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Aya Abdul Samei born in Egypt, brought up in Muscat, neither a GAA stronghold. Til Now!

Gaelic football is an Irish sport and to field an Arab goalkeeper for a tournament may not have been the most obvious choice.

But Aya Abdul Samei, an Egyptian, born and brought up in Muscat, proved to be the perfect choice for the Oman Ladies team, who defeated Dubai in the fourth annual tournament recently at the ABA rugby ground. The 15-year-old Pakistan School student, who has played for the Oman national women’s football team, was asked by her friend Maxine to play after being told that the goalkeeper’s job is similar in Gaelic football.

“I adapted to the game quickly and enjoyed every bit of it. It was great fun to play for the first time. I also got a chance to make new friends. The game is different but for me, as a goalie, it was sort of the same role,” Aya said.

“I would like to play more often, time permitting, but my maiden experience was fantastic,” she added.

Besides Aya, Kelly Rambo, a Canadian, was the key player in Oman winning the two back-to-back games against the the reigning champions Dubai, 3-2 and 3-1, respectively.

The first title for Oman was a result of teamwork and camaraderie among players from Ireland, Australia, the UK, Romania, Canada and Egypt. However, the men’s team, Oman GAA, lost to the Dubai Celts ‘A’ in the final as the visitors clinched the Terry Johar Trophy.

Organised by the Muscat Gaelic & Australian Football Cub (MGAFC), the round-robin competition consisted of four teams from the Gulf region. This was the first time Oman GAA had fielded two teams in a Gulf competition.

The increase in the players’ pool is a result of the merger between the Muscat Magpies Australian Rules team and the Clann na hOman Gaelic team to form the MGAFC. Oman GAA ‘A’ was coached by John Prein and Liam McAuliffe and a local player, Paul Andrews, who made a smooth switch to Gaelic from Aussie Rules, was declared the best player.

Meanwhile, Chris Holmes, club chairman, said the MGAFC would conclude its season on May 14 with a Gala dinner party at the Crowne Plaza Ballroom. For more information contact mgaafc @gmail.com

It was National League success on the double for Wexford at Parnell Park yesterday when they lifted both the Division One and Two camogie titles at the expense of Tipperary and Antrim respectively.

The Division One side – captained by newlywed Aoife O’Connor who delayed her honeymoon to lead out the Purple and Gold – brought the AIB cup to the south-east after a lapse of 32 years. Following an impressive performance that sent out the message they are back, they overcame the Premier girls on a scoreline of 2-12 to 0-11.

It took two brilliant strikes from full forward Una Leacy to decide the destiny of the silverware. Both goals which arrived on the run-up to half time were sheer class. Her first was drilled from well outside the 20 metre line, while the second she buried from a similar distance.

In contrast a Tipperary attack that had notched 2-19 against Kilkenny a week earlier never got going – this was due mainly to the unrelenting nature of the Wexford defence backboned by half backs Áine Codd and Mary Leacy.

The Division Two final was a much closer affair (2-10 to 0-11) with the teams locked on no less than six occasions. At the break it was 1-5 to 0-8 with the Slaneysiders’ goal coming from the stick of Evelyn Quigley. Again the scoreboard showed parity right up to the three-quarter stage.

Antrim, whose trump card was captain and centre forward Jane Adams, eventually ran out of steam and had to yield to a more physically stronger Wexford side. And when Ciara O’Connor burst through for the Purple and Golds’ second green flag 12 minutes from time, the task proved a bridge too far for the Ulster side.

Incidentally, Ciara O’Connor was one of five sisters that played in the two finals. Her sister Aoife – who recently married RTÉ GAA analyst Declan Ruth – was captain of the Division One side while her sister Claire lined out at corner back. Ciara and Niamh were on the starting 15 in the Division Two final while Eimear was introduced in the second half and scored two valuable points.

All five girls are daughters of former Wexford hurler Teddy O’Connor. There were numerous links with past players – one of which was Ciara Storey, daughter of Martin who brought the McCarthy Cup to Wexford in 1996, while Evelyn Quigley if daughter of Dan Quigley.

Antrim will face their toughest test this season today as they take on Wexford in a bid to become National League Division 2 champions. The game will serve as a double header with Wexford also competing for the Division 1 title against Tipperary.

A win today would see the Saffron girls move into Division 1 next season, a massive step forward inside 12 months, having won Division 3 last season. Manager Mary Connolly is adamant that this is where she wants her team to be plying their trade.

“Our aim all year has been to progress into Division 1 and today is a stepping stone that will make that happen, at the end of the day everyone wants to be playing Senior camogie. If you look at Jane Adams who’s an All-Star in her own right, she belongs in Division 1; no one wants to see the likes of her running around playing in Division 3 because she belongs in the top division,” said Connolly.

“We’ve got our own game to worry about, for example moving the ball on quickly, using a ground hurling game so there’s less running with the ball and more running off the ball which will help create space and I’d like to see us taking our scores early. If we do this I’m hopeful we can pull off the win,” she said.

Wexford will prove tough opposition with three of Teddy O’Connor’s daughters in the side, while Ciara Storey also lines out for the Slaneysiders at wing-back.

A win today, Connolly believes, would help Antrim camogie on a grander scale by enabling more players to compete at the highest level: “I’ve told the girls that in my opinion this game is as important as an All-Ireland Final, that’s how relevant it is to our season.”

Fixtures:
National League Division 1: Wexford vs Tipperary, Parnell Park 3.30pm
National League Division 2: Antirm vs Wexford, Parnell Park 1.45pm
All-Ireland Under 16 ‘B’ Semi-Final: Armagh vs Waterford, Trim Co Meath 2.30
All-Ireland Under 16 ‘C’Semi-Finals: Cavan vs Westmeath, Mostrim Wolfetones Edgeworthstown 1.30pm, Tyrone vs Mayo, Mostrim Wolfetones Edgeworthstown 3.15pm

Daithi O Se wearing Peile - and Talking Balls

You can imagine how our attention was aroused when we saw celebrity TG4 weatherman Daithi O Se make an appearance in the Irish Examiner the other day talking what else other than pure balls! But to cap it all what was he wearing other than one of our new Squareball Peile tees. Sure you couldn’t make that up if you tried.

Daithi was in there talking about the sex education he received. Evidently it was more theoretical than hands on. And he was interested in other things – especially Peile! Sez Daithi:

“For me it was all about football. . . When we did the reproductive organs in Science class it was a joke, comical. The teacher couldn’t keep a straight face and we couldn’t keep a straight red face.”

When he’s not talking about balls, Daithi of course deals in that other GAA critical success factor, the weather. Will it rain, will it hail, what will it be like for the big match. Whatever the weather, if you want to look like Daithi and show the world that you’re a fan of the big ball game, get into the Squareball shop now!!

Captains from Wexford, Tipperary and Antrim contesting the 2009 National League Division One and Two deciders were in Croke Park on Tuesday with President of the Association Joan O’Flynn ahead of the finals which will take place on Saturday next April 25 in Parnell Park.

Wexford and Tipperary clash in the Division One final, while Antrim and Wexford meet in the Division Two final.

Wexford captain Aoife O’Connor – daughter of former Wexford All Ireland winner Teddy – who married RTÉ Sunday Game analyst Declan Ruth last Friday delayed her honeymoon to play in the final. She hopes the week might even ‘get better’.

“We have had a great time at the wedding last week, and the fact we are in the league final is brilliant. We managed to put camogie aside for one day on Friday. This week I am back training. It is a bit of an adjustment but I am excited about the final.

“We will go on honeymoon on Monday. There was never any question of us not staying here for the final. Declan is from a GAA background, so he was fully supportive of my position.

“Wexford had a disappointing 2008 after winning the All Ireland in ‘07. We weren’t right mentally last year. But, the break allowed us reset the dials, so we are thrilled to be in the final.”

In fact, Aoife and her four sisters will be lining out on Saturday between the Division One and Two finals. Claire plays at corner back on the Division One team, while Niamh, Ciara and Eimear are involved with the Division Two side.

Tipperary qualified for Saturday’s showdown courtesy of their magnificent 2-19 to 0-13 victory over titleholders Kilkenny on Sunday. Geraldine Kinnane leads the Blue and Gold this season and says there is a ‘good buzz in the Tipperary camp.’

“Training is going well. We have had a good run in the league, we are unbeaten, and there is plenty of competition for places. Tipperary has won nothing since 2004 and that is a long time for this group of players.

“We are all looking forward to the championship, but it would be great to have some silverware ahead of the summer. We were quietly confident ahead of the Kilkenny game on Sunday,” she added.

Also present was Joan O’Flynn, President of the Camogie Association who said, “We have seen a very successful league campaign, and in Saturday’s Division One final we have two teams endeavouring to get back to the heights of previous years. The Division Two decider highlights the re-emergence of Wexford while Antrim are also a strong force who will be boosted by O’Donovan Rossa winning their first All Ireland senior club title last year.”

The Division Two final pits Wexford second string against Antrim. Skipper Karen Atkinson will be hoping for a Purple and Gold double, but she knows they are up against formidable opposition in the Ulster side who are led by O’Donovan Rossa star Jane Adams. Adams brought the first All Ireland senior club title to Ulster last November.

Paths to the final:
Wexford defeated Galway, Limerick and Cork to top their group and qualify for the final.
Tipperary forced a play-off with Kilkenny after both teams finished level on points. They both beat Clare and Dublin and drew with each other in their final group game. Tipperary overcame Kilkenny at the weekend to gain a place in the final.
National League Division One final:

Wexford v Tipperary, Saturday April 25, Parnell Park, Dublin 3.30pm. Referee: Frank McDonald (Armagh)

National League Division Two final:

Antrim v Wexford, Saturday April 25, Parnell Park, Dublin 2pm. Referee Ciaran Quigley (Kildare)

Replay date (if necessary) Sunday May 3.

Emma:

Talking Balls has tried hard to avoid watching Celebrity Bainisteoir, but the other evening we happened into a house where it was on and the hoors that lived there wouldn’t turn it off.

The two teams were Sneem from Kerry and St Patrick’s from Limerick. The GAA remains an amateur organisation, reliant on people that have taken the time and effort to coach players to keep the thing going. That’s not to say they are any good but at least they have some capability. Celebrity Bainisteoir suggests the contrary – that any bollix can manage a gaelic football team.

Letting some of these folks loose on your team would be like asking me around to your house to sort out your plumbing. Plenty of screwing and banging but no results. Whether letting two totally inexperienced coaches in to manage a perfectly respectable GAA club is a moot point. Can it do any longterm damage? Probably not. Cannot it do any good. Well, I suppose the clubs must have got a few quid for it as the episode last night suggested every youngster was wearing a brand new club hoodie.

Emma O’Driscoll, formerly from the manufactured band Six – so she has previous for being on dreaded reality television – took charge of the Limerick team whilst John Maguire managed the Kerrymen. The two highlights? Other than the keeper deflecting a piledriver of a shot over the bar off his head, were Maguire giving a teamtalk whilst players fired jerseys across the room as if he wasn’t there and worst of all Emma’s half-time teamtalk where she squeaked through gritted teeth ‘Failure. Is not an option.”

Hopefully next week my failure to remember that Celebrity Bainisteoir’s on the new telly will make my weekend so much better.

GAA pitch invasions by people who have no business there could be a thing of the past

The Powers That Be are to lobby government asking for legislation outlawing pitch invasions on the grounds that someone could get hurt.

Talking Balls understands that supporters from counties such as Armagh, Monaghan and Waterford and the five supporters from Derrry that regularly attend their county games, are preparing a legal challenge on the ground that their right to free assembly is being denied, and that any legislation would contravene the European Human Rights Act.

This is all amidst a frenzy of doom-and-gloomery with Croke Park stadium director Peter McKenna revealing late last year that the insurance costs of settling claims for injuries incurred in the course of these invasions had climbed to 200,000.

We can also reveal that Central Council is to embark on an educational programme to prevent invasions taking place. One option under consideration is a typically po-faced effort with the strapline: “In the event your county should win the provincial championship for the first time in years or god forbid an All Ireland. First carry out a risk assessment and then decide the health and safety consequences of your actions blah blah blah.”

We have other ideas. Having been involved in a series of pitch invasions since an early age, Talking Balls thinks that if the G-A-A are serious they need to adopt a more raucous approach. Let’s see abseilers in combat fatigues coming off the roof of the Hogan, let’s see Jack Bauer from 24 whisper menacingly at a pitch invader as he takes another slice out of their nipple with a potato peeler.

Or maybe the PTB should just admit that when the final whistle goes, and fifty years of frustration and God knows what else comes spilling out in a frenzied ejaculation of unbridled joy, passion and release, that wild horses won’t keep people off the pitch.

Remember that one of the GAA’s most famous pitch invasions, and voted as one of the top moments in GAA history, was the sit-down protest by Offaly fans after the All Ireland hurling semi final in 1998 when Jimmy Cooney had blown the match up two minutes early. Ger Loughnane memorably and sportingly offered to replay the game but the sit-down protest helped.

So, if your team wins this summer, get out there for the lads!

Good day at the office and another Kerryman Francied. Meanwhile Donaghy gets revenge by tweaking thon nipple.

Every cloud has a silver lining as full forwards the length and breadth of the country will breathe a sigh of relief that they no longer face the prospect of being Francied in a qualifier this summer.

Francie is one of those players that you love if he’s on your team but despise if he’s not, for no other reason than he’s blindingly effective.

Behind those rosy cheeks and that Mrs Doubtfire appearance is one hell of a fearsome competitor. Francie had a great knack of absolutely devastating an opposing player, taking with him, ball, half the pitch, three quarters of his own back line and a wayward stray dog.

The ball would be cleared, blood and snotters everywhere and Francie would look coyly at the ref as if to say: “What else did you think I would do.” One of the few GAA players to have his own fan website – created by delusional Armagh fans, not himself we might add – Francie boy, we’ll miss you. Not half as much as the Armagh full back line will, but still we’ll miss you!

***

After weeks of speculation it was revealed that Des Cahill, he of the unfeasibly black curly hair (Grecian 2000 anyone?) has been installed as the new Sunday evening host of the Sunday Game. Some had speculated on a two-some with the Seoige sisters or even the prim Joanne Cantwell going solo but Des it is and fair play to him.

Des Cahill - if he can bend crossbars like this he can deal with those unruly hoors Spillane, Loughnane and Tony Davis

Now before I let someone into my living room on Sunday evening to share my pint bottles of porter and me half’un of Bushmills, I want to know a bit about them. To be fair Pat Spillane ruined more than his fair share of decent bottles of wine and curdled pints of milk up and down our lane with his oul shite talk over the years. I can tell for certain there’s no-one on the RTE switchboard that time of night for many’s a time I rang looking for the hoor. But Talking Balls is much happier with Des on board the Sunday Game mother ship.

We are fairly hopeful Des can do much better than Pat. Credited with partially saving the Late Late GAA Show from total disaster, Des does a mighty job with the Road to Croker. How he’ll get on with Spillane on the sofa and Ger Loughnane back in the saddle after his two disastrous years with Galway remains to be seen. Spillane reckons he can be more opinionated from the sofa. Is that so Pat? Doesn’t matter where you place it, a horse’s ass is still a horse’s ass. So to Spillane we say, as he says himself ‘Oiche wha.’

***

Talking Balls attempted to drop in to the Ulster Camogie website to check on fixtures and results. A visit to the following website: www.ulstercamogie.org revealed a page with the following message:

The Ulster Camogie Website has been suspended

pending payment of Domain Registration and Hosting fees.

For all the good work done in promoting the game of camogie and encouraging the commitment of those that contribute so much to camogie, this is hardly good enough and sends out a poor message. Do we need to organise a whip around?

***

Thanks to Farooq from Modern Sports, located presumably somewhere in Pakistan or India. Farooq must have seen our new tee-shirt range as he posted this message on Talking Balls:

“We have created new technology in with our special hurling balls with pu core in any kind of stuff. We cannot satisfy you unless you examine our balls. Please ask us to send you our ball samples.” Regards. Farooq, Modern Sports.

If you’re reading this Farooq, of course we wouldn’t dream of asking you to satisfy anyone without first examining your balls. . .

***

AND FINALLY. . .

Overheard in a conversation between a member of the current Derry squad and a family member who was getting him to autograph a football for a young fan.

Family member: “Can you sign this ball?”

Derry player: “Aye, no problem. What name do you want me to sign on it?”

Family member (slightly confused): “Your own.”

We’re not joking. . .

Mon Dieu, Mon Dieu - C'est la monde, GAA style. Peter the Great meets a French lookalike.

With gaelic games increasingly developing a ‘build it and they will come’ reputation, Mickey Harte’s often derided comments about globalizing the GAA to provide an national/international dimension to our games are less fanciful than they may seem.

Peter ‘Mon Dieu’ Canavan was involved over Easter in hosting a visit from the Liffre GAA club in Brittany along with Danny Stewart from Ballycastle and the Newbridge club in Derry. Bretons of course fall within the family of Celts with similarities in music, language and culture but the visit revealed the startling statistic that in Brittany there are currently six GAA clubs and up to 80 school GAA teams, who played their first tournament in April. The more surprising fact is that these teams are made up exclusively of native Bretons – not Irish fellas that are looking to keep the games alive on a foreign soil. Vive la France, Allez Les Bleus or whatever they say in Breton.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtN1Jlu_D4k[/youtube]

An equally intriguing story has emerged from UC Berkeley, one the USA’s top research educational institutions where a hurling club has been established, again almost entirely with a local player base and only a few Irish players. The establishment of the club has not been without its pitfalls with the University authorities refusing to sanction the creation of an official University Hurling club. UC Berkeley hurler Sam Crenshaw writes in the college paper:

“Since the beginning of the fall semester, I have been part of a great team on campus – the Hurling Team. I know many people do not have the faintest clue of what this sport is or even if it’s the one on ice with brooms or not. Hurling is one of the world’s oldest sports, with a long tradition in Irish mythology going back 2000 years.”

“Hurling is an amazingly exciting and fast-paced game that has already made history on campus. But the administrative staff have barred us from becoming a club here on campus. After our historic win, when a hurley was put up on the wall of The Bear’s Lair with the victorious score alongside a team photo, it was demanded to be taken down and confiscated by the sports club administration.”

Interestingly their struggle has attracted the solidarity and support of those other rebels, Kevin Hartnett and Donal Og Cusack.

UC Berkeley and Stanford have established clubs and created their own series of games, the first intercollegiate hurling games in the US.

When you consider that and the establishment of hurling in Milwaukee thourgh the efforts of Dave Olsen, again an American, it shows that if you can hurl it, they will come.