Its been a strange, and difficult time over the last year and a half with the various restrictions and requirements we have all had to adapt to since the beginning of the pandemic and the Costa Gaels club and Committee have made every effort to ensure the club has remained stable and available to all our members and friends, sometimes in a small capacity, other times in a major fashion, but this is what the club is for and I want to take a moment and thank every member, social member, parent, player and all our kids for their positive attitude and strong will over this difficult time.
Thank you for making this club so great. It really makes us proud!
Thought this period we have also had deep discussions and spent time working with our friends at the Marbella Rugby Club, facing the same issues as ourselves and doing our utmost to remain strong together, provide positive sporting opportunities and ensure regulations are met and social events are both fun and comfortable in the current environment.
Through this effort, we have come closer together and delved into further strengthening and solidifying the bonds we have forged over the last few years through our shared interests and efforts.
With that, we are delighted to announce that the Marbella Rugby Club and Costa Gaels are now becoming one and the same while we all strive together to make both clubs bigger, better, and stronger by focusing in on mutual development, cultural development, and cross-community integration with the brilliant family at the Marbella Rugby Club and we know we will be a positive force for the future.
Already we are back training and on this last Sunday, we did our first combined training session with the Marbella Rugby Ladies team and the Costa Gales Ladies team who trained together practicing a Gaelic football session and a Rugby session between the 2 groups. It was a great experience and one we will be continuing with the men and kids as we come back to regular training and matches!
Small steps make big differences and from this one effort, we have expanded our community and begun forming new bonds and friendships between our respective clubs.
The future is bright and we are excited to continue this season expanding on this great effort.
A big thank you to Marbella Rugby Club should be said as well. It’s been great and getting better all!
We have and cater to all ages and all skill levels and are very welcoming to all individuals who want to get involved and benefit from the amazing setup we have here.
Another year to look forward to here at Costa Gaels, as we start to get back in to the swing of things after a long, hot summer…
A big welcome back to all our current members; players, children and parents and to the many more that will hopefully be joining us in the coming months.
To get us started, this year see´s the introduction of Healy Mac´s Bar & Restaurant becoming our Club sponsor for the 2016/2017 season. A huge thanks to Liam Healy for supporting the Club this year which will only prove to strengthen the club and spread the word of Costa Gaels across the Costa del Sol.
Healy Mac´s was open in March this year, and is situated in the heart of Estepona Marina. For those who have not checked it out yet, it is well worth a visit!
We would like to put on record once more our thanks to David Reilly and Biddy Mulligan’s Irish Bar in La Cala de Mijas, our sponsors in previous years. Davey has supported the club for many years both as sponsor and club treasurer, and is one of a number of people who worked so hard to keep the club running over the years.
Thankfully Davey hasn’t hung up his boots just yet, and is pushing hard for a place on the bench this season after recovering from a number of imaginary injuries!
Club Matters
The AGM will take place on Sunday at 12 midday in the Trocadero Marbella Rugby Club. (Yes thats this Sunday coming! See you all there!)
Essential for all those currently involved or hoping to be so with the Club. We are always open to new volunteers & ideas so if you have the enthusiasm to support the Club along the senior, underage or potential ladies teams then please do not hesitate to get in contact in advance of the meeting. Speak to one of the current committee members or drop us an email.
Seniors
Back in full swing after a few sessions in the September heat, training continues on;
Thursday nights at 19:30 & Sunday mornings from 10:30
This year the senior team will be managed by Phillip Conlon, supported by Barry O´Keefe, while Luke Hill continues as strength and conditioning coach.
The league start is just around the corner and this year see´s the format change for the Andalucian League. There will be no more tournament structure, just individual games home and away. Costa Gaels will begin with at home against Gibraltar on Saturday 1st October, throw in at 15:30.
You can keep up to date on all results, fixtures and league standing at our website, facebook page or monthly newsletter updates or alternatively come and support us on the day before the All-Ireland replay!
Underage Club
Following the AGM a date will be confirmed for the first session back, as in previous years we have pitch availability on Sunday mornings as normal. Kids from ages 6 and up are more than welcome to come and join in. With qualified coaches in the senior ranks we have more volunteers and assistance for our underage set up than ever, however as always; the emphasis will be on having fun while learning gaelic games.
This year we would also love to make the most of the enthusiasm, skills and most importantly patience (!) of parents to help the Kids Club grow even more. If you feel you can contribute in any way please let us know.
Ladies football?
Seville are now flying the flag for Ladies/women´s GAA in Andalucia, after forming a team last year they have gone from strength to strength and have started to compete against other Spanish clubs, it would be great if we could follow in a similar path…
If we have any ladies out there interested from a playing, coaching or organisation perspective please do not hesitate to get in touch.
A Fond Farewell!
In other news, we say goodbye to a club stalwart in Liam Riordan, who goes on to new adventures. While we are sad to see him go, we are delighted that he has taken on the challenge of forming a new club in Malaga. Named Celta Malaga we wish him every success and will give every support possible!
Liam has been a constant figure in the senior team and instrumental with our kids club over the years. A huge thanks to all he has done and the best of luck with Celta Malaga. If you know anyone in the area that would be interested in playing then please do pass on the relevant contact information.
As always you can keep up to date on all Club news via;
In this series AIB, sponsors of the AIB Club Championship, explore #TheToughest lives of GAA athletes and how they compare to their professional counterparts across the world.
With only one way to find out, we have drafted in ex-NFL Star, Roberto Wallace, and former England cricketer Steve Harmison to put this theory to the test.
The pair of professional sportsmen are set to trade places with Mayo All Star Aidan O’Shea and Tipperary hurler Brendan Maher, who will in turn be temporarily transferring to the world of NFL and a premier Australian Cricket Club respectively.
Highlights from the tournaments on May 5th in Marbella! Enjoy! Thanks to Trocadero Marbella Rugby Club for hosting us and Keith and his Dad of Ham Town Media for filming these great videos!
Another great day of football and of course, great craic afterwards.
Aaron Kernan, former young footballer of the year and Armagh wing back swapped with David Bentley from Sunderland Football Club while the Kilkenny left corner back, Jackie Tyrell, swapped with Miami Marlins catcher Brian Schneider to try his hand at a spot of baseball, while Brian is handed a hurl!
A tough day in Gibraltar to begin the season and a few hard lessons for us as we played two games and missed out on a win. We know what we have to do now and aim to sort it for the tournament in Seville!
Game One
Gibraltar 2-08 (14) vs Costa Gaels 2-04 (10)
Game Two
Gibraltar 2-02 (08) vs Seville 2-10 (16)
Game Three
Seville 4-07 (19) vs Costa Gaels 1-08 (11)
