The British Universities Gaelic Football Championships

So after a long hard six months for myself and my committee team, we competed in the British Universities Gaelic Football Championships.

On Saturday morning, 16 footballers travelled to compete in division three of the national championships.

This weekend tournament that consists of three divisions is a celebration of the great Irish sport that is now played in this country.

Gaelic Football has grown from strength to strength and in this, its 20th anniversary year of Gaelic in UK universities, there are now over 40 institutions taking part.

What is great about this sport is that while it is traditionally Irish and full of Irish players, students from all countries are now taking part.

Of the 16 of us that travelled, only half were Irish with the other half British (seven English and a token Welshman!)

I set this club up only in October 2009 so to have competed in the nationals for the second time in our short 18 month history is a huge achievement for us.

This year, we even had full Edge Hill University kit, courtesy of our Students’ Union who have supported us by also supplying transport.

Below you will see a picture of the kit (what was left of it after some tough weather conditions!)

We went down to Birmingham with one intention: to win!

I said to my team all week as captain: “If you’re not coming down to win this championship, don’t come!”

When all 16 of us turned up for the coach at 6.45am on Saturday morning I knew I had a group of committed young men.

We went down there and came away with wins against the University of Abertay and Newman College Birmingham in the group stages.

Unfortunately, due to the league structure, the University of Glasgow dropped down from division two having lost their two group matches and duly beat us in a evenly fought match.

Glasgow went on to defeat the University of Teeside by one goal and six points to one goal and five in the final.

The Edge Hill Gaelic Football Club is just one of the many clubs available for students to join, and if the sport you enjoy is not here, just do what I did and set one up!

If you have any questions about any of the sports clubs and teams here at Edge Hill please ask now and maybe it might help you make up your mind!