The Glorious Thirteenth...An Irish-Aussie Match
By BRAD CHAPPELL
VANCOUVER - Often on March days the "weather" and "glorious" are likely not the two words one would use together in Vancouver. On March 13 though, as the Irish and Australian teams were set to battle, the day was just that, glorious.
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| MEMBERS OF THE VANCOUVER AUSTRALIAN Cougar Football Team and the Vancouver Irish Sporting and Social Club at the CelticFest Tournament. |
With green whistle in hand, I began our annual ritual. Scoring quickly were the Irish side, with a goal by none other than Jimmy “Ballymurphy” McCann, who also went on to bring his side a hat trick!
There was strong middle play by Keith Clarke for the Irish to keep the ball in possession and press the attack. The Aussies again showed why and how they can adapt their game to ours, by making considerable runs at the Irish goal. Points were traded with both sides, notably big West Kerry man Tom O'Sullivan making three on the move, 35 plus metre points and consolidating the Irish lead.
There was by many accounts, a crowd of over 1,000 people out to watch the match. With the day being so fine, it allowed the skills of the players to show the game in all its brilliance. Our own Hill 16'er, Gavan Connolly was famous of course for all of 10 minutes on the pitch, but more so for his managa' work from the side this day.
There was enough in close and tight to satisfy even the toughest Red Hand county man Marty McCann, who along with Aussie Stuart Grills, helped give the game its heart. The Aussies pushed hard towards the end, even pulling in a penalty shot “God forgive me,” which they promptly netted to the delights of their Manager Tony Cooper and their brethren of supporting fans.
However, in the end, the Irish held strong again and finished the match with a final score of six goals nine points (27) to the Australians’ five goals to four points (19). As big Joe Kernan from South Armagh always says, "taake yer points bhoys, taake yer points."
A final note should be made of our own homegrown West Belfast brigand and super fan himself, none other than Bernard Ward for his fine encouragement in my direction, bringing both laughter and enjoyment to the entire crowd on the lines.
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