This was the 3rd International Rules match between the SWAFL and NSWGAA in the last decade. Details are hazy of the very first game held between the two leagues back in the early years. Mahoney was upgraded in terms of ground surfacing in readiness for today's match and much thanks to Marrickville Council.
On a sunny day at Mahoney, the women's match was the warmup act before the men's match. The NSWGAA were fired up for the match with 24 players available and SWAFL hit by depletions were down to 16 players before finding two extra players on the day. The NSW GAA were coached by Michael Cusack's ladies coach Kieran Olwell and captained by (insert a name) and had representatives from all four Gaelic ladies club - Premiers Central Coast in the NSW Championship and the League (they have two competitions) had 10 players, Michael Cusacks had 9 players, Clan Na Gael 4 players & Cormac McAnallens 1 representative.
The SWAFL side consisted of 7 out of the 8 teams in the competition with Sydney University away on their season trip. The team coached by Gary Slowgrove (St. George) was captained by Cynthia Dufaut in her very last match. The Western Wolves provided 5 players, Bondi Shamrocks contributed 5 players, Balmain 3 players and one each by Easts, Macquarie University, Newtown and St. George.
Most intrigue would be the Bondi Shamrocks "Civil War" with 5 of the players on the SWAFL side and up to 12 Shamrocks in Gaelic colours. I'm sure the tackiling would be just as fierce when they played each other! Match officials were Field John Freeland (SWAFL) and Laura Connolly (NSW GAA). Boundary Jane Freeland and Goal Umpires Liam Hogan and Alan Brown.
The toss was won by: SWAFL were running towards the golf course end.
The end score didn't show the enthusiasm that the brave girls had in playing the game but were outclassed by a more skilful Gaelic team who were more experienced with the roundball game and a bit more tactically aware of running in waves and support play. The 3rd quarter was the highlight for the SWAFL team only losing the quarter by 6 points. End score was 91 to 4. Our over was scored by Annie-Rose Phillips. Best on ground in my opinion for SWAFL was Sarah Court playing in goalkeeper followed by the Balmain trio of Jackie Buckthought, Clare Beech and Julia Bradley who put on the biggest bump on Michelle Bergin. Best for the NSW GAA I thought was Aimee-Louise Hazley from Cormac McAnallens (also Bondi Shamrocks).
As always the game was played in great fun. Like last year's match which proved to be the staging point of the Bondi Shamrocks, we hope that the Gaelic girls who might have been afraid of tackling got over their fear and hope to play Aussie Rules for 2010.
Major thanks to Yvonne Rooney of the NSW GAA for driving the idea forward in one of her last duties before returning home to Ireland, Gary Slowgrove to coach an ever-changing team and Garry Burkinshaw of the NSW AFL arranging training access to Mahoney.
More photos will be added to the website on Monday.
Photo: Keira Keinhan, Captain of the Ladies GAA holds the Irish-Australian Cup after winning by 86 points.
Last Modified on 16/10/2009 23:11