KCGAC at The Celtic Ranch

Beer 'n Sports: who doesn't love that combination?

The KCGAC board headed up to Weston early and had our monthly meeting upstairs in The Celtic Ranch. We sipped on a few O'Malley's Weston Brewing Company beers while we debated the in's and out's of the club.

Then around 3 o'clock we invited people to come up and share a beer with us and talk about Gaelic Football and Hurling.

We had people from Hawaii there who had never heard of Gaelic games before, but were so impressed that they took our information and are going to see if there are any Gaelic clubs back on the big island.

People from all over the Kansas City metro area and Lawrence came up and we got two new "Honorary" members, the sisters Meghan and Erin, we tried to get their Dad to sign up, but he was having none of it!

Later we walked around the store wearing our club jerseys, listening to an acoustic session of Flanagan's Right Hook and absorbing the great atmosphere of The Celtic Ranch. Some of the lads stayed the night in Weston, and I think I'll do the same next time. 

Thank you Terry and John, you and the gang at The Celtic Ranch are the best.

Mike, Pete and Anto wearing their KCGAC gear

Sully and Scott chillaxing Ranch style

Anthony and Devin showing what not to do with a hurley stick

Curtis explains why looking good on the field is as important as being good!

Erin and Meghan will be out to practice next week or maybe to just cheer us on

Showing ball skills

Fearsome KCGAC players

After a hard day doing PR work, its time to sit down and drink

The Unsung Hero of Gaelic Games

Our Referee most days: Mr. Chad Griffin

When the ball goes wide, when you get a hard challenge and don't get a free, when you miss kick the ball, when you give a bad hand pass, when you run out of energy and gasp for breath: You blame the Ref.

That's right, the guy who is out there of his own goodness officiating YOUR game, so YOU can have fun and play Gaelic games and all you want to do is tell this fella where to stick it. So, today all us hot headed players are going to cool it and show respect for the man that makes tournaments happen and keeps friendly games friendly. All hail the Ref.

Here's some refs in the spotlight:

Pub Quiz - Summer Series

 Picture borrowed from thepubquizcompany.com

If you've spent any time in Ireland or the British Isles, they you will have become acquainted with the institution known as: The Pub Quiz.

They are weekly trivia nights held and organized by local pubs throughout the British Isles. Growing up in Ireland I used to attend one every week in the Pier Bar with the Anderson's. They would become heated debates, with dictionaries and encyclopedia knowledge being spouted and the odd cheat slipping off to the bathroom to google an answer on their phones. Not long ago I got a call on my cellphone from Ireland looking for the answer to such a question. No shame.

The biggest cheats, excuse me, Winners, would get a round of drinks on the house and the quiz master would shame them into donating their winnings to a local charity. It's a great tradition and side of Irish culture that not a lot of people know about. So, to save you the trip to Ireland, The KCGAC and The ICCM are going to jointly hold a series of Pub Quizzes over the summer months, staring May 1st.

Admission is going to be $20 per person and tables will be limited to 6 persons. Boulevard Brewing Company are kindly sponsoring tasty beer for the event and you will be allowed to take in your own food. Proceeds from the events will go to both The KCGAC and The ICCM.

This is a great opportunity to get some friends, family or co-workers together and show the world that you should have been accepted to Mensa all those years ago. And get that office know-it-all who thinks he's never wrong to put his money where his arse is. Categories will include:

History
Geography
Science
Math
Literature
Sports&Leisure
This Week's News
Pop Culture and Celebrity Gossip
Kansas City

Time: 7pm-9pm
Date: May 1st, Saturday
Location: The Irish Cultural Center and Museum at Union Station
Cost: $20 per person

Haskell Game - A great night in Lawrence, KS

The second annual KCGAC Vs Haskell University Gaelic Football challenge match was a huge success for all involved. Both sides fielded strong teams and showed great skill and athleticism. 

We want to say a big THANK YOU to their teacher Hugh from Mayo and all the students for hosting the KCGAC.

After my injury in practice I was relegated to the sidelines on camera duty. So here's a sample of the shots I took, I've got a bunch more I will post to the website and facebook page.

It's not often that Carl gets out-paced, but this guy gave our team hell, we need to draft him

A physical game...

T'is but a scratch

Taylor takes to the air

 We're all looking forward to next year's game and hope to see some of the Haskell players at our practice, they'd make a great addition to our team.

Spring Fever

It was a beautiful April day in Olathe for the first of our league sessions. However, since we were a few players missing, we played a full game of 11s as a non-league game.

The standard of football was very high today, showing that the winter rust is almost all gone. There were some great runs by Sean and Brendan, coming from deep in their own zones and precision kicking by Scott and Sully. A very promising 2010 KCGAC team.

Haskell better bring their A game on Wednesday, 'cause our lads are not messing around this year. That game is 7pm at their stadium.

Also, we have our new club t-shirt available, modeled here by some old fella, and is available to you in exchange for $10. A bargain for such a sexy shirt.

This is beautiful...this is what our club is about: Gaelic Football

Discussing post-game strategy

Paddy Englishman and Paddy Irishman walk into a bar...

Left Behind: do you own any of this stuff?

KCGAC at Haskell University

It's on like Donkey Kong. We had to cancel the game on the 14th, but it has been rescheduled for April 21st at 7pm. We will be playing in the University's football stadium.

Last year under Una Meabh's coaching Haskell put on a great show, especially in the second half as legs got tired and youth began to wear down Old-Man-Strength. This year they have a new coach and some new players, so we don't know what to expect.  All we know is that it's going to be a great night of Gaelic in Lawrence. 

We are very lucky to have a University so close to us with a Gaelic Football program and every Haskell player can count themselves as an honorary member of the KCGAC.

Here's some photos of the first night we went down to Haskell in October 2008.

This picture was taken in 1936

Devin looks on at the action

And again, Devin looks on at the action (just kidding Dev)

Weinbaum on the ball

You don't take the ball from BIG TAYLOR

This time it's gonna be bigger and better, bring it on...come on

Mayo Vs Dublin 1996 - Spring Inspiration

With another Mayo-man on board with the KCGAC we have to share this great video of some very fine Gaelic Football. Watch how well the ball flows and how they take points at great distance and sharp angles.