Iberian GAA Cup final 2023

This weekend was a truly historic step for our GAA Portugal. This is the 1st year our club participated in a competitive tournament in Iberia. Our men’s team won the Andaluz and Portuguese championship a few weeks ago, from which they represented the region for the Iberian GAA Cup Final on Saturday 6th May in Vigo, Galicia.

Having been used to the 7’s format on half size pitches, they had to adapt to the full pitch 11’s format, so were at a small handicap. They put up fantastic performances, winning both their group games, to go through to the semis as group winners. A tough first game against the Eastern province saw a 3-12 (21) to 3-09 (18) victory over Valencia. This was followed by the lads finding their form in the big game against the host city, Vigo Keltoi for a 5-09 (24) to 1-09 (12) victory.

Their semi-final against Fillos de Breogán from Coruña started off tight, with a low scoring first half, followed by the Celtiberos pulling away to finish up with a comprehensive 3,4 (13) to 0,7 (7) win, with the help of some fine goals form Aidan O'Riain and Sean Croke. Madrid won their semi-final against Valencia with a 3-03 (12) to 1-06 (9) victory.

The final was shown on Regional Galician TV at 6,30 pm local time, after a long warm day in Galicia. The Capital cities playing in the Iberia final was a fitting entry for Lisbon Celtiberos and Portugal to the tournament that has been going for over 10 years. Lisbon battled hard, even pulling ahead after 6 minutes. After conceding their first goal, the Lisbon kick out found Wexford man Rob Farrell, who battled to hold possession, won a free and passed off to Raheny’s Eoin Keogh, who soloed down the line and found Big Jack, Skerries man Jack Fitzpatrick, who went into the danger area near the goal, dummied and passed back to Rob, who buried it, top goal. But Madrid proved too strong for the Celtiberos on the day. The final score ended up 4-12 (24) to 2-04 (10).

Lisbon Celtiberos expresses its thanks to all who helped make this weekend’s tournament happen and to all the clubs in Iberia who have supported us throughout the year and before. We hope we can return next year, and hopefully be able to bring our women’s team with us. Lastly, huge thanks to all the players in Lisbon and Portugal, who have put the hard work in at different stages to make the club all that it is. We will celebrate the 2023 season, our first trophy and ending up runners up against the European champs.

Congrats to the well earned wins for Madrid’s men and Barcelona’s women. We hope we make it back in ‘24.

Hon the Celtiberos

Hon Lisbon

Hon Portugal

Live vid of Lisbon semi final, Lisbon vs Coruña Filhos de Brogo starts 7:07:47