By Vincent Beach
Midwest News
The last week of regular season games occurred July 29th, with Pittsburgh holding a GAA day against the visiting Saints. The Cleveland men fell to the Celtics 5-18 (33) to 1-12 (15). The Banshees took the ladies 2-24 (30) to 4-6 (18).
Saving the day from a full sweep were the Cleveland camógs, who edged out Na Laochra (warriors) without striking a single point. Final score was Cleveland 7-0 (21), Pittsburgh 2-7 (13). The New Yorkers also had one final game for the men’s regular season, hosting the Syracuse Gaels
Cleveland Hurling Picks Up Hardware
The Gentleman and Lady Saints headed out to Indianapolis for their annual hurling and camogie invitational. The camógs played hard but fell in the opener to the hosting Indy club by the score of 6-4 (22) to 7-10 (31). The ladies then went on to play Denver and notched their first win, decisively outscoring the Gaels 11-6 (39) to 2-6 (12).
On the men’s side, Cleveland entered the junior bracket and faced St. Louis first. They downed the Gateway City 2-12 (18) to 2-5 (11).
Next to fall was Indy, with the final tally of 7-18 (39) to 1-3 (6), setting up a final against Knoxville. Netting seven and knocking over twelve (total score 33) while Na Oglaigh (volunteers … Tennessee folk) could only put up 4-5 (17); Cleveland bought their ticket to the finals.
Meeting them there was the runner-up from pool play, St. Louis. A second crack was too much for the Gatewayers, and the Saints went on to claim their first major trophy in the revitalized era of Cleveland hurling. In the excitement of the win and the dousing of Coach Margida with ice, the final score was not recorded, but honestly, does it matter? Comhghairdeas leis an uile dhuine.
Author’s note: the nicknames attributed to the opposing clubs are entirely fictional, although they carry historical and geographic significance in which the author’s brother believes further consideration should be given. The opposing clubs can be referenced formally by the standard GAA or GAC without the confusing saints, martyrs, revolutionaries, or heroes.
GAA Midwest Finals in Cleveland
As you heard last month, the Cleveland at the Barton-Bradley fields in North Olmsted, site of the 2013 USGAA Finals. Joining the Midwest competition this year was CLG Acla (Achill GAA) to take on the intermediate squad of the Pittsburgh Celtics – the showcase game on Saturday.
The Achill lads were also be accompanied by several members of the pipe band, join forces with their counterparts of the WSIA to parade the teams and entertain fans. The weekend had a festival-like atmosphere, with food and beverage trucks, traditional music from the best players between the Atlantic and the Mississippi, sports, youth games (Saturday), the pipe bands, hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, and fine Irish culture.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh
Thanks y’all, to our readers and supporters. We need your help and involvement but would most like to share the fun of Irish sport and Cleveland community with you. Consider getting involved at any level.
Fáilte (welcome) to all. The Gaelic Athletic Association is Ireland’s largest sporting organization and a bit of home for the Irish abroad here in the US of A. Beyond sports, the Association also promotes Irish music, song and dance, and the Irish language as an integral part of its objectives. Cleveland GAA is open to all who want to play competitive sports, meet new people, and join an athletic, fitness-minded club for all ages.
Follow @ClevelandGaelic on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for the 2022 activities for Men, Women, and Youth, or visit ClevelandGAA.com. Email [email protected].
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Vincent Beach
*Vincent Beach is a builder, footballer, and teacher of Irish language. He is the current chairman and youth coach for the Cleveland St. Pat’s – St. Jarlath’s Gaelic Football Club. During the off-season he can be found in PJ’s basement at Speak Irish Cleveland. He can be contacted at [email protected].
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