Gaelic Football in Purkersdorf – 5. Internationales Turnier ein voller Erfolg

Am 26. April fand in der Speichberg-Arena des FC Purkersdorf das 5. österreichische Gaelic Football Turnier der nordosteuropäischen Liga statt. Spielerisches Können und eine gute Portion Kampfgeist zeigten die drei konkurrierenden Teams: die Vienna Gaels als Gastgeber, die Budapest Rangers und die München Colmcilles. Das Endspiel, das von Karl Schlögl, Bürgermeister von Purkersdorf und Frank Cogan, Botschafter der irischen Republik in Österreich, eingeleitet wurde, konnten die München Colmcilles für sich entscheiden. Somit ging auch der Sieges-Pokal dieses Jahr wieder in die bayrische Hauptstadt. In einem Freundschaftsspiel stellte sich die Damenmannschaft der Vienna Gaels den Ladies aus Budapest, die das Spiel für sich entscheiden konnten. Ivana Ostojic von den Vienna Gaels wurde für Ihre besondere Leistung als beste Spielerin bei den Ladies ausgezeichnet. Sonnenschein, gute Stimmung, ein tolles Publikum und der Einsatz aller Spieler machten das Turnier zu einem vollen Erfolg.

Gaelic Football ist Irland’s Nationalsport Nummer eins. Im restlichen Europa hat sich dieser Teamsport schon in zahlreichen Städten etabliert und verzeichnet eine wachsende Fangemeinde. Seit 2004 findet in Wien und Umgebung jährlich ein Turnier der nordosteuropäischen Liga im Gaelic Football statt. Fortgesetzt wird der Turnierreigen im Mai in Budapest und im Juli in München.
Mehr Informationen zu Gaelic Football und den Vienna Gaels gibt es unter www.europe.gaa.ie, sowie unter www.gaavienna.at
Here are some Photos from the Tournament

 

1st Round of the North East Region: Vienna Tournament 26th April 2008

The first round of the Men’s Gaelic Football Competition North East Region took place this year in Purkersdorf outside Vienna In Lower Austria.
The three men’s teams that were fighting for the title were Vienna Gaels, Munich Colmcilles and Budapest Rangers. All teams played each other once with the top two teams going through to the final.

Mens Competition

1st Game: Vienna vs Munich
Munich showed their experience, working the ball from deep and giving their forwards space to score. Vienna, too, had some great chances but, unlike Munich, failed to turn chances into points.
München Colmcilles 2-9 Vienna Gaels 0-2

2nd Game: Munich vs Budapest
Budapest’s quick start with two goals, did enough to decide the game in the first half, with Munich rallying in the second half but to no avail.
München Colmcilles1-3 Budapest Rangers 2-6

3rd Game: Vienna vs Budapest
Vienna with the momentum built up from the second half of the first game, used the ball more efficiently and were unlucky to go into the second half with only a one point lead. Budapest with the wind quickly found the equalizer and started to pull away from Vienna.
Vienna Gaels 1-5  Budapest Rangers 1-8

Final: Budapest vs Munich
The final was closely fought game, going into extra time before being won in decisive manner by a resurgent Munich team.
Budapest Rangers 0-13 München Colmcilles 1-13

Ladies’ friendly

9-a-side Challenge game was played, giving Budapest ladies the chance at revenge after being beaten at home last year by Vienna, Vienna dominated within the opening minutes and got the opening score of the game, however a more experienced Budapest side took the cup back over the Danube

Player of the tournament

Best men’s player of the tournament went to Henno from Munich, who was a constant buzz of energy, making himself available to teammates throughout each game.
Best ladies player was awarded to Ivana Ostojic, the Vienna goalkeeper who pulled off some incredible saves.
The best player awards were decided by Mick Moran, the referee of the tournament and were presented along with the tournament trophies by his Excellency, Ambassador Cogan.

Many thanks to those who made the tournament a success His Excellency Ambassador Cogan, the Mayor of Purkersdorf Karl Schlögl, Kurt Sabatnig, Mick Moran, Friedrich “Fritz” Bruckner, the organizing committee and especially the players and supporters of all the teams who attended.