GAA reigns in Spain

The GAA family is spread far and wide across the world and with emigration hitting huge parts of Ireland in enormous numbers the growing diaspora have sought solace in their national game as they attempt to settle into new lives abroad. With so many Irish people ensconced in every corner of the world it is no surprise that international GAA champiobnships are being developed and last Saturday Eire Og, Seville in Spain hosted the first round of the 2011 Iberian GAA Championship. Irish people from all over the country have flocked to their local GAA clubs abroad and one Meath man is expected to play a prominent role for the hosts Eire Og Seville. Former Curraha player Eamon Doyle is a member of the Eire Og club in Spain and he will he hoping to make a big impact in the Iberian GAA Championship this year. Curraha native Doyle moved to Spain to work for Airbus Seville, he is a son of Pat and Aileen Doyle. He played at full-back for Curraha at all under-age levels. He also represented Meath primary schools and won a JFC medal with his local club. The Meath man has been travelling for a couple of years as an aircraft electrician and he has worked in Germany before moving to Spain where he is currently based in Seville. Teams from Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Marbella, La Coruña and Pamplona will take part in the Spanish Gaelic football tournament. Over 200 players will compete in men's and women's tournaments, held over one day at a modern sports facility located beside Seville's Olympic Stadium. This year will mark the seventh Iberian Championships, with a record number of teams taking part. The tournament takes place under the jurisdiction of the European County Board and Croke Park, with all games refereed by qualified GAA officials especially flown in for the weekend. All games are 11-a-side, 20 minutes duration and are played on a full-size pitch. As the tournament format includes a group stage, semi-finals and final, winners must play at least four games. All players must be living, working or studying in Spain. Eire Og Seville - 'los verdirojos' - was formed in 2009 and debuted in last year's championship. The team features a backbone of Irish players, a growing number of Spanish players who have fallen in love with the sport and a sprinkling of English, Scots, Swedes and Americans. Hosting the first round of this year's Iberian Championships will be a very proud day for all the 'verdirojo' players and fans, said club secretary and former Ardmore and Waterford man Kevin Lenane. "We are expecting to put on a great show and feel we have a good chance of success this year. "We welcome the other players and teams from all over Spain and also hope as many fans from Seville as possible – especially those who might not know much about the GAA – will come along to cheer us on," said Lenane. Eire Og Seville includes members from Meath, Dublin, Kildare, Offaly, Derry, Sligo, Waterford and Tipperary. Further rounds of the 2011 Iberian Championship will be played in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Pamplona. Last year Madrid Harps won both the overall men's and ladies' titles. The Iberian champions will compete for the European title. For more information on the club, the game and the tournament see http://eireogseville.wordpress.com or email dermotmcorrigan@gmail.com.