Gaelic Football Returns to Fort McMurray
By RONAN DEANE
FORT MCMURRAY, ALTA - Gaelic Football was given an enthusiastic reception in the oil town of Fort McMurray, Alberta. Upwards of 60 people turned out on May 30 to see if the fledging Fort McMurray footballers could fight it out with the more experienced players from Alberta's Gaelic Football strongholds of Edmonton and Calgary. What transpired was a day of fine football played in great spirits.
Before I go on, the Fort McMurray Knights Rugby Club must be commended for making this whole event possible. An enormous blue tent, barbeque, food and drink, and service was laid on for the spectators and players. Kellie, Andy, Tamara and George, especially, but also most of the playing members, came out and supported a code of football so alien to them at the time. Thanks Knights.
As we erected the tent, that would house the seating area, the tension was palpable. But by 1:55 PM, all parties were present and accounted for. We togged out and, when the jerseys were on, it was very satisfying to see 15 Fort McMurray men in gear (Thanks, Paul Kane) and ready to take on the six of Calgary, and the seven of Edmonton.
We balanced out the teams for competitions sake, and decided a round-robin was the way to go. First up was the much-vaunted Calgary outfit against the home side. A neutral spectator, who knew Gaelic football would have been hard-pressed to point out the less experienced side in this game. In fact, it was Calgary who were put to the sword early on.
New to the game, brothers, Owen and Neil O'Connor were causing havoc for their visitors. Danny Lavoie shored up the defense and, every team needs them, the experienced heads of Paul Kane, in goal, and Mike Mellon, at corner back, gave the team some stability. Our forwards punished Calgary for some lack-luster defending to lead by a few at half-time.
Now there were notables in the Calgary team too. Stephen Warrener, who had just prior to the game been told how the sport works, was creating openings up front. Tim Hamill, new to Calgary from Toronto's St. Mike's, scored a couple early on.
Adrian Lagan must have said something at half-time because, in the second half, Calgary took the game by the scruff of the neck. With four minutes remaining, Fort Mc were three points adrift, but they weren't done just yet. Neil O Connor popped up to grab the equalizing goal, and so it ended. A draw; not a bad result for Fort McMurray's first game of football.
Fort McMurray 2-7 (13)
Calgary Chieftains 2-7 (13)
Next up were the ladies. Twelve women took to the field, only two of them had ever played Gaelic football competitively before; Jenn Ramsey (Greens), and Carlin Acheson (Blues). The rest were a motley crew of ladies who had been out to training occasionally, soccer players, rugby players, and spectators.
Now, after a patchy opening spell, the girls quickly learned how to pass the ball about. It was not a high scoring game but chances were aplenty, and it was Nikki Rogers, who opened the scoring with a fine point, in the first half.
The Blues came forward with reckless abandon, and some smart play got them into great positions, with Ashley Chaffey and Sara Woodford playing like Kerrymen. However, some chaotic defending meant they were unable to get the score they deserved. It was Cath Grey who closed things out with a great goal late in the second.
Green Team 1-1 (4)
Blue Team 0-0
Next was Calgary v Edmonton in the men's. Now these guys have a history, but they had never played each other so close to the Arctic Circle. Christy Whelehan's men got a great start with Darren Schell, of the Fort Mc Knights RFC, goaling early on.
But Calgary's Francis McArdle and Doug Maynard were rampant just before and just after the half time interval. They scored goals. But Gavin McEneaney and young Shane, up front, goaled themselves. This spirited contest ended with Calgary just shading it.
Calgary Chieftains 4-4 (16)
Edmonton Wolfe Tones 4-2 (14)
A short while later Fort McMurray were on the field again to play Edmonton. Sadly for the Oils Sands team, Edmonton showed their class. Again, however, it was a Fort McMurray Knight who got them on the road to victory.
Sean Tindall scoring his first ever Gaelic point. Mind you, Garvin Gilmore did no small amount of damage too. But Fort McMurray had found a new star. Paul Cayer, still dealing with the notion that you can't touch the ball on the ground, played some fine football; either clearing out of defense or pointing at the other end. Keith Morris worked tigerishly all over mid-field, but the Tones got the result.
Fort McMurray 1-3 (6)
Edmonton Wolfe Tones 2-6 (12)
Now the round-robin was done. But the players weren't... the appetite had been whetted, and needed to be satisfied. The thunder began to roll, the rain started to fall, and a mighty game of football began with all three men’s teams combining to form two 12-a-side teams.
Carlin Acheson confidently took over refing duties (perhaps a first in Western Canadian football). But it was a clean fast game. John O Higgins of Calgary, & Sky Johnston of Edmonton, cool in their respective defensive roles. Some interesting umpiring calls gave the game some comedy. "Wide Right" being roared out to add to an attackers woe at a missed shot. But there weren't many missed shots. The final scored tells its own story.
Red Team 6-2 (20)
Blue Team 2-9 (15)
The craic was mighty on Saturday night.... maybe too mighty for some folks. But everyone enjoyed themselves. This type of event will happen again. The people of Fort McMurray thought that this was a fast, fun sport, and we will most definitely play here again.
If you're in Fort McMurray and want to get involved in either Gaelic football or rugby, contact Ronan at ronandeane@hotmail.com.
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