🏑⚽️ Stand by for a celebration of Gaelic Games to remember as London GAA marks its 125th Anniversary. Free entry for all spectators.
McGovern Park in west London is the place to be this weekend to enjoy a landmark moment in the history of London GAA. The longest serving county outside of Ireland, and affiliated just 12 years after the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) itself came into existence, the celebrations mark the contribution that Irish people have made in the capital and the competitiveness and quality of London GAA matches.
SATURDAY 2 OCTOBER
The President of the GAA Larry McCarthy will be in attendance to unveil a tribute to Sam Maguire and Liam MacCarthy. This will take place at 12 Noon to commence today’s proceedings. Maguire and McCarthy, as well as being London GAA men, are the two names most synonymous with GAA in Ireland with teams competing at the highest level in Ireland every year for the Sam Maguire Cup and Liam MacCarthy Cup in football and hurling respectively.
Saturday also features two inter-county games between London (being the best pick of players from all London GAA clubs to form a county team) and a Rest of Britain team. Matches will take place in both hurling (at 1pm) and football (at 3pm).
Plaque unveiling – 12 Noon.
Hurling – London v Rest of Britain starts at 1pm.
Football – London v Rest of Britain starts at 3pm.
The focus of today’s events is designed to be commemorative and symbolic and so will appeal to fans who are interested to explore the culture of GAA.
SUNDAY 3 OCTOBER
The first recorded game in the capital after London GAA’s formation in 1896 was a mixed hurling/shinty game. And so it’s fitting that a compromise rules match – London (Hurling) v London (Shinty) – takes place today at 3pm.
Preceding the mixed match is a youth game at 12 Noon and the final group game of the Senior Hurling Championship between Kilburn Gaels and Thomas McCurtains from 1.30pm.
Today’s feature match is perfect for casual fans wanting a taster of hurling and shinty. Both sports are renowned for their fast pace and skilful nature. Hurling is over 3,000 years old and regarded by many as the world’s fastest field game, combining skills from lacrosse, field hockey and baseball to make for a compelling spectacle.
🎟️ Both days at the London GAA 125th Anniversary are free entry to all spectators.
🎉🏑 ⚽️ Saturday’s running order from 12 Noon as follows:-
12 noon: Plaque unveiling.
1pm: Hurling – London v Rest of Britain.
3pm: Football – London v Rest of Britain.
🏑 Sunday’s matches starting at 12 Noon as follows:-
12 noon: Youth game.
1.30pm: SHC – Kilburn Gaels v Thomas McCurtains. Final group game of the 2021 competition to determine the SF/relegation play-off standings.
3pm: London Hurling v London Shinty.
🚊🚗 Travel tips: Public transport is recommended as there are no parking facilities at McGovern Park this weekend. The nearest railway station is South Ruislip which has an overground service and is approximately 10 minutes walk from the ground. South Ruislip overground station is on the Chiltern Railways line with a direct connection to London Marylebone. Note: the Central Line underground service to South Ruislip is not in operation this weekend however Ruislip Station (accessed via the Metropolitan and Piccadilly Lines) is open and the E7 bus outside the station has a stop-off point outside the stadium gates.
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