2 | 4 | 10 | Vancouver Celts | v | Calgary Chieftains | 1 | 5 | 8 |
| 1 | 5 | 8 | Red Deer Eire Og | v | Vancouver Harps | 4 | 7 | 19 |
| 0 | 3 | 3 | Edmonton Wolfe Tones | v | Calgary Chieftains | 2 | 7 | 13 |
MEN - Standings
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | PF | TF | GA | PA | TA | Pdiff | Pts |
| 1 | Vancouver Celts | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 17 | 1 | 9 | 12 | 5 | 4 |
| 2 | Vancouver Harps | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 11 | 23 | 2 | 9 | 15 | 8 | 2 |
| 3 | Calgary Chieftains | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 12 | 21 | 2 | 7 | 13 | 8 | 2 |
| 4 | Edmonton Wolfe Tones | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 12 | 27 | 3 | 12 | 21 | 6 | 2 |
| 5 | Red Deer Eire Og | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 16 | 9 | 16 | 43 | (27) | 0 |
HURLING
As usual each year the boys from the West will be taking on the Seattle Hurlers in what promises to be a highlight of the week-ends activities.
Results - 2008
CALGARY TOURNAMENT 2008: WESTERN CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS - Final Round
Saturday & Sunday, 2nd & 3rd August, 2008
CCIAC Rugby Grounds, Calgary, AB
The Vancouver Irish Sporting & Social Club, and its representative Men's & Ladies' Gaelic Football teams, created their own little piece of history by becoming the first club to secure the Western Canadian Championship double.
Tournament Results:
Calgary Tournament Trophy (Men's) - Calgary Chieftains (defeating the Vancouver Harps)
Calgary Tournament Trophy (Ladies') - Vancouver Harps (defeating the Calgary Chieftains)
VANCOUVER TOURNAMENT 2008: WESTERN CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS - First Round
Saturday, 12th July, 2008
Brockton Oval, Stanley Park, Vancouver, BC
Tournament Results:
JJ Hyland Memorial Trophy (Men's) - Vancouver Celts (defeating the Vancouver Harps)
Kevin McFadden Memorial Trophy (Ladies') - Vancouver Harps (defeating the Seattle Gaels)
West Limerick Holdings Hurling Challenge - Vancouver Harps (defeating the Seattle Gaels)
Gaelic Football Plate Winners
Men's - Red Deer Eire Og
Ladies' - Calgary Chieftains
2008 Season News
Red Deer - Saturday, 31st August, 2008
Alberta Cup - Round 3
Red Deer hosted an excellent games day, and as if to highlight the strong bonds within the Alberta GAA, this photograph was taken.
It speaks volumes of the people playing the games, with a united, thoroughly satisfied group of people, all just happy to be able to have the opportunity to play these great games with their mates, and family.
3 different clubs;
One shared passion!
The final round of matches in the Alberta Cup was played out on the Saturday, and it was the unstoppable men from Cowtown that got their hands on the title. In truth the Calgary Men dominated the competition, and but for a matter of 2 or 3 kicks of a ball, we might have been talking about a Calgary sweep in Men's football this season. Though he'll be naturally slightly miffed that the Wolfe Tones didn't win the inaugural cup, Denis Walsh can rest safe in the knowledge that the best Men's team in the province won his trophy in its first season.
Alberta 'Denis Walsh' Cup 2008 - FINAL STANDINGS
| Team | Played | W | D | L | GF | PF | TF | GA | PA | TA | Diff | Pts |
| Calgary Chieftains | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 39 | 78 | 3 | 16 | 25 | 53 | 12 |
| Edmonton Wolfe Tones | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 23 | 50 | 6 | 29 | 47 | 3 | 6 |
| Red Deer Éire Óg | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 12 | 24 | 17 | 29 | 80 | (56) | 0 |
Seattle Gaelic Games Day: Saturday, 16th August, 2008
Seattle again set up immaculate facilities in Burlington and played a great contest in Ladies football against the Wesstern Canadian Champions, the Vancouver Harps. Vancouver were able to close out a remarkables season for themselves, defeating their hosts and in doing so recording an impressive unbeaten season in the process.
In hurling action, the Portland Red Branch made the trip to Seattle and played a game against the Seattle Gaels. The Gaels had already been beaten by the Harps hurlers, and that would mark the first time in history that the Harps hurlers travelled without a Men's Football team in sight.
| Hurling | Seattle Gaels | 1-2 (5) | 2-10 (16) | Vancouver Harps |
| Ladies Football | Seattle Gaels | 2-8 (14) | 4-13 (25) | Vancouver Harps |
| Hurling | Seattle Gaels | 4-10 (22) | 3-6 (15) | Portland Red Branch |
| Ladies 7s Football | Green | 0-3 (3) | 0-3 (3) | Yellow |
| Hurling | Irish Canadians | 4-11 (23) | 3-6 (15) | Irish Americans |
Western Canadian Championships 2008 - Final Round: Saturday, 2nd August, 2008
CCIAC Rugby Grounds, Calgary, AB
The Vancouver Irish Sporting & Social Club, and its representative Men's & Ladies' Gaelic Football teams, created their own little piece of history by becoming the first club to secure the Western Canadian Championship double.
Visiting the Calgary venue, the site of the Harps previous Men's Championship success (won in the year of the most balanced competitive circumstances), the Vancouver club made a strong statement in fielding not only their Championship sides, but a second Men's team also.
The Ladies championship was never going to be given up by the Harps, but the Calgary Chieftains girls certainly made them fight for their silverware.
And so it was, in both the Ladies and the Men's Championships, Vancouver Harps were victorious. Congratulations to the Club in Vancouver for their development since 2003, a dire season, when the club failed to bring either team to any tournament.
Fittingly enough, in their first season, the "Tom's" return to Vancouver, the home town of their namesakes, the Tom Butler Men's Trophy & the Tom Gibbons Ladies' Cup.
Western Canadian Championships 2008 - MEN'S FINAL STANDINGS
| Team | Played | W | D | L | GF | PF | TF | GA | PA | TA | Diff | Pts |
| Vancouver Harps | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 55 | 100 | 1 | 34 | 37 | 63 | 12 |
| Calgary Chieftains | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 17 | 51 | 102 | 3 | 18 | 27 | 75 | 8 |
| Red Deer Éire Óg | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 20 | 35 | 18 | 50 | 104 | (69) | 2 |
| Edmonton Wolfe Tones | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 19 | 31 | 19 | 43 | 100 | (69) | 2 |
Western Canadian Championships 2008 - WOMEN'S FINAL STANDINGS
| Team | Played | W | D | L | GF | PF | TF | GA | PA | TA | Diff | Pts |
| Vancouver Harps | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 31 | 94 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 86 | 8 |
| Calgary Chieftains | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 15 | 48 | 11 | 21 | 54 | (6) | 4 |
| Edmonton Wolfe Tones | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 20 | 80 | (80) | 0 |
Sunday, 3rd August, 2008
The Albertan clubs must have been scratching their heads about how they were going to beat the Harps in both Ladies and Men's. Alas, in the Ladies Tournament, the Harps did prove unbeatable, and Tara Philips collected her second tournament title of the season. In the Men's however, BC's dominance was emphatically ignored, and the Battle of Alberta between Edmonton & Calgary was the showcase game on Sunday. The Chieftains had enough in that semi final and followed it with an impressive display against the Harps in the final, led on the field by Eamonn O'Keeffe and Michael O'Donnell, they were not to be denied on their own patch. Next up is Red Deer on the 30th August, 2008.
Tournament Results:
Calgary Tournament Trophy (Men's) - Calgary Chieftains (defeating the Edmonton Wolfe Tones)
Calgary Tournament Trophy (Ladies') - Vancouver Harps (defeating the Calgary Chieftains)
The BC Footy West Coast Cup - AFL Football Tournament
Saturday, 26th July, 2008
The Harps entered their first BC Footy Cup on the Saturday before their Championship finals in Calgary. Played out in Burnaby, a small Harps contingent dressed somewhat brightly, competed well in Australian Rules but failed to register a win in their two games. Hoping that the Tournament becomes an annual event and that Harps numbers improve.
Game #4
Burnaby Eagles 6.13.49 defeating Vancouver Irish Sports Club 3.6.24
Goals:
Eagles - Chris Freeman 2, Dale Wakefield 2, Adam Cole 1, Colin Hilton 1
Irish - Ashley Steier 2, Connor Walshe 1
Game #5
Vancouver Cougars 12.5.77 defeating Vancouver Irish Sports Club 9.5.59
Goals:
Cougars - Tim Cipolloni 3, Rob Edmonds 2, Brian Kelly 2, Ryan Carrucan 1, Ashley Steier 1, Stu Grills 1, Brad Jorgensen 1, Matt Harrison 1
Irish - Chris Freeman 5, Dale Handley 1, Connor Walshe 1, Ronan Deane 1, Vinnie 1
2007 Archives
4 & 5-Aug-2007 - Vancouver - Chieftains Men, Vancouver Ladies rule out West
21-Jul, 2007 - Seattle - Seattle Gaels host successful Gaelic Games Day
30-Jun & 1-Jul, 2007 - Alberta - Vancouver double-strike in Edmonton
16-Jun-2007 - Vancouver - Gaelic Games Day 2007
02-Jun-2007 - Vancouver - Harps - First Gaels to Enter Aussie Territory
11-May-2007 - Alberta - Calgary Toasts Tony Griffin
05-May-2007 - Alberta - Red Deer Gaelic Football Game Day
20-Mar-2007 - Vancouver - Annual St. Pat's, Aussie's vrs Irish Gaelic Football Challenge
20-Mar-2007 - Vancouver - "Play til St. Patricks Day" Mixed 7's League - Results