There can’t be too many other homes in London that can better this.
Three sides from Britain are involved in this weekend’s AIB-GAA All-Ireland junior and intermediate finals in Croke Park as they cross the Irish Sea to battle for the honour of being named The Toughest. Fullen Gaels and Kilburn Gaels contest hurling finals on Sunday, while John Mitchel’s of Liverpool will be looking to secure a junior football crown on Saturday.
For the majority coming back home with a different club to the one they left behind in Ireland is a bittersweet experience. They will run out in Croke Park for their adopted clubs with as much pride and passion as possible as if they were playing for their local club. However for many players who leave Ireland, they cannot bear to think of quitting and signing up for another club, and so do everything possible to try and make it back each week for games and training.
For one house in particular in London this weekend all eyes will be on Croke Park,as four of its six occupants will be in action for Fullen Gaels. Luke Gaule, Barry Kiely, Mark O’Dwyer and Nollag Brophy live in 64 A Mattock Lane, along with Cratloe clubman Damien Browne and Ballyhale Shamrocks’ Alan Cuddihy.
Uniquely each player claimed a county medal with his respective club this past winter, with four London championships,one Clare and one Kilkenny title on the sideboard over Christmas.
All six know precisely the sacrifices that are made to play GAA in London but are always willing to make the effort to try and make it home and help their clubs in any way possible on the road to club glory.
