St Mary's Ahoghill are a little club in a mainly protestant area of Antrim, but last night they qualified for Senior football by winning the Intermediate title for the first time. In this time of GPA and rows over this and that, they are a reminder of what the GAA is really about. In this video the players take the cup to a lad in a wheelchair watching the game from the back of a car above the ground. He is one of their biggest fans. Fair play lads.

Crossman (Down) - Posts: 153 - 11/10/2009 11:50:50    451024

So is it a protestant team? Well done

Orlaith (Derry) - Posts: 4282 - 11/10/2009 12:42:46    451057

Orlaith don't be so silly.

It's pronounced A-haw-hill

Niamh (Derry) - Posts: 2397 - 11/10/2009 13:50:13    451084

Good luck to them-these are the stories that I love to hear. Maybe some more players for the Antrim team too??

kerrykerry (Kerry) - Posts: 1779 - 11/10/2009 14:28:54    451115

They were in the All Ireland Junior Hurling Club final a few years ago, losing to Richie Hogan's Kilkenny club.

Strictly speaking I know the hurlers are Clooney Gaels but it is more or less the same club.

patrique (Antrim) - Posts: 13709 - 11/10/2009 14:35:53    451126

I was only asking...

Orlaith (Derry) - Posts: 4282 - 11/10/2009 17:12:57    451208

Here's the video, a wonderful gesture and a true insight to the association.

http://www.vimeo.com/7006433

Since the indcident however the higher echlons of GAA have a released several strongly worded statement about the matter.

The GAA said "We are deeply dissapointed about the post match celebrations in Ahoghill which constitute a severe breach of of insurance policy. The GAA had provided a nice banner, photographers and some streamers so a nice, safe, organised, on-pitch celebration which ensured that no-one would be hurt. Unfortunately Ahoghill decided to celebrate with the mob of supporters on the surrounds who overpowered several heavy-handed stewards and were forced to revert to plan B. In future, to ensure such disgraceful scenes are not seen again, Ahoghill will play in 40-foot cage surround by crack commando's and wrap all their silverware in 10 kilos of cotton wool to prevent injury. It has been reported that several thousand gaels were injured in the crush around the car at the end of the match and the GAA have agreed to ban the particpants from ever attending a match again, so ensuring the safety of spectators everywhere from these violent hooligans."

trileacman (Tyrone) - Posts: 759 - 11/10/2009 17:52:44    451222

well niamh, its more like a-hoch-hill or a-hock-hill if ur from ballymena

stranmillis29 (Antrim) - Posts: 788 - 11/10/2009 18:53:48    451255

trileac,was actually believing that until the 40-foot cage part,nice story though.

ahoghill,are in antrim?i thought they were from down,remember beating them in the junior 2 years ago.fair play to them for making such progress in such a short time.

Mclovinxxx (Cavan) - Posts: 205 - 11/10/2009 21:07:26    451332

Don't mind Niamh, Orlaith. She can be very grumpy sometimes.

He/She who asks a question may look a fool for two minutes but he/she who never asks a question remains a fool forever!

Loyal2TheRoyal (Meath) - Posts: 4522 - 11/10/2009 22:14:26    451394

Well done Ahoghill, a little club a few miles down the road from me here. A fantastic example of the GAA at work in the community!

caughtredhanded (Tyrone) - Posts: 602 - 11/10/2009 22:25:33    451409

stranmillis29 it depends were you are from, we pronounce it a-haw-hill. I like about 20minutes from it.

Niamh (Derry) - Posts: 2397 - 12/10/2009 00:00:36    451486

12/10/2009 00:00:36
Niamh
County: Derry
Posts: 2321

I like about 20 minutes from it
_____________
On the way there or leaving ?

ruanua (Donegal) - Posts: 4966 - 12/10/2009 00:14:37    451496

Niamh
County: Derry
Posts: 2321

451486
stranmillis29 it depends were you are from, we pronounce it a-haw-hill. I like about 20minutes from it.


Stranmillis is about 10 minutes away from it, depends on who is driving. Toome.

patrique (Antrim) - Posts: 13709 - 12/10/2009 01:48:16    451524

Generally i have found protestants will say "a hock hill" whereas catholics would say "a haw hill".
Same as maghera in derry, protestants will say "mackera" whereas a catholic would say "mah hera".
Must be to do with how we are taught in school.
Fair play to Ahoghill they were in Junior Hurling AI when we were in the inter football AI.
Both teams have progressed well :)

bosch (Derry) - Posts: 873 - 12/10/2009 12:32:05    451736

Bosch, its the Scottish blood in them

omaghredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 3656 - 12/10/2009 13:01:53    451764

Crossman that is superb , and thanks for the video Trilleac. That all did me heart good with that lad gettin to hold the trophy in the back of his folks car. Absolutely first class. The aul tears were drippin on the keyboard.

gaelantrim (Antrim) - Posts: 1616 - 12/10/2009 16:49:54    452003

Just watched the video, congratulations to Ahoghill and a credit to the GAA. The look of joy on the fellas face was a joy and the true meaning of the GAA. Fair play

omaghredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 3656 - 12/10/2009 19:26:23    452208

I have much time and respect to those lads. People of my own blood.

ChrisSweeney (Galway) - Posts: 45 - 12/10/2009 19:42:35    452243

crossman.i worked on the roads in dublin with a gang of lads from ahoghill.i havent heard of the town since,a blast from the past for me.there was about 6 of them.catholics and protestants .one of them i think played minor hurling for antrim,rudy i think was his first name

finglas full ba (None) - Posts: 636 - 12/10/2009 20:25:27    452299