Sponsored by Whistling Sisters Beer Co. for the 2021/22 season


Thanks also to the Global Games Development Fund, the Department of Foreign Affairs Ireland, and the GAA for their support.

Our pre-Christmas Gaelic football tournament concluded on Saturday 11 December with our finals day at Ian Galloway Park. The Socialites ran out finals day winners with a 3-6 to 3-3 win over Fr Mangans. Kāpiti Coast Keas picked up the plate beating Mayo4Sam 4-8 to 1-3. We hope you enjoyed our Christmas party and awards ceremony in Whistling Sisters that night.

We return to Ian Galloway Park on Wednesday 12 January. The Gaelic football and 'hurlogie' competitions will run for five weeks, finishing with the post-Christmas finals on Saturday 12 February. Fixtures will be released shortly.

Cup final winners – The Socialites
Plate final winners – Kāpiti Coast Keas

Whelan 'n' Dealin'

Fr Mangans – Ralph Parkes
The Igghids – Brendan Jacques
Trenbolone Sandwiches – Penny Thompson
Welly Warriors – Peter Fox
Whelan ‘n’ Dealin’ – Louise Bloomfield
Mayo4Sam – Mark Moran
The Socialites – Muireann Mulcahy
Kāpiti Coast Keas – Thomie Davies
 

The 2022 New Zealand Championships are pencilled in for the weekend of 26/27 March at Marist Rugby Club in Hamilton. Hosts Naomh Críostóir have set up a Facebook event which you can view here.

Training starts back on Monday 31 January at Ian Galloway Park. You can view the full training schedule leading up to the competition through the link below.
 

Who doesn't love a good sports day? Come on down to Ian Galloway Park on Saturday 15 January from 10am-1pm for classic sports day activities including: a sack race, a three-legged race, tug o' war, a poc fada, and loads more. You bring your chilly bins with refreshments and we'll provide the craic! Vaccine passes are required.
 

Tug o' war at the December 2020 sports day.
 

Kids Gaelic games will be back on 30 January at Trafalgar Park. Hurling sessions will take place from 13 February onwards.

Keep an eye on Kāpiti Kids Gaelic Football Facebook page for updates on sessions up the coast.

If you need any further information, please contact our Youth Officer Siobhán Cotter at kids@wellingtongaa.com or call 021 078 9663. You can also follow us on Facebook at Kids GAA Wellington and, as mentioned, Kāpiti Kids Gaelic Football for more info.

A great day of Gaelic beach football was had on Saturday 4 December at Oriental Bay. Tiring as it was running around on the sand, some terrific football was played and we caught the eye of many a passer-by. Dare we say, some samba football was on display as seen in this video from the tournament.
 

Snaps from the beach tournament held at Oriental Bay on Saturday 4 December. Photos: Sam Bircham.

Wellington Kākāriki gained some redemption with an eight-point win in the third and final game of the series at Ian Galloway Park on Friday 10 December. Kāpiti Kōwhai had already wrapped up the series, winning the first two games. Well done to all the players and a huge thanks to our officials (including two separate Armagh referees) over the three games.

Wellington Kākāriki: Back row (L-R): John 'Bobs' Daly, Darragh Corboy, Eoin 'Brick' Norton, Dan Doyle, Enda Costello, Patrick Dempsey.
Front row (L-R): John McCabe, Ivan Ward, Phillip Byrne, Scott MacLean. Photo: Sam Bircham.

Game 1
Kāpiti Kōwhai 5-14
Wellington Kākāriki 5-12

Game 2
Kāpiti Kōwhai 10-12
Wellington Kākāriki 2-12

Game 3
Wellington Kākāriki 3-20
Kāpiti Kōwhai 3-12

Total
Kāpiti Kōwhai 18-38 (92)
Wellington Kākāriki 10-44 (74)

The Rosie McDonagh Cup

The inaugural Rosie McDonagh Cup game also took place at Ian Galloway Park on Friday 10 December. The club's strong Ulster contingent challenged players from the other three provinces, with several other nationalities spread across both sides. Despite Ulster being the more prolific side in front of goal, the Rest of Ireland team claimed a one-point win. Well done to both sides on a fine game of football, and congratulations to player of the game Muireann Mulcahy (Rest of Ireland). 

The game was Tony Ling's last as a coach of the women's footballers. Thank you, Tony, for your commitment, insight, and passion in the role. 

Ulster 5-5
Rest of Ireland 3-12

Ulster vs Rest of Ireland. Back row (L-R): Aisling Ní Dhochartaigh, Maeve Magennis, Claire Hanley, Emma Blyth, Sarah Barry, Joanne Kiely, Eilís Ní Chaiside, Fiona Ní Chinnéide, Rosie McDonagh, Jolene McLaughlin, Laura McQuillan, Caroline Ward, Emer O'Donnell, Jenny Downey, Anna Muru Paenga.
Front row (L-R): Áine O'Brien, Éimeár Rodden, Rachel Kirby, Tiaré Verenitani, Carol Carmody, Cara Horisk, Noleen Donlon, Muireann Mulcahy, Charlotte Adam, Bronagh Doherty.

Congratulations to two stalwarts of the club, Eoin 'Brick' Norton and Éimeár Rodden, who got engaged at the picturesque Milford Sound over the break. No better sign of a great clubman than one who pops the question in club colours. 
 

Éimeár and Brick at Milford Sound following their engagement.

We were saddened to hear of the passing of Ted Ramsbottom on 30 December. Ted made a considerable contribution to the Irish community in the Wellington region. He was a supporter of Gaelic games and was always happy to support the club financially. Our condolences to Ted's family.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis