Spring has Sprung in Canada and our GAA teams have followed suit and sprung into action!
In the Western Division we saw the Calgary Chieftains and Edmonton Wolfe Tones take their training sessions outdoors, both clubs fresh from a ferocious Round 3 of the Battle of Alberta. This competition wrapped up on April 22nd with the Calgary Chieftains taking 3 wins from 3 across the board, all three rounds were focused on developing new players and by the third round of games, it was hard to tell the difference between the seasoned veterans and new players. GAA in Alberta has never looked so good!
In the Vancouver Division, the Spring League reached the semi final stages which saw the introduction of Hurling to the league, allowing newly formed Vancouver Wolfe Tones and Cu Chulainn Camogie team an opportunity to show everyone exactly what they are made of. As it stands, St Finnian’s are holding the number 1 spot in 2 groups of the Men’s Football with ISSC sitting on top of the two Ladies Football groups. Also in Vancouver, the Cu Chualinn Hurling 11s competition came to a close with the Rebel Raiders taking the win over the Forgotten County after 4 weeks of some extremely competitive games on show. Vancouver GAA finished the month off on a high, hosting CGAA Planning and Training Officer Jimmy Doyle as he held an ICGG Coaching Course to an audience of over 10 people. Great work by all in Vancouver!
In the Toronto Division it was time to get serious. Durham Robert Emmet’s hosted Louths own Cooley Kickham’s over the Easter weekend as both teams lined out for both Men’s and Ladies football games, as well as a classic Golden Oldies game! The same weekend saw Toronto GAA hold their Railway Cup Tournament which saw teams from across Toronto line out for the first competitive games of the calendar year. Durham were once again the hosts, as they held their 2nd annual 7s invitational tournament with all football clubs in Toronto taking part as well as O’Donovan Rossa Ladies from New York. Well done to all involved in kicking off the year with such a competitive tournament! Jet Setter/Planning and Training Officer Jimmy Doyle was also in Toronto in April to hold an ICGG coaching course to an impressive 23 people! Great to see so many people eager to learn and get involved with their clubs!
In the Eastern Division, Ottawa held their Spring Thaw indoor competition which saw Montreal, Peterborough, Na Fianna Katarowki and Les Patriotes de Quebec pack up their gear and make the trip to Ottawa. The craic was mighty and the skills on display on the day were very impressive! While Les Patriotes de Quebec held an Intro to Gaelic Football session which saw lots of new people come out and try GAA for the first time, well done Les Patriotes!
With less than 90 days to the FRS Recruitment World Games in Derry, teams are busy fine tuning their skills. At the Durham Invitational, one Canadian Ladies Football team took part in the competition and put on a very impressive display. While the Canadian Native Hurling team has been finalized and is made up of players from three Eastern teams, a testament to the hard work being done in the East to grow Hurling in Canada.
