First Aid Training
Usually if we’re in a pub this early on a Saturday morning it’s because we still haven’t left 
However this time was different as Sven Bartens from eins eins drei took members of Hamburg GAA through their paces in a day of first aid training.
If your team has been thinking of learning first aid (you should), we highly recommend Sven who offers training in English and German. You never know what kind of injuries are going to happen in a match and it’s better to have as many as possible able to recognise and handle them appropriately.
Thanks to Andy at The Irish Rover, Hamburg for daring to let a GAA team in at 9am.
Honourable mention to Sven’s assistant Bob who endured more than any training dummy should have to.
Kids and Youth Coaching Course in Munich
Hamburg GAA’s cornerstone of the full-back line, Children’s Officer, and chief motivator, Arnold Morascher, recently attended a kids and youth coaching course in Munich organised by the German GAA / Deutscher Bund Gälischer Sportarten.
Arnold was joined by over a dozen other coaches from the likes of Rómhánaigh Augsburg Óg, Setanta Berlin GAA and Munich Colmcilles GAA. O’Reilly (ó Uíbh Fhailí) took them through what it takes, combining theory with practical games, drills and coaching approaches.
“Liam was very good at keeping us not only busy and involved, but also in giving us the opportunities to bring in our own ideas and there was plenty of space for discussion and craic.”
We can’t wait to see Arnold put his new skills to use when he begins our upcoming school coaching sessions and we are even more excited at the prospect of a youth tournament in the future!
A big thanks to all involved for making this possible!
Cúltec Hurling & Camogie Championship
Saturday the 30th October 2017 was a big day for Hamburg GAA at the finals of the Cúltec Hurls European Hurling & Camogie Championship hosted by Dresden Hurling. Having recorded their first-ever European match victory, our camogie team steam-rolled their way to the final, where they fought tooth and nail against tournament and 2017 Championship winners, Belgium GAA. Our hurlers picked up the (first-ever) European Shield Championship 2017, having worked and fought consistently all season. And to put the cherry on the bit of apple crumble, our skills trainer, talisman, and first and foremost, proud Cork man, Fearghal de Barra, won another MVP for the Shield competition on the day. A day to remember for our international group.
A huge thank you to Dresden Hurling for a perfectly organised tournament and after-party, where songs were sung with Rómhánaigh Augsburg Óg GAA e.V. and Gaelic Sports in Berlin, and some boogie woogie and high-kicking competitions were done with Belgium GAA and Darmstadt GAA. A special thanks to Stephen from Munich Colmcilles GAA, who solidified our hurlers’ defence, and Alisa from Darmstadt GAA, who fought hard and slotted in perfectly to our camogie team.
We appreciate the support we continue to receive from our sponsors, The Irish Rover, Hamburg, MAAS Aviation, and EpiSensor, to allow us to have days like yesterday. We’ll be ploughing on through the autumn and winter, to come back stronger next season.
Hamburg abú!
The Clash of the Ash
Posted on behalf of Micheál Ó Muireagáin
The only thing I regret about the great progress the camogs and hurlers of our GAA club has made since its establishment in 2015 is that I’m not 30 or 40 years younger and therefore can’t be out there with them as they wield the camán with great distinction the length and breadth of Europe in search of honours on behalf our adopted city.
The modest, but well-appointed soccer facilities at Steinweisenweg, Eidelstedt which hosted the second round of the European championships held on 17th June,while a far cry from Semple Stadium, the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick, Páirc Uí Chaoimh or of course the one and only Croke Park, was the venue for this truely special occasion. The unique sense of rivalry, intensity, community, and good nature which prevailed that day was something that only our ancient game could generate. This was Gaelic Ireland at its best, presenting our national sporting treasure on an international stage in a wonderful spirit of openness, friendship and solidarity.
As I returned home alone that evening, my mind lubricated by a few tasty pints of the “black stuff”, was swamped by a thousand thoughts. Somehow I kept coming back to a terrific book I had read a long time ago as a schoolboy. “The Clash of the Ash”, by Raymond Smith. This enchanting history of hurling from its earliest days up until 1972, it was as far as we had got at that stage, painted a marvellous picture of the communities, teams and players who had made hurling the magical sporting art that it remains today
By means of an enthralling series of recollections, anecdotes, songs and poems, the reader was treated to the feats of our hurling titans: the Mackeys of Ahane, Christy Ring and Glen Rovers, Dungourney’s favourite son Jamesy Kelleher featured promently, Lory Meagher of black and amber fame, the Rackards from Slaneyside, the Premier county too was well to the fore. Indeed all that delirium of Cúchulainn-like warriors. In my opinion, no publication has succeeded so effectively in portraying so vividly the unique romance and passion associated with the game.
One poem from the book remains fixed in my memory. It tells the story of a goalkeeper from Clare; Tommy Daly who also found glory with Dublin, winning four All Ireland medals with the sky-blues.
The poem may not please the literary purists, but I believe it encompasses that sense of identity, commitment and gallantry which only the GAA and hurling can conjure up.
It was penned by the redoubtable Kerry bard Bryan Mac Mahon. What would a Kerryman know about hurling, some might venture? Those who know better will point out that Kerry had claimed All Ireland laurels in 1891(the Liam McCarthy didn’t arrive until 1923), long before some of the more celebrated hurling counties were out of the traps!
It goes as follows:
Lament for Tommy Daly
On the wind’swept Hill of Tulla,
Where the Claremen place their dead,
Four solemn yews stand sentinel
Above a hurler’s head,
And from the broken north lands
From Burren bleak and bare,
The dirge of Thomas Daly
Goes surging on through Clare.
No more shall limewhite goalposts
Soar tapering and tall
Above the greatest goalman
That ever clutched a ball.
Nor yet he’ll rouse the echoes
Of ash in native air,
Nor heed the throbbing thousands
Tense with pride of Clare.
But wherever Clare does battle
And whoever guards the goal,
Whene’er the citadel is saved
The proud, the noble soul
Of sterling Thomas Daly
They shall recall and say
“God rest you Thomas Daly
On your wind’swept hill to-day”.
To think that never once again
He’ll don with lightsome air
The claret-gold of Tulla
Nor the blue and gold of Clare.
-Perhaps they’ll pray when feasts are high
And healed the wounds of fight,
“God rest you Thomas Daly
On your wind’swept hill to-night”.
The years shall silver temples
Of hurlers young and free
Till blows the long, long whistle
Of the eternal referee,
Then up the hillside lonely
They’re borne with funeral tread,
To the wind’swept Hill of Tulla
Where the Claremen place their dead.
Beyond this place of toil and tears
Beyond this plain of woe,
There is a bourne in Paradise
Where all the hurlers go,
And there in prime they’re goaling
And race across the sod
And thrill our dead forefathers
On the level lawns of God.
On the wind’swept Hill of Tulla
Within whose breast so deep
With dreams of Resurrection Morn
A thousand hurlers sleep,
And with them Thomas Daly
Four yews above his head
On the wind’swept Hill of Tulla
Where the Claremen place their dead.
Some years later I made the pilrimage to Tulla. The final resting place of one of the Banner’s most revered sons proved elusive. The hill is indeed “windswept” as the poem relates, but with the help of some friendly advice at a local hostelry, I found his grave.
“The Clash of the Ash” is long out of print. A recent cursory look in Amazon revealed a second-hand copy on offer at €140. My tattered version bears the then price of 60p, but it’s not for sale.
Raymond Smith’s masterpiece concluded in 1972. Thankfully, since then the history of hurling has continued to unfurl, in doing so enriching our lives with new heroes, great games and outstanding entertainment.
Today, the ash still clashes, but further afield than any of the GAA’s visionary founders could ever has imagined when they gathered in that Thurles hotel in 1884; in Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Zurich and beyond, and thankfully, in Hamburg.
Long may it continue!
Chris Hennessy Cup
It is with great pleasure that we announce that Hamburg GAA will be hosting its first tournament, The Chris Hennessy Memorial Cup (National German Hurling & Camogie Championships), this Saturday 27 August.
Named after Chris, the founder and former Chairperson of Berlin GAA who sadly passed away two years ago, we are truly honoured to be given the opportunity to host this competition.
GAA clubs from across Germany make their way to the ‘Pearl of the North’ to battle it out in hurling and camogie games to crown the Champions of Germany.
We want you and your friends, family, colleagues, and significant others to come along and join us on the day for fun, sport, BBQ, and drinks – we are counting on your support on this special day! Entrance is completely free!
Address: Hochschulsport Hamburg, Turmweg 2.
Time: 09:00 – 17:00
New Irish Language Course in Hamburg
Hamburg GAA, in cooperation with our friends at Hamburg-Irish, is proud to announce the launch of a new Irish language course in the city of Hamburg. The course will be conducted by Hamburg GAA’s Irish Language & Cultural Officer Micheál Ó Muireagáin, a native of Belfast and longtime resident of Hamburg. Micheál has many years of experience in teaching the language both in Ireland and Germany.
The Irish language (Gaeilge) is the first official language of Ireland and an official language of the EU. As part of our drive to promote Irish culture in Germany, we are seeking to encourage a wider understanding of, and accessibility to, our native tongue.
The course, which will begin 5th September, takes place in the Celtic Cellar of our sponsor the Irish Rover and will continue every Monday until Christmas, comprising 15 units total. Each class lasts one hour, from 18:30 to 19:30. All levels will be catered for, so whether you are completely new to the language or took it in school and have forgotten most of it, we will provide both an introduction and refresher for you. Higher level participants are also welcome but will be asked to help the others. Explanations in the course will be given in English and German although the focus will of course be on Irish.
The course costs €60 for the 15 units and materials will be provided. Places are limited, so please sign-up now! Registration ends on Wednesday 31 August. Upon registration, a course brochure will be sent to you, which contains much more information on course structure, content, etc.
Email MOM-ELT (at) T-ONLINE.DE to register. For any general queries you can contact us here under “Contact” or on our Facebook page – we would be delighted to hear from you.
*replace (at) with @
Practice a few phrases below!
Chris Hennessy Memorial Cup - 27th August 2016
It is with great pleasure that we announce that Hamburg GAA will be hosting its first tournament, The Chris Hennessey Memorial Cup (National German Hurling & Camogie Championships).
Named after Chris, the founder and former Chairperson of Berlin GAA who sadly passed away two years ago, we are truly honoured to be given the opportunity to host this competition.
With teams from across Germany competing in Hurling & Camogie games, a BBQ and refreshments throughout the day, it promises to be a great day all round. We look forward to welcoming Darmstadt GAA, Munich GAA, Dresden Hurling, and of course Berlin GAA, as well as you, our fans, friends, and family!
We invite you all to pop down to watch the tournament and cheer us on!
A huge thank you to the Deutscher Bund Gälischer Sportarten (DBGS/German GAA Federation) for their support with this tournament!
Further info: Chris Hennessy Memorial Cup
Announcement: Irish Cultural and Language Officer
Hamburg GAA is proud to announce Micheál Ó Muireagáin as the club’s Irish Cultural & Language Officer! Micheál, a fluent Irish-speaker, hails from Co. Antrim and works as a language trainer in Germany and will be helping us in all areas of Irish language and culture, from informal Irish lessons to larger cultural events.
We are delighted and privileged to welcome such a friendly and hard-working individual to the club!
Announcement: Presidents of Hamburg GAA
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Jacquie and Aidan O’Hanlon as Presidents of Hamburg GAA!
Jacquie and Aidan, the owners of our sponsor The Irish Rover, have been there since the beginning of our club and have been critical in our progress.
All of us here at Hamburg GAA wish to extend to them huge thanks for all their support and encouragement!
Announcement of Hamburg GAA Jersey
With the generous help of our Sponsors The Irish Rover and MAAS Aviation, Hamburg GAA were able to obtain our first ever playing kit along with a full set of helmets! Huge thanks to both for making this possible.Read more