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.

Basketball – who has made Ireland’s National Cup Finals

by Eurobasket News - Jan 14, 2008– The Tigers and Killester made it through to the National Cup Finals. They secured their respective victories in the National Basketball Arena yesterday to claim the Final spots. The Tigers overcame UCD Marian, while Dart Killester bumped Shamrock Rovers to advance. UCD/Marian are rare guests to this stage of the competition as they made it to the semis for the first time in over 20 years. The Tigers meanwhile defend their last season’s National Cup title.

http://www.eurobasket.com/irl/irl.asp

Basketball

The National Cup finals, all grades played, from weekend beginning Friday, January 25, is as follows:

Fri 25/01/2008
U-18 W
Team Montonette Hotel Cork v Maree; 18:30

Fri 25/01/2008
U-18 M
Maree v Ballincollig; 20:30

Sat 26/01/2008
SWC
Singletons SuperValu Donoughmore v Mustang St. Paul’s; 11:30

Sat 26/01/2008
SMC
UCD Marian v St. Vincent’s; 13:30

Sat 26/01/2008
U-20 W
Team Montonette Hotel Cork v Meteors; 17:30

Sat 26/01/2008
All Star Game; TBC

Sat 26/01/2008
U-20 M
An Cearnog Nua Moycullen v UCD Marian; 20:30

Sun 27/01/2008
WSL
Team Montonette Hotel Cork v Bausch & Lomb Waterford Wildcats; 13:00

Sun 27/01/2008
MSL
Abrakebabra Tigers v DART Killester; 15:15

Irish Basketball association website at :

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

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: Scott Evans based in chance to play 2 of the world’s top players. 

Scott Evans is ’s number 1 Men’s singles badminton player and is currently ranked inside the elite Men’s world top 50. 

Scott is looking forward towards representing atthe Bejing Olympics in 2008 and is currently situated well inside the qualifying mark. The final list will be announced in May 2008 

Scott has represented at all levels and his biggest achivement to date was playing in the Denmark Super Series 2007 when he took his place amongst the worlds top 32 shuttlers after beating three players inside the worlds top 25 along the way. A first for an Irish Badminton Player…. Scott was also the beaten finalist in the Croatian Open 2007 

Scott’s is currently living and training in under the watchfull eye of former Danish great Jim Laugesen.   

……this week to take part in the opening Super Series events of the year. Scott plays the winner of the Pablo Abian and Yu Hsin Hsieh match in the qualifiers on the 15th January. A game against world number 5 Peter Gade of in the first round proper awaits the winner of this qualifying section. The following week in Korea Scott has an opening qualifying game against Bobby Milroy of  and should he win that he will have a tough match against Yi Lu of all on the 22nd January. The winner of this qualifying section will play Hong Chen of , the world number 10, in the first round proper. 

Best of luck to Scott in both tournaments and as always you can follow his daily progress on his blog and website at www.scottevansirl.com where Scott will be giving his thoughts and views on all his matches. Pop into his forum and leave a good luck message or join the site to get news of upcoming live online chats with Scott. 

Read recent article on Scott at http://www.badzine.info/content/view/780/3/ 

MORE on Irish in badminton : 

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

Athletics: Belfast International Cross Country
 Last week at the cross country international Dave Webb and Lee Carey were 5th and 6th, men’s 9k,
In the women’s 5.k, Deirdre Byrne won bronze,Vicky Gill 4th, Linda Byrne Milton 5th,  Filicity Milton 8th.
Men’s 7.4 Veterans’ race was won by Dave Morwood, Gary Crossan 2nd both over 35s, with 3rd place Robert Quinn also winning the over 40 race.
9th place Dominic Bonner won the over 45s race. Matt Shields 12th won the over 50s.
U17 girls was won by Ciara Mageean – of City of Lisburn AC.
 Full results at : http://www.athleticsireland.ie/content/?p=3144

Athletics: Young Irish win Gold at the Celtic Nations  Cross Country Edinburgh
Ciara Mageean and Shane Quinn win gold at U17 in EdinburghIreland also won Gold in the Celtic Nations team events in the Women’s u23 team 6.7k, and the Women’s U20 team 6.7k,
There were 4 teams – Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Ulster – which is another Irish team really.

U17 Girls, Ciara Mageean from Ulster team won Gold, Ireland’s Shannon Ryan being the best of the Irish coming in 6th.
In the Boys U17, Shane Quinn from ferrybank crossed the line ahead of the field – to claim Ireland team’s only individual Gold.

In the men’s 4, Gary Murray was best if the Irish in 7th.
Fionnula Britton was best of the women in 11th, but strong finishes by Irish U20 and U23 runners claimed Ireland gold in each team event.
http://www.athleticsireland.ie/content/?p=3179

Athletics:
Top European Hurdlers Callenge O’Rourke At The Odyssey Arena
European Hurdles medallists Jenny Kallur (Sweden) and Christina Vukicevic (Norway) will race against current Irish World Indoors Champion Derval O’Rourke.
in the Woodie’s DIY Irish Indoor Championships on 26th and 27th January at the Odyssey Arena Belfast. The event is organised and promoted by Athletics Northern Ireland and the Athletic Association of Ireland and in conjunction with Belfast City Council and Sport NI as funding partners.

24-year old Jenny Kallur’s the twin sister, Susanna is the current European hurdles champion and 2007 world ranked number 2. Jenny took the silver medal behind winner Susannah in the 60m hurdles event at the Madrid European Indoor Championships in 2005.

The Swede’s current indoor time should provide ideal competition for O’Rourke who beat Kallur when taking the European Outdoor silver medal in 2006 in a new Irish record of 12.72 seconds. Also taking the start line will be Kallur’s training partner Christina Vukicevic. The 20 year old Norwegian is the World Outdoor junior silver medallist from Beijing in 2006.
More at
http://www.athleticsireland.ie/content/?p=3202#more-3202

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

The Hague, Netherlands, 8th December 2007

Killurin 3-13   1-10 County Europe
“Killurin, winners of the Home 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 - the resource for Irish people living in Contiental Europe.

Hurling is one of Ireland’s two national sports, and is currently also played in Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) clubs across Continental Europe – in Brussels, Paris, Luxembourg, Zurich, Den Haag, Maastricht, Amsterdam, Groningen,  Munich, Dusseldorf, Budapest, Vienna, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Knn Croatia and Llati Finland. Gaelic Football, Ireland’s other National Sport is also played in Sweden, Czech Republic and Portugal.

Played at lightening speed, hurling is similar to hockey, played on a sports field, and the players can pickup the ‘sliotar’ (ball) and strike it long distances with the hurley. With ‘H’ shaped goals, 3 points are awarded for a Goal under the crossbar, and 1 point for a score over the crossbar and between the posts. The match is played with 15 players per side, a standard club match lasting 60 minutes, played in 2 halves.

“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 (Leinster is an Irish Province)”, 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.”

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.

“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

Scott Evans has climbed the world of men’s singles badminton over the past number of years, qualifying for the Olympics next year in Beijing, if he maintains or improves this outstanding achievment.
Recently he has taken on the World Number 1 and defeated the former World Number three.

This guy is one Ireland should be proud of, and follow his tremedous climb in world badminton.

He is currently Training hard in Denmark. http://scottevansbadminton.blogspot.com/2007/11/training-hard.html

Watch Scott Evans on You Tube - on his website and blog.

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

Gaelic football was played in Brittany last weekend by 4 teams with no Irish players.
“With 4 teams in the Brittany Gaelic Football Championship, and 2 new emerging clubs, Gaelic Football is taking on a world of its own,” according to Siasy Collins of EuropeanIrish.com
There is no english spoken. GAA Clubs de Bretagne have websites entirely in French.
These clubs simply have a passion for playing Gaelic Football.

This week, the second round of the Championnat de Bretagne was played in Brest, with the hosts playing Rennes, Sens de Bretagne and Nantes, each fielding 11-a-side teams, in a round-robin League format.
In Brittany, new teams are building in Vannes and Monterfil.

“Sens de Bretagne won the tournament. We (Brest) were second with a lot a new players, who only started Gaelic Football two months ago. Rennes are 3rd and Nantes were 4th.” Gaetan Danet, secretary of Bro-Leon Brest Gaelic Football Club.

Results
Brest 1-0 - 7-4 Sens de Bretagne
Rennes 1-1 - 1-0 Nantes

Nantes 1-0 - 3-1 Brest
Brest 3-3 - 3-0 Rennes

Rennes 1-0 - 3-0 Sens de Bretagne
Sens 3-3 - 1-0 Nantes.
de Bretagne
Round 2 (17 November)
1st Sens de Bretagne
2nd Brest
3rd Rennes
4th Nantes

Round 1 in Rennes (20 October):
1.Sens de Bretagne
2.Rennes
3.Nantes
4.Brest.

more details on http://www.EuropeanIrish.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?

In Hong Kong Open, Graeme McDowell scored 4 sub-69 rounds, carding 67, 66, 68, 68.
When 4 rounds of consistent form are not good-enough, then it must be difficult to stomach, admitting “I am a little bit frustrated but it is a great way to finish the year ”
He hads given himself something to play for next year - as he is closing in on a European Ryder Cup spot.

Graeme has had 10 top-20 finishes this year.

Graeme in fact ended behind 5 others, and 4 shots off the leader.

Miguel Angel Jiminez with 65, 67, 66, 67 took the title .

01 Jimenez -16

06 McDowell -11

= 20th McGrane -7

= 26th Murphy -6

= 50th McGinley +1

##

In Japan, Padraig Harrington had a tie for the lead with 2 days of play left. His third round was his downfall, declaring “‘I ran out of a little bit of steam, got a little bit frustrated yesterday, (Saturday).”  he hit a 73 in his 3rd round which left him 6 strokes off the pace.

Harrington was never a factor in the final round at Phoenix Country Club, after starting the day six shots off the pace, but he shot a respectable 69 in tough, windy conditions to tie for fifth, six strokes behind winner Ian Poulter.

Newport Gwent Dragons 17 London Irish 45
Mike Catt let his rugby do the talking as London Irish romped to a second successive Heineken Cup bonus point victory

http://www.rugby.ie/news/story/?jp=MHMHGBIDIDCW&s=breaking&d=new

Just listened to Johnny Giles interview on Newstalk, confirming that he has had talks with Paul Jewel, former Wigan boss, and concluded that Paul is now closer to considering the Irish job than he was before John Giles spoke to him.
“I’m certainly not ruling it out. I am thinking about it,” said Jewell.

Listen live online to Newstalk 106 and  other Irish radio stations here:
http://www.europeanirish.com/Radio/

Women’s UEFA Championship Group 2 Qualifier
Republic of Ireland 2 – 1 Romania
Michelle O’Brien 18           Simona 40
Stefanie Curtis 31

The Republic of Ireland Women’s have beaten Romania in their vital UEFA Women’s Championship, Group 2 Qualifier at Richmond Park today. Goals by Michele O’Brien and Stefanie Curtis sent Ireland on their way to a third win in four games from the campaign so far.
Full details :
http://www.fai.ie

http://europeanirish.com/blog/category/sport/soccer/