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

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.

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.

Parading about the Town

It has been a tradition in Ireland now for about a million years to march in a parade on March 17th in honor of our patron saint: St. Paddy or Patrick if you are not a close friend.

I don't know if it's a coincidence that we march in March, but I like it and as my almost-one-time-father-in-law used to say "march fourth" is a sentence and a date, totally irrelevant.

The lads and ladies of the KCGAC will be putting on their marching shoes this year at two parades in the Kansas City metro.

Brookside Parade

First up is the Brookside Parade on Saturday the 13th of March. The parade kicks off at 2pm, but we will commence the gathering at spot no. 48 from 12:30pm onwards, so if you are looking to join the party come on down and join us or cheer for us. Oh, and it's a 1980s theme St. Patrick's Day for the Brookside folks this year. Good thing my Gaelic Football nut-huggers fit the bill perfectly, no costume needed.

Kansas City Parade

The BIG ONE. Rumored to be one of the biggest St. Paddy parades in the whole Universe. Last year over a billion people came out to cheer us on, let's make it a billion and one this year. Go on, get on your  green and don't be mean.

While I was marching with the gang last year, I had the wife on photography duties and here's a sampling of what you've got to look forward to this year.

Pete was driving this bus, he loves rainbows

Cool Cops...Chips for Life

Ah, there is nothing I can say that the picture doesn't already

The big man himself, looking a little bloated I might say

Traditional Giant Irish Shamrock

Irish Boud

His buddy Jack

Jack had the luck of the Irish

Have a great time and a safe time at the parades this year. If you find yourself having a pint or two, make sure to take advantage of the free rides home with Yellow Cab. Slan!

Blog Hunting...Gaelic Style

I've been up early this morning and taken a nice wee walk around the Internet and here are some blogs I've come across to share with you. And if you find any cool blogs about Ireland and its culture, sports etc...please share them with us.

Dave's Football Blog
I thought I was the first man here from the KCGAC, but it looks like Murphy beat me to it!

Official GAA website from Ireland

Asian County Board
I didn't know Asia was made up of Irish counties, but you learn something new every day.

Seattle Hurling Blog
This is a part of the Seattle Gaels Men's Hurling website, quite funny too.

Check out this honorary Irishman


See, Irish news is not all doom and gloom


And now some serious clips on Ireland