New GAA Club for East Belfast

[Orior]

AMBITIOUS plans are being put in place to revive Gaelic games in east Belfast. From the Irish News

http://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2020/06/01/news/huge-response-to-plans-to-set-up-new-gaa-club-in-east-belfast-1958542/

News that a new club may be set up has already sparked a huge response in the area. Traditionally a unionist stronghold, the last club to play at adult level in the district, St Colmcille's GAC, went out of existence in the early 1970s. Now a group of young Gaels have come together to form a new club on a cross-community basis. Those behind the plan say they hope to be in a position to enter a team in the Co Down junior leagues by next year.

A post on the East Belfast GAA Twitter account yesterday urged people interested in playing, coaching or administration to get in touch.
“All ages, genders and backgrounds welcome,” it said.
Organisers say there has been a massive response and already enough people have come forward to field a team next year. Currently people from east Belfast who have an interest in Gaelic games tend to travel to nearby Bredagh GAC or the Markets-based St Malachy's club. St Malachy's traditionally attracts players from the Short Strand area of east Belfast. Sean Martin's GAC, which no longer exists, previously fielded under-age teams in the Short Strand area. St Paul's GAC in Holywood, which borders east Belfast, also serves a large part of north Down.
Those behind the plan say other clubs, including St Brigid's GAC which was formed in 1998, offer an example of how a new venture can flourish.
“You have to start somewhere and you would have the likes of St Brigid's in south Belfast,” one of those involved said. He added that an important element will be that the club is cross community and attract people who traditionally participate in other codes.
No decision has been taken about where any new club will be based.
“It will be interesting to see how it goes,” he said. “It's 2020 and it's well past due.”
Down county board chairman Jack Devaney said that while the body had yet to be approached it is open to the possibility of a new club in the area.
“We are all for growth and if there are areas where the GAA community can evolve and prosper, certainly were would be enthusiastic about that,” he said.
East Belfast-based Irish language campaigner Linda Ervine, who comes from a Protestant background, welcomed the development.
“Starting up a GAA club in east Belfast is almost a return to normality in a way,” she said. “If this does get off the ground and if there is cross-community uptake how powerful would that be? It could be a very positive thing and I hope it happens and there's a very good uptake.”
A previous club in east Belfast, St Colmcille's, was formed in the 1950s. Based in Ballyhackamore on the Upper Newtownards Road, it went out of existence in the early 1970s as the Troubles took hold. It was one of several GAA clubs formed in unlikely areas during the period including Scrabo Harps in Newtownards and St Comgall's in Bangor.

[Bigali]

Interesting.

Where would their home ground be I wonder ? Danny Blanchflower Park or maybe they could share the facilities of H&W Welders Football Club or CIYMS or even the Civil Service grounds at Stormont which would actually be a logical choice. Maybe Dundela FC at Strandtown would be willing to rent them some space ,they could do with the money.
And let’s not forget the George Best playing fields in the Cregagh Estate plenty of room there or just across the road at Ravenhill , after all , Croke Park opened its doors to Irish Rugby when Landsdowne Road was being redeveloped so it would be a nice reciprocal gesture if Club Ulster were to do something similar for a GAA club from the east of the city.

Even though it’s in South Belfast the PSNI GAA team may be willing to share their excellent facilities at Newforge and they all could get together for a pint in the bar after training .

It would be nice if they could include Samson and Goliath on the club badge ! 

[Orior]

Harland & Wolf Tones has already been suggested as a name, but I'm not sure that it will stick.

Stormont would seem to be the logical choice for a ground, though that last time I played a GAA match there we have a few unwelcome visitors lol. There is a strong GAA following centered on Ballyhackamore, and Our Lady & St Patrick's Knock has done quite well promoting the game.

[Bigali]

Harland & Wolf Tones has already been suggested as a name, but I'm not sure that it will stick.

Stormont would seem to be the logical choice for a ground, though that last time I played a GAA match there we have a few unwelcome visitors lol. There is a strong GAA following centered on Ballyhackamore, and Our Lady & St Patrick's Knock has done quite well promoting the game.

I can understand the interest in starting a GAA club in the East coming from  OLSPCK which is an excellent school with a great reputation which I’m sure also has a great sports ethos as well but big interest in Ballyhackamore ? I couldn’t tell you .

 While Ballyhackamore is certainly a mixed area (more mixed than certain forum members realise) I’ve yet to be engaged in passing conversation in the newsagents or Tesco Express or Spar or Horatio Todd’s over a pint about the fortunes of local GAA teams and on big sporting days like the Ulster Championship or All Ireland Final there has been a conspicuous absence of GAA colours flying from telegraph poles which you might see in other parts of the city and country , not even St Colmcilles displays any colours .

Harland and Wolf Tones ? What would they have as the club anthem ? The Men Behind The Wire ?? 

[allymac]

Harland & Wolf Tones has already been suggested as a name, but I'm not sure that it will stick. Stormont would seem to be the logical choice for a ground, though that last time I played a GAA match there we have a few unwelcome visitors lol. There is a strong GAA following centered on Ballyhackamore, and Our Lady & St Patrick's Knock has done quite well promoting the game.

Last game?1950s ?

[Orior]

Last game?1950s ?

Do you mean St Colmcilles? I thought their last game was in the early 70's, but am not sure.

[allymac]

Do you mean St Colmcilles? I thought their last game was in the early 70's, but am not sure.

No,I meant your good self.

[Orior]

Down ACFL Division 4B - St. Michael's Magherlin 2-9 East Belfast GAA 2-5

[allymac]

Down ACFL Division 4B - St. Michael's Magherlin 2-9 East Belfast GAA 2-5

Was that their first match?

[Orior]

Yes. St Michael’s would not be great. Their honorary president Linda Irvine still getting a lot of grief on Twitter

[allymac]

Why's that?

[Orior]

Why's that?

Have a guess.

[allymac]

Have a guess.

Would it be about religion ?I'm guessing here.I don't know much about the situation.

[Orior]

Would it be about religion ?I'm guessing here.I don't know much about the situation.

Yes, I’m sure you know nothing about it. Some unionists don’t like the fact that Linda Irvine (a Protestant from East Belfast) is supporting the initiative by the East Belfast club.

[James James]

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/gaa/dream-team-becomes-reality-as-east-belfast-gaa-takes-to-the-field-for-historic-match-39377409.html

https://www.rte.ie/news/2020/0718/1154137-gaa-east-belfast/