Hurling at Eastern Canada GAA Finals 2014

After some great communication between some of the newest and oldest clubs in Eastern Canada, the inaugural Eastern Canadian GAA Championship took place on Labour Day weekend last September in St.John's, Newfoundland.

“The participating teams included representation from the Eire Og Ottawa Hurling Club,The Ottawa Gaels, Montreal Shamrocks, Les Patriotes de Quebec, Halifax Gaels and the St. John’s Avalon Harps. The teams arrived despite the hurricane passing by the province. Most of us were able to get to Bridie Molloys Pub on the Friday night for a Meet and Greet that included a ‘Screech In’, a rite of passage for all visitors to Newfoundland.

Montreal Vs St.John's

Saturday, we were blessed with the fine weather at the Swilers Rugby Club. As the Round Robin portion of the tournament commenced, the Youth ‘Learn to Play’ Camp was a great success and set up the building blocks for a future youth group in St. John’s.

As a special demonstration at this tournament, the teams mixed and put on a Iomain Ground Hurling Exhibition. This demonstration emphasized the ground hurling that was once prevalent in Ireland but has since been superseded by the aerial type.

St.John's Vs Halifax

The Gaelic Football matches culminated in a final between The Montreal Shamrocks and the Halifax Gaels. This was an exciting game with the resulting score of 1-1 to 0-9, with Montreal taking the very first Eastern Division Gaelic Football Championship Cup, donated by the Heart & Crown Pub (Ottawa).

The hurling final was between the Halifax Gaels and the St. John’s Avalon Harps. The Halifax Gaels were victorious with a final score of 7-2 to 2-4. The winners of this final take home the James Ring Sr. Memorial Cup, generously donated by The Ring Family (St. John’s). Brian Farmer, Chairperson of the Canadian County Board, presented both cups on the field.

Halifax 2014 Champions

The tournament presentation dinner took place in the Swilers Clubhouse. The MVP plaques were awarded to Damian Conneely from Montreal Shamrocks for Gaelic Football, and to Colin Dorgan from the Halifax Gaels for Hurling. Congrats to all on a great display of athleticism and endurance.”- O.McKiernan

A big shout goes to St. John’s Avalon Harps and the Canadian GAA for organizing such a great event.

Halifax was the venue chosen for the 2015 tournament.

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