Come join us, Sunday February 6th 2022 at 1:00 PM at Flat Iron Cafe for our 2022 Annual General Meeting (AGM). We will be recapping 2021 and discussing plans for 2022 and the future for Cleveland GAA. We are working to also providing an option to have a Zoom/Microsoft Teams call into the meeting for our members who cannot attend the meeting. We are looking forward to getting back into the swing of things in 2022. Up Cleveland GAA!!!
Cleveland GAA had an exciting weekend out in Boston, for the first time ever we had 3 teams travel to the USGAA tournament. Each team played hard fought games and overall had a great experience.
Men’s Football team competing in the Junior C division falling short to Charlotte James Connolly (4-2, 9-2).
Ladies Football competing in the Junior C division with a historic win for the club against Raleigh (5-12, 0-0). And with a tough loss against the Junior C champions, Delco Gaels from Philly (0-5, 6-11).
Men’s Hurling competing in the Junior D division with historic wins to beat Jersey Shore (2-11, 2-8) and South Jersey (4-9, 3-4) qualifying to the finals against Charlotte with a tough loss (1-4, 1-14).
With a fun weekend that we had in Boston, Cleveland GAA is looking forward to work in the off season for the USGAA tournament in Chicago next year!
Fundraising/Social Events
St. Malachi Church Run (2 or 5 mile run/walk): Come join Cleveland GAA in a team fitness/bonding event at St. Malachi. With the event being halfway to St Patrick’s Day, there will be a festive morning, filled with a Mass, miles, Irish entertainment, and a post race Hooley of complimentary beer from Great Lakes Brewing Company.
Saturday September 18th, 9:15 AM for 2 mile, 10 AM for 5 mile.
Promo Code with Cleveland GAA: SPGFC2021 – Sport your Cleveland GAA apparel, hope to see you all there!
Cleveland GAA Golf Outing: Come join us for another fun event at Coppertop Golf Course on Saturday October 9th.
Time: 7:35 AM Registration, 8:20 AM Shotgun Start, 1:30 PM Dinner & beverages with indoor/outdoor seating options
$100 for individual golfer ($400 per foursome) – includes lunch, beverages & dinner. $30 Dinner only
Sponsors: $500 logo sponsor, $475 goal sponsor, $100 point sponsor
Payments can be made (note names for foursome at payment) : Paypal: Info@clevelandgaa.com or https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cleveland-gaa-golf-outing-2021-tickets-169188717007
Deadline: 10/01
Cleveland GAA Awards Banquet: Saturday October 23rd at WSIA.
Annual AGM Meeting: December 4th at Flat Iron Cafe
Football/Hurling Events
Celtic Irish Festival – Saturday September 25th – Mentor Civic Center
11AM Adult Hurling, 12PM Men’s Football & Youth Hurling, 1PM U7 & U9 Football, 2PM U11 & U13 Football, 3PM Ladies Football, & 4PM Legends Football Game
Hurling City Series: Sunday’s at WSIA 9:30 AM – Men’s & Women’s
Hurling Practice: Wednesday’s 6PM @ Hillside Middle School Fields 1 Educational Park Dr, Seven Hills, OH 44131
Al O’Leary Tournament – 10/2 @ Akron – Men’s Hurling & Camogie
We have had a busy month of GAA and have had such a fun time. We are excited to announce the this will be the first time 3 teams from Cleveland have qualified and will be traveling to the USGAA Tournament in Boston.
The Men’s Gaelic Football team played a hard fought game against Pittsburgh at the WSIA on July 17th. The men then traveled to Detroit and reached the semi-finals and lost to a very strong Pittsburgh Celtic team. Cleveland men’s beat Chicago James Joyce and lost to Detroit Wolftones along the way. This past weekend at the Midwest Finals, Men’s Football lost to Detroit – but qualified by a win over Buffalo – in qualifier: 1-23, 2-9.
The Ladies Gaelic Football team ended a 20 year drought on July 17th by beating the Pittsburgh Banshees at the WSIA. The following weekend in Detroit, the ladies had beaten the Pittsburgh Banshees and Chicago Erin’s Rovers advancing to the finals. And, Cleveland Ladies lost to the defending US GAA “A” Champion – Chicago Aisling Gaels. This past weekend at the Midwest Finals in Pittsburgh, the Ladies Football played the Pittsburgh Banshees and lost in Championship Game: 1-12, 1-8.
The Men’s Hurling team played in the Midwest Finals and lost to Pittsburgh – but qualified by a win over Rochester – in qualifier: 1-13, 1-9
The Men’s & Ladies Football team and Hurling team will preparing for Nationals. With Men’s Football practicing on Tuesdays/Thursdays 6:30PM at WSIA, Ladies Football practicing on Mondays/Wednesdays 6:30PM at WSIA and Hurling practicing on Sundays 10AM at WSIA.
CLEVELAND GAA NATIONALS SEND OFF PARTY
When: Saturday August 14th
Where: Plank Road Tavern – Lakewood, Ohio
Time: 4-7 PM
Details: $20 per wrist band – beer & appetizers included. Irish Music from Full 90. CLE GAA apparel raffle & Browns Preseason Football Squares
Football Squares: All proceeds will go to defraying the costs of traveling to Boston. We appreciate everyone’s support with a few squares ($5 per) or joining us on 8/14 . Send along your names or # of squares you want. Reply to this email or and remit to one of the options offered below for payment.
Payments can be made via:
Venmo: Jim-Coyne-77
PayPal: jim.coyne@bayer.com
Or make check out to: CLE GAA and mail to
Jim Coyne, 32901 Fox Chappel Lane, Avon Lake, Ohio 44012
OTHER KEY DATES/EVENTS TO COME (more details to come)
St. Malachi’s Church Run- Saturday September 18th – 5 mile/2 mile race
Ohio Celtic Festival – Saturday September 25th – Men’s & Ladies Football/Hurling and Irish Entertainment
Cleveland GAA Golf Outing – Saturday October 9th – Coppertop Golf Club
Night at the Races 2022 – Saturday May 14, 2022 – WSIA
3rd Annual Cleveland GAA Memorial 7’s Tournament – Saturday May 21, 2022 – WSIA
It’s hard to believe that we are almost halfway through our season. Over the past few weeks our GAA club has had:
July and August are going to be fun filled months for Cleveland GAA as we approach several games and tournaments. Stay tuned for updates through our social media pages & Team Snap!
Men’s Football
Practices: Tuesday’s and Thursday at WSIA 6:30 PM (7/13, 7/15, 7/20, 7/22, 7/27, 7/29)
Games: Pittsburgh @ Home (7/17), Midwest Invitational @ Detroit (7/24), & Midwest Finals (7/31-8/1)
Ladies Football
Practices: Monday’s @ Impett and Wednesday’s @ WSIA 6:30 PM (7/12, 7/14, 7/19, 7/21, 7/26, 7/28)
Games: Pittsburgh @ Home (7/17), Midwest Invitational @ Detroit (7/24), & Midwest Finals (7/31-8/1)
Hurling
Practices: Sunday’s at WSIA 10AM (7/18, 7/24) and Wednesday’s in Brecksville @ 6PM (7/14, 7/21, 7/28)
Games: Midwest Finals (7/31-8/1)
Youth
Practices: Sunday July 18th & July 25th – WSIA – Gaelic Football – 3PM Hurling – 4:15 PM All ages will be at the same time, but divided up on different fields
SOCIAL EVENTS
2021 WSIA Annual Family Picnic: July 18th 1-6 PM (Kids games, Corn Hole, Music, Cash Bar, Refreshments)
New Barleycorn @ WSIA Pavilion: July 23rd 6-9 PM
We are very happy and grateful to everyone who came to support our club at Night At The Races this past Saturday. We appreciated everyone who provided support – from the volunteers, coordinators, sponsors, and generous donations. We cannot thank you all enough. We are looking forward to a fun 2022 NATR!
Men’s Football
Practice: Tuesday’s 6:30 PM at Impett Park (6/1, 6/8, 5/15, 6/22, 6/29) and Thursday’s 6:30 PM at West Side Irish American Club (6/3, 6/10, 6/17, 6/24). New and returning players are always welcomed!
Games: Saturday June 5th at West Side Irish American Club vs. Buffalo. Time TBD
Saturday June 19th At Pittsburgh Celtics. Time TBD
Ladies Football
Practice: Wednesday’s/Friday’s 6:30 PM at Impett Park (6/2, 6/4, 6/9, 6/11, 6/16, 6/18, 6/23, 6/25, 6/30) and Sunday’s 11 AM at Squire’s Castle (6/6, 6/13, 6/27)
Games: Saturday June 5th at West Side Irish American Club – Intersquad
Saturday June 19th at Pittsburgh Banshees. Time TBD
Hurling
Practice (** New Practice time and location) : Sunday June 6th 10AM @ West Side Irish American Club & Wednesday’s 6PM Edgewater Park (lower end) ( 6/2, 6/9, 6/16, 6/23, 6/30).
Games: Saturday June 12th Akron Hurling at West Side Irish American Club @ 11 AM
Saturday June 19th Cleveland Hurling vs. Pittsburgh @ Pittsburgh. Time TBD
Saturday June 26th Cleveland Hurling @ Akron – Blitz. Time TBD
Youth Program
Practices: Sunday’s Gaelic Football 3PM & Hurling 4:15 PM at West Side Irish American Club (6/6, 6/13, 6/20)
CANCELLED: Tournament in Detroit, due to COVID issues in the state of Michigan. Be on the lookout for the Invitational to be moved to August
Social Events
Gold Horn Brewery Happy Hour – Friday July 2nd, 2021. 5-8PM @ 1361 E 55th St, Cleveland, OH 44103. For every beer bought, $1 will be donated to CLE GAA.
The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) had huge momentum going into 2020 and despite the pandemic persisted and grew in Cleveland. Our Men’s football team continues to recruit and compete, our Ladies’ football team is growing in numbers and talent, and this season our new Hurling team will take the field for the first time in decades, and more and more young players and families are joining our Youth program. We are so excited for the 2021 season! For the Club’s largest fundraiser of the year, the annual Night at the Races, we are looking for sponsors and donations. This year’s event will be May 22, 2021 at the West Side Irish American Club in Olmsted Township. We hope you can join us.
Tickets: $25
We also have the following support options:
Opportunities to support the teams, the youth program, and the club include:
Race Sponsor ($100) Due By Friday 5/14
Horse Sponsors ($15) Due By Friday 5/14
Raffle Baskets ($15)
Donations & Silent Auction Due By Friday 5/14
Checks Payable to: Cleveland GAA
Pay Pal: Info@clevelandgaa.com
Sponsors and Donors will be featured prominently in our event programs and
announced throughout the evening. The profit from the evening will set us on firm ground for the year ahead. From national registration costs, travel expenses, field maintenance and upgrades, to our youth development program and items a simple as new practice balls, it all takes resources.
Go raibh míle maith agat! (Thank you very much!).
We are so excited to officially kick off this season with our 7’s Tournament in honor of Sean Gannon. Men’s & Ladies Teams from Pittsburgh, Chicago, Detroit, and Milwaukee will be traveling to our tournament and playing against each other for a championship. CLE GAA will be following all safety guidelines mandated by the state of Ohio for COVID 19.
When: Saturday May 8th, 2021 – Games will start at 10:30 AM – Championship at 4:30 PM
Where: West Side Irish American Club – Olmsted Falls, OH
What: Men’s & Ladies 7 a side Gaelic Football matches, food, refreshments, craic and Irish entertainment to end the event
Want to get involved? Help us out with Field Prep at the WSIA on Saturday 4/24 & 5/1 – or contact Jim Coyne at jim.coyne@bayer.com, if you’re interested in volunteering for the event.
We are excited more than ever to announce we are back for 2021. It was a long hard year with the pandemic and we are looking forward to getting back onto the pitch while still being safe and healthy.
n 2020, we did not play a competitive schedule, but achieved the following:
A competitive season is ahead of us with the Men’s & Ladies Football, Hurling, and Youth program and we are excited to get this season kickstarted. We will be holding practices for Men’s & Ladies football and hurling for the month of March and April in preparation for our seasons
Training Sessions – Spring 2021
Men’s Football
Men’s Football Training Sessions @ Edgewater Park
– Tuesday 3/30 – 6:30-7:30PM
– Tuesday 4/06 – 6:30-7:30PM
Men’s Football Training Sessions @ Impett Park
– Tuesday 4/13 – 6:30-7:45PM
– Tuesday 4/20 – 6:30-7:45PM
– Tuesday 4/27 – 6:30-7:45PM
– Tuesday 5/04 – 6:30-7:45PM
Men’s Football Training Sessions @ West Side Irish American Club
– Thursday 4/15 – 6:30-7:45PM
– Thursday 4/22 – 6:30-7:45PM
– Thursday 4/29 – 6:30-7:45PM
– Thursday 5/6 – 6:30-7:45PM
Ladies Football
Sunday 3/28 – 11AM: Squires Castle (2844 River Rd Willoughby Hills, OH)
Wednesday 3/31: 6PM: Edgewater State Park – Kick around
Wednesday 4/7: 6PM: Edgewater State Park – Kick around
Wednesday 4/14: 6PM: Impett Park – Practice
Wednesday 4/21: 6PM: Impett Park – Practice
Wednesday 4/28: 6PM: Impett Park – Practice
Wednesday 5/5: 6PM: Impett Park – Practice
Hurling:
Sunday 3/28 1pm-3pm – Practice Field 6919 Stadium drive, Brecksville, OH 44141
Sunday 4/4 1pm-3pm – Practice Field 6919 Stadium drive, Brecksville, OH 44141
Sunday 4/11 1pm-3pm – Practice Field 6919 Stadium drive, Brecksville, OH 44141
Sunday 4/18 1pm-3pm – Practice Field 6919 Stadium drive, Brecksville, OH 44141
Sunday 4/25 1pm-3pm – Practice Field 6919 Stadium drive, Brecksville, OH 44141
Youth Program: Summer program for the youth will start June 5th, with weekly practices at WSIA at 3PM. All ages at the same time
Kickstarting Events in May 2021
Memorial 7’s Tournament- West Side IA – Sat. May 8th 2021
Night at the Races- West Side IA Pavillion- Sat. May 22, 2021
MIDWEST GAA SCHEDULE 2021
Saturday June 5th: Men’s & Ladies Football & Hurling @ CLE
Saturday June 19th: Men’s & Ladies Football and Hurling @ PITT
Saturday June 26th: Youth @ Detroit & Hurling @ Rochester
Saturday July 10th: Men’s & Ladies Football @ BUFFALO
Saturday July 17th: Men’s and Ladies Football @ CLE and Youth @ PHILLY
July 31-August 1: Midwest Finals Pittsburgh
We are working very hard this year to have a safe and healthy season. We will be following all CDC recommended guidelines throughout this year. Keep up with us through this website, Team Snap, Facebook, Instagram and email. We are very excited to see everyone! Up CLE GAA!!!
On the Pitch: Cleveland St. Pat’s – St. Jarlath’s Gaelic Football Club is beginning the year by participating in indoor soccer leagues at the CAPS Fieldhouse in Valley View. The Club has put forth two teams to compete in the Men’s Open and the Coed Leagues. Not only are current players stretching their legs and honing some foot skills in the off-season, but the Club is using the leagues to recruit new players to Gaelic Football and the social aspects of the Association. The leagues run the months of January and February.
Following the indoor soccer, the Club will begin to transition to Gaelic Football at Soccer Sportsplex in North Olmsted. Coed indoor trainings and games are planned Fridays evenings (7-8pm) in March (8th, 15th, 22nd, 29) and Thursday/Wednesday evenings (7-8pm) in April (4th, 10th, 18th, 25th).
According to Men’s Coach Simon “Sizzler” O’Doherty and Ladies’ Coach Daniel Murray, if the weather is nice enough outdoor trainings could also begin in April for the typical two-a-week sessions. The indoor sessions are formatted for the new player to try a few of the unique skills, get to know current club members, and have fun playing in at semi-competitive speed.
Cleveland GAA is excited to announce that they will be hosting a Gaelic Football 7-A-Side Tournament on Saturday, May 11th, at the West Side Irish American Club. At least two fields will be live with Men’s and Ladies teams from 10AM to 6PM, while the craic will be had in the pavilion. Come out to see the action and join in the Gaelic fun. Corporate promotions are available for this 501-3c event. Contact info@clevelandgaa.com.
Off the Pitch: Cleveland is hosting the Gaelic Athletic Association’s (GAA) Foundation Level Coaching Clinic on Sunday, February 10th, starting at 10:30AM at the Flat Iron Café. This full day of classroom and field learning will be presented by the USGAA’s Youth Chairman, Paul Mulcaire.
The course is the first step in coaching Gaelic Football or Hurling at any age and is aimed at beginner coaches. The attendee will be introduced to the Games, taught skill development, learn movement skills, and instructed on the aspects of coaching children, youth and adults. The course is FREE and lunch will be provided. Pre-registration is required for those seeking certification. Contact ClevelandYouthGAA@gmail.com.
On Saturday, February 16th, the Club will co-host the annual Night at the Races at the West Side Irish American Club. For the admission cost of $25, the night offers a hot dinner, open bar of Guinness, Harp, Miller Lite, and wine, free onsite child care, race betting, 50/50 sideboards, silent auctions, and raffle baskets. Come join the fun and the Irish sporting community in the Club’s largest fundraising event of the year. The night puts the club on solid financial ground.
The money raised goes into the continued care for the WSIA field, Páirc na Naomh, registration fees, the youth program, and travel costs.
For tickets, horse sponsorship, race sponsorship, advertisement, or raffle donations contact ClevelandGAA@gmail.com. The evening is a great way to catch up with old GAA teammates and to meet the new players.
Youth. Cleveland St. Pat’s – St. Jarlath’s is once again offering FREE Gaelic Football nights at Soccer Sportsplex in North Olmsted on Saturday, January 26th, from 5-7PM; and Sunday February 24thfrom 6:30-8:30. The first hour is reserved for ages 5-8 and the second for ages 9-12.
Following the free sessions, Cleveland is continuing the indoor sessions for a nominal fee of $20. All ages will receive a t-shirt. The younger ones, 5-8, will continue to learn the skills and play in scrimmages in the first hour while the 9-12 group will divide into teams for games in the second hour. Parents can register their players at ClevelandGAA.com/youth. The March sessions will be on the 9thfrom 5-7PM, the 23rdfrom 3-5PM, and the 30thfrom 5-7PM. The April sessions will be on the 6thfrom 5-7PM and the 20thfrom 3-5PM. If you or your company are interested in getting involved in Youth Gaelic Sports, contact ClevelandYouthGAA@gmail.com.
New Players Wanted: Cleveland GAA is open to all who want to play competitive sports, meet new people, and join an athletic, fitness minded club. Go raibh míle maith agaibh (thanks y’all) to our readers and supporters. Consider getting involved at any level. Fáilte (welcome) to all.
The Gaelic Athletic Association is Ireland’s largest sporting organization and a bit of home for the Irish abroad here in the US. Beyond sports, the Association also promotes Irish music, song and dance, and the Irish language as an integral part of its objectives.
Follow @ClevelandGaelic on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for the 2019 activities for Men, Women, and Youth. Or, visit ClevelandGAA.com.
*Vincent Beach is a builder, footballer, and teacher of Irish language. He is the current chairman and youth coach for the Cleveland St. Pat’s – St. Jaralath’s Gaelic Football Club. During the off-season he can be found in PJ’s basement at Speak Irish Cleveland. He can be contacted at clevelandgaa@gmail.com.
Published in the January 2019 edition of the Ohio Irish American News
Cleveland St. Pat’s – St. Jarlath’s Gaelic Football Club has a newly elected board: Chairperson – Vincent Beach; Vice-Chairperson – Nick Cobos; Secretary – Tom Beach; Treasurer – Joe Coyne; Public Relations Officer – Dan Kampman; and Player’s Representative – Kevin DeFranco. Congratulations and Good Luck!
A huge thank you goes to two members of the board stepping down from their roles, but not their commitments. First, Vice-Chairperson Jim Coyne has been instrumental both on and of the field, bringing the two former clubs of St. Pat’s and St. Jarlath’s together. Jim will continue to work with the team alongside Simon O’Doherty (Coach), to be a support and alumni recruiter, to run the Super Bowl fundraiser, and to chair the upcoming Cleveland 7-a-Side Tournament. Jeepers! He may be doing more now than he was doing on the board, hahaha. Go raibh míle maith agat, a Shéamuis!
Secondly, Public Relation Officer Steve Pepin has brought the club into the 21st century of social media, having established and grown our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram followers (sign-up, if ye are not already). Steve is also a veteran of the club (sorry old man) who’s wisdom and experience will be missed from the board.
Steve will be just as active with the Club, as he will now chair the Sponsorship Committee. Contact info@clevelandgaa.com is you are interested in establishing a partnership with your local GAA club. Agus, go raibh míle maith agat, a Stiofáin.
Replacing the lads will be Nick Cobos and up-comer Dan Kampman. Nick, in all essence, has been on the board, having participated in most of the prior years monthly meetings. He will be a great asset this year and for years to come.
Dan Kampman was a fresh face and formidable presence on the field in his rookie season last year. He is one of the guys that got the GAA itch, barely missing a training session and now wanting to get more involved with his Club. We are very excited to have him on board. Go n-éirí libh, a leaideanna!
Onto the fields. At the time of publication, our first groups of footballers will be taking on the softies of that foreign sport, soccer. Cleveland GAA has put both a Men’s team and a Co-ed team into the CAPS Fieldhouse indoor league for a bit of fitness, fraternity, and fun. The league runs every week from January to the end of February. Good luck players.
From the soccer fields, Cleveland has committed to starting an indoor 7-a-side Coed Gaelic Football league. The league will commence in March after an introductory skills session and new players will be mixed with experienced players. The league will run for two months until training for the summer league begins outdoors in May. Sound interesting? Want to learn more, meet new people, and get active in the cold months? Contact info@clevelandgaa.com.
Cleveland GAA is also forming a Ladies Gaelic Football team for competition in the summer. Those interested in playing or learning more should email: ClevelandLadiesGAA@gmail.com.
Youth Gaelic Football: The Youth will once again resume indoor activities on January 12th and 26th for FREE SKILLS CAMP. These are especially for the new player to understand and feel comfortable with the game. The camp will be divided by ages this year.
Following the Skills Camps in January, the sessions will open into League play of games every-other week for the months of February, March, and April. Teams will comprise of up to ten players of the same age group. Contact ClevelandYouthGAA@gmail.com to sign-up or learn more.
Night at the Races: Our annual fundraiser is February 16that the West Side Irish American Club; doors open at 6pm. There is free baby-sitting onsite. The kids have a blast. This event is more than a fundraiser, it is a chance for supporters, alumni, sponsors, players, and families to get together for a few hours and have fun. Full tables are available (8-10 seats) or individual tickets.
The $25 night includes a hot dinner, Guinness, Harp, Miller Lite, wine, and soft drinks. Feel free to bring your own desserts or appetizers. You can also name the racing horses – lots of opportunities for sponsorship and advertisement. Contact Vincent at ClevelandGAA@gmail.com.
Follow @ClevelandGaelic on Facebook and Twitter for the 2019 activities for Men, Women, and Youth.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh(thanks y’all) to our readers and supporters. Consider getting involved at any level. Fáilte (welcome) to all. The Gaelic Athletic Association is Ireland’s largest sporting organization and a bit of home for the Irish abroad here in the US. Beyond sports, the Association also promotes Irish music, song and dance and the Irish language as an integral part of its objectives.
CLEVELAND GAA 