British Universities Men's Gaelic Football Championships Birmingham - 2008 On the weekend 22nd to 24th February 2008, thirty four teams arrived in Birmingham for what was to be the most successful Men's championships to date. A team from Rennes in France and one from New York had also travelled to participate in what can only be described as a spectacle of Gaelic football. This year's competition made use of seven pitches, Coventry, Rugby, Leicester, Wythall, Corby and two at the main venue Erin Go Bragh. The division 1 & 2 competition would also see a new format being introduced that would provide teams with a very competitive schedule and hopefully better prepare the eventual division 1 winners for the Trench Cup. Friday 22nd: Friday would see all division 1 & 2 teams play out their round robin games, each game would be 15min per half and the top two in each group would progress to the Saturday semi finals with the bottom two being knocked out of the competition. Group A: Division 1 - Venue - Corby Corby O'Rahilly's G.A.A club welcomed the university teams to their grounds and to make use of their very well maintained pitch for the first time in the history of the University games. Two men who have been involved with the British Universities for a number of years, Donal O'Neill and Martin Mohan were the referee's in charge of the games. University GPO Shane McCann was the officer in charge of the venue, Shane's home club in Ireland is Clonoe O'Rahilly's of Tyrone which also happens to be the same club as Corby O'Rahilly's president Brian Brannigan. The first game of the day would see Napier take on Robert Gordons (RGU). The game got off at a very quick pace and both midfields work hard for possession. Napier made the most of a strong wind and led at the break 0-05 to no score. The second half was very hard hitting and RGU could only manage two points, Napier only got one point but had done enough in the first half to claim the points. The second game would see Liverpool Hope v Northumbria and after a very physical game they shared the points on a score of 0-06 to 0-06. The remainder of the games were of similar standard with Napier and Hope standing to the fore and both qualifying for the Semi-finals. Key players in the group were, Peter Witherow(Hope), Tommy Fitzpatrick(Napier,Captain), Daryl O'Connell(Napier), Liam Lawler(Napier), Jason Joyce(Northumbria) and Paul Condon(Northumbria). Group Results: Napier 0-06 v RGU 0-02 Hope 0-06 v Northumbria 0-06 Napier 1-06 v Hope 0-05 RGU 1-06 v Northumbria 1-04 Napier 2-05 v Northumbria 0-03 Hope 2-06 v RGU 0-01 Group B - Division 1 - Venue - Coventry Coventry has been accommodating the universities for many years and the venue was run by George O'Rourke(Scotland Regional Organiser), Martin Coen(St Finbarrs) and Ciara O'Brien(Provincial Council Officer). Michael Walsh and Ciaran Brannigan were the referees in charge and again the games were started on time. First up was Aberdeen v St Mary's London, Aberdeen knocked St Mary's out of last years competition at the quarter final stage but revenge was on the cards and St Mary's won 0-08 to 0-04. Liverpool John Moore's(LJMU) defending champions would then take on Dundee, the game was very close with a number of well taken goals but LJMU won 2-06 to 3-01. The defending champions stepped up a gear in their second game against Aberdeen, winning on a score line of 1-12 to 0-01. Key Players from the group were, Trevor Meegan(LJMU), Mick McCarthy(LJMU), Johnny McLaughlin(St Mary's) Group Results: Aberdeen 0-04 v St Mary's 0-08 LJMU 2-06 v Dundee 3-01 Aberdeen 0-01 LJMU 1-12 St Mary's 0-08 v Dundee 0-05 Aberdeen 1-07 v Dundee 1-05 LJMU 0-10 v St Mary's 0-03 Group C - Division 2 - Venue -Leicester This group took place at the Emerald Centre on Gipsy Lane and the games were refereed by Barry Coary(Tyrone) and Eddie Stapleton(Leeds). Glasgow Caledonian would participate in their first championships but went down to Bangor in their first game 1-08 to 0-04. Liverpool John Moore's had entered a second team into the division two competition but they too lost to Bangor 0-07 to 0-06. Group Results: Bangor 1-08 v G.Caledonian 0-04 JMU B 0-06 v Bangor 0-07 JMU B 3-10 v G.Caledonian 1-04 Group D - Division 2 - Venue - Rugby In recent years Chester University have been the stronghold in the Plate competition and this year they entered the second division with the hope of taking home some silverware. Their first game would see them face last year's runners up UCLAN. The games were refereed by Gabriel McKenna, Gabriel refereed last year's Trench Cup final against LJMU v St Pats Dromcondra at the DUB in Belfast. Chester fought hard but UCLAN had a number of very experienced players and held Chester off to win 0-10 to 0-08. Glasgow University were the other team in the group but were over come by both Chester and UCLAN in the remaining games. Saturday 23rd: Saturday would see the semi finals of Division 1 & 2 take place at Erin Go Bragh on Hollylane and the plate competition get underway at a number of venues. The Plate competition (3rd Division) had twenty teams competing for the title. Four groups of five would play in 25 minute round robin games with the top team in each group qualifying for the semi final that would also be played on the Saturday evening. Group Results: Coventry: Wythall: 1-2 Brighton v Teeside 3-6 Bedford 0-01 man met 3-04 0-2 Oxford v Stirling 0-3 Uel 1-06 Worcester 1-06 0-5 Newman College v Oxford 1-5 Uel 2-08 bedford 2-01 0-5 Stirling v Brighton 0-4 Bedford 0-02 Worcester 0-03 0-1 Stirling v Teeside 2-7 Man met 2-05 uel 0-05 2-10 Newman College v Brighton 0-0 Worcester 0-05 man met 1-09 5-2 Teeside v Newman College 1-04 1-3 Newman College v Stirling 0-7 0-02 Oxford v Teeside 0-05 Erin Go Bragh: Rugby 1-1 Carlisle v Nottingham 0-4 Cambridge 0-3 v S.Hallam/S.Uni 2-1 2-2 Rennes v Lincoln 2-4 Aston 0-2 v Huddersfield 0-2 2-4 New York v Carlisle 1-1 Abertay 1-3 v Aston 1-1 0-7 Nottingham v Rennes 0-1 Huddersfield 0-1 v Cambridge 2-2 3-3 Nottingham v Lincoln 0-4 Huddersfield 0-2 v S.Hallam/SUni 2-2 1-2 New York v Rennes 0-2 Abertay 0-3 v Cambridge 0-3 1-1 Rennes v Carlisle 1-5 Cambridge 3-3 v Aston 3-1 0-0 Lincoln v New York 0-4 S.Hallam/S.Uni 1-5 v Abertay 0-0 0-3 New York v Nottingham 1-0 1-3 Carlisle v Lincoln 0-4 Semi-Finals: Division 3(Plate): Sheffield Hallam/S.Uni (0-04) v Teeside (0-06) These two North East teams had come out of two tough groups, both sets of players knew each other from previous league encounters. The game was played in great spirit and in the end Teeside claimed the first final place with a two point win. Division 3(Plate) Manchester Met/Salford (1-09) v New York (1-04) For New York to reach the semi final was an achievement in its own after their long trip. They had already overcome our other overseas team 'Rennes' in the group games and were ready to push for that remaining final place. Manchester were that little bit more experienced and a few points to spare in the end. Division 2: Bangor (1-07) v Chester (1-08) This game was the first semi final of the day and got underway at 11am, from the throw in both teams were on top of their game with neither giving anything away and making each other work hard to keep possession. Bangor took the lead after a few minutes and throughout the game both teams exchanged point for point. Simon McCabe and Barry Caulfield were the main men for Chester but equally matched by Bangor's Gearoid Horkan and Ross Everett. Near the end of the second half it was looking like extra time until Chester clinched the victory with a last minute point. Division 2: UCLAN (2-10) v JMU B (1-9) This game would see two more Northwest teams compete for the remaining final spot. From the start it was clear that both teams were capable of winning the game as they were level on a number of occasions. UCLAN's captain Frank Niblock was the main play maker for his team and set up the majority of their attacks, without him they would have struggled to push forward at times. LJMU had a number of duel players in their ranks, with the likes of Shane O'Hanlon(Hurling Championships Player of the tournament) Martin Jamison and Eamonn McArdle. UCLAN's overall experience throughout the team allowed them to control the game better in the closing stages and eventually run out winners. Division 1: Napier (0-10) v St Mary's(1-05) Both of these teams had performed extremely well in their group games with Napier claiming top spot in their group and St Mary's second in theirs. Napier went into this game as slight favourites but St Mary's are a very experienced team in this competition and Napier would have to be on their guard. Tommy Fitzpatrick had picked up an shoulder injury in the group games but never the less lined out at full forward to lead his team and to score what may have been one of the best scores of the championships. Johnny McLaughlin, St Mary's captain had similar plans and scored a number of great scores for his team. Over the hour both teams provided some great entertainment for the large crowd of spectators but even after a successfully converted penalty, it was not enough for St Mary's and Napier progressed to their second consecutive final with two points to spare. Division 1: Fulltime: Liverpool JMU (0-14) v Liverpool Hope (0-14) Extra Time: Liverpool JMU (0-20) v Liverpool Hope (0-16) Over the years both these teams have met at various stages throughout the leagues and championship competitions and every time you can be assured that it will be a very entertaining encounter. With both teams studying in the same city and some even living together, everything was at stake, which team from this well know derby clash would progress to the final. The referee who took charge of the game was Michael Duffy who had previously taken charge of Donegal v Mayo a week earlier. In the opening minutes both teams tried to keep possession and work the ball up the field but the defence on both sides worked hard to prevent any easy scores. In the tenth minute Darnell Parkinson(Pearse Og, Armagh) made a high challenge that resulted in the first red card of the game. With the game being so close and LJMU now a man down it looked like Hope could take advantage of the extra man and push for the win. Ross Connor(Offally) and Mick McCarthy(Down) made up the midfield partnership for the defending champions and won almost every ball in Midfield and kept their team pushing forward at every opportunity to allow Paudi Finnegan(LJMU Captain) to convert a number of scores. These individual displays were equally matched by centre back for Hope Peter Witherow(Donegal) and corner back Eamonn Melley(Donegal). The second half was very similar to the first, as it was played a very fast pace with each team exchanging scores. Near the closing stages the second red card of the game was given to Liverpool Hopes half back Fergal Doyle. The game was level and with both sides now on fourteen men everything was to play for. Trevor Meegan(Monaghan) pushed his team forward at every chance and resulted in a couple of points. Time was up and it looked like LJMU would win until Hope snatched an equaliser to force extra time. The weekend tournament rules meant a further 20mins of football would have to be played to determine a winner. In the opening half, Hope fired over a couple of excellent points before disaster struck, full forward for the Hope team, Patrick Murphy(Fermanagh) received his marching orders for the same offence as the first two red cards. LJMU had played under pressure with fourteen men for the majority of the game but now a man up they spread the play and ran the ball down the wings putting Hope's defence under a lot of pressure. Tired legs were stating to show and it was LJMU who held on to win what was an excellent game of football. The Finals - Sunday 24th Plate(Division 3) Manchester Met/Salford (2-14) v Teeside (1-10) In the opening minute of this game, Manchester captain and Ardboe(Co.Tyrone) man Conor Coleman got a bad knock on the shoulder that would have to see him watch the rest of the game from the sideline. When the game was restarted the Manchester team worked the ball well up the wings and took their scores well. Teeside slowly edged themselves back into the game and it was level at the break. The second half was a lively affair with both sides attacking the goal, however it was only Manchester who hit the net in this half and from there they built on their lead to eventually over come a tough Teeside team. Division 2 UCLAN (1-13) v Chester (0-11) Both of these teams had previously met in league games earlier in the year and in the round robin games on Friday, both would therefore know a lot about each others strengths and weaknesses. UCLAN were captained by Derry man Frank Niblock and Chester by Simon McCabe of Dublin. As like the division 3 final both teams were giving nothing away easy and both sets of forwards had to work off scraps to try and get their scores. Niblock was again running the show for UCLAN and distributed the ball well into his full forwards. Plunkett Kane(Tyrone) linked up well with Niblock at times to get crucial scores. For Chester, Barry Caulfield(Dublin) again was the key man, he covered a lot of ground and caused problems with his pace. Chester were unfortunate to have a man sent of but at the end it was the deciding factor as UCLAN used the extra man well and got the only goal of the game to secure victory. Division 1 Liverpool John Moores (1-13) v Napier (0-07) Referee: Michael Duffy This game was to be a repeat of last years final, LJMU were going for their third consecutive championship title and Napier their first. Maybe the extra time played in the semi final had taken a lot out of the Liverpool lads and would give Napier the upper hand. Both teams consisted of a number of county players from Monaghan, Fermanagh, Offally, Louth and Leitrim and the large crowd who had gathered at Erin Go Bragh were eagerly waiting for the game to get underway. As like every other match throughout the entire weekend both sides were giving nothing away in the opening minutes before the inspirational LJMU captain Paudi Finnegan fired over a couple of great scores. After that Liam Lawlor for Napier who held up the ball very well around the middle, set up a number of attacks to allow Tommy Fitzpatrick and Tony Callaghan for Napier to bring the sides level. With Parkinson for LJMU being dismissed in the Semi, three times University Allstar and All Ireland Intermediate Club winner Trevor Meegan dropped back to cover the centre back area and was the main man for LJMU in almost every attack. Midway through the first half he carried the ball up the wing and delivered a great ball into the forward line that resulted in Finnegan being taken down for a penalty which he easily slotted away to the keepers right. In the remainder of the half both sides added a further two points each to their tally. The defending champions and 2007 Trench Cup finalists started the second half with a strong breeze on their backs and it looked an up hill struggle for the challengers Napier. Wing backs Michael Crowley(Mayo) and Lawrence McKenna(Armagh) tried to run the ball but almost every time their attacks were broken down my Meegan and Ciaran Lynch(Clonoe,Tyrone). Liam Lynch(Fermanagh) and Kieran Breslin(Donegal) kept the pressure on Napiers Corner backs. Napier did pile on the pressure throughout the second half but LJMU had done enough in the first half to secure them the victory. Players of the Tournament: Division 1: Trevor Meegan, Liverpool John Moores Division 2: Frank Niblock, UCLAN Division 3: Stephen Gomez, New York Tweet

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