The Edmonton Wolfe Tones Anticipating a Really Big Year
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
On a recent visit to Edmonton I spoke with Colin Baugh of the Edmonton Wolfe Tones Gaelic Football Club. Colin is originally from Eskra in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland.
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COLIN BAUGH
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Before emigrating to Canada, Colin played Gaelic football for his home club of Eskra for 17 years. Since arriving in Edmonton three years ago, he now plays with the Edmonton Wolfe Tones and has been the men's team manager for the past two years.
"This past year has been very successful for both the men and women's Gaelic football teams," said Colin, "Red Deer now have a Gaelic football team in the Western Divisional and that has added a lot of interest in both Edmonton and Calgary.
"I know from an Edmonton men's point of view, we're going to have to step it up a bit since Red Deer beat us twice this year. Last year Red Deer were not in the Western Divisional, but this year they will be affiliated and they already have their own pitch, so there will be more games for everyone.
"We have three new players from Ireland this year, one from Cork and two from Dublin. But we really need more Canadian recruitment on the men's team, since next year the big tournament will be held in Calgary with teams competing from Seattle, Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary."
The Edmonton Wolfe Tones team have traveled to Toronto twice to compete in Gaelic football games and they are hoping the eastern teams will return the favour and take part in the western tournament in 2008, but nothing concrete has been decided yet.
"We're hoping to make next year a really big year for our clubs," said Colin. "Robert Murphy, Brian Daly and myself are hoping to get practices started in February and hopefully next year bring some silverware back to Edmonton for a change."
The Edmonton women's Gaelic football team are as strong as ever and have won about 90 percent of their games. Colin said, "unfortunately, they lost the Western Divisional game to the Vancouver women's team. I actually refereed the game and the Vancouver team were very strong.
"The amazing thing about the Edmonton women's team is that most of the players are Canadian, maybe two or three players are of Irish descent. So, that's a great thing to have ...a whole Canadian team being so successful. I actually coach the women's team."
The Edmonton Wolfe Tones men and women's teams held their end of the season banquet after the Jack Bell Cup tournament. Jack Bell has been a long-time member of the Edmonton Irish community for many years.
An indoor season opener get together is planned in March for the men and women's teams.
For more information and to become a member of the Edmonton Wolfe Tones teams, visit: www.edmontongaa.com. For the women's team, call Kim Budd at (780) 919-7689. For the men's team, call Colin Baugh at (780) 221-4122. For information about the Red Deer Eire Og Team, call Rory Lynch at (403) 597-6684.
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