Sevilla’s ladies A team ended an impressive season unbeaten as they took the ladies’ trophy back to the city of flamenco. While they faced a tough challenge from the Málaga girls earlier in the season, the challenge fell away as they asserted their status as the team to beat come next season. Further praise for the club comes for their fielding of a total of four teams in their home tournament in February, a testament to the ethic within the club. 
Málaga’s ladies will be happy with a respectable 2nd place finish after a brief wobble in the Sevilla tournament. Costa Gaels meanwhile will be disappointed to have drawn with Málaga but losing narrowly to Sevilla Seamróga which ultimately sealed their fate in 3rd place. Both clubs will see the year as great progress nonetheless, as will Lisbon Celtíberos who fielded their first full ladies team. 
Individual PerformancesSpecial praise comes for MVP Sevilla’s Kate, wearing the number one jersey she inspired from the defence, tireless work all day from Celta Málaga star, Emily, covering the whole pitch and constantly driving forward, Floor, a recent convert to Gaelic Games, for her goalkeeping and ball winning skills. Captain and driving force of Costa Gaels ladies, Hayleigh, has put body and soul into the GAA this season. Having suffered a hand injury in the Gibraltar tournament she was back strong as ever in subsequent games. Unbelievably she was to suffer yet another hand injury, this time more serious, during the Lisbon tournament. A testament to the lady was how she travelled from pitch to hospital, back to pitch to cheer on her fellow ladies. She was later seen into the early hours, arm in sling, “pinting” and enjoying the post tournament celebrations which are an important part of the Andalusian GAA community. Oisín has taken it upon himself to occupy the role of unofficial Costa Gaels matchmaker, so the unsuspecting lady had better keep an eye on her inbox! 
Overall 2022/23 has been a very successful league for the ladies and the profile has been raised enormously from just 2 or 3 clubs competing irregularly to a total of 6 teams being involved this season. Special praise for Siobhán, Marlie, Oisín, Leonella for all their efforts on and off the field in bringing great pride to a growing competition. Peil na mBan abú! Lisbon – Men’s Champions in their First Season
In an intriguing season, Lisbon ultimately showed more class in overcoming the challenge of the Andalusian teams. Although finishing level on points with Marbella’s Costa Gaels, the fine print stated that Lisbon should raise the cup based on overall results.In what was a historic season for the GAA in both Andalusia and Portugal, the competition expanded to 5 clubs (and their respective B teams) with the addition of this year’s champions and the men from Málaga. All bodes well for a continuation of hostilities in the coming season, something soon to be discussed by the games committee.
Games The men’s tournament began with Lisbon knowing they had a lot to do to get across the line but on home ground and with local support and the prospect of the massive quantity of cans they had lying pitchside all proved an inspiration. Congratulations to Jon, Duncan and all involved. They can also take pride from fielding 2 men’s teams in their home city in their first year competing against the more established Andalucian clubs. The Celtíberos A team rocketed to wins over all challengers in a great day for the club, hosting and winning. Gibraltar, without a pitch, without players and seemingly in disarray boarded the plane from Málaga to Lisbon with plans to go on the Super Bock. They fought bravely in all encounters and even earned the “sound fellas” badge from a few of the other teams. 
In the opening game for both teams, Sevilla and Málaga engaged in a surprisingly tense encounter. A disputed penalty where everyone apparently knew the GAA rules better than everyone else led to a tremendous save by Malagueño William, diving bravely to his left. In a somewhat flat performance by Málaga, Sevilla were allowed to boss from the back, lending a nice platform to their attack. A certain malagueño with a penchant for falling on his head, was seen having an altercation with the rugby posts in the aftermath, no injuries have been reported. In what was billed as the tie of the day, Lisbon and Marbella crossed swords with the former on home turf this time and with a full panel to choose from. Some good possession play by Marbella counted for nothing in the end as Lisbon scored from all angles, appearing well drilled. Their 3 goals to goalless Marbella proved the difference on the day and indeed the season, as the championship was decided on head to head results.The tie of Marbella v Málaga has become an enjoyable one for the spectator as the neighbouring clubs’ style of play makes for an entertaining battle. Having run Marbella close in Seville, Málaga were annoyed to concede two goals in a minute in that game, something they also managed against Sevilla in the first tournament of the season. Marbella, having lost influential Tiernan to a shocking injury, were lacking a threat in the forwards and were forced to rely on possession in defence to build.
Many individual battles of note took place but one man who was in line for a Crossmaglen slap was John when he twice tangled with Micheál around midfield. The first a fair, albeit rough tackle which led to an exchange of pleasantries, the second, probably a bookable offence. The Cross man hitherto displayed the patience befitting a primate of All-Ireland from his lofty site on top of St Patrick’s in Armagh city. Linking up well with publican and well regarded Meathman, Davy, Micheál stepped forward to point from the centre of the scoring zone.Lucho the turncoat, as he is known in Málaga, was perhaps the difference between the teams as the Argentine made several incisive runs from defence to score impressive points from distance keeping the Costa Gaels scoreboard ticking over after a difficult first half when Málaga strangled all the Marbella men’s efforts leaving it at 4 points to 3 at the break. A special Johnny team talk at halftime was apparently responsible for the improvement in commitment from his Costa Gaels players who came out impressive winners.
Other notable moments from the day included Miles the Yank’s coming of age as a proper GAA man. Having suggested greatness with an opportune volleyed point in the Gibraltar tournament last year, he delivered in style with two goals this time, both of which he “buried” in the corners. Tiernan for Costa Gaels had been going well and set for a standout day before getting injured. Also worth mentioning was Ian’s workrate in defensive duties for Málaga in his first tournament. He also ended the day hopping with the aid of a stick and missed out on the opportunity to make a monkey of himself in the bar later.The day belonged to Lisbon and suitably one of their greats, Seán, was awarded the MVP honour. Also worthy of praise was Jamie, former All-Ireland winner no less, who enjoyed a “sick” performance from the backs.The final Andalusian GAA tournament of the season, albeit a friendly version, will take place in Málaga on April 1st where a good crowd is expected. Olímpica Victoriana is the venue, a 10 minute stroll from the famous Picasso statue in iconic Plaza Merced. Locals, GAA aficionados, dignitaries, alcoholics, royalty, even rival supporters are welcome. The action gets underway with the first throw in at 2pm. Ladies and men’s teams from Glasgow Caledonian University, Gibraltar, Seville, Marbella and the hosts Málaga will all be present. Be there and be part of Andalusian GAA history!
John P Brady writes short and long fiction, articles and formally a blog about life in Italy, where he lived for 6 years. His first book, a collection, entitled Back to the Gaff has been published by Roadside Fiction.Follow John on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram 
Back to the Gaff
Scandalous Narratives of Contemporary Ireland
Back to the Gaff is a collection by author John P Brady, which describes the excessive and outrageous nature of Irish night life.
Meet an array of eccentric individuals who populate the bars of Dublin, living lives of decadence and abandon. Their frolics inevitably lead to a trip ‘back to the gaff,’ which in Dublin-speak means gravitating towards someone’s place of residence where the depravity continues.