The Irish in Britain, including those of Irish descent, make up a significant part of the UK population. Here, you will find news, entertainment, events, sports and features from the local Irish Post newspaper.

By David SILVER

Five hundred students will descend on the Tir Chonaill Gaels club grounds in Greenford this weekend for the 16th Annual British Universities GAA Football Championships.

From modest beginnings in Manchester in 1991 which involved just six teams the competition at third level in Britain still continues to surpass all expectations with its continuous growth throughout the country.

Warwickshire GAA’s Pairc na hÉireann in Birmingham had been an ideal venue for all Universities GAA competition until last year. But the appalling condition of both pitches and subsequent damage to their surfaces led to the organisers’ search for an alternative venue to stage the tournament.

A move further south may not make too much logistical sense for college teams based in Scotland, Yorkshire, the North East or even North Wales but moving the tournament away from the Midlands is understood to be the first step of using regional venues on an annual rotation basis. This new system will also be welcomed by colleges North of the Border who will be able to reduce the considerable expenditure incurred in travelling south in order to participate in the event.

Tir Chonaill Park which has successfully hosted the annual Tir Chonaill Gaels International Sevens for the last four years is an ideal venue for the event and looks set to be a hive of activity from Friday lunchtime onwards when the preliminary rounds of the championship get underway for all three competitions.

Reigning champions John Moores from Liverpool will be aiming for their fourth title but face some stiff opposition.

The three finals on Sunday begin with the Plate at 11am and conclude with the Division 1 final scheduled for 2pm. The Division 2 final has a 12.30 throw-in.

St. Marys, Strawberry Hill

Winners: 8 times

Former Trench Cup winners Strawberry Hill will be aiming to make up for the disappointment of an early elimination in last year’s qualifying stages. Drawn from a closely-knit squad of 27 players they will be keen to get back into contention and will be there or thereabouts.

Following in the unrivalled tradition of previous St. Marys teams Padraig McNally will be hoping to get Strawberry Hill back on track in this year’s tournament. A member of the Clann Eireann club in Co. Armagh who is also studying sports science McNally will be playing in his third tournament.