Den Haag win first round of Europe's Benelux Region
Den Haag GAA sailed to a comfortable victory in Amsterdam last weekend to take the first round of Europe's Benelux Regional championship. Opposition on the day came from tough opposition in the form of Luxembourg, Amsterdam and current European champions Belgium.
The first game of the day was between local rivals Den Haag and Amsterdam. The game began with both teams matching each other with quick early scores but as the game continued Den Haag gradually eased away with a succession of points from Barry Lennon and Donie Mc Keon. In Den Haag's second game of the day they came up against Belgium who had managed to avoid defeat against Den Haag in the 2008 season. With this in mind Den Haag approached the game with caution and revenge in mind, aiming to put the woes of the previous season behind them, and they weren't disappointed. Though Den Haag started slowly again, as the game progressed they came into their stride with all of the forward line taking scores from play and the defense conceding the minimum of a solitary point.
As the tournament progressed and other fixtures transpired Den Haag were given direct access into the final of the tournament for a meeting with old rivals Luxembourg. Looking to get their season of to the right start, Den Haag riffled of the blocks with an immediate goal from corner forward Shane Hogan and a succession of quick points from Barry Lennon and Donie Mc Keon. As the game progressed there was no letting up from the Den Haag team as they cruised to an easy victory again only conceding the minimum of a solitary point with another uncompromising performance from the Den Haag defense.
Den Haag will now progress into the next stage of the regional championship as hot favorites with the next round to be held in Den Haag on the 2nd of May.
Back Row from Left to Right: Graham Merriman, Donie Mc Keon, Orson Mc Mahon, John Gilmartin, Sean Cornelisse, Shane O Sullivan, Paul Gavin, Garrick Fraiser, Matthew Morris, Mary Gavin.
Front Row from Left to Right: Shane Hogan, Paul Gribbin, Sean Simpson, Declan Bonner (c), Conor Elliot, Barry Lennon, Sergio Catignani, John Forde, (missing) Konrad Hofman,
