AMBASSADOR CUP
The throw-in to Stockholm’s finest Gaelic football tournament is fast approaching- check out the match schedule and the rules today!
SCANDINAVIAN CHAMPIONS 2010!
Thank to everyone- players, sponsors, supporters and not least the other clubs in the tournament- for a brilliant Scandinavian season. We will celebrate this for a long, long time!!!
One More Round And New Beginnings As Holidays End
Just two weeks to go before the final round of the Scandinavian Championship in Gothenburg, but the season is by no means over. As that tournament draws to a close, we will be turning our attention to two new fronts- the European tournaments and our brand-new seven-a-side league in Stockholm, the Ambassador Cup. With mens and ladies competitions and the winner’s presentation being made by the Irish Ambassador, as well as hopes of en exhibition hurling game, the days of late summer and early autumn are looking very promising indeed. Be part of it.
Gaels Beat Oslo To Take Second Successive Round
Stockholm Gaels emerged victorious in a slimmed-down round of the Scandinavian Championships in Oslo last weekend. With Gothenburg and Copenhagen unable to attend, it was up to Malmö, Stockholm and Oslo to keep the flag flying. The Gaels beat Oslo in the opening match but the hosts bounced back to hand a shock defeat to Malmö and book their place in the final. Stockholm proved too strong and took their second successive regional championship victory.
Stockholm now hold all the aces before the final round in Gothenburg on August 14- with Malmö’s surprise defeat, Stockholm need to finish third or better to win the Scandinavian Championship at their first attempt. Despite the undoubted friendship that exists between the clubs, there will be no favours asked or offered in Gothenburg, and an exciting finish awaits- be sure to be part of it if you can!
Oslo Awaits As Championship Continues
The Scandinavian Gaelic Football Championship continues this weekend in Oslo with scant regard for the holiday season. The third round takes place in Oslo and with two teams (Copenhagen and Gothenburg) unable to travel, it will be between the Gaels, hosts Oslo GAA and Malmo to see who brings home the spoils. We’re hoping for live updates throughout the day, with the Gaels opening their campaign against Oslo at 1200 on Saturday afternoon.
Gaels Beat Malmö To Bring Back the Trophy
Stockholm Gaels beat host club Malmö to claim the second of four rounds in the Scandinavian championship at a superb tournament on Saturday. Sweden’s youngest club went unbeaten throughout the day, with wins against Gothenburg, Oslo and Copenhagen bookending two defeats for our hosts.
In a repeat of last month’s Copenhagen final, Stockholm went one step further to claim victory this time, despite massive Malmö pressure either side of half time. Stockholm’s squad of 16 players were forced to work hard for every point on the day, with every player making a huge contribution to the overall result.
Aside from the usual strong performance from the home side, a much-improved Oslo team gave a good account of themselves, scoring more freely than in the previous rounds. Copenhagen’s results didn’t quite reflect the excellent standard of some of their play, and Gothenburg were narrowly pipped to a place in the final by Malmö.
All in all it was another fantastic weekend for gaelic football in Scandinvia. The five clubs are working hard to maintain high standards on and off the pitch, and our hosts deserve great credit for their fantastic organisation and hospitality.
All five clubs are committed to making sure that gaelic games thrive in the Nordic region, and all are welcome. We are building something great here. Be part of it.
Our picture shows the celebrations following the presentation in Harry’s Pub, as captain Kevin Carroll holds the trophy aloft.
All Roads Lead to Malmö!
The bus is booked, the kit is washed, the training done and the plans in place- on Friday afternoon the fleet sets off for Malmö and the next round of the Scandinavian championships.
The Gaels travel in good spirits, with a full squad of players and a strong support team. The memory of the final defeat in Copenhagen to Malmö is still fresh, but the Stockholm side are once again looking forward to the battles of skill and wits that await against our Scandinavian neighbours and rivals.
There will be regular live updates from Malmö on Facebook, Twitter (https://twitter.com/stockholmgaels) and here on the site- we’re heading off for another very special weekend in Scandinavian GAA. Be part of it.
Great Day in the Sunshine Ends In Dub-ious Victory
Our sponsors had a well-deserved day in the sunshine at Ärvinge BP in Kista yesterday as the Dubliner took on the Liffey in a hard-fought and competitive challenge match. Most encouraging for the club was our first-ever training session for the coming generations, as the children of the Swedish-Irish community were put through their paces by the club coaches. Added to that we had an incredible debut for young Swedish teenager Anton, who excelled at full back despite only learning the rules of the game on the day!
With a trip to Malmö and the second round of the Championship only two weeks away, there was an extra edge to what was otherwise a sporting and fun contest.
The Liffey made the early running, displaying the quick, short-passing football that has become the hallmark of the club as they opened an early lead. Karl Stein of the Liffey had imported some players especially for the occasion, and with Colin Courtney and Don Corry (sometimes illegally, in the latter’s case!) controlling the middle third, the boys in white dominated. 
The Dubliner team, in the Gaels kit for the day, fought their way back into the game, helped considerably by a very friendly referee and some considerable good fortune (guess which side the reporter was playing for).
First, Niall Scullion’s speculative punt dipped under the cross bar for the flukiest of goals, and then The Liffey were inexplicably denied a legitimate goal by referee John Carroll. Carroll was rumoured to have been seen accepting an envelope stuffed with cash from Dubliner owner Ronan Morgan just prior to the second half, although it could have been the bar receipts from the last time we were there.
A certain full back’s stated aim of keeping the club chairman scoreless went up in smoke within seconds of it being made, as a lofted point evoked the ghost of Kieran Duff- it had all the makings of a youtube classic, but luckily for the unnamed full back, for once we had no camera at the game.
The final whistle went a couple of minutes before two o’clock with the Dubliner running out winners by a few points. Encouragingly, many of the squad due to travel to Malmö got a good run-out and some skilful scores were posted by both sides.
The day was rounded off with a club barbecue at the home of Keith Hearne and the wonderful Malin, who grilled hamburgers and hotdogs on a beautiful afternoon- a huge thank-you to both for their hospitality. Thanks too to the injured Kevin Carrol, who was up at the crack of dawn to improvise a couple of sets of goalposts worthy of the occasion.
We thank our sponsors for their commitment to the club, both financial and otherwise- without them, it would have been impossible for the club to come so far in such a short space of time. Please support them the way they support us.
The serious business starts again soon, and the club needs all the support it can get as we continue our efforts to build something great for the Irish community in Stockholm. Be part of it.
Honour in First Tournament Final Defeat in For Gaels
In the end, it wasn’t to be. Stockholm Gaels played scorching football in the scorching sunshine, defeating all-comers with their combination of skill and speed on their way to the final in Copehnagen, where they fell at the last hurdle against a tough Malmö side. With a quick passing game and points and goals coming from all corners of the pitch, Stockholm announced their arrival on the Scandinavian scene.
There was no shame in falling short either- together with Copenhagen, Gothenburg, Oslo and the victors Malmö, the Gaels showed European GAA that the game of gaelic football is alive and thriving here, and it will take a lot to beat any of us. Thanks to Kieran and the Copenhagen club for a great day. We’ll see you all again in Malmö, where we aim to go one step further!
Pictured is Colin Courtney, one of many Gaels to get on the scoresheet during the tournament.
Countdown to Copenhagen- Kit Arrived Safely!
A big thank-you to Stephen Murphy at O’Neills for organising our kit in world-record time- a full set of jersies, shorts and socks arrived in Stockholm today in good time for the first round of the championship this coming Saturday. We owe Stephen a few beers for rushing the order through and getting it from Strabane to Dublin for collection and transport to Stockholm, not to mention his team, who put together a great design. Now all that remains is to go out on Satrurday and do the shirt proud!
Some extras have been produced- to order, please e-mail stockholmgaa [at] gmail.com- a new batch of shirts, polos and bags will also be available soon.
This Sunday afternoon saw the squad for the first round of the Scandinavian Championship put through their paces by Niall Scullion at a sunny and warm Östermalms IP. Success in Copenhagen will require over 100 minutes of energetic football, and this was the last chance for some full-contact training before the tournament. The rest of the week will now be spent on ballwork and fitness, and a booze ban will be in place from midnight on Thursday until the end of the final on Saturday evening- whether the ban is broken with beer or bubbles will depend on the results!
There is still space for those who may want to travel down with us- contact us via e-mail if you wish to join in.
Training, Travel and Bodhrán-batin’ Ballads on Gaels Agenda
The trip to Copenhagen will soon be upon us, so let us know as soon as possible if you intend to travel- and how. We will have an internal game where the travelling squad will be put through their paces by the rest of the players at Östermalms IP before the tournament. On June 5 we will have our first sponsor’s game, where teams representing the Dubliner and the Liffey will clash at Ärvinge BP in Kista, and the Swedish-Irish Society will arrange a family picnic in conjunction with the event.
Gaels Victorious in Historic First Fixture
Stockholm Gaels emerged victorious from their first-ever game, defeating Gothenburg by 6-16 to 3-7. Despite the scoreline, it wasn’t all one-way traffic and for long periods Gothenburg made it very tough. Eventually the depth of the Stockholm bench paid dividends and saw the capital city’s team overcome their more experienced (in European terms) rivals.
Thanks to everyone who made it such a great day- the players from both clubs, the sponsors, Stefan Wittberg, referee Liam Kennedy and all those who came to watch.
Stockholm Gaels is a GAA club set up by Irish ex-patriates and other sports lovers living in the capital. Founded this year, we aim to take part in all rounds of the 2010 Nordic Gaelic Football Championship. Next year, we aim to compete in the European rounds of both the ladies and mens football, as well as provide players for a Nordic or Swedish hurling team.
On this site, you’ll find details about here about the games themselves, and where we play, train and socialise- you are welcome to show up at all of the above, regardless of where you’re from or how good you are. All are welcome.
Still not sure this is for you? Register for the forum and we’ll answer all your questions!
One Great Club- Two Great Pubs!
Stockholm Gaels are priveleged to have great supporters and sponsors- so much so that we have two “home” pubs that we divide our activities across.
Both the Dubliner and the Liffey have provided financial, practical and moral 
support from the very beginning, and we hope that our players, members, and supporters will in turn support them and our other sponsors.
We will continue to alternate our events, fundraisers and social activities between these two great pubs, a
nd you never know- the bartender that served you a pint tonight might be the goal-scoring full forward of tomorrow!
If you’re off to Croke Park, why not stay at the Drury Court Hotel? A stone’s throw from Grafton Street, the Drury Court were among our earliest sponsors, providing O’Neills footballs to the club. Send them an e-mail at reservations@drurycourthotel.ie and they’ll make your stay in Dublin a memorable one.