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www.celtic-connection.com
JUNE 2009
25-6 for Ireland at the Ireland-Canada Rugby Challenge at UBC
IRELAND'S RUGBY TEAM played Canada in Vancouver's Thunderbird Stadium on May 23 and over 7,000 gathered to watch
the event. PHOTO CREDIT: Gemma Kimbley
By MARCUS TREACY VANCOUVER - On a day that saw Leinster become the third Irish province to be crowned champions of Europe, Ireland took on Canada at Thunderbird Stadium in UBC.
Ireland did not have their top 15 available to play as some were with Leinster in Edinburgh and others were absent travelling with the British and Irish Lions to South Africa.
The day should have suited Canada as the Irish weren't used to playing rugby in the sunshine. Over 7,000 people packed into Thunderbird Stadium, in what could have been the last game to be played there if the condo development goes ahead.
Munster's Barry Murphy was first to score after 18 minutes, and Heatley's conversion made it seven-nil to the visitors. Ireland struggled to keep possession throughout the first half and the Canucks failed to capitalize but managed to finish the half within a score of the Grand Slam champions. The half finished 3-7.
The Canadians started strong in the second half and within three minutes James Pritchard had narrowed the Irish lead to just one point. The home side kept the pressure on but again failed to capitalise and turn territory and possession into tallies on the scoreboard.
But by the 56* minute, Headey had slotted a penalty to bring the score to 6-10.
The major turning point occurred when a cynical penalty by flanker Adam Kleeberger, an intentional knock on, caused the referee to promptly show the yellow card.
With the Canadians down to 14 men Heatley slotted over another penalty to give a 13-6 lead.
The stadium erupted, in what was to be Canada's best scoring opportunity when DTH van der Merwe broke through Ireland's line. Unfortunately a poor pass and a subsequent knock on caused Canada to lose possession.
Referee Chris White let Ireland play
NOVENA
Novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary (never known to fail). O most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendourof Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God. Immaculate Virgin, assist me in this my necessity. There are none that can withstand your power. O show me herein you are my Mother, O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (three times). Sweet Mother, I place this cause in your hands (three times). Holy Spirit, you who solve all problems, light all roads so that I can attain my goal. You gave me the Divine gift to forgive and forget all evil against me. This prayer must be said for three days, even afterthe request is granted and the favour received, it must be published. -BC
TOM Cf SULLIVAN: An enthusiastic Ireland supporter at the Ireland-Canada rugby match.
the advantage and run the ball from within their own 22.
Ryan Smith found himself defending a six man overlap. The ball was moved a few times before Whitten eventually scored in the corner. Headey converted to bring the score to 20-6 with 17 minutes left on the clock
An invigorated Ireland side was not done scoring. This time the forwards bashed their way through the Canadian pack and Tony Buckley the benefactor.
The home side piled on the pressure in the last few minutes, but a concerted Irish effort ensured their line remained uncrossed. The final whistle blew and the game ended 25-6 to Ireland.
In the week leading up to the game, five more Canadian players were awarded contracts to play in Europe.
This should be a massive lift for the
players to play in competitive rugby during the regular season. But where does that leave rugby in Canada?
Western provincial teams are lacking serious opposition from the rest of Canada and the United States. This means that the top players in Canada must get contracts abroad if they want to play at the top level.
Before the game had even started, Canadian Head Coach Kieran Crowley, had the objective that Canada would not give away more than 10 penalties in a game. The Kiwi has much bigger objectives for his team with two world cup qualifiers coming up against the U.S. in the coming weeks, along with the Churchill Cup.
Irish rugby seems to be on the up and up. Ireland did the unthinkable by winning the Grand Slam for the first time in 61 years.
Leinster followed Munster's steps and won the Heineken Cup for the first time this year and the fourth time the cup has been brought back to Ireland.
Munster succeeded Leinster in winning the Magners League this year. Ireland U20's are gearing up for the world cup in Japan, opening game June 5.
Club rugby is growing with most clubs filling their youth programs with players as young as five.
Mini rugby has taken the primary schools by storm and tag rugby has taken off for those who don't like the contact aspect of the game. Even though Ireland had 12 uncapped players in the squad against Canada, all the players are playing professional rugby. It is time for Canada to step up and embrace the professional era.
NOVENAS
Novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary (never known to fail). O most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendourof Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God. Immaculate Virgin, assist me in this my necessity. There are none that can withstand your power. O show me herein you are my Mother, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (three times). Sweet Mother, I place this cause in your hands (three times). Holy Spirit, you who solve all problems, light all roads so that I can attain my goal. You gave me the Divine gift to forgive and forget all evil against me. This prayer must be said for three days, even after the request is granted and the favour received, it must be published.
- PMK, JMF, TCKF, LKF, LBSRS
Publication of this prayer is $25 monthly (Canadian residents include 5% GST)
PHOTO: Tariq Albriek
STUDENTS and Teachers at Scoil Gaeilge Vancouver: (L-R) [BACK] Brendan Flynn, County Wicklow (IMC); Gerry Bradley, Charlottetown, PEI; Damian McElgunn, Belfast; Scott Oser, Springfield, Illinois; Sean O'Connell, Glanmire, New Brunswick; Brian Kaneen, Port St. Mary, Isle of Man. [FRONT] Al McCabe, Dublin (IMC); Sile Ni Cheidigh, Spiddal (Muinteoir); Vanya Wong, Vancouver; Carolyn Lair, San Francisco; Conor O'Reilly, Dublin (Muinteoir).
Ta an Ghaeilge beo in iarthar Ceanada
By CONOR 6 RAGHAIIXE
Thosaigh Scoil Gaeilge Vancouver i Mean Fomhair, 2007 chun an Ghaeilge a chothu in iarthar Ceanada agus chun tacaiocht a thabhairt don tionscadal Seadchomhartha Eireann.
Mhuin Tadhg McKeown 6 Bostun an teanga on tus agus ba rath laithreach a ranganna go dti gur imigh se san Earrach 2008.
Lean na mic leinn ag bualadh lena cheile go dti deireadh mile 2008 nuair a thainig Sile ni Cheidigh 6 Spiddal, countae na Gailleamha mar mhuinteoir an ardrang agus ansin thainig Conor O'Reilly 6 Chnoc Mhuirfean, Baile Atha Cliath agus e ag muineadh an bunrang anois.
Ta an da rang ar siul gach oiche Mairt i dteach Brendan Flynn agus bionn an rang lan le mic leinn l'oidhreacht eagsula 6 aiteanna eagsula 6 na Stait Aontaithe, Ceanada agus Lireann.
Ta aithint ag gach mic leinn mar ranniocoiri don Seadchomhartha Lireann -Ceanada, mar ta cuid de taille na ranganna ag dul ar son an tionscadal.
Faoi dheireadh le muinteoiri deasa i Sile agus Conor agus an grupa measctha mic leinn ag iarraidh an teanga a labhairt, ta cuma geall ag todhchai na Gaeilge in iarthar Ceanada.
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The Irish Language is alive in Western Canada
By BREANDAiN O'FLOINN
Scoil Gaeilge Vancouver began in September 2007 to promote the Irish Language in Western Canada but also to provide support for The Ireland Monument Project.
Tadgh McKeown from Boston taught the language originally and his classes were an immediate success until his departure in spring 2008.
The students continued meeting until late 2008 when Sile Ni Cheidigh from Spiddal in County Galway came on board to teach the senior class followed by Conor O'Reilly from Mount Merrion Dublin who teaches the beginner class.
Both classes are held every Tuesday evening at the home of Brendan Flynn with full attendance by the students whose background nationalities range throughout the U.S., Canada, and Ireland.
All students are recognized as contributors to The Ireland Monument -Canada as a portion of class fees is directed to the project.
Finally, with excellent Irish teachers as Sile and Conor conducting classes and a diverse group of students interested in learning the language, the future looks very bright for the Irish language in western Canada.
For those interested in attending classes or an immersion weekend proposed for late June contact the following: Brendan Flynn at (604) 873-3167 or e-mail: brendan flynn_l@hotmail.com; Sile Ni Cheidigh at (778) 229-7736 or e-mail: nicheidigh22@hotmail.com; Conor O'Reilly at (778) 866-0358 or e-mail: Conor.OReilly@investors group.