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The All-China Gaelic games is a Gaelic games tournament held annually in China between club teams under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) and the Asian County Board (ACB). The Asian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), is one of the county boards of the GAA set up and running outside the island of Ireland. This county board is responsible for Gaelic games across Asia-Pacific Region, other than Australia and New Zealand (which fall under the Australasia GAA board).

The annual tournament is a one-day event, with both men's and ladies' teams competing in Gaelic football. The tournament is the highlight of the mid-season for the Gaelic Athletic Association Clubs in mainland China. Exhibition games have also been held in International (compromised) rules and Hurling during the event.

History

The All-China Games began in 2002, and feature GAA teams from across China, such as the Shanghai Gaelic Athletic Association, the Hong Kong Gaelic Athletic Association and the Beijing Gaelic Athletic Association. After being cancelled in 2003 due to the outbreak of SARS, they returned in 2004.

In April 2012 it was decided by the Beijing Gaelic Athletic Association to host the 2012 All-China Games as part of the 10th Anniversary celebration of Beijing GAA. Beijing GAA hosted the 2012 North Asian Games from June 8–10, 2012. It was the first year that the previous All-Asia games are being expanded to include participants from across northern Asia. Beijing invited teams from various Chinese cities, such as Shanghai, Shenzhen, Dalian and Suzhou and for the first time, also invited teams from Taiwan, Korea and Japan.

Participants

Teams sanctioned by the Asian GAA can participate in the competition. Chinese based teams include Shanghai Gaelic Football Club, Beijing GAA, Shunde Gaels, Hefei Warriors, East China University of Technology (Nanchang) GAA, Hong Kong GAA, Dalian Wolfhounds, Shenzhen Celts,Suzhou Eire Og, and Canton Celts.

Participant players in the competition are primarily Irish diaspora, but they also draw participants from China and other countries who learn the sport. For example, players from 22 separate nations competed in the 2005 All-China Gaelic games.

The cumulative top competition winners in the competition to date have been Shanghai (13) and Hong Kong (9).

All China Games - A Competition Winners

All China Games - Non-A Competition Winners

All China Games - Most Valuable Players

References

1. 'Shanghai Gaelic Athletic Association.Club'
2. "'Hong Kong Gaelic Athletic Association.'". Archived from the original on 27 January 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2012.
3. 'Beijing Gaelic Athletic Association.'
4. Archived 2012-03-09 at the Wayback Machine Beijing Gaelic Athletic Association Committee Minutes
5. 'Asian County Board Sanctioned Teams'
6. 'Shanghai Gaelic Football Club.'
7. 'Beijing Gaelic Athletic Association.'
8. "'Hong Kong GAA.'". Archived from the original on 30 April 2012. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
9. 'Dalian Wolfhounds.'
10. "'Shenzhen Celts.'". Archived from the original on 31 July 2012. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
11. "'Suzhou Eire Og.'". Archived from the original on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
12. "'Canton Celts.'". Archived from the original on 6 May 2012. Retrieved 25 May 2012.

External links

• Beijing GAA club - 2005 competition hosts
• AsianCountyBoard.com report
• AGB All China Games Roll of Honour
• Beijing GAA Chairman Colin Dixon takes about the 10th All China Games

• Gaelic Athletic Association competitions
• Asia GAA
• 2002 establishments in China
• Sports competitions in China