back from injury and available. The Clare management usu-ally employ a sweeper system, something they should not havedone against Limerick. If they do so again they might suffer forscores, as Offaly, though they are not airtight, will be organizedin defense. Clare will have to fight all the way for the win withDavy Fitzgerald’s management on the line.CORK V WEXFORD showed no signs of rustiness in his first game of the year and he looked very fresh and a constant danger. Add in ace attack- The game is on in Wexford and the Slaneysiders can be a force ers 2014 Player of the Year Richie Hogan at center forwardat home as Clare found out to their cost last year. Wexford and TJ Reid beside him and Galway defenders will have theireased past Westmeath but were put to the sword by Kilkenny hands full on Sunday.last week. They showed little fight in that game and their de-fense looked sluggish though the Cats with renewed energy Galway attack has also been on fire this championship withwere on song in attack. Wexford have decent forwards in full debutants in livewire and skilful corner forward Cathal Man-forward Conor McDonald (whom this scribe called Ciaran last nion and young Jason Flynn also in good form. Joe Canningtime) and left corner forward Liam Og McGovern. Their mid- has also been lethal and he will surely test Kilkenny’s new fullfield and half back lines are competitive but are porous nearer back Joey Holden. Daithi Burkes return from injury is also agoal. However, the Cork defensive lines are weaker and the two bonus for Galway. The Tribesmen’s Aidan Harte has made amentioned Wexford players can score goals against Stephen difference in the championship at midfield but with the CatsMcDonald and Damian Cahalane respectively. powerful combo of Michael Fennelly and Conor Fogarty, Galway will be tested here. The outcome of that midfield bat- On the other end, Cork need Patrick Horgan, Conor Lehane tle could sway things. Still, even though Galway’s forwardsand Seamus Harnedy to be on song. If they are not Cork are in have been very good to date, they face the best defense in thetrouble of exiting similar to their U21’s and minors this year. country. Galway’s own defense can be porous. Galway haveHarnedy is picked at full forward with Patrick Cronin, who did brought more intensity to their game this season but Kilkennywell last time against Waterford, at center forward. This could have faced into that before and came out best.be an error as Cronin can be hot and cold while his marker LeeChin is a good player. Wexford are a big team and are good inthe air, but their Achilles heel is a slow turn of foot in defense.This is a huge game for both sides with more pressure on Corkthan a developing Wexford.KILKENNY V GALWAY Kilkenny showed signs of their All Ireland prowess when alethal attack floored Wexford. Newcomer Ger Aylward wasa constant threat in that game shooting an impressive 3-5, allfrom play. He has speed and skill and brings renewed energy toan already lethal Kilkenny attack. Corner forward Eoin Larkin 51
THE GAA IS A FAMILY Asia GAA Chairperson, Joe Trolan, this week has put aside his regular coaching column to talk about the recent loss of life of GAA members abroad and the meaning of the sports body for those living overseas.At the GAA World Games last March in Abu Dhabi, teams honour with a minute silence the memory of Singapore Gaelic Lions member Lisa Orsi.Photo courtesy of Joe Trolan.52
BY JOE TROLANJUNE 18, 2015 The GAA is a truly remarkable organization that is an integral Whether you live in South Africa, South America, Northpart of local communities and the lives of many individuals. America, Australia, Asia, or the Middle East – the GAA club is more than a sports activity, rather it is a family. For over a century, it has remained thus despite many inter- The GAA club brings together nationalities from all overnal and external disagreements. The games have now been the world to play a sport that is culturally and historicallyexported overseas and it has grown to become just as impor- integral to the Irish identity. In clubs around the world,tant to people in lands many miles from Ireland. The GAA people with no connection and history to the sport haveis a link to a shared history, passion, and connection while come together to participate and socialize. It is true thatliving hundreds and thousands of miles from your home. As other popular sports have similar appeals but I believesuch, the GAA overseas is more than just a sport; rather it is that the GAA club offers a more intrinsic value to the peo-a reflection of who you are. It allows you to meet new people, ple who play the game. The GAA club becomes a familypromote your culture, and importantly bridge a connection where the importance is the people who play the gamewith your new country. rather than the results of the game. It is the people who make the GAA club special and integral to the communi- What does the GAA mean to people? It means many differ- ties whether it’s in Ireland or overseas.ent things to people but when something positive or nega-tive happens the GAA club and community members are the No other sport in the world that was once an ethnicallyfirst to show support. No matter what team you played for homogenous sport has embraced such change overseas.or what code you played. Whether you are new to the sport The Irish are drawn to it because of the history and theor have played it your whole life – the connection between non-Irish are drawn to it because of its uniqueness andpeople is their connection with the games. openness. It is this concept that makes the GAA club a magnet for people. It is not just a sport, it’s not just the Recently, there have been too many tragedies involving Irish games – it is the connection that brings the diaspora to-overseas. From the passing of Singapore Gaelic lions’ player gether. In the end it is not about winning or losing a game,Lisa Orsi, to the young men and women who were killed in or who scored the most points. It is about participatingCalifornia, to the recent passing in an accident of Qatar GAA and making lifelong friends, and becoming a family andmembers Eamonn Morgan and Charlotte Sant, the GAA has the recent tragedies have shown us that the GAA truly isbeen a symbol of togetherness. a family no matter where you are from. 53
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE ARTICLES & MATCH REPORTS OR ANY PHOTOGRAPHS FROM YOUR WORLD GAA CLUB, LEAGUE OR REGION OF THE WORLD FOR 2015 PLEASE CONTACT OR SEND TO [email protected]
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