CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – The P.E.I. Celts Gaelic Football Club will host teams from Quebec, Nova Scotia and Ontario for the Eastern Canadian Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) Championships this weekend.
“Our club started a few years ago with a couple of soccer and hockey players who wanted to try something new,” said P.E.I. chairman Shane O’Neill. “It’s been great to see the club grow and develop, and to now include a women’s team who will join the championships for the first time this year.”
The games begin this morning with the event opening with national anthems (Irish and Canadian) at 8:15 a.m. with games kicking off at 8:30 a.m. at the East Royalty Parkman Complex.
More than 150 adult players in women’s and men's Gaelic football and hurling will participate.
“Community is at the heart of the GAA,” O’Neill said. “I know that all of the teams are also looking forward to spending time with each other off the pitch and seeing all the Island has to offer.”
The Irish ambassador to Canada Jim Kelly will visit P.E.I. for the first time and will attend the championships.
“The GAA in Canada continues to go from strength to strength, bringing together people of all backgrounds to learn about and celebrate our national games,” said Kelly.
“I am very much looking forward to visiting Prince Edward Island for the first time as ambassador to Canada. Many Islanders share a great history and affinity with Ireland and you can see elements of Irish culture woven into many of the Island’s traditions.”
The Eastern Canadian championships was established in 2014 and was first hosted in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The Prince Edward Island Celts GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) club was formed in January 2016 with the aim of bringing the local Irish community together socially and to promote the games of gaelic football and hurling. Today, the GAA club is a blend of Irish immigrants, second-generation Irish descendants, Canadians and other nationalities. Players hail from communities across the Island.
Tourism P.E.I. and the City of Charlottetown are also helping with the championship.
Schedule
Gaelic Football/Hurling
The Eastern Canadian Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) Championships take place this weekend in Charlottetown.
Men’s Football
Group A
1. P.E.I. CELTS GAA
2. MONTREAL SHAMROCKS A
3. HALIFAX GAELS
Group B
1. OTTAWA GAELS
2. LE PATROITS DE QUEBEC
3. MONTREAL SHAMROCKS B
Women’s Football
Group A
1. MONTREAL SHAMROCKS A
2. OTTAWA GAELS B
3. P.E.I. CELTS
Group B
1. MONTREAL SHAMROCKS B
2. OTTAWA GAELS A
3. HALIFAX
Hurling
1. HALIFAX GAELS
2. EIRE OG
3. MONTREAL SHAMROCKS
Camogie
1. MONTREAL SHAMROCKS
2. OTTAWA EIRE OG
8:30 a.m.
Field One – Halifax vs. Montreal A, men’s football.
Field Two – Ottawa vs. Montreal B, men’s football.
9 a.m.
Field One – Ottawa B vs. P.E.I., women’s football.
Field Two – Montreal B vs. Halifax, women’s football.
9:30 a.m.
Field One – Halifax vs. Montreal, hurling.
Field Two – Quebec vs. Ottawa, men’s football.
10 a.m.
Field One – Montreal A vs. Ottawa B, women’s football.
Field Two – Ottawa A vs. Halifax, women’s football.
10:30 a.m.
Field One – Halifax vs. Eire Og, hurling.
Field Two – Montreal A vs. P.E.I., men’s football.
11 a.m.
Field One – Montreal A vs. P.E.I., women’s football.
Field Two – Ottawa A vs. Montreal B, women’s football.
11:30 a.m.
Field One – Halifax vs. P.E.I., men’s football.
Field Two – Quebec vs. Montreal B, men’s football.
Noon
Quarter-final
Field One – Second Group A vs. Third Group B, women’s football.
Field Two – Second Group B vs. Third Group A, women’s football.
12:30 p.m.
Quarter-final
Field One – Second Group B vs. Third Group A, men’s football.
Field Two – Second Group A vs. Third Group B, men’s football.
1 p.m.
Quarter-final
Field One – Quarter-final 1 winner vs. Group B winner, women’s football.
Field Two – Quarter-final 2 winner vs. Group A winner, women’s football.
1:30 p.m.
Field One – Eire Og vs. Montreal, hurling.
2 p.m.
Field One – Eire Og vs. Montreal, camogie.
2:30 p.m.
Field One – Quarter-final 3 winner vs. Group B winner, men’s football.
Field Two – Quarter-final 4 winner vs. Group A winner, men’s football.
3 p.m.
Field One – Quarter-final 3 loser vs. Quarter-final 4 loser, men’s football junior final.
3:30 p.m.
Field One – Quarter-final 1 loser vs. Quarter-final 2 loser, women’s football junior final.
4 p.m.
Field One – Hurling final.
4:30 p.m.
Field One – Quarter-final 5 winner vs. Quarter-final 6 winner, women’s football championship.
5 p.m.
Field One – Quarter-final 7 winner vs, Quarter-final 8 winner, men’s football championship.
