As we move into the holiday season, the Denver Gaels have a very full calendar of events and fun planned for their members and friends of the club.
Twelve American-born members of the Denver Gaels’ Men’s Hurling team were joined by thirteen members of the Indianapolis Hurling Club to compete in the first ever Aer Lingus International Hurling tournament held throughout County Galway, Ireland, September 18 through 23.
The tournament was the first of its kind, organized by the Irish government as part of The Gathering, a national event meant to bring the Irish diaspora around the world back to their native lands.
The joint Denver/Indy team won each of its three group-stage games to qualify for the final Saturday at Pearse Stadium in Galway City. The team followed up their strong group showing with another impressive victory in the Championship game, making them Junior B Hurling world champions.
Their undefeated run was a particularly great accomplishment because the squad had never played together before arriving in Ireland, and only had one training session as a team before their first match. Additionally, the Denver and Indy teams had competed against each other in the Junior B Premier Division Finals at the North American Championships over Labor Day weekend.
Denver /Indy played Buenos Aires in the finale game, when the whistle blew Denver/Indy were champions! Co-Captains Mike Monahan of Indianapolis and Patrick Folan of Denver led the teams up to receive their well-earned trophy. With that, the celebrations commenced and continued well into Sunday around Galway town.
The victory made the Gaels and Indianapolis GAA the first non-Irish club side to win a trophy in Ireland, and adds to what is an already impressive resume of achievements for both clubs.
The Club would like to thank bainisteoir (manager) Brian Shoemaker of Indy Hurling Club, and Maor Foirne (supporting staff): Brian Mathes of Indy, and Eamonn Ryan and Brian McCarthy of Denver, for their work in blending the two squads into a championship-panel. The club also sends its thanks and appreciation to Jeffrey Lynskey of Liam Mellows GAA for taking the time to mentor the team during the tournament. We also wish to thank Aer Lingus, Etihad Airlines, the GAA, the NACB, and the Liam Mellows GAA Club, for organizing and hosting us with such gracious hospitality. Lastly and most especially our club members, friends and family who traveled to Galway to support the team. You were definitely the loudest group of supporters and very much appreciated by the players.
Please join us in welcoming the team back to the States and celebrating their title win on Friday, October 4th, at Dougherty’s Pub.
With the club’s celebration of their World Championship a rousing success, November sees the club’s indoor league get underway. The club are hosting the matches at the South Suburban Sports Dome in Centennial, every Wednesday night. The league will feature both hurling and Gaelic football, and we’re looking forward to having the chance to shake off some of the post-Ireland trip rust, and showing off the sports we love to a whole new audience in Centennial.

But, it’s not just pub league getting underway in November; the club’s Annual General meeting is taking place on Sunday, November 3rd, at the Celtic Tavern. There, the club will be determining their plan for the next year and electing new board and committee members.

On top of that, the club is looking forward to the annual Christmas party on December 14th, hosted by the Celtic tavern. It’ll be another great opportunity to celebrate the holidays together in traditional Irish fashion, and there’s sure to be plenty of craic to enjoy.

With everything going on in the coming months, the Gaels are making sure the winter months are anything but slow. www.DenverGaels.com

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Gaels/Fenians Photo captions
The Denver Gaels B team outmatched the fledgling Colorado Fenians Hurling team on October 20 at Veterans Park, Denver. Both teams worked hard and provided good entertainment to the fans watching. Afterward everyone shook hands in good sportsmanship.
With the addition of the Fenians, there are 2 GAA teams based in Denver Colorado!