WITH Glasgow Gaels celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, what better way of demonstrating our rich history since our foundation than picking 15—of course— important moments for our club. Not all of these events have taken place on the pitch—we are of course ‘more than a club.’
Goalkeeper
In 1999, four people (Mick Hollinger, Paul Gallagher, Jimmy Kelly and Charlie McCluskey) made the important decision to amalgamate their respective clubs to form a new Gaelic Football club in Glasgow—Glasgow (Glaschu) Gaels GFC.
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2016 saw Glasgow Gaels host our first ever hurling match, held in Peterson Park. This friendly match was an instrumental part in helping to establish hurling as a permanent section of GAA culture in Scotland.
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In 2006, Glasgow Gaels won our first ever (Men’s) British Championship tie beating St Colmcille’s of Hertfordshire before losing to eventual winners Fulham Irish GAC.
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2016 saw the Ladies team make history, winning the Ladies British Championship (above). This was followed by a European Championship triumph and a first appearance in the Ladies All-Ireland Championship.
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In 2016, Glasgow Gaels hosted their first ever Ladies Gaelic Football—‘Gaelic for Mothers and Others’—hosting opposition team from Kinlough, County Leitrim (Melvin Gaels).
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2018 saw Glasgow Gaels’ new home—Clydebank Community Sports Hub—formally open with access to new hosting and changing facilities and full-size, floodlit, 3G all-weather GAA pitch.
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In 2002, three years after being formed, Glasgow Gaels won their first ever (Men’s) Scottish Championship, beating Dunedin Connollys in the final (above). Gaels also went to play their first ever British Championship match that season, losing to Sean McDermotts of Birmingham.
Midfielder
2022—after defeating Dunedin Connollys in the Scottish Senior Championship Final—saw Glasgow Gaels Senior Men’s team achieve a historic victory with a first ever Men’s All-British Championship win before losing out narrowly to Stewartstown Gaels from Tyrone in the Junior All-Ireland quarter-final.
Midfielder
In 2023, the Ladies team secured the Ladies British Championship, beating St Colmcille’s of Cardiff. The Glasgow Gaels Ladies Team went on to win their second European title beating Belgium GAA in the final and competed in the All-Ireland quarter final, losing to O’Donovan Rossa from Cork
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2024 saw the Men’s Junior and Intermediate teams claim the Junior League and Championships and win the Intermediate Championship for the first time.
Centre Half Forward
In 2006, Glasgow Gaels Ladies team was established. The Ladies team won their first championship that year helping cement a double championship for the club with both the Men’s and Ladies sides defeating their Dunedin Connollys’ counterparts.
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2013 saw the formal establishment of Glasgow Gaels’ underage set up (above). This has been hugely successful with numerous homegrown players now regularly playing for Men’s/Ladies adult teams and underage training currently taking place at two sites in the city.
Left Corner Forward
In 2002, the club officially guest hosted the visit of then GAA President Sean McCague. Since then, other (future) Presidents have been official guests of the club such as Jarlath Burns and Sean Kelly.
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2024 saw the club’s mental health committee successfully organise our first ‘mental health open mic’ night giving opportunities for everyone to come forward and share their story; be it personal challenges, life lessons or why being a part of the club is important to them.
Right Corner Forward
In 1999, the club held its first ever gala dinner dance at the Duntocher Hotel in Clydebank. The club also hosted Offaly All-Ireland Hurling winner and goalkeeper Stephen Byrne as guest of honour.
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2019 saw Glasgow Gaels take part in our first international invitational tournament in The Hague, Netherlands eventually being beaten in the final by the hosts Den Haag GAA (above).
We hope that you enjoyed reading about these moments and feel free to suggest a few more on our social media pages:
Of course, if you feel like you could help add to this rich history then get in touch about playing and/or being involved through the channels above
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