MAY 2010
www.celtic-connection.com
Page 27
MARTIN DOYLE, president of the Irish Sports and Social Society of Edmonton presents a jersey to runner Eamonn Coghlan.
A Reception Worthy of a Champion at the Irish Club in the City of Champions
EDMONTON - Three-time Olympian Eamonn Coghlan was given a reception worthy of a champion in the City of Champions, when he visited the Irish Club on April 30.
His good friend Jerry Bouma introduced him as "the man who united Ireland" -for four minutes as the country stopped to watch him participate in the 1,500 metre event for men at the Montreal Summer Olympics in 1976.
Coghlan spoke about his career in athletics from the time he left Villanova University in Pennsylvania where he was studying on scholarship as a homesick 19-year-old, and returned to Dublin unsure of his future.
He gives credit to his coach at Villanova, Jumbo Elliott, who saw something in the timid young Irishman and encouraged him to return.
Coghlan spoke of his frustration at finishing fourth at two Olympics, and his joy at winning the World Championship in 1983. He also outlined his endeavours to become the first 40-year-old to run a sub-four minute mile - something he is immensely proud to have accomplished.
Eamonn is most proud of his track record in North America and Canada and paid tribute to the Irish diaspora for their unbelievable support, no matter what city he competed in.
He recently published his book Chairman of the Boards and Master of the Mile which should be a most interesting profile of a very personable and talented athlete.
Red Deer Gaelic FC to host 2010 Alberta tournament
By RORY LYNCH
RED DEER - The Red Deer Gaelic Football Club will be hosting the second and final leg of the (WBD) Western Canadian Gaelic Football Championships this July 31-August 1 weekend.
This is Red Deer's first time hosting the tournament and everything is in place. We are expecting well over 100 footballers both Mens and Ladies and will have two pitches on the go for both days.
The tournament will be played at the Titans Rugby grounds, a rugby club renowned for its plush pitch and great location, only five minutes south of the city.
Attending Gaelic clubs are as follows: Vancouver Harps <ens and Ladies, Vancouver Celts, Edmonton Wolfe Tones Mens and Ladies, Calgary Chieftains Mens and Ladies and the host Club Eire Og from Red Deer.
We expect a very competitive summer of football this year as there is an influx of Irish players recently calling western Canada their new home.
Any additional information regarding Red Deer and the above tournament will be available in Vancouver when the first leg of the Championships will be held.
Vancouver
GAA Tournament - June 25-27
VANCOUVER - This year's Vancouver Gaelic football tournament promises to be a full weekend of sports and entertainment with both a Ladies and Gents football championship and a hurling championship.
Vancouver will have teams travelling from Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer and Seattle competing against Vancouver Harps, Vancouver Celts, and Vancouver Irish team.
Start the weekend on Friday night June 25 with a few sociable drinks. The first round of the Western Canadian Championship kicks off the next morning at 11 AM sharp on June 26.
The tournament will be held at the Capilano Rugby Club located at 305 Klahanie Crescent in West Vancouver (off Capilano Road).
The Vancouver Irish Sporting and Social Club will host a night of food, drinks and entertainment at Smiley s Public House at 7 PM that evening. There will be live music followed by Smileys' resident D J.
Sunday's games will begin at 12 noon on June 27 A barbeque is available all day at the games. Celebratory drinks will be held on Sunday evening.
Leitrim footballer dies in hospital
Leitrim senior county footballer Philip "Philly" McGuinness (26) died in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin after sustaining serious head injuries during a match in Annaduff, Co. Leitrim two days earlier.
McGuinness was playing with his club side Mohill against Melvin Gaels when in a freak accident his head came in contact with the knee of another player. Two of his brothers were playing in the same match.
The town of Mohill was in a state of shock over the death of the young footballer who was hugely popular as a result of his sporting prowess.
He came from a noted sporting family, with his late father Michael having played for the county team, as have his older brothers Michael and Gerard. They and his mother Phil were at his bedside when he died.
Earthquake shakes up NW Clare residents
Residents of northwest Clare felt their houses shaking and heard loud bangs as a mini-earthquake, measuring 2.6 on the Richter scale, hit the area at around 11:30 PM on the night of May 6.
Seismologists said the tremor was 10 times more powerful than the one that occurred in Donegal earlier this year and is the first time a tremor has hit the west of Ireland since records began.
Liscannor resident, Martin Doyle, said he felt the whole roof shake and thought the roof was collapsing. Baffled by what was happening, he said his neighbour called to see if he had fallen down the stairs.
Calgary Chieftains Announce New Club Sponsor
CALGARY - The Calgary Chieftains Gaelic Football Club is pleased to announce that The Unicorn Pub has made a commitment to sponsor the club for the 2010 season and beyond.
The UnicornPub located at 304 EighthAvenue S.W. (Stephen's Avenue), is the best Irish pub in Calgary. It offers a great mix of eclectic decor, an excellent drinks and menu selection, and downright great atmosphere.
Many a Chieftain and Chieftainette has enjoyed their very first drink in Calgary at The Unicorn and found a warm welcome that brought them back time and again.
The Unicorn will now be the Chieftains' year round downtown home, allowing players and members to meet up and socialize in a central location.
All members of the club will enjoy a generous discount on food and drink and, best of all, the club will receive sponsorship based on these sales.
In addition, The Unicorn will play an active role in club tournaments and fundraising events by providing a fantastic location in the heart of Calgary.
The Chieftains are very excited about the sponsorship agreement with The Unicorn Pub, and believe that over the years the relationship can only get better.
Calgary Chieftains' membership is available now. For more information, e-mail: calgarychieftains@gmail.com, or call registrar Niki Mtchell at (403) 700-0097 to organize a membership form. Details of all events are available at www.calgary.gaa.ie.
M &
PAUL WORBY of The Unicorn Pub, with Barry Sinclair and Joe Whelan of the Calgary Chieftains at the announcement of the venue's sponsorship of Calgary's GAA club.
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ENTERTAINMENT:
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May 15 - Hoffman & Brown May 22 - No Ent - long weekend May 29 - Gaelic Football Tournament
- Entertainment: The Acoustaholics June 5 - Duff Robsion June 12 - Dusty Panter June 18/19 - Jimmy Whiff en
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