Emerald GAA Grounds
Encyclopedia
The Emerald G.A.A Grounds , otherwise known as Ruislip GAA are the current headquarters, and principal gaelic games
facility, of the Gaelic County Board of London
. The grounds is the current venue for the finals of the Toureen Mangan Junior Football Championship
, the Intermediate Football Championship, the J. Reddington Senior Football Championship
, the London Senior Hurling Championship
, and the Nicky Rackard Cup
, as well as British inter-provincial titles among Warwickshire
, Gloucestershire
, Scotland
, Hertfordshire
, Yorkshire
and Lancashire
. The Grounds is being considered as a training facility
for Irish
athletes competing in the 2012 Olympic Games, in London
.
The Grounds is situated in Ruislip
, West London
.
sponsored by Bank of Ireland
, and featured their crest.
Since then, A modern electronic scoreboard has been added, and dugouts have been refurnished. The ground bar has full sports coverage,
including Setanta
for Live GAA.
team, hosting the Ulster Senior Hurling Championship
, and the NHL
. The grounds is also the home of the London Football Team, and their Allianz NFL
matches are held there. As well as the male teams, the female football team play in the Brendan Martin Cup
, The Ladies senior football cup competition, and the O'Duffy Cup
.
and Australasia
could compete in competitive or even exhibitive games of gaelic football or hurling.
Munster
1-08 ---- 0-15 Ulster
On the 125th anniversary of the GAA, it was decided that the Railway Cup final of 2009 would be held in England. GAA president Christy Cooney
said that this was because of England's Gaelic Development:
There was, on the night before the match, a gala ceremony, with tickets costing £50. The Irish ambassador to England was there, with numerous other Irish diplomatic and gaelic games
players present. The game was held the next day, with Ulster narrowly winning by three points, which upset predictions that it would be game belonging to Munster.
rock band Bagatelle
played a music festival at the clubhouse. The
clubhouse hosts numerous charity events on behalf of Hillingdon
. The Current manager of the grounds is Kevin Kelly, of Round Towers GAA.
, is played through speakers surrounding the grounds. The pitch is not floodlit,
meaning most games are played in the afternoon.
, though this money is yet to be spent
board has promised to refurbish the grounds, should the need arise.
Gaelic games
Gaelic games are sports played in Ireland under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The two main games are Gaelic football and hurling...
facility, of the Gaelic County Board of London
London GAA
The London County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or London GAA is one of the county boards outside Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in London...
. The grounds is the current venue for the finals of the Toureen Mangan Junior Football Championship
London Minor Football Championship
The London Minor Football Championship is played by all players under the age of 18 in London. It is usually competed between teams such as Parnells, St Kiernans, Heston, Tir Chonaill Gaels and Round Towers. The current champions of London are Parnells....
, the Intermediate Football Championship, the J. Reddington Senior Football Championship
London Senior Football Championship
The London Senior Club Football Championship is a Gaelic Athletic Association cup competition between the top Gaelic football clubs in London, England. The London Football championship first began in 1897 with Ireland United claiming the inaugural title...
, the London Senior Hurling Championship
London Senior Hurling Championship
For the Gaelic football equivalent see:London Senior Football ChampionshipThe London Senior Club Hurling Championship is a Gaelic Athletic Association cup competition between the top hurling clubs in London, England.-Roll of honour:...
, and the Nicky Rackard Cup
Nicky Rackard Cup
The Nicky Rackard Cup is a competition for the Tier 3 hurling teams of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship. The tournament is organised by the [Gaelic Athletic Association]] and is played during the summer months with the final being played in Croke Park, Dublin...
, as well as British inter-provincial titles among Warwickshire
Warwickshire GAA
The Warwickshire County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the county boards outside Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in Warwickshire. The county board is also responsible for the Warwickshire inter-county teams-Hurling:In 2005 Warwickshire fielded a hurling team in...
, Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire GAA
The Gloucestershire County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Gloucester GAA, is one of the county boards outside Ireland and is responsible for the running of Gaelic Games in the South West of England and South Wales...
, Scotland
Scotland GAA
The Scotland Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Scotland GAA is one of the county boards of the GAA outside Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in Scotland. The county board is also responsible for the Scottish inter-county teams...
, Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire GAA
The Hertfordshire County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Hertfordshire GAA is one of the county boards outside Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in Hertfordshire...
, Yorkshire
Yorkshire GAA
The Yorkshire Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Yorkshire GAA, is one of the county boards of the GAA outside Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in Yorkshire. The county board is also responsible for the Yorkshire inter-county teams...
and Lancashire
Lancashire GAA
The Lancashire County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Lancashire GAA is one of the county boards outside Ireland and is responsible for the running of Gaelic Games in the North West of England and the Isle of Man. With Scotland, Warwickshire, Gloucestershire, Hertfordshire, London and...
. The Grounds is being considered as a training facility
for Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
athletes competing in the 2012 Olympic Games, in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
The Grounds is situated in Ruislip
Ruislip
Ruislip is a suburban area, centred on an old village in Greater London, and is part of the London Borough of Hillingdon.It was formerly also a parish covering the neighbouring areas of Eastcote, Northwood, Ruislip Manor and South Ruislip in the area. The parish appears in the Domesday Book, and...
, West London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
History
In 1999, the original grounds did not have any scoreboard, and dugouts were situated off the opposite ends of the pitch. The pitch itself wassponsored by Bank of Ireland
Bank of Ireland
The Bank of Ireland is a commercial bank operation in Ireland, which is one of the 'Big Four' in both parts of the island.Historically the premier banking organisation in Ireland, the Bank occupies a unique position in Irish banking history...
, and featured their crest.
Since then, A modern electronic scoreboard has been added, and dugouts have been refurnished. The ground bar has full sports coverage,
including Setanta
Setanta
Setanta can mean:* The given name of the Irish mythological figure Cúchulainn* Setanta Sports, Ireland-based international television sports channel**Setanta Sports USA, defunct version of the above that broadcast in the US and Caribbean from 2005–2010...
for Live GAA.
London G.A.A
The Pitch is the home ground of the London HurlingHurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
team, hosting the Ulster Senior Hurling Championship
Ulster Senior Hurling Championship
The Ulster Senior Hurling Championship is the premier intercounty "knockout" competition in the game of hurling played in the province of Ulster. The series of games are organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and are played during the summer months. The Ulster Hurling Final is played in July...
, and the NHL
National Hurling League
The National Hurling League is an annual hurling competition between the county teams of Ireland. Contested by 35 teams , it operates on a system of promotion and relegation between four different divisions, with Division One...
. The grounds is also the home of the London Football Team, and their Allianz NFL
National Football League (Ireland)
The National Football League is a Gaelic football tournament held annually between the county teams of Ireland, under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The prize for the winning team is the New Ireland Cup, presented by the New Ireland Assurance Company...
matches are held there. As well as the male teams, the female football team play in the Brendan Martin Cup
Brendan Martin Cup
The All-Ireland Senior Ladies' Football Championship the premier "knockout" competition in the game of Ladies' Gaelic football played by women in Ireland...
, The Ladies senior football cup competition, and the O'Duffy Cup
O'Duffy Cup
The All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship is the premier round-robin and knock-out competition in the game of camogie played in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Camogie Association and are played during the summer months with the All-Ireland Camogie Final being played on the...
.
Britain GAA
Though the grounds is conventionally the second grounds of the British GAA, it would be possibly that international series matches could be held there. Teams such as New YorkNew York GAA
The New York County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or New York GAA, is one of the county boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association outside Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in the New York metropolitan area...
and Australasia
Australasia GAA
The Australasia County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Australasian GAA, or Gaelic Football & Hurling Association of Australasia is one of the county boards of the GAA outside Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games all across Australasia. It is also responsible for Australasian...
could compete in competitive or even exhibitive games of gaelic football or hurling.
Railway Cup Final 2009
Final Score:Munster
Munster GAA
The Munster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Munster.-Constituent counties:*Cork*Clare*Kerry*Limerick*Tipperary*Waterford-Honours:...
1-08 ---- 0-15 Ulster
Ulster GAA
The Ulster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, and handball in the province of Ulster. The headquarters of the Ulster GAA is based in Armagh City....
On the 125th anniversary of the GAA, it was decided that the Railway Cup final of 2009 would be held in England. GAA president Christy Cooney
Christy Cooney
Christy Cooney is the current President of the Gaelic Athletic Association...
said that this was because of England's Gaelic Development:
“It’s one way of acknowledging and supporting the games in Britain by having such a high profile final here with the quality players that we have.
“Secondly Britain were keen to organise a celebration for the 125th year. We’re thrilled to be staging the final here and the players will be thrilled to come and play here.”
There was, on the night before the match, a gala ceremony, with tickets costing £50. The Irish ambassador to England was there, with numerous other Irish diplomatic and gaelic games
Gaelic games
Gaelic games are sports played in Ireland under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The two main games are Gaelic football and hurling...
players present. The game was held the next day, with Ulster narrowly winning by three points, which upset predictions that it would be game belonging to Munster.
Other
The GAA holds annual refereeing courses and fitness tests in the grounds. Recently, IrishIrish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
rock band Bagatelle
Bagatelle
Bagatelle is a billiards-derived indoor table game, the object of which is to get a number of balls past wooden pins into holes...
played a music festival at the clubhouse. The
clubhouse hosts numerous charity events on behalf of Hillingdon
Hillingdon
Hillingdon is a suburban area within the London Borough of Hillingdon, situated 14.2 miles west of Charing Cross.Much of Hillingdon is represented as the Hillingdon East ward within the local authority, Hillingdon Council...
. The Current manager of the grounds is Kevin Kelly, of Round Towers GAA.
Facilities
The grounds features a renovated clubhouse, with complete changing rooms and toilets for the home and away teams respectively. There is a balcony for trophy presentations and speeches, and a large scoreboard. The grounds features special function rooms for hire. The ground floor houses a bar and dressing room, whilst the first floor holds a multi-function room. Two full size car parks are also available. The Irish national Anthem, Amhrán na bhFiannAmhrán na bhFiann
is the national anthem of Ireland. The music was composed by Peadar Kearney and Patrick Heeney, and the original English lyrics were authored by Kearney. It is sung in the Irish language translation made by Liam Ó Rinn. The song has three verses, but the national anthem consists of the chorus only...
, is played through speakers surrounding the grounds. The pitch is not floodlit,
meaning most games are played in the afternoon.
Redevelopment
The Grounds is scheduled for redevelopment late next year. The London County Board was provided with 300'000 euros for pitch refurbishment by Croke ParkCroke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
, though this money is yet to be spent
2012 Olympic Games
London County Board Chairman Larry O'Leary is planning to use the grounds as a training centre for athletes competing in the Olympics. Theboard has promised to refurbish the grounds, should the need arise.