Field of Flanders event showed the power of remembrance
Ireland’s Ambassador to Belgium, Kevin Conmy, pictured at the Menin Gate Last Post Ceremony with young Gaelic games players from Belgium, The Netherlands, and Luxembourg, laying a wreath in memory of the Irishmen who died in World War 1.
By John Harrington
To really appreciate what you have it’s often a worthwhile exercise remembering what those who have gone before you have given.
It was very much in that spirit that EC Brussels GAA club held the inaugural Field of Flanders event in Ypres last weekend for the first ever Gaelic football tournament staged in the city.
It was both a celebration of youth Gaelic games in Europe that saw over 100 players from Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg come together, and a remembrance of the tends of thousdands of Irish killed in World War 1.
After the children played their matches on the Saturday, players from the three countries joined Ireland’s Ambassador to Belgium, Kevin Conmy, at the Menin Gate Last Post Ceremony to lay a wreath in memory of the Irishmen who died in World War 1, many of them GAA players themselves.
Then, on Sunday, after a video presentation by Dr. Dónal McAnallen on the hidden links between the GAA and World War 1, a delegation visited the Island of Ireland Peace Park and the grave of noted World War 1 poet, Francis Ledwidge, from Slane in Meath.
EC Brussels GAA club chairperson, Eoghan O’Neill, was thrilled with how the whole weekend went.
“It was a big effort but we were very motivated because it was something different,” he told GAA.ie
“It brought that link that is often forgotten about between Ireland, Gaelic games and World War I. Certainly, when I was being taught history back in the 80s in secondary school in Dublin, there was hardly any mention of the Irish sacrifice in World War I, and definitely no mention of any GAA links.
“As Dr. Donal McAnallen's research points out, more GAA players served in the British army, certainly up to 1916, than took part in the 1916 Rising, which does make you think for quite a moment.
“It's a very rich topic and we were delighted to have a chance to draw some focus on it while celebrating some sporting excellence and giving the kids game time.
“I have to say, it was a great weekend. A very rich, sporting, and thought-provoking weekend.”
Action from the Field of Flanders youth tournament held by the EC Brussels GAA club.
EC Brussels have long been one of the most active clubs in Europe in terms of youth development, and the event also served to highlight the fruit of those efforts.
“We had 100 kids there,” says O’Neill. “U8s, U10s, U12s, U15s and we even managed to get an under 17 match, which is a really difficult period in the development of the kids over here.
“It's a transition period between those who have just completed the Féile cycle but aren't quite old enough for the senior club and it's a part of the player pathway that we're working on to try to make sure we keep as many players on board as we can."
Pictured left to right are EC Brussels GAA club Chairperson, Eoghan O'Neill, Irish Ambassador to Belgium, Kevin Conmy, EC Brussels founder, Liam Breslin, and Gaelic Games Europe Chairperson, Rory Conway.
No-one has worked harder to promote youth Gaelic games in Brussels, and possibly even Europe, than EC Brussels founder, Liam Breslin, who received a special presentation on Sunday for all he has done over the course of 30 years of service.
“He's been an icon,” says O’Neill. “He's been engaged in youth Gaelic games in Brussels for over 30 years and is a tenacious, motivating, and charming character. He's also a very strong advocate and voice in the wider GGE circles and a greatly admired person by the other clubs, without which our club would be just a mere shadow of what it is now.
"He's been brilliant and it was really quite touching for so many of us in the crowd to see him honoured.”
The presentation to Breslin was made by newly elected Gaelic Games Europe Chairperson, Rory Conway, who paid tribute to EC Brussels for hosting such a memorable event.
“It was a privilege to attend such an exceptionally inspiring occasion,” said Conway.
“It was great to see Gaelic youth sport, remembrance, and education all linked together in such a truly meaningful way.
“The moments of joy and exuberance on the playing fields and the poignant and respectful ones at the Menin Gate and Francis Ledwidge's grave will stay long in my memory and, I’m sure, in the memories of all the young players who attended.
“I cannot commend the efforts of those at Brussels GAA who organised this highly enough. Gaelic Games Europe were very proud to have supported it.”