News from the world of Gaelic Games
Quote of the Weekend
"Those are amateur players - guys who have to work tomorrow. Surely be to God they can get some kind of structure that teams could play at least every two weeks" - Laois manager Mick O'Dwyer
Small potatoes.
Who wins the 2004 European hurling championship will be decided on August 21st in the Netherlands.
European GAA is surely the least-known of the overseas GAA county boards, but probably the one making the most progress.
Hurling has developed significantly, even in the last three years, with Brussels, Paris, Luxembourg, Munich, Zürich and Den Haag all fielding teams. And next year will, it is hoped, witness the beginning of a full hurling league programme in Europe - and you thought Kerry and Donegal players and supporters had it rough travelling to Croke Park.
Gaelic football already has a full league format, and because there's a football tournament scheduled for the weekend after the European hurling finals, a few teams are unable to travel to Holland for both.
The Gaelic football European League is played on a tournament basis over eight rounds, with points allocated at each round. Reigning champions Paris Gaels lead the league. Luxembourg are the women's champions.
And camogie is not forgotten either. In fact, at the Den Haag finals, Mountbellew/Moylough from Galway will take on a European selection to mark camogie's centenary celebrations.
How long before a European selection or club play in the championship here in Ireland, following in the footsteps of New York and London? Actually, it may not be as long as you think.
Already, rumours have it that an agreement may be soon struck to allow a European team into the Leinster club junior football championship. A small step, perhaps, but a significant one for GAA in Europe should it happen.
All very impressive. But then we heard of a project that simply took our breath away and convinced us - not that we needed convincing - that the "heart and soul" of the GAA hasn't a permanent location.
It can be found in Croke Park - in houses, pitches and schools between Kerry and Donegal - or even in north-east Spain.
Religious cults most look on the GAA with envy. The more we hear about the lengths to which believers will go to promote Gaelic games, the more we're amazed by its followers. What some people will do to spread the word.
The first Tri-G - a seven-day Gaelic games event for kids aged between 12 and 16 (boys and girls) - will be held from October 25th to 31st near Barcelona.
Yes. Barcelona, Spain.
"We hope to twin schools in Spain with schools in Ireland but in addition to this the event will be used to stimulate a youth competition at local level," says Declan Lynch, development officer in the GAA European County Board.
"The idea is kids that enjoy the event will be able to come to scheduled training sessions/open days in Barcelona.
"We hope to get the sport registered in Spain, that way it can be introduced in the schools curriculum in time. The event will help us do this. We're close to locking down an agreement with 12 schools in Catalunya who will host one school each."
Teams expected to attend are coming from Ireland, Belgium, Britain, Germany and France - as well as locally and throughout Spain.
When September Road managed to first break into Declan's busy schedule last week, he had found out only minutes earlier that the project was to be completely unfunded. To make the EU grade for the EYES 2004 programme - which would have provided much-needed financial support - the project had to score 70 points out of 100. It scored 67.
A blow, but then you don't plan a seven-day GAA tournament in Spain without being able to overcome a few obstacles, do you?
All-Ireland Hurling Odds
Kilkenny5/4
Cork9/4
Waterford5/2
Wexford9/1
