EuropeanIrish.com News Stories

More Irish people head to Europe, than to UK or USA

Cork Ireland, January 23rd 2008

A recent report by the CSO indicates that between the years 2006 and 2007, at least 25% of all Irish Emigrants settled in Continental Europe (CSO Population/ Migration Report December 07).
This is greater than those travelling to the UK 23.9%, and more than 3 times greater than the percentage travelling to the USA, both the traditional destinations for Irish emigrants.
It is estimated that approximately 300,000 Irish people have made their homes across Europe, and with 3.5 million trips by Irish residents to the Continent in 2006, Ireland’s relationship with her European neighbours has deepened considerably.
The Irish emigrants have settled in their new countries, raised families, and have sown the roots of future generations. As in the past, they have brought with them the wealth of culture that is unique to the Irish, a tradition long since enjoyed in both England and the States. A testament to this is the increasing number of Irish Clubs and Societies that have grown up across Europe, catering for both the Irish and native Europeans all of whom have a shared love of Irish Culture, Sport and Music.
For those interested in the Irish Scene across Europe, there is one unique central point – EuropeanIrish.com.
The brainchild of well travelled Irishman, Siasy Collins, this website is the focal point for all the information one needs to enjoy the Irish scene across Europe.
For the past 5 years the site has been managed on a part-time basis. Since May 2007, however, the emphasis has been on upgrading the existing site, to provide Irish in Europe with the opportunity to connect with other Irish in Europe, and with similar interests.
Siasy Collins, Editor & Publisher, EuropeanIrish, having been based in Europe himself, and involved in the local Irish scene there, explained that Irish people in Europe - want to find where to watch the All-Ireland or Heineken Cup, and where to find Irish Dancing Schools, Bands, Festivals, Irish Sports & Social Clubs, The Irish Embassy, and a choice of more than 2200 Irish Pubs across the Continent, when any local Irish Entertainment or Sport Events are on, and European Irish News.
“The new look Europeanirish.com has a lot of new benefits for visitors. The website is easy to use & navigate. You can build your profile and meet others through M I N E, which is My Irish Network in Europe. You can also chat with others, create a personal story and add events, items or news”, Siasy added.
Irish in Europe can always feel close to home, with the short and lower cost flights, and now through this website one can tune-in live online to over 50 Irish Radio stations, and download free music, supplied by Irish bands based at home and in Europe.

With thousands visiting the website daily, EuropeanIrish.com has something added for everybody, whether you’re an Irish person living in Europe or planning travel to Europe, or whether you’re from Continental Europe, enjoying Irish music, culture, sports or pubs.
Do you know any Irish person in Europe? Let them know today.
Are you planning a trip there for a vacation, on business, to study or to live?
The Next step is simple – just click on www.EuropeanIrish.com, browse the site, stay a while and enjoy it.
– Ends –

Wouldn’t it be great to hear more about top Irish sports stars who are competing for Ireland all across the Continent.

EuropeanIrish.com will feature any sport and all age groups too, if you are Irish and competing in Europe – you are just as important as the Irish Senior soccer team or Munster Rugby, or the Olympic Athletes.EuropeanIrish.com wants to hear from you all - simply visit http://www.europeanirish.com/ News and add the News story.

or maybe you are based in Europe and run a club or a member of one which features a number of irish players, - if you have a news story add it.The Irish in Europe would love to read about it.

Irish amateur boxers celebrated another outstanding year in 2007, winning a raft of medals in international competition against some of the best nations in the world.

Paddy Barnes, Katie Taylor, Ken Egan, Darren Sutherland, Roy Sheahan and the Irish schoolboy squad, who claimed an astonishing two gold, one silver and five bronze medals at the European schoolboy championships in Portsmouth, England, were just some of the names that grabbed the headlines.

Six gold medals were won in European competition, with Ireland dominating the European Union Championships courtesy of top of the podium finishes from Egan, Sutherland and Sheahan.

Read more

http://www.iaba.ie/boxing/Main/News_2007_Review.htm

Find all IABA Irish Sports associations including badminton Ireland at:
http://www.europeanirish.com/sports_association.php

Badminton:  there are Irish competing in Poland, Sweden, Spain, Netherlands (twice), Austria and Germany over the next 6 weeks 

Come out wherever you are based and support Irish sports stars playing near you.

January           

17-20 Polish International Junior Championships     

Glubcyze  Poland

24-27 Swedish International Stockholm       

Taby Sweden

February:

08-10    International Spanish Junior 2008

Spain

12-17   European Mens & Womens Team Championships 2008       

Almere Netherlands

20-23   Austrian International            

Vienna  Austria

26-02   Yonex German Open 2008    

Rhein-Ruhr Halle/ Mulheim, Germany

27-02   Dutch Junior International 2008        

Haarlem Netherlands

Details at

http://www.internationalbadminton.org

Athletics Vienna Indoor International   Austria   2008-01-29 
Athletics - Indoor Meeting Bratislava  Slovakia  2008-01-31
Athletics: Budapest Indoor Meeting  Hungary  2008-02-02
European Clubs Cross Country Albufeira  Portugal  2008-02-03

http://www.europeanirish.com/events.php

Login / Join to search by Country, and Event type - Sport

2008 Athletics events across the Continent with Irish participation have been added today.

The Brand new website is going live his week.

we are currently tranfering the data from the existing site to the new one.

There are many  athletics events this year, chances than no matter what part of Europe you are based - Irish athletes will be competing nearby sometime this year.
These include events in Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Portugal, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Turkey, Russia, Estonia, Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Switzerland and Belgium.
You can even start planning for 2009, with events in Russia, Italy, Lithuania, Serbia, Finland, Germany and Ireland all added already.

currently can be seen at

http://www.europeanirish.com/new/events.php

The first ever survey about Irish people in Europe is being conducted.

If You are Irish and are based in or moving to Continental Europe -

This short survey is for you!

Please forward this email to every Irish person you know living in Europe. 
It is really important for the Irish in Europe.
Please answer just a few short questions in 90 seconds or less Click the Link and answer the questions, thanks.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=c_2bbUKK6N36zUdjY5Fx1FKA_3d_3d

What are the best and hardest things about living in Europe ?
Why might you stay, why might you return?

This survey is specifically about you - Irish people living in Continental Europe.

If you know of any Irish person living anywhere in Continental Europe , please send this survey to him or her today.
If you know many Irish People living in Europe, please send this to them all. This very important survey about you and for you,  and is finishing this week. If you are Irish in Europe - now you can get your say. Click Here to take survey - Have You taken the survey yet? 

Thanks in Advance
Siasy Collins

The Hague, Netherlands, 8th December 2007

Killurin 3-13   1-10 County Europe
“Killurin, winners of the Leinster Special Junior Club Hurling Championship defeated a brave ‘County Europe’  in the Historic Away Leinster Final  held in The Hague, The Netherlands on Saturday December 8th” reports Siasy Collins, Editor of EuropeanIrish.com.

There was no shortage of skill and clash of the ash on display, as Killurin and Europe played out a keenly contested close first half. Just a single point separated the sides at half time.
Played over the full hour, Europe team which although fit, had not played together as a competitive team before, and is used to playing the European Championship over shorter 2 20-minute halves.
The more experience of the Killurin club side from Offaly began to tell late in the second half. Having whipped to a 3 point lead 1-13 to 1-10 with a few minutes left in the match, they finished the stronger with 2 dynamite late goals, to an overall win 3-13 to Europe’s 1-10. Maastricht based Hurling referee was Tony Bass.

 “As the winners of the 2007 European Hurling Championship, Den Haag GAA Club of The Netherlands, one of the longest established and most successful GAA clubs on mainland Europe, were awarded the honour of hosting Killurin and Europe in this first ever match by a mainland Europe Hurling team in the Leinster Championship series.”, says Marie Sheehan, Den Haag GAA Club PRO. “County Europe team comprised hurlers from clubs in Brussels, Paris, Luxembourg, Zurich and host club Den Haag.”

“European County Board (ECB) currently encompasses 27 clubs in 13 countries speaking 11 different languages with over 600 male and 170 female adult players, which is an increase of 28% on two years ago! The largest clubs in Europe being Paris, Luxembourg, Munich & The Hague but all still have less than 100 members each. “ stated Eileen Jennings, Chairperson of the ECB.

Killurin from Offaly were crowned Leinster Special Junior Club Hurling Champions when they defeated Park Ratheniska from Laois on November 18th. On December 8th they added the first Away Leinster Special Junior Club Title to their honours.

www.EuropeanIrish.com

Do you think that Gaelic Games should be an Olympic Sport.

Gaelic Football and Hurling are now played in  Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Germany, France, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic,  Guernsey island, Jersey Island, Hungary, Croatia.

Add in the Asian Gaelic Games, Gaelic Games in Australia, Canada, UK, USA and you find gaelic football and hurling growing in global profile.

http://europeanirish.com

Gaelic Games as an Olympic Sport ?

30th November 2007
At the GAA European County Board Convention, being held in Budapest Hungary on 1st and 2nd December 2007, wording is being agreed to submit a motion to Ireland’s Annual GAA Congress to ‘pursue the recognition of Gaelic Games as an Olympic Sport’.

The motion being submitted by the European County Board looks to establish an International Gaelic Games Federation. This Federation would drive the development of Hurling, Gaelic Football and Camogie across the globe. It would look for recognition as a sport from official authorities in countries where Gaelic Games are played, and pursue the recognition of Gaelic Games as an Olympic Sport.

“This is just one of more than 75 Motions being discussed this weekend at the County convention of the European GAA County Board.” reports Siasy Collins editor of EuropeanIrish.com.

ECB Secretary Tony Bass of Maastricht Gaels explained that “Almost 30 clubs and one national federation …, over 600 men and 200 women played Gaelic Games on European soil during the year”

Chairperson of the ECB Eileen Jennings (Paris Gaels) is delighted “to welcome Helen O’Rourke (Ladies Football Association), Pat Toner (GAA Overseas Committee) and GAA club development personnel Con Hogan, Pat Fitzgerald and Kieran Leddy from Ireland and all European Club delegates to the 2007 ECB convention”
Delegates from every club arrive in Budapest Hungary for the weekend which comprises of a GAA Club Development Training Seminar, a Games Workshop, and the ECB Convention.

Follow a morning Training Seminar, the Convention opens at 16:30 on Saturday 1st December, with reports from the Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer. The election of 2008 officers and voting on ECB Motions continues on Sunday from 10:00.

European County Board (ECB) is an official Gaelic Athletics Association County, under Croke Park (Dublin, Ireland) and the Leinster Council, similar to Kilkenny County Board or Dublin County Board.
In fact, Killurin from Offaly ,  Leinster Special Junior Club Hurling Champions  travel to The Netherlands next weekend December 8th and will take on County Europe – a team comprising hurlers from Brussels, Paris, Luxembourg, Zurich and host club Den Haag, in the away final of the Leinster Special Junior Club Hurling Championship.

Read More on European GAA at www.EuropeanIrish.com

Kerryman Damian Foxall is still leading the two handed, round-the-world yacht race with his skipper Jean Pierre Dick.

Early on Sunday morning, the leaders of the Barcelona World Race, entered the dreaded doldrums zone, an area characterised by light, fluky winds, thunderstorm and rain cells and confused, lumpy seas.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/sailing/2007/1125/sailing.html

Damian Mooney, Michael Mcgeady and Peter O’Keeffe.
who were joined by automatic finalists Stephen Browne, and Colm Moriarty.

Tour School Final - The San Roque Club
San Roque Club
Sotogrande, Cadiz, Spain

15 Nov 2007 - 20 Nov 2007
74 players are joined by 82 exempt from the stages up to the finals.

The Irish in the Final are Stephen Browne, and Colm Moriarty
joined by qualifiers
Damian Mooney, Michael McGeady and Peter O’Keeffe.

Peter O’KEEFFE (AM) Doudlas GC IRL
Michael McGEADY McCambridge Duffy IRL
Stephen BROWNE  Carroll Estates IRL
Colm MORIARTY Glasson G & CC IRL
Damian MOONEY Nevada Bob Belfast NIR

After round 2, the Irish best score was by Colm Moriarty at -1, tied 29th, with the leader on -7.

Next best was Damian Mooney at +3, tied for 94th,
Stephen Browne was on +5, tied 120th, with Peter OKeefe on +8, and McGeady on +9.

###
Round 3.
Colm Moriarty bettered his score slightly moving to -2, and tied for 19th inside the Q mark.
Stephen Browne with a -2 move to +3,  tied 77th, a 76 by Mooney slipped back to +7, 76 by O’Keeffe and 75 by McGeady had them at +12.

Would Moriaty make the final top 30?
Round 4:
At the end of 4 rounds, the cut was put at +2 for the final 2 rounds,
Players who then missed the cut for the final 2 days:
Damian Mooney +7
122 MOONEY, Damian    +7 75 72 76 72 
150 O’KEEFFE, Peter (am)    +15 74 78 76 75     
154 McGEADY, Michael    +17 75 78 75 77

ROUND 4:
Colm Moriarty slipped to a 75 in Round 4, which has seriously rocked his challenge for a top 30 spot.

T60  BROWNE, Stephen *  18 Par 75 74 70 70
T60 MORIARTY, Colm *  18 +1 70 73 71 75

ROUND 5
Tied for 60th MORIARTY, Colm *  18 +1 70 73 71 75 72
Tied for 52nd BROWNE, Stephen *  18 Par 75 74 70 70 71

1 round left on Tuesday.
To make a top 30, Colm and Stephen are currently 3 to 5 shots off.
-4 would get a 24th position at present, -3 would be tied 32nd, which may be just outside.

Leader WIEGELE, Martin is at -15, with a 64 today  71 69 69 72 64

Best of the Irish Tour School Stage 2:

Tour School Stage 2 - Golf Costa Ballena
Golf Costa Ballena
Cadiz, Spain
07 Nov 2007 - 10 Nov 2007

PLACE Name  Nationality Score
13 MOONEY Damian NIR -7 65 73 71 72 281
73 HOEY  Michael NIR +10 75 73 74 76 298

Tour School Stage 2 - Arcos Gardens
Arcos Gardens
Jerez, Spain
07 Nov 2007 - 10 Nov 2007

32 DEVLIN Chris NIR +1 71 72 73 73 289 
32 MAYBIN Gareth NIR +1 73 69 74 73 289 
32 ROBINSON Glen IRL +1 72 74 71 72 289
60 MCDERMOTT Michael IRL +10 75 73 73 77 298

Tour School Stage 2 - Sherry Golf Jerez
Sherry Golf
Jerez, Spain
07 Nov 2007 - 10 Nov 2007

6 O’KEEFFE (AM) Peter IRL -5 71 68 72 72 283
15 McGEADY Michael IRL -3 73 69 74 69 285
62 MURRAY Alan IRL +11 78 73 74 74 299

Tour School Stage 2 - PGA de Catalunya
PGA Golf de Catalunya
Girona, Spain
07 Nov 2007 - 10 Nov 2007

21 FOX  Noel IRL Par  72 71 73 72 288
35 THORNTON Simon IRL +3 69 74 72 76 291
53 CULLEN Gary David IRL +9 72 75 74 76 297
60 KILPATRICK Richard NIR +12 74 77 79 70

The European Seniors Tour Qualifying School – Finals sees three former European Tour champions and two former World Cup winners looking to book their tickets for the 2008 Seniors Tour.
3 Irish in the Final Contest.

Follow live scores here

http://scores.europeantour.com

Sections A and B of the European Qualifying tour were played in Engand, france, Italy and Germany in September.

The 2nd Stage of the Qualifying took place in November 7-10th in Spain.

Irish players who made the 2nd stage Qualifying School were:
Stephen Browne, Mark Campbell, Noel Fox, Gary David Cullen, David Higgins, Micheal mcDermott, Michael mcGeady, Alan Murray, Peter O’Keeffe, Gary Robinson, Simon Thornton, Philip Walton.
Players from Northern Ireland include:
Chris Devlin, Michael Hoey, Richard Kilpatrick, Gareth Maybin, Damian Mooney.

FINAL QUALIFYING STAGE

November 15-20, 2007

San Roque Club, Old Course, Cadiz
San Roque Club, New Course, Cadiz
http://www.sanroqueclub.com/
Directions to San Roque

Qualifying to play in the EUropean PGA tour is the goal of Irishmen - this week in Pinta Course, Pestana, Portugal, 19-22 Nov.

Which Irish players made it through tot he Final Qualifiers?

Connacht 75 Cetransa El Salvador 8
Connacht opened their win account in this season’s European Challenge Cup with a whopping 13-try victory over Spanish outsiders Cetransa El Salvador at the Sportsground on Friday night
http://www.rugby.ie/news/story/?jp=MHMHGBIDKFID&s=breaking&d=new

Chris de Burgh will be doing a limited number of shows in 2008,
initially in Eastern and Western Europe.

Details to be announced soon!

http://europeanirish.com/Music/irishbandsontour.html

The team will play two friendly matches against the U20 Futsal teams of Lisbon giants Benfica and Sporting Lisbon.

The FAI Development squad has been formed primarily from players who participated in the successful first ever Under21 FAI Futsal league earlier this year which was won by Shamrock Rovers.

…
http://www.fai.ie
The matches to be played are as follows:

Tuesday 4th December 2007 at7.30m
FAI Futsal U21 Development Squad V Sport Lisboa Benfica Futsal U20s (Benfica Sports centre).

Wednesday 5th December 2007 at 7.30pm
FAI Futsal U21 Development Squad V Sporting Clube de Portugal Futsal (Hall Paz Amizade-Loures).

FAI Futsal U21 Development Squad
1. John Perkins (Shamrock Rovers)
2. Dane Massey (Shamrock Rovers)
3. Kieran Kilduff (Shamrock Rovers)
4. Mark Langtry (Shamrock Rovers)
5. Alan Lynch (Bohemians)
6. David O’Sullivan (Bray Wanderers)
7. Ian Byrne (Bohemians)
8. Gary McCabe (Bray Wanderers)
9. Keith Gallagher (Bluebell United)
10. Philip McDonagh (Bohemians)
11. Gareth Whelan (Drogheda United)
12. Brendan Dawson (Mount Merrion / YMCA)

Maastricht Gaels, supported by the ECB, will host a foundation level football coaching course with two coach tutors from Dublin on Saturday, November 24th, between 10:00 & 17:30.

The couse is targeted at those who would like to introduce those interested in bringing gaelic football into schools etc. The principal objective is to qualify coaches to teach 8-12 y.o’s.

Both coaches are qualified tutors.
Damian Byrne is a former Dublin hurling goalkeeper and one of the first full-time coaches in the GAA. He was recently appointed Hurling Development Manager for Dublin and is currently a senior county team selector.
Ken Fitzgerald is full-time coach with a leading Dublin club and coach of a third level (DLIADT) college football team.

The course will be broken into a theory session in the morning and a practical skills session in the afternoon. A light lunch (soup/sandwiches) will be available. Copies of the slides etc will be made available. Participants should wear a tracksuit and bring football boots.

Please let Tony Bass (Secretary ECB) know as soon as possible if your club has anyone interested in attending.
Or indeed if you wish to introduce Gaelic Football or Hurling to a new area in Europe. Contact Tony at maastricht GAA club - details here:

http://www.europeanirish.com/Sport/GAA/gaaclubs.html

New clubs are emerging across Spain every year or 2, Valencia and Pamplona have nmade their marks this year, Valencia making its debut in Barcelona last week.

In the Barcelona Regional tournament earlier in the year, Barcelona defeated Madrid 6-19 to 1-09.

In the ladies match Madrid 1-05, Barcelona 2-12.

The Tournament in Madrid, Pamplona made their appearance,
Madrid got revenge on Barcelona winning 3-11 to 10-9 in the opening game of that tournament.
Newcomers Pamplona kept with Madrid and Barcelona in their encounters, scoring 1-00 and 1-01 in each match, which is good against experienced clubs.

In the Ladies Tournament, Madrid defeated Barcelona by 2 scores - 2-10 to 0-10. Pamplona again provided a new Ladies team, scoring twice and three times respectively against Madrid and Barcelona.

Pamplona then hosted their own tournament,

Results Pampalona Tournament Men
MAD 2-5 BCN 3-14
>     MAD 0-14 PAM 0-02
>     BCN 4-15 PAM 1-02
Results Pampalona Tournament Ladies
MAD 1-03 BCN 2-10
>     MAD 1-9 PAM 0-00
>     BCN 4-16 PAM 1-02The 2007 European GAA
Men’s and Women’s
Regional and All-Europe
Championships & Shields

are all available on an easy to follow spreadsheet - with scores, points per tournament, and matches and tournaments  played.

Thanks to Mike Cryan of Paris Gaels GAA and European GAA County Board, for compiling the comprehensive details from the year.
Step 1. Go to: http://europeanirish.com/Sport/GAA/index.html

Step2. Click on
European Men’s and Women’s Gaelic Football, Hurling, Camogie - Championship, Shield, European Regional and all-Europe competitions
CLICK HERE NOW

Step 3.  Read the Spreadsheet - check page Iberia Football Regionals