HurlingWorld.com, a new hurling publication based in Ireland, recently featured an article about the Denver Gaels. Hurling World is the brainchild of Frank Burke, Galway resident and senior hurler from the 70s. Despite the publication’s early stages (seven issues to date), it is gaining serious following in Ireland in the form of more than 300 new subscribers per week. And that following has now expanded to the Rocky Mountain region.
Burke contacted the Gaels in mid-June after stumbling upon their Web site. 
Burke decided that the international aspect of the Gaelic Athletic Association needed to be brought to the attention of GAA clubs within Ireland. So he sought out successful North American GAA clubs to demonstrate the massive absorption of Irish sport internationally, and there he found the Denver Gaels.
Hurling World’s Gala Camogie Summer Supplement was distributed Friday, June 19 and featured a cover story titled “Hitting the Sliotar a Mile High!” Burke wished to highlight Denver Gaels camogie in light of major camogie tournaments occurring throughout Ireland in the end of June. Burke stated how impressed he is with the status of GAA clubs popping up all over the world and also how professionally organized larger clubs are of the North American GAA (NAGAA), including Denver.
Within the article, which will soon be available on the Denver Gaels Web site, Burke mentions some upcoming events for the Denver Gaels, especially highlighting the Colorado Irish Festival the weekend of July 10-12. For the delight and athletic entertainment of festival attendees, the Gaels are hosting five different teams from all across the country, including the Seattle Gaels hurling team and women’s Gaelic football team; the Columbia Red Branch hurling team from Portland, Oregon; the Chicago Wolfe Tones men’s Gaelic football team; and San Diego Na Fianna women’s Gaelic football team.
Games are scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to sunset on Saturday, July 11, at Clement Park, just outside the festival gates. If you’ve never seen the sports of the GAA played live, the Colorado Irish Festival offers one of the best opportunities in the country to witness the sports up close and personal.
Saturday is not the only day for Irish sport at the festival. On Sunday, July 12, the Gaels will crown their annual pub league champion in a battle royale of local talent. In addition, the Denver men’s Gaelic football team will compete against Australian Rules Football team, the Denver Bulldogs, in an “international rules” match. Physical and fast-paced doesn’t even begin to describe a compromised rules match, which has a history of bloodshed and controversy. The teams have not met in international rules for a few years now, so the game will be a sight to behold.
After the Gaels have crowned a new pub league champion between Dougherty’s, the Irish Rover, Scruffy Murphy’s and the Celtic Tavern, they will set their sights for the North American County Board (NACB) Finals of the North American GAA. The finals take place over Labor Day weekend every year. Like last year, Boston hosts in 2009.
Prior to their departure though, the Gaels are hosting a benefit to raise money for club expenses at the finals. The Annual Denver Gaels Benefit Golf Tournament is scheduled for Saturday, August 8 at Thorn Creek Golf Club (13555 N. Washington Street, Thornton). Tee off is 1:30 p.m. and like previous years, busses will run from the Celtic Tavern/Delaney’s to and from the golf course. Prizes include, but are not limited to, two rounds of golf at Aspen Golf Club and a two-night’s stay at a luxurious downtown Denver hotel. The cost for the event will range from $80 to $100. More information will be posted to the Denver Gaels Web site when it is available.
For more information on any of these events, especially the Colorado Irish Festival or the Gaels Benefit Golf Tournament, please visit www.denvergaels.com. You can also receive monthly updates from the club by emailing denvergaels@yahoo.com, or follow the Gaels online through Twitter (@DenverGaels) and Facebook.
The Denver Gaels are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and an official member of Ireland’s Gaelic Athletic Association, the governing body of Irish sport.
Tags: Denver Gaels, Irish, sports
June 20, 2009 at 8:46 am |
Great to see the Denver Gaels’ name getting out there! Way to go Tyler, thanks for all the hard work.