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Available to order now.  $5 each or $15 for 4.  Please not the website is new and is just under construction.  Check back soon.  Until then, order by email mainegsa@gmail.com

MGSA in running for Better Neighbors Fund grant from Town and Country FCU

Maine Gaelic Sports Alliance is hoping you will take another step to foster the growth of Hurling and Gaelic Football in Maine.  We are in the running for a Town and Country Better Neighbors Fund grant.  This grant, given as a $2000 or $5000 award would be used by MGSA to assemble a portable kit and fund outreach programs to underserved populations via rec and school programs.  Imagine a time in the near future when parks have GAA goal setups and kids from Kittery to Kennedy Park are working on their hops and solos after school.  You can help by voting early and often for our cause.

This is independent of the current team busget, and we would be looking to spend a $2000 award thusly:

Portable 12x6 GAA goal set
Pinnies  
Field flags 
Footballs  
Transportation / gas reimbursements
Cul Camp run by Boston GAA in Portland area

If we are fortunate to get the $5000 award, we will add hurling equipment to the kit.


Please get information on the program on their website http://www.tcfcu.com/ and vote DAILY on the link below:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TCFCUBetterNeighborFundFall2011

Every movement starts somewhere.  Please help us get the ball rolling.

MGSA

Last outdoor blitz of the season Saturday September 24th from 1:45 to 3:15

Event poster we're putting up at SPCC

GAELIC SPORTS BLITZ AT WAINWRIGHT FIELDS  B (Football Field):

We will do 30 minutes each of Gaelic Football and Hurling skills and drills, each followed by a 15 minute scrimmage.  Bring your full kit and stand ready to assist new players who could be your teammates next year.

BONUS ITEMS:

Get $10 off 2012 membership if you refer a friend who comes to and participates in this event.

Buy a $5 raffle tickets to win one of 3 prizes: $80 COOPER helmet, framed landscape photo print, and hurley with grip (ordered by size in November).

Buy a $1 50/50 raffle ticket to benefit the club fund

Contact mainegsa@gmail.com for more information.

Directions to Wainright:

http://www.southportland.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={0FE98854-1C2A-412B-B0C4-F513CB3F26F0}

Pictures from the 2011 CYC's

Game v St. Jarlath (Chicago)

Coach John and Lulu the Pit Bull

Team photo after game 3 (missing is Khem Johnston...injured in game 2)

Make sure you get my "good" side

MGSA U12 HURLERS COMPETE AT THE 2011 CYC's

Despite going 0-4 against Delco Gaels (Philadelphia), Rockland NY, NYC, and St. Jarlath (Chicago) the U12 boys and girls performed amazingly well and earned the respect of their competition with their heart, tenacity, and emerging skill.  It is incredible to think that most of the 9-11 we competed against have been playing Gaelic football and/or hurling since they were 4 or 5 years old. 

A HUGE thank you the players, parents, and supporters for making it possible for us to compete. 

PICTURES SOON.

CLUB UPDATES FOR WEEK OF July 25th

NO PRACTICE THIS WEEK due to Adult semi-finals.

Team picnic NEXT Tuesday 8/2 @ Fort Williams park (lower parking area next to large field) from 5:30 to 7:00pm.  MGSA will provide burgers and dogs if you bring a side and beverages.  You can RSVP by email or on Facebook on our MGSA events listing.

CYC's start Thursday 8/4 (Schedule coming out in 2 days). 

We're on TV.  Check out WCSH Fit at Five video:

http://www.wcsh6.com/news/health/article/166774/223/Fit-at-Five-Hurling?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Cimg%7CFRONTPAGE%7Cp

PRACTICE AT NORMAL TIME AND FIELD TONIGHT 7/20

Wainwright complex, 5-6:30.  It's gonna be hot, so bring H20. 

NO PRACTICE WEDNESDAY 7/13 due to clinic in NH Thursday 7/14

Hello Gael Force players, parents, and supporters.  This week, we take the Force on the road to Concord, NH to see our friends (and future arch enemies), the Barleyhouse Wolves.  We will meet at the Borders parking lot (at the back of the lot across from the Pizzeria Uno area) at 2:15 with a 2:30 departure.  The clinic begins at 4:30 and goes to 6.  Please bring water for the clinic and money for supper as we will be stopping for pizza or fast food (I know....I know). 

Address:

	Amoskeag Beverages 250 Hall St. Concord, New Hampshire

We are planning on being back at the Borders lot at 9pm, unless other arrangements are made for drop off. 

EARLY PRACTICE THIS WEDNESDAY. WCSH6 filming for Fit at 5.

Practice will go from 4:15 to 5:45.  Please remember water.

Practice Tonight and CYC registration

Hello Gael Force parents and supporters.

CYC registration is upon us with all players needing to register by June 30th.  Tonight, I will be taking pictures for the player ID's they will need to register.  They are used to create the badge they'll wear at the event.

If you prefer to provide your own picture, please take a photo of your player from the chest up, wearing their jersey, number visible if possible (for team identification).  Send it to the mainegsa@gmail.com address.

Practice tonight will be 5- 6:30-ish with a concentration on "in the air" ball control.  As per normal, there will be drills focusing on 2 skills, then 2 scrimmages.  The 1st will utilize the skills we learned and the 2nd will be a full rules game. 

Remember to bring water tonight!  Also, remember shinguards.   I have 2 spares.

Coach James, Rob, Doug, and John will be there to start with James and Rob leaving after 6 to play in the adult league. 

CHANNEL 6 COMING NEXT WEEK!

We're trying again to get on the news and Kelly Labrecque is doing her best to give us great weather.  WE WILL BE STARTING AT 4:15 PM and going to 6 to accomodate the filming schedule.  They are filming from 4-5. 

Slainte!

Coach James

Getting into the groove

Tonight was the first practice following the successful blitz in Canton last weekend.  The kids are really getting into the groove being with each other.  All of the kids are getting to know names by calling each others name when they pass to each other, sort of a forced"get to know ya!" 

We finished up with two great scrimmages and lots of sweaty, tired kids(sorry if they all stink..goes with the territory!)

The season moves on..more good weather please!

MGSA players invited to Youth Hurling Blitz in Canton, MA June 12th

More to follow on this, so stay tuned for an upcoming post, but we are trying to get an idea who will want to make the trip to Canton, MA on Sunday June 12th for a Hurling Blitz at the Irish Cultural Center.  They usually hold 2 each year, but with the Youth Championships in August, this will likely be the one true hurling event.  The trip takes nearly 2 1/2 hrs, so it is a comittment of a day.  The Tierney kids are definately attending, and we have room for 2 more in the car but we are trying to organize a car pool if people want to come down.  We'd plan to stop for dinner on the way home. 

Coach James

SEVERE WEATHER WARNING TILL 8PM TONIGHT.  NO YOUTH PRACTICE.
http://www.wcsh6.com/news/article/161155/314/Severe-weather-sweeping-across-New-England

Kelly Labrecque from WCSH6, who was to film practice has advised against it.  We'll try again (perhaps Sunday?) soon.

Coach James

Few but not far between!

We had a spirited practice yesterday...Due to a band concert we had 8 of our youth participants missing which left 3 eager hurlers ready to scrimmage and practice. We had a great time with Keegan, Lucy and Sean who really put a great effort out in honing their skills!

Next week, same time!

Youth Hurling Practice WEDNESDAY 5/18/2011 - Cancelled.

Youth Hurling practice for this evening has been canceled due to poor field conditions with standing water in the field.  Hopefully we can catch a break from this weather at some point.  Practice will resume next Wednesday, 5/25 at 5:00pm.

Practice Cancellation Guidelines and NEW field assignment

Since the object of the game of Hurling for the Youth is, well..FUN, we will try to make sure nobody is out there in weather I wouldn't want my own kids playing in.   That said, here is the policy:

We practice so long as:
1.  The temperature is 45+ degrees Fahrenheit
AND
2.  Precipitation is limited to a drizzle or mist.  Any more than that increases the potential for injury and illness. 

Please check this blog and / or your email (if you are not on my weekly emails, contact me at mainegsa@gmail.com to get added. 

Decisions for 5pm practices will be made by 4pm.  No mail and post = practice AYE!

FIELD ASSIGNMENT:   Please be on the practice field below, helmets on and ready to hurl by 5pm.

LATE BREAKING NEWS: CLINIC/BLITZ TODAY Sunday May 15th POSTPONED FOR WEATHER

BOSTON ISYL VISITING WAINWRIGHT FIELD THIS SUNDAY

We are pleased to welcome the players and coaches from Boston Irish Sports Youth League Sunday, May 15th from 1-3pm.  New and returning players are encouraged to attend.  This will be a "blitz" event, featuring skills, drills, and games.  Directions to Wainwright an be found here:
http://www.southportland.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={0FE98854-1C2A-412B-B0C4-F513CB3F26F0}
Please call (207)767-4834 FMI.

Tentative Schedule for 2011 (dates/time subject to change)

MGSA hosts Boston ISYL youth players and coaches for clinic and scrimmage Sunday May 15th :

1p-3p Wainwright Fields in South Portland.  Please join us for the clinic and learn to play the fastest game on grass.  Hurls and helmets provided for new players. 

Puck-arounds and scrimmages Sunday May 29th and June 12th:

9a-10:30a at Wainright Fields

JUNE or JULY TRAVEL GAME TO CANTON, MA IRISH CULTURAL CENTER (TBA)

MGSA hosts Summer Blitz 2011 on July 9th:

12p-2p followed by adult game v. Worcester, MA at Wainwright Fields.  Invited teams include Worcester, Metro West, ISYL, and Hartford, CT.

CONCORD (NH) HURLING hosts MGSA on Thursday July 14th:

4:30p to 6p prior to their monthly Blue-White adult scrimmage

Continental Youth Championships in Canton, MA August 4th thru 7th:

MGSA is expected to send a full U12 squad as well as supplementing the rosters of the Boston Youth clubs for the largest annual GAA event in North America with 1300 kids expected to compete for championships in football and hurling.

1st Registration Event sees 23 kids join PHC Youth League

What a great success the info and registration event was.  We would like to say it exceeded expectations, but we are a positive and motivated crew at Maine Gaelic Sports Alliance.  Right now, we have mostly U12 and U10, so we are looking for some U16 and U14's to fill out the roster.  In other news:  helmets have been shipped and are expected as early as this weekend.  These are adjustable Cooper hurling helmets with a great discount thanks to the support of our Irish Rover runners and Tex-Tech Industries, one of our main sponsors. Hurleys from our material sponsor are being ordered this week with a delivery date in mid-April.    Uniforms go on order in 3 weeks for delivery prior to our May kick-off event.  NEXT INDOOR EVENT IS NEXT FRIDAY April 8th from 6-7:30 at the Stevens Ave Armory.  Please call us FMI.  (207)767-4834.  Slainte!

Portland Youth Hurling at the Portland St. Patrick's Day parade

The PHC Youth Hurlers were well represented at the Portland parade this year. They survived cool temps and spitting rain in great form and with huge smiles. At the end, they were treated to speeches by the IAC, Portland city officials, the Irish consul from Boston, and great dancing and music from Stillsons, the Claddagh Mhor pipe band, and the Dunlap Highland Band.

Thanks again to Brendan and Doug from the IAC for the invitation and kind words for the adult and youth teams. We 're excited to return next year in greater numbers.

Portland Youth Hurling Registration Day is March 27th

South Portland Community Center, 1:30 to 4pm.  We'll be providing forms, information including schedule, and watching the Tip v. Kilkenny All-Ireland Final.