Gothenburg GAA club were in action again last week in the 2nd round of the Scandinavian football championship in Malmo in what turned out to be a very competitive and exciting tournament.

Whilst Stockholm emerged as winners of the tournament on the day , Gothenburg GAA once again proved what heart, determination and a bit of pride in the jersey can achieve. Through circumstances beyond our control, Gothenburg travelled with the smallest panel of all the teams participating on the day ( 10 players ).Included on this panel were two players new to the game playing their first tournament and they played their part in Gothenburg having a fantastic tournament.

With the format being a round robin style tournament , Gothenburg had to play 4 games throughout the day with no subs - this proved tough and gruelling and as the day wore on , the toll on the legs became evident. However, all our stamina training with Caz proved invaluable throughout the day as it did indeed kick in in games 3 and 4.

Game 1 - Gothenburg vs. Oslo
Final score Gothenburg 1-4 / Oslo 1-2

The first game of the day for Gothenburg proved to be a tight affair up against a rejuvenated Oslo side eager to make amends after previous poor showings. Early points from Adrian Kelly and Stephen Gorman settled the ship but an Oslo goal from their giant full forward sparked the game to life. However, the old heads in the Gothenburg team refused to panic and a well taken goal from Adrian Kelly and further points from Billy Finn and Niall O' Connor ensured that Gothenburg started off their tournament with a solid win .

Scorers : Adrian Kelly 1-1 / Stephen Gorman 0-2 / Niall O Connor 0-1/Billy Finn 0-1


Game 2 Gothenburg vs. Stockholm

Final score Stockholm 3-7 / Gothenburg 1-4

The second game of the day against the pre-tournament favourites typified why Gothenburg GAA club is alive and well and what being part of a team is all about. Against all the odds against one of the newest and strongest teams in European GAA circles with former inter-county players amongst their panel , Gothenburg were right in this game up until half-time .Early scores from Stephen Gorman and Adrian Kelly and a well taken goal by Declan Redmond made the score 1-2 to 1-4 to Stockholm at half-time. Each player played their part and honourable mentions to the Trojan work carried out by David Burke and Eoin O broin in the backs ensured that the tournament favourites never got too far in front. Great work up front from Niall , Declan , James Prentice and Mezzam ensured that Stockholm were made to work hard for their victory. As they emptied their bench and brought on fresh legs , the boys from Gothenburg faced an uphill battle but fought gallantly to the end .Two further points from Adrian and Niall made the final score Gothenburg 1-4 to Stockholm 3-7.

Scorers ; Declan Redmond 1-0 / Adrian Kelly 0-3 / Stephen Gorman 0-2 /

Game 3 Gothenburg vs. Copenhagen

Final score Gothenburg 1-5 / Copenhagen 0-4

This game turned out to be one of the best games on the day with those on the sidelines and players and officials alike saying it was an absolute cracker. I'm sure all of the lads will agree that when you play games like this it makes all the training and pain and travelling worthwhile. Our win against the same opposition in the Pan-European may have been sweeter but this victory was borne out of sheer determination , guts , ability and the sheer willpower of not wanting to lose. Early points from Niall and Stephen and Adrian ensured we got a good start and stout defending by goal keeper Phil Sprackers ensured our fortress was not going to be breached this time around. Copenhagen were rattled and when our new recruit James Prentice scored a cracking goal, we knew that we had to keep the pressure on. Further points by Billy Finn and Niall O Connor ensured that we maintained our lead right up to the final whistle and despite a late onslaught from Copenhagen who emptied their bench in desperation , our tight hand passing game kept firm and we emerged with a victory to savour. Sweet indeed !!!

Scorers - James Prentice 1-0 / Billy Finn 0-1 / Niall O Connor 0-1/ Adrian Kelly 0-2 / Stephen Gorman 0-1



Game 4 - Gothenburg vs. Malmo

Final score Gothenburg 0-2 / Malmo 1-4

With our victory in the proceeding game , we now stood on the threshold of an even bigger upset. Our last match meant we had to beat a strongly fancied Malmo team in order to get to the final vs. Stockholm. And by God, did we give it a go.!! The legs were beginning to tire and the bodies were aching but Gothenburg gave it their all and two early points from Adrian Kelly steadied the ship for us. We went in at the break all square at 2 pts a piece. Even the supporters on the sidelines felt that a major upset was on the cards against the hosts of the tournament..
However, we let in some soft scores and the start of the 2nd half and the toll on the legs began to tell as Malmo introduced fresh players to contain and nullify our attack.Eventually freshness began to tell and Malmo pulled away with some well worked scores to eventually close out the tie .However, it cannot detract from the spirit and tenacity shown by each and every player of whom I will detail below :


Phil Sprackers ( Goalkeeper ) :" The Pearl of Hemel Hempstead " - solid and dependable between the sticks, this Londoner who never played the game even before the Copenhagen tournament certainly came up trumps all day for us .He of course had to do his " showcase " save for the cameras!!

Billy Finn ( Full Back ) : Won the Poc Fada on the day ( beat a Clare minor goalkeeper!! ) - considers himself very lucky to have been part of a great team with a great bunch of men .

David Burke ( Corner back ) : Superb defence all day from this recent new daddy. With all his time now taken up with bottles and nappy changing , David made it to Malmo and turned in a superb day at the coalface. Solid and limpet like all day , he contended with the other teams pace merchants all day with distinction. New nickname is Sticky !!!


Eoin O Broin ( Left-half back ) : The Roy Keane of the team - what an engine !! Great defence all day from the wiry defender. Just kept going all day and providing an extra attacking option. This session musician never runs out of wind !! Great stuff from him !!

Stephen Gorman ( Centre-back ) : The Paul McGrath of the team - met every opposition attack like a stone wall. Superb in the air and starting attacks. Even with dodgy groins and hamstrings , he soldiered on all day and along with Adrian , is the fulcrum of the team. Pure class!

Adrian Kelly ( Midfield ) : Our scorer in chief for the day - the man is just a scoring machine. The other piston in the engine , he keeps going all day and takes his scores beautifully. Wasn't to be found wanting when the Poc Fada cup was to be filled !!!

James Cantillon ( Midfield ) : As one of the Stockholm players , this Boston native played great stuff for us despite it being his first game of Gaelic football ever. Built like a tank, this big boy stood up and was counted when it mattered


Niall O Connor ( Half-forward ) : A go to man all day , Niall covered himself in glory with some excellent scores and link up play .Some classy moves and a superb overhead point, he proved a constant thorn all day to opposition defences. Great stuff from the Cork man.


Mezzam Farazaneh (Half-forward ) : Can honestly say that he is one of the first Iranians ever to play Gaelic football in Scandinavia.( Sorry , the second as Malmo also had an Iranian with the exact same name playing with them at the weekend - what are the odds ????)As it was his first ever game, he did very well and won us some important frees throughout the day. Well done !!

James ( Jakey ) Prentice ( Corner forward ) : Expecting to be the gaffer on the sidelines, Jakey answered the call when he was told " you re starting, big yin ".In his first ever game of Gaelic football, he got stuck in around the square and scored a cracking goal which was crucial. He rolled back the years and the knee brace held firm , thank god !!!


Declan Redmond ( Full forward ) - Ah yes, the veteran of so many campaigns, the YB got yet another handful of important scores on the day. He met his task of being target man on the square and had to deal with a lot of over zealous defending throughout the day. In the twilight of his career, news of his impending retirement will have to be shelved. He's just too important.!!!