13 February 2015
In November 2013, Ulster GAA were invited to send a team to the first ever Wheelchair Hurling tournament in Athlone. Ulster GAA staff Paul Callaghan and Shane Mc Cann then began to contact clubs and community groups to see if they could assemble a team to participate in the blitz.
They managed to get a team together to compete in the event and received great feedback from the players. As a result, this was deemed a very worthwhile project and the Ulster GAA Coaching and Games department, under the leadership of Eugene Young, decided to set up four hubs where disabled players and their families and friends could come to play and train together.
Ulster GAA now has hubs spread throughout the province (Derry City, Enniskillen, Craigavon and Belfast) that train regularly. The Ulster team is formed out of these hubs and this determined and enthusiastic team have really developed over the last year. There are two competitions that they participate in; a bi-monthly league where each Province hosts a blitz and an All-Ireland Championship. Both of these competitions are organised by Croke Park.
Ulster GAA's Wheelchair Hurling team concluded their first competitive season by participating in the All- Ireland Championship Final in Sligo I.T. on Saturday last.
This was Ulster's best performance to date and this young team have evolved into a prominent force in this new and exciting sport.
Ulster began the event with a 2-2 draw against Connacht, then defeated Leinster 3-0, before losing to the favourites Munster 4-1 in the last group game.
They failed to reach the 'A' final on goal difference but went on to finish their season on a high by winning the 'B' final against Leinster 4-1.
The players are already looking forward to competing next season and it should be highlighted that these players are eligible for Gold Cards from the local council sports centres, as they are representing their province and are regarded now as elite players.
Ulster Squad: Ruairí Mc Dermott, Colm Brady, Conor Browne, David Doherty, Conn Nagle, Brandon Kelly, Conor Larkin, Peter Lewis, Geraldine Mc Garrigle , Conor Mc Grotty, Aaron Gillen, Ryan O’Connor
The Ulster Wheelchair Hurling Team – 2014: Players
Colm Brady, Conn Nagle, Peter Lewis, Ruarai Mc dermott, Conor Browne
David Doherty, Aaron Gillen, Geraldine Mcgarrigle, Conor Larkin, Brandon Kelly, Conor Mcgrotty
Coaches – Paul Callaghan & Shane McCann
Wheelchair Hurling – Saturday 17th of January - Blitz for Wheelchair users and Able bodied participants
On Saturday 17th of January the gaels of Ulster battled the adverse weather conditions to take part in a novel blitz in Cookstown Leisure Centre. The 10 players of the Ulster wheelchair hurling team divided up to captain their own individual teams consisting of mothers,fathers,brothers,sisters,aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. This was a fantastic event with the non-disabled people trying wheelchair hurling for the first time and playing with their friends/relatives in a fun and competitive environment. After the exciting group stages, it was Conor McGrotty of Limavady Wolfhounds who met Colm Brady's Clonoe in the final with the latter being victorious. One relative summed up what the day was about by saying, "This is the first time in my lifetime that I have played a competitive game with my brother.
National Awards:
Conn Nagle – Young Player of the year and Geraldine McGarrigle – Female player & Golakeeper of the Year nominations
A big congrats to Conn who won the first ever GAA 'Wheelchair Hurling Young Player Of The Year' for 2014.
ULSTER WHEELCHAIR HURLING HUBS –
Enniskillen – Lakeland Forum
Magee - Derry Craigavon Leisure Centre Belfast
Contact:
Paul.callaghan.ulster@gaa.ie Paul.callaghan.ulster@gaa.ie Shane.mccann.ulster@gaa.ie Shane.mccann.ulster@gaa.ie
