History was made for the Cologne Celtics GAA Club on Saturday, 21st October 2023, as we held our first Benelux Gaelic football tournament. Our tournament featured the Earls of Leuven GAA, Nijmegen GFC and players from the Maastricht Gaels. This tournament was the second round of the Benelux Development Football Tournament series, as several of our players attended the first round in Leuven. The third round will take place in Nijmegen on November 18th, and we are sure there will be a strong Celtics contingent there representing our club.
The Benelux development series has been fantastic for us in 2023, as it allows clubs to play Gaelic football matches against clubs of a similar level, and it allows others to give some of their less-experienced valuable game time in a tournament setting. 2023 has been a big year for our Gaelic footballers, with more players than ever going to the German Cup and rounds of Benelux tournaments. We hope to see that growth continue into 2024.
The following tournament report was provided by our club hurling officer, and the team manager for the day, Frank O’Connor. His report focuses on the men’s matches, our the ladies were also in action. Nijmegen and Leuven brought their ladies, and Nijmegen ended up winning the tournament.
Match 1: Cologne Celtics 4:03 Earls of Leuven 0:02
In a thrilling encounter between the Cologne Celtics GAA and Leuven GAA, the day’s first match concluded with a final score of four goals and three points to two points in favour of the Cologne team. The game featured exceptional performances and exciting moments, making it memorable.
The game started with great anticipation; both teams were ready to give it their all. The Cologne Celtics fielded a strong lineup, with Niall guarding the goalposts, and Michael, Fred, and Naoise forming the defensive unit. Dave Ryan from Waterford took charge in midfield, partnering with Santi, while up front, the team had Dave from Ballincollig, Killian from Cork, and Niall Kavanagh, who had a strong start to the game.
Cologne made an impressive mark early in the match, scoring several goals. Dave from Ballincollig was the standout player, running riot and netting two exceptional goals. Niall Kavanagh marked his return by capitalizing on a rebound in the square, adding to the goal tally. The team also saw a beautiful goal from Naoise, who hails from Ballinasloe. Their dominance in the first half put them firmly in control.
On the other hand, Leuven made some excellent interventions, with Alex and Johannes from Cologne playing for them in half-back positions. The Leuven side featured several new Italian players who brought a robust physical presence to the game.
The second half saw Leuven making a comeback, challenging Cologne’s lead. In the Cologne goal, Niall Cunningham was the hero of the hour, making two incredible saves that kept his team ahead. However, Cologne struggled to maintain their first-half momentum, facing challenges in moving the ball and losing Dave from De La Salle to a hamstring injury, leaving them with only one substitute.
Daniel from Dusseldorf made a positive impact when he came on in the back. The match also witnessed the debut of Ciarán R, who started in the forwards, showing his agility and enthusiasm for the ball.
Despite the brilliant saves by Niall in the Cologne goal, the second half turned into a midfield battle, with scoring opportunities limited. A noteworthy moment came when Fred embarked on an impressive run, earning a free kick that rattled the crossbar. Fred later managed to secure the only point for Cologne in the second half with an excellent long-range effort.
Ultimately, the Cologne Celtics GAA secured a well-deserved victory, but the match ran out of steam towards the closing stages. Leuven had a formidable full forward, complemented by an animated Italian goalkeeper, making for an intense contest.
Overall, it was an entertaining and hard-fought match, with plenty of highlights and some areas for improvement identified by the Cologne Celtics as they look forward to their next game.
Match 2: Cologne Celtics 6.04 v Nijmegen 4.08
Cologne Celtics faced Nijmegen in a thrilling match that kept fans on the edge of their seats. The final score saw Cologne emerge victorious with 6.04, while Nijmegen fought valiantly and finished with 4.08 in a closely contested battle.
From the start, it was evident that this would be a high-scoring game, with both teams demonstrating impressive skill and determination. The match was characterized by numerous lead changes and intense back-and-forth action, making it an exciting spectacle for all in attendance.
The game’s defining moments were marked by the exceptional runs and deep plays by Fred and Dave from Ballincollig, who both delivered stellar performances throughout the match.
Cologne Celtics got a strong start, quickly gaining a two-goal lead. Fred made a remarkable contribution by lobbing a sensational goal from a considerable distance. Dave’s noteworthy play allowed him to win a kickout, receive a pass from Naoise, and convert it into a goal, displaying a breathtaking skill level.
Niall, guarding the Cologne goal, continued to impress by making another miraculous save to keep his team in the lead. However, Nijmegen showcased their slick inter-passing abilities, orchestrating a series of well-placed passes around Cologne’s square to secure a crucial goal and take the lead.
Cologne’s very own Cillian made a decisive run and took a fantastic shot, but once again, Niall proved his mettle with a crucial save. Arun capitalized on the rebound and slammed the ball into the net, levelling the score.
Cologne responded with a well-executed play, working the ball up from the back and engaging in slick inter-passing. Killian’s efforts were rewarded with a lovely point. Despite taking a tough hit to the face, Naoise demonstrated his determination by earning a free kick and converting it into a beautiful point from 30 yards.
The action continued with Dave from Ballincollig embarking on an unbelievable run from the middle of the field. He was foot-blocked in the penalty area, resulting in a penalty, which he calmly finished. Fred then added to the spectacle with a bullet goal, bursting through the middle to extend the lead. He followed up with a fantastic point, showcasing his accuracy.
Nijmegen responded with a well-orchestrated play down the right, displaying their footballing prowess and scoring a well-deserved goal. It was evident that Nijmegen’s players possessed strong football skills and played the game with great finesse.
As the match entered its final moments, Dave continued to shine for Cologne. Under immense pressure, he blocked a powerful shot on goal, deflected it over the bar, and secured a crucial point. Dave’s performance was pivotal in maintaining Cologne’s lead.
Cologne emerged as the winner in a closely fought contest. However, the team faced some challenges, losing Killian to a hamstring injury, seeing Naoise suffer a burst lip and nose, and Alex taking a tough hit. Nonetheless, all the players displayed resilience and determination.
The final score corrected to 6.04 for Cologne and 4.08 for Nijmegen, with Cologne Celtics GAA emerging victorious by a two-point margin in this highly competitive and entertaining match.
Final: Cologne Celtics GAA vs. Nijmegen GAA
In the closing encounter of the day, fans were treated to a high-scoring showdown between the Cologne Celtics and Nijmegen. Both teams showcased their talent, determination, and passion for the game, making it an exhilarating spectacle from start to finish.
Nijmegen took to the field with a determined lineup featuring the following Celts: Tobi in goal, Arun in the forwards, and Cillian holding down the full-back position. They made a strong start, establishing early dominance and putting points on the board. However, as the game unfolded, the Celts began to find their rhythm and mount a comeback.
Naoise was pivotal in turning the tide, contributing a fantastic score. Nijmegen, however, managed to add a point or two to their tally, showcasing their competitive spirit.
Despite being new to Gaelic Football, Alex displayed the experience of a veteran and came into his own during the match. He dispossessed Nijmegen’s standout player at one point and set off on a thrilling run down the field. Naoise, who was in fine form, continued to shine during this phase of the match.
Niall Kavanagh, who had a relatively slow start to the day, found his stride and was on fire towards the end of the game. He delivered two remarkable goals from long balls over the top, catching them with precision and burying them in the back of the net. These pivotal moments solidified Cologne’s position in the match.
Nijmegen, a formidable and rugged team, managed to breach Cologne’s defence for a few shots. However, Niall Cunningham proved to be an exceptional goalkeeper, pulling off several stunning saves and executing remarkable kickouts.
Both teams continued to trade goals and points as the match progressed, resulting in a high-scoring affair. Fred, displaying his scoring prowess, netted a few goals, while Naoise continued to contribute with points from various angles.
After half-time, Ciarán showcased his potential and had a brilliant intervention in the goalmouth, blocking and clearing the ball to safety. Alex maintained his powerful presence in the second half, working tirelessly for his team.
Niall Cunningham’s exceptional form persisted, pulling off several remarkable saves in the second half. Naoise added another brilliant goal to his tally, displaying composure under intense pressure from Cillian.
The match concluded with Nijmegen staging a late comeback and scoring a few breakaway goals. Arun made another contribution with a goal, and Nijmegen’s more experienced player nailed a remarkable long-distance goal. However, it wasn’t enough to defeat the Celtics – and we ended the day with three victories.
Special thanks to the referees, Tony and Alan from Leuven, for their excellent officiating. Both teams displayed outstanding sportsmanship and played hard-fought, competitive matches, making it a memorable and thrilling day of Gaelic football.
Thanks for the report, Frank!
A great day of Gaelic Football action in Cologne, and surely the first of many more to come in the future! Huge thank yous to our chairperson Laura, secretary Lea, Football Officer, Cillian, Ladies Officer Kat, Frank, Laura C, Fred and Niamh, among others, for their extensive contributions to the day.
If you would like to get involved with us and see what Gaelic football is all about, please do not hesitate to get in contact with us directly. We are always looking for more players and members.
You can find out about club membership here on the website, and our training times are also available. We’re already looking forward to the next tournament, and then we can start to slowly recharge our batteries and prepare for 2024.
Kölle abú!
Cologne Celtics 