Ambassador Collinshosted a reception on Monday 15 November 2010 at the Embassy Residence tohonour Vietnam’s only GAA Club, the Viet Celts, the players, their families andsponsors.

She praised the achievements of the club, and especially the award of “Asian Club of the Year” given to the club at this year’s Asian Gaelic Games in Hong Kong and paid special tribute to the Dura Celts Ladies team, and to their outgoing captain, Katy Lankester, for the team spirit, skill, drive and commitment shown by the team in reaching the Ladies Plate Final.  Ambassador Collins also praised the three Viet Celts/Dura Celts All Star winners at the Asian Games, Nguyen Ngoc Quynh, Tara McMahon and Claire Coughlan. Nguyen Ngoc Quynh is the first Asian player to receive an All-Star Award.   

The Ambassador spoke warmly of the commitment of the Club to the development of its youth structure, and especially of the work of Club Chairman Jim Kiernan, Vice-Chairman Colm Ross, and of the whole committee. She felt that the Club was a source of pride and wonder for many people in Ireland and a wonderful way to showcase much of what was best about Ireland in Vietnam. She was delighted that the Embassy had been involved with the Club since its foundation and hoped that the Embassy would continue to assist the Club where it could into the future.  

http://www.vietcelts.com/