Glasgow womens celtic sports festival

The inaugural Glasgow women’s Celtic festival was
a measured success for the Tir Conaill Harps Gac. Although they
were a bit disappointed at the lack of teams from Ireland, the committee
had put in a lot of time and effort into promoting the vent in Ireland,
there was a lot of positive feedback from everyone who participated.
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et up by the club’s Management Committee with the purpose of
raising the profile of women in the club, the women seen the festival
as a means to do that and also showcase the sports of ladies football,
camogie and women’s shinty to a wider audience, also. Events began
at the Cartha Rugby club with an exhibition match between the
club’s ‘ mini harps’ and a team from Sunnyside Primary school.
The school team were coached by their teacher, Gissell Gonzeles,
who is also a member of the club’s ladies team and one the Harps’
community coaches. The finer skills of gaelic football may not
have been on show but there was plenty of enthusiasm displayed
by the youngsters. The Harps eventually came out on top 3-5 to
2-2.

While the under 8s were playing a new group of coaches were participating
in the Fundamentals Ladies Gaelic Football Coaching course. The
course is run by the Ladies Gaelic Football Association who kindly
sent over tutors Tyrone woman Eilish Gormley and Lynn Savage from
Louth. In addition to the Harps’ coaches the club welcomed a group
of players from the recently formed Glasgow Gaels ladies football
team.

The first of the competitive action came in the afternoon with
the camogie tournament between Tir Conaill Harps, Eire Og , from
Co.Cork and Ardoyne Kickhams, from Co.Antrim. After a series of
round robin games it was the Cork girls who came out on top with
a 5-5 to 0-1 win over the hosts in the final. In between all the
competitive action was two come and try sessions in Gaelic football
and camogie. A number of women’s shinty players came along to
try their hand at camogie. The outdoor event concluded on the
first day with a ladies shinty match. All the footballers, camogs
and shinty players joined in to try their hand at this fast growing
sport.

Despite their action packed day the women still had some energy
left to attend the festival ceili in the Langside Halls were they
danced the night away to sounds of the St.James comhaltas ceili
band. It was the turn of the footballers to play an exhibition
match on the Sunday. Glasgow Gaels won the Celtic women’s cup
with a 2-8 to 2-4 win over Tir Conaill harps. The Harps had chances
near the end to turn the game around, but in the end the best
team won. It was a tremendous match and full credit to both teams
for playing so well on such a warm day.

Cumann Camogaiochta na nGael provided the festival with the services
of Ger Gribbon from Armagh who tutored a foundation level camogie
course. Ger was also very much involved in refereeing the games
on the Saturday as well. All of these things cost money and the
hard working committee finished the day off with a Balloon Race,
which they hope will go some way to reducing the costs of putting
the festival on. There is no doubt the festival has a lot of potential
and is something which will now become an annual event. The club
would like to hear from club’s or individuals who want to be kept
on our mailing list for updates on next year’s event.

Tir Conaill Harps can be contacted at the address below.

Tir Conaill Harps Gaelic Athletic Club St.Patrick’s Primary School
10 Perth.St Glasgow G3 8UQ Tel: 0141 221 4553 Mobile: 07930613874
Scottish Charity No.SCO34520 www.conaill.fsnet.co.uk