Beijing in summer means three things, late night meat-on-sticks Xinjiang style, stifling heat with added chewable atmospherics, and a population hell bent on expelling that air in a less than dignified manner.  Combine these three for the phenominan that is Beijing GAA.  The year started with a tearful goodbye to, amongst others, club legends Aoife O'Loughlin, Angela Keane and Stuart "all star" Smith.   Inspirational coach/sage/general-glue-of-the-club Colin Dixon has ascended into the boardroom to be replaced by the dance queen/playboy/clown trio of Mel, Colm and Gavin.

We descended on Shenzhen to claim trophies in both the Men's and Ladies Bowl competitions before treating the China Games to it's first bollywood dance off.  So although some of the old stalwarts may now be swinging in their easy chairs or grazing in pastures new, there's life in the old dog yet. 

An influx of young (everythings relative...) blood has ensured our average hairline is approaching respectability once more and the numbers gracing the Chaoyang training pitches of late have reached dizzying heights at times.  Add this to the ever-growing number of confused locals willing to spend an hour pondering why we're punching the football and it's fair to say that the town is abuzz with GAA fever.

While the "A" tropies remain out of reach without recourse to criminality, the "B" Plate, Bowl, Cup, Saucer, Spunóg etc competitions better watch out!!!