Auckland hosted a thrilling New Zealand Championships over the weekend, which saw 25 teams from across the country compete.
In the women’s senior football, Wellington/Hutt Valley lived up to their favorites tag once again, claiming their seventh consecutive competition win and a memorable three-in-a-row of national titles after a close encounter with Celtic of Auckland.
The men’s senior football final was an all-Auckland affair, with St Pat’s surprising the newly crowned Auckland champions, Marist Rangers, to convincingly claim their third national title in a row.
Wellington and Auckland camógs at the New Zealand Championships in Moire Park, Auckland, March 2025
In the camogie, Wellington/Hutt Valley went back-to-back, defeating Auckland 2-1 in a best-of-three competition. With this victory, the Wellington women emulated their 2024 championships, securing another football-camogie double for the club – an outstanding achievement.
The hurling final saw a strong Queenstown Gaels team overcome Auckland in the nine-a-side competition, winning the club’s first-ever hurling silverware. Meanwhile, the one-off hurling game for the national championship was won by a South Island–Wellington/Hutt Valley amalgamation, prising the trophy from the 2024 holders Auckland in a 2-point win.
Queenstown Gaels and Auckland hurlers at New Zealand Championships in Moire Park, Auckland, March 2025
The junior and intermediate football competitions served up some of the most exciting games over the weekend. St Pat’s claimed both the men’s intermediate and women’s junior football titles, while Wellington/Hutt Valley won the men’s intermediate football, and Queenstown Gaels took home the women’s junior football trophy for the third year running.
Australasia Gaelic Games Secretary Teresa Daly and President Ned Sheehy were in attendance and were impressed by the organisation and inclusiveness of the games.
“We are delighted to have attended this weekend’s championships in Auckland, especially with it being Auckland GAA’s 50th anniversary year”, said Ned Sheehy.
“To see 25 teams from across New Zealand play, in the furthest country from Ireland, is hugely impressive. Great credit must go to Auckland GAA President Shane Chambers, tournament organiser Kellie Condon, and everyone involved in Gaelic games in the country,” said Ned.
“It’s especially heartening to see the junior and intermediate competitions, which cater to players of all levels, especially the many Kiwis and non-Irish who have recently taken up our games. Long may their participation continue,” he added.
Canterbury and Wellington women’s footballers at New Zealand Championships in Moire Park, Auckland, March 2025
The tournament marks the end of another successful Gaelic games season in New Zealand, which began with Auckland and New Zealand teams competing at the 2025 Australasia Championships in Melbourne in October.
Tournament winners
- Women’s Senior Football: Wellington/Hutt Valley
- Women’s Intermediate Football: St Pat’s Emerald City
- Women’s Junior Football: Queenstown Gaels
- Men’s Senior Football: St Pat’s Emerald City
- Men’s Intermediate Football: Wellington/Hutt Valley
- Men’s Junior Football: St Pat’s Emerald City
- Camogie: Wellington/Hutt Valley
- Hurling 9-a-side: Queenstown Gaels
- Hurling Championship: South Island–Wellington/Hutt Valley
