Sevens Tournament was a Huge Success

It didn't snow, it didn't rain, it wasn't freezing...not sure if we're in Kansas anymore Toto.

The Irish gods were smiling upon us and we had the most perfect March day for our KCGAC Sevens tournament. Director Sully divided the club up into the four Provinces of Ireland and we had a round-robin first and then knock-outs for the championship position.

Connaught 3-5 Vs Leinster 1-0...Winner Connaught

Munster 2-4 Vs Ulster 1-5...Winner Munster

Connaught 1-9 Vs Munster 2-3...Winner Connaught

Ulster 2-3 Vs Leinster 1-3...Winner Ulster

Munster 2-3 Vs Leinster 2-7...Winner Leinster

Ulster 0-1 Vs Connaught 4-5...Winner Connaught

CHAMPIONSHIP

WINNER Connaught

Instead of having a 3rd and 4th place playoff, we combined some of the lads from the other teams to give the finalists a few extra subs to help the tired and weary legs after so many games in a row.

It was great craic and we even had a few fans down at Swope Park cheering us on. Best of all this year, we were injury free.

 A quick stretch before the tournament

The local PD were there to keep an eye on the club treasures

Devin warms up with the Aussie Rules lad

Drake got down on his knees and prayed for the win

Sully's ringer from Rosscommon

The final seconds of the Final, it could have gone either way, very close

Carl looks for the catch

Kieran hold Brandon off, as he makes for another point from the 40 yard line

Ulster - KCGAC Sevens Champions 2010

Seven A Side Tournament - March 28th

This is the most fun weekend in Kansas City Gaelic Football if you ask me. Small teams, on a smaller field, means more action and more scoring.

This is also a great time for new people to come down and experience Gaelic football. Bring $35, a registration form and a medical waiver from our site and we'll stick you on a team.

Our club will be split up into four teams representing the provinces of Ireland: Ulster, Leinster, Connaught and Munster. This should make for some good rivalry and great craic. Rumor has it there is going to be an amazing trophy for the winning team.

So what are you waiting for? Grab your boots if you're playing or a deckchair if you're cheering from the sidelines, and bring the family down to Swope Park, either way you're in for a good Gaelic time.

Time: 3:00pm on Sunday the 28th of March 2010

Place: Swope Park soccer fields
Cost: Free for Spectators

To find out more information about Gaelic Sports in Kansas City visit our website www.kcgac.org.

Here's some Gaelic Football highlights to get you in the spirit.

Snow Day - KC Vs Twin Cities

"Good morning Kansas City, it's gonna be a beautiful day, sunny, sixty-five here in Cowtown." That was the collective VOICE of the local news channels on Friday. 

By Friday evening it was cold...by night it was sleeting and freezing.

We woke up Saturday morning to a good three inches of awesome powder. Great if you're a cross country skier, not so much if you're a Gaelic footballer.

Snow, smow, The Twin Cities were determined to play, they eat snow for breakfast, actually I don't know if they do, but I imagine it's a huge part of their diet living that far north. 

Now, our only worries were finding enough KC players silly enough to play in these conditions. Fools, they all showed and we even had a hardcore fans show up.

We all met up at Shawnee Mission East HS and played a game that will be remembered for years to come. Not for athleticism or skill, but for pure madness.

This was far from the normal warm-up

Big THANKS to The Twin Cities GAA for making the trip to KC

Combined IQ? Ans =27

After the game we all got a lot smarter and went to The GAF for food, warmth and refreshments, and by refreshments I mean beer.

I felt bad for the Twin Cities because last time they were here we had the hottest day on record for 2009. All the same, it was tons of fun and who knows we could make this a tradition and go up North for a similar game next year.

St. Patrick's Day - 2010

We were promised warm, sunny weather from the local news stations. All of Kansas City woke up expecting a beautiful St. Patrick's Day and even though we looked outside and saw drizzle, we held to the belief that by mid-morning it would become a tad more clement. It never did. We froze our collective arses off.

Here's some action from the parade. Thanks to all those that came out to march and to watch from the sidelines. And a special thanks to Lynn Klein for bringing her truck to carry the Irish flag for the KCGAC, which she did in memorial for her mother Jane Klein. We miss you Jane.

Green (as in the environment) was the theme this year

The things parents will make their kids wear: Wellies, Kilt, Paddy Cap. Check, check and check

This guy looks like an extra from Patriot Games.

Hurling and ATV riding = Multiple Dental Visits 

Irish Potato Famine Victims

Irish Cowboys

See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil

The Taylor Lads and their Dad braved the cold

Robert was Protected from the Elements

This wee Galway man came out to show the KCGAC hurlers how to play the old Celtic Cricket

Another great and safe St. Paddy's Day under our belt, hope to see you all again next year, when it will be bigger, better, faster and greener than ever.

The Celtic Ranch

Whether we're playing locally or around the Midwest we get asked about the white horse on our shirts and we simply answer "It's the Celtic Ranch in Weston, MO, the best sponsor an Irish club could have." I drove up there on Sunday morning to see what's going on for St. Patrick's week.

This is Nikki Tikki, he was hanging out with family at the Celtic Ranch. He looks like a classic Irish Sheepdog, but they said he's only tried herding horses, no sheep yet. He's now an honorary member of the KCGAC.

Inside they had complimentary Irish coffee, cake and Guinness brownies for all guests and shoppers.

The Celtic Ranch is not your typical Irish Store and it's definitely no Plastic Paddy Depot. You'll find beautiful Irish handcrafts, local art and photography. Currently there is an amazing collection of work on display by Irish artist Anna Nielsen. They also have a small library of books on Ireland from fiction and food to memoirs and travel. If you're planning a trip to the old country, this needs to be your first stop. And in the back of the store there is a miniature horse called Half-Pint McCoy.

The Celtic Ranch now has hurley sticks and sliotars in stock. Save yourself the expense of ordering from Ireland and get your gear locally from Terry at the Ranch. And as always they have the wonderful KCGAC jerseys in stock. Club members get a nice discount.

You don't need to wait for St. Patrick's Day or Irish Fest to go to the Celtic Ranch, just find a few hours off and take the beautiful drive up Highway 45 from Parkville (you can take I-29 but it's not as scenic) and make a day of it in Weston.

Brookside Parade Report 2010 - You had to be there

The weather was cold, wet and windy, just like Ireland, the Brookside parade organizers had obviously pulled out all the stops to ensure authenticity. 

We stood in the cold like brave arctic-explorers and counted down the minutes 'till go time. However, compared to the Renaissance Festival Kids we were relatively melting, those guys and girls had little more than napkins covering their torsos.

We were surprised how many people came out to cheer-on all the floats and groups, to all those folks I say a BIG "Thank You" from the KCGAC.

And thank goodness there were not too many flagrant examples of gratuitous Irish stereotyping, well there was that little old lady in the motor-scooter done up as a potato. That was a bit much, we had a famine people, a potato famine and the scars run deep.