For the first time in our history Basel GAA fielded a full adult football team with the support of Strasbourg Gaels, on the occasion of the St Patrick`s tournament in Zürich. Four teams competed in this year’s adult Gaelic football tournament in Zurich, including Basel GAA, Nh Fionnbarra from Dublin, Geneva Gaels and Zürich Inneoin GAA.
In our first game we came up against a very experienced tournament host team, Zürich Inneoin, who have been playing European regional championships for quite a few years. Although this was our first game and an adventure into the unknown for many, we were able to compete and started to get playing at a good tempo as well as getting to grips with some of the physicality that makes Gaelic football special; however, in the end they had a too much in reserve.
Naomh Fionnbarra from Cabra Dublin were a tough second assignment and although we matched them for a large part of the game, their experience and game sense proved too much on this occasion. In our final game against Geneva, we got caught at the back for a last-minute goal, to surrender our lead at the death!
Although the players were disappointed not to have gotten that last game win, there were huge learnings to be had for all of us in what was our maiden tournament. We competed well and certainly hope that this event will be the launch pad for the revitalisation of the adult part of our club going forward.
We were very happy to see so many young players come play with us again making the bridge to the adult grade, such as Peter Dreher, Peter McMullan and Liam Fahey who were all originally involved in our youth academy the past few years. It was also a real boost to have our three musketeers from the “Feile team Berlin 2023” Odhran Curran, Javier McGarvey & Donnchadh McCarthy get some competitive game time again, as well as Sam O’Neill who brought great speed and athleticism to the game.
Thanks in particular to Shane Walsh for initiating and making sure that we had representation at this tournament, we hope it is the first of many more to follow. Also special thanks to Zürich Inneoin for hosting and the organisation of a very enjoyable day.
Basel GAA 