Amsterdam Gaelic Football Club were narrowly beaten in the Leinster Junior Championship 3-9 to 2-8 by Wicklow Junior champions Laragh last weekend.
The club from the Dutch capital impressed throughout the game and even lead by two points in the second half. However, it was heartbreak in added time as Laragh hit 1-1 to deny them victory.
Speaking afterwards, Amsterdam co-manager and player Cathal Kenny was disappointed that his team didn't take their chances.
Yeah, a bit disappointed. The second year in a row where we probably felt that the game was there for us. We didn't pull the trigger when we could've, a ten-minute‘ spell in the second half, we're up by two. A few things went against us, just super disappointed.
Amsterdam GAA representing Europe in Leinster championship
The manager also stated that the boys wanted to represent the continent and that they haven't travelled over for the craic.
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You were saying that there will be a lot of European lads looking in, we wanted to represent the boys, fair play to them for supporting us. It is getting better as years go on, we're trying to improve the standard and get into that mentality, we're not a European team here for the craic, we're here to get a bit of a roll going. We'll be here next year again, we're hopefully giving it a good crack.
His team showed great composure during the match, kicking long points when necessary. However, Laragh walked through them for their three goals something he attributes to their lack of practice with 15 a side.
We're not used to playing 15, we need more 15 practise. They got through, walked through us three times and it was against the run of play as well but it's just that we weren't set up right, we need more familarity with 15.
Steadily Improving Side
Amsterdam GAA were founded on St Patrick's Day 2003. The continental side don't have the facilities many GAA clubs here take for granted. To train, many players would have to take a four hour round trip as they don't have a pitch within Amsterdam. For trips abroad, the expenses are paid out of the players pockets as the club's budget is spent on facilities and equipment.
The club are one of the most successful in Europe, winning the European championship 6 out of the last 8 years. Amsterdam have made a trip before to Ireland, losing out to Dublin side St Finians 3-08 to 1-09 last year with their fitness levels dropping in the last ten minutes. The club are steadily improving and it's only a matter of time before they beat an Irish side.
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