Gaelic Football

RGU GAELIC FOOTBALL CLUB

CLUB OF THE YEAR 2006

To find out more about getting involved contact Stephen Cloonan on gaelicfootball@rgu.ac.uk

"A woman is like a football, when you get it you hold it and hold it tight, and when it gets sloppy you pass her on, preferably to your best friend, or else you give her the boot".

In case you are wondering these are the wise words of last years captain elect Paddy Mulligan before the quarter final of the British championships in February. Last year saw RGU's greatest year in British Universities GAA. The year began in September with a panel of 35 players training on Tuesday and Friday nights. A successful league campaign, which ran from October to December comprising of six games, saw us qualify for the British championships in February 2006. From the group stages we qualified second which led to a clash with our rivals St. Mary’s of London, a team which were undefeated in four years and have won the Trench Cup back in Ireland. Hence the words above, although seem ridiculous now, started off what was to be RGU GAA's greatest victory in beating the mighty Mary's and preventing their five in a row. The year was topped off with the news that that we won runner-up club of the year at the sports awards, something with which we wish to go one better on next year.

The ladies team also had a hugely successful year, winning the Scottish league and reaching the semi-finals of the British championships in Middlesborough. With a huge turnout all year they have certainly put RGU ladies GAA on the map and will be one of the leading contenders for the title next year.

In my opinion the great thing about RGU GAA is the team unity. This is a club that trains, plays, eats, drinks and most of us live together. A team that has no manager yet it is one of the top four teams in the United Kingdom.

Sessions are pretty frequent and include the race night and the newly installed stars in your eyes night not to mention the session after all matches and most training sessions.

In closing next year promises to be a successful year with both the men's and women's teams providing serious contention for the British championships next year. I look forward to speaking to you all at the freshers fair and welcoming you to the RGU GAA club.

Till then, adios.

Stephen Cloonan
President