The season
in review
Nine months, four-in-a-row chased down, a first inter-country Blitz and hundreds of new young players — and a whole lot of craic.
Start reading ↓What a year to be a Celtibero
From the first training cones going down in September, to a 4th consecutive Championship title, to the kick-start of a National Junior Development Programme, 2025/26 has been the busiest, biggest and most fun season yet for Lisbon Celtiberos GAA.
This is our thank you — to every player, parent, coach, committee member, sponsor, supporter and volunteer who made it another great year for Gaelic Games in Portugal. Grab a cup of tea (or something stronger) and enjoy the highlights.
4× Portugal | Andalusia champions, Iberian finalists in A Coruña, and over-35s Guérande tournament winners with our Mondeville amalgamation.
A dedicated women's training programme, growing squads with Erasmus heroines and others, and our first-ever inter-country game against our Porto sisters.
Over 300 juniors reached, ~50 kids and families at our first Open Day, a 3-year Development Programme launched, and regular Juniors' & G4M&O days from September.
2025/26 at a glance
- 18 SepWomen's training kicks offSnr
Our first-ever dedicated women's-specific sessions begin. See the event →
- 27 SepCamogie & Hurling arrive in LisbonAll
First session, with ambitions to amalgamate with Andalusian players and reach European competition. See the event →
- 8 NovLisbon Blitz @ CAISLAll
The first-ever inter-country women's & men's games between Lisbon Celtiberos and newly affiliated Porto Gaels, with visitors from Ireland & Brittany. See the event →
- 13 DecChristmas Party & Raffle
The season's final training session, dinner and raffle at Cabanas dos Paixões, Carcavelos. See the event →
- 7 MarPortugal | Andalusia Championship @ CAISLSnr
A first step: Lisbon men win the round, followed by a trad music & dance afterparty at the historic Bom Sucesso Convent. See the event →
- 17 MarSt Patrick's Day community engagementJnr
Coach Aidan de Sousa Murphy & musician Joe Mahon introduce a British School of Lisbon assembly to Gaelic Games and Irish music. See the event →
- 21 MarLisbon St Patrick's Day Parade
GAA Portugal supports the Embassy team and Irish dancers Rince Na Lisboa, followed by a visit to sponsors O'Gilín's. See the event →
- 28 MarChampionship decider, MálagaSnr
Men crowned champions for the 4th year running, with Laura, Raissa, Carmen, Roísín & Orla flying the flag in the women's tournament. See the event →
- MayA month of milestonesAll
GAA Ambassador Anton Tohill's schools & club tour; Modulair announced as Iberian GAA Sponsor; and a new collaboration with St Julian's School securing bigger pitches every Saturday. See the event →
- JunNew season, new lookAll
McKeever announced as official teamwear partner, kitting out GAA Portugal's national teams, Lisbon Celtiberos & Porto Gaels in stunning new jerseys. See the event →
- 6 JunIberian Finals, A CoruñaSnr
Men finish 3rd, agonisingly close behind winners Madrid and runners-up Barcelona, with warm Galician hospitality throughout. See the event →
- 21 JunGAA Juniors Open Day @ TASISJnr
Around 50 children and families come along — with calls already out for more. See the event →
- 27 JunGuérande Veterans' TournamentSnr
Our over-35s amalgamation with Mondeville come out winners in a hard-fought final in Brittany. See the event →
- 13 JulOn the world stageSnr
LXC members Patrick & Val represent Iberia and Australia respectively at the World Games. See the event →
- 12 AugSmyths Toys Juniors Programme confirmedJnr
A 3-year partnership to bring Gaelic Games to children from all backgrounds across Portugal. See the event →
The Lisbon Blitz — a historic first
Saturday 8 November marked a historic moment for GAA Portugal: the first-ever inter-country women's and men's games between our two clubs, Lisbon Celtiberos and the newly affiliated Porto Gaels, played out in front of visitors from Ireland, Brittany and beyond.
Chairman Jon Burke presented trophies for the most spirited women's team and the overall men's winners. The Una Gilsenan Memorial Trophy went to Porto Gaels, who — despite being newly formed — showed real promise. The Aidan McMahon Memorial Trophy went to Lisbon Celtiberos men, pushed hard by every visiting club and winning by the narrowest of margins.
Following the success of our inaugural Blitz we've been swamped with enquiries from Irish and international teams, including multiple G4M&O squads. We've already secured 10 teams for November 2026 & 2027, and started a list for 2028.
Four in a row, made official
In the first round of the Portugal | Andalusia Championship at CAISL, our Lisbon women gave a great account of themselves against Erie Óg Sevilla — and we were delighted to have Porto Gaels women travel down to join the tournament too. The men won the round with a string of convincing performances, including a hard-fought final against Costa Gaels.
Then to Málaga for the decider, where Lisbon men were crowned Portugal | Andalusia Champions for the fourth consecutive year. Congratulations to our players, management, coaching team, sponsors and supporters — and to our generous hosts, Celta Málaga.
After a day of Gaelic football, players and supporters enjoyed a unique evening at the magnificent Dominican Convent of Bom Sucesso, who graciously opened their historic doors with the help of long-term sponsor O'Gilín's Irish Pub and a host of traditional Lisbon musicians. — The 7 March championship afterparty, Bom Sucesso Convent
Bringing Gaelic Games to schools
We were delighted to welcome GAA Ambassador Anton Tohill to Lisbon as part of GGE's International Player Exchange Programme. Anton visited six schools and two rugby clubs, coaching children and delivering a stimulating talk at St Julian's School on the origins of Gaelic football and life as an elite sportsman — drawing on his three years as an AFL player with Collingwood and his work as a Movember Ambassador for mental health.
May also brought a special new collaboration with St Julian's School, securing regular access to bigger, better facilities — with easier transport links, and a beach and market just down the road.
“Anton is exactly the kind of male role model our students need to see. Hearing him speak with such vulnerability and authenticity about the importance of addressing mental health was incredibly powerful.”
St Julian's School counselling team
“The students absolutely loved the experience — particularly the girls, who were especially engaged throughout. We'd genuinely love to explore introducing Gaelic football into our curriculum.”
Lis Ann Jones, Teacher of PE, The British School of Lisbon
Curious why a school partnership makes sense? Read our briefing for school leadership →
A generation of new players
On 21 June, Lisbon GAA welcomed around 50 juniors, plus families and friends, to our first of many GAA Family Days at TASIS — introducing children to Gaelic sports, community and values. Thanks to Eoghan Kerr and Candice Van Rooyen at TASIS for hosting, and to the Irish Embassy's Deputy Head of Mission Darren McVeigh for joining us.
Then in August, GAA Portugal confirmed a 3-year partnership with Smyths Toys to launch a structured Junior Gaelic Football Programme — reaching children across Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve, open to all from age four, no experience required. It takes its inspiration from neighbouring Galicia, where around 10,000 children have discovered Gaelic Games across 12 active clubs.
Portugal has all the ingredients for significant growth over the next three to five years. Establishing a structured junior programme now could be transformational for the region. — Criostóir Ó Coileáin (Chris Collins), Head of Operations, Gaelic Games Europe
New season, new look
In June, McKeever was announced as official teamwear partner for GAA Portugal — providing stunning new jerseys for the national teams, Lisbon Celtiberos and Porto Gaels, now available online alongside the full apparel and equipment range. The new kit features O'Gilín's Irish Pub as primary club sponsor, retaining long-standing supporters DruidSport as national sponsor.
A very welcome delivery landed too: a fresh batch of match and training balls, financed through the GAA's Global Games Development Fund and backed by the Government of Ireland, to fuel senior and junior expansion alike.
Wear the new kit
The stunning new McKeever jerseys and apparel — official for every club, shipped anywhere in Portugal and beyond.
Flying the Celtiberos flag
A strong start against Filhos de Breogán; tough, close games with Barcelona and Madrid. Lisbon finished 3rd, leaving nothing behind. Tournament player: our Leitrim star, Tom Hughes.
Our over-35s combined with Guérande and beat local giants Rennes in the final. The trophy was last seen riding off into the Breton night…
Two familiar faces swapped the LXC jersey for international colours: Patrick represented Iberia and Val lined out for Australia — a reminder of just how far our little Lisbon club's reach now extends.
Our sponsors & partners
None of this happens without the generosity of our sponsors and partner organisations. From new kits to new pitches to new pathways for the next generation — thank you.
National Sponsor
Facilities & community partners
2026/27 — busier than ever
The new calendar is out, and it's our fullest yet. Camogie & Hurling take their next steps toward European competition, the women's programme keeps growing, and the Smyths Toys Juniors Programme kicks off in earnest. Here's a taste of what's on the horizon:
A friendly tournament, exhibition match and Poc Fada alongside the Cáceres Irish Fleadh — LXC coordinating for Iberia GAA. All clubs welcome.
Regular Juniors and Gaelic4Mothers&Others sessions, a Summer Social at OIS, and P|A Championship round 1 in Granada.
Our biggest Blitz yet, at St Julian's School, Carcavelos — with G4M&O and senior men's teams from Ireland and Iberia.
See you on the pitch
Whether you're picking up a football for the first time, bringing the kids down, or lacing up for your tenth season — there's a place for you at Lisbon Celtiberos. Up the Celts! 💚🤍🤠