Australasia win the International Tournament

Australasia Come Out Tops At Internationals

Seven
teams battled it out all week at the Naomh Mearnog grounds in
the International Tournament. The action kicked off for Canada,
Australasia, New York, London, North America, Britain and Europe
on Monday morning with the opening round fixture. On Monday evening
it was then onto Croke park for the official launch. Tuesday was
a busy day with three rounds of fixtures before a meeting with
Aras an Uachtaran for representatives of each side on Wednesday
morning.

After completing their opening round fixtures on Wednesday it
was down to semi-final stage on Thursday with pre Tournament favourites
Australasia facing North America and New York against London.
As expected the favourites had little problems but the other semi-final
clash turned out to be the tie of the competition. In the end
London held off the challenge of New York to advance.

So it was onto Friday and Finals day. First into action went Canada
and Britain followed by the big one Australasia and London Shield
Final Canada 4-18 London 3-08 Canada deservedly took the Shield
back home with them after holding a battling Britain in the final.
The Canadians were well on their way at the midway point leading
1-12 to 1-03 with player of the Tournament Erin Gallagher excellent
in the opening period. There first half goal coming from Patricia
Staniforth and some fine points from Sharon Higgins, Erinn Lynch
and Gallagher. Claire Murphy struck for Britain’s opening major.

Lynch struck early in the second half from the penalty spot for
Canada second major. However this game was far from over and Britains
two quick goals from the outstanding Claire Murphy to reduce the
deficit to just seven points. Staniforth hit back with her second
goal of the game but with Sinead Whelehan firing over some great
points they came back to within five points. That was as good
as it got though and Canada dominated to the finish with some
cracking scores from Lynch and Gallagher and a forth major this
time from Lynch to run out easy winners.

Cup Final Australasia 2-13 London 1-03

In the end Australasia had far to much to offer and easily retained
the International Tournament with some delightful football and
some class individual players. The game opened very evenly with
Australasia leading 0-03 to 0-02 after ten minutes. But suddenly
they began to tear London apart with their speed and skill levels
to hot to handle. Ronni Browning and Sally Cooper just two of
their stars in a dominant period that seen them race into a 1-08
to 0-02 interval lead. The all important goal coming from the
boot of Cooper as half time approached.

London to their credit battled for everything and at times realy
held their own in the second half. Joanne Deward hit the opening
point of the half for the Londoner’s but at the other end Mel
Cowie riffled home her sides second goal. London did get rewarded
for their own hard efforts with a goal of their own from Deward
but on the day the eventual winners were much to strong all over
the park. Over the full week Australasia won many admirers for
their fitness and skill levels.

All of the panel are Australian and they have picked up our game
very well. Congratulation to both the winners but the real winner
over the week was all the teams that took part. The excellent
facilities of Naomh Mearnog playing a major part to the success
of the competition. .

See full results elsewhere on News page Alan Gunn (PR Committee)