GAELIC SPORTS WORLD Issue 17 – January 10, 2015 | Page 27
no fewer than 6 players from the state Under 18 squad.
Lying in third place are last year’s league champions Onkaparinga. The team has experienced problems in terms of
player numbers this season. Nevertheless, Anto Keogh
continues to lead the side along with the ever present Wade
Saunders while Jamie Conlon and Andrew Crate are building a strong partnership at midfield. Though occasionally
wasteful with the ball their calculated ball movement would
warm the cockles of Gaelic traditionalists everywhere. The
only question mark is whether this style of play can bring
another Hannigan Cup. The return of John O’Leary to the
Onkas attack is a boost.
Big improvers are Port Districts who lie in fourth spot.
Port made great progress since joining the competition only
5 years ago. Under the guidance of Stephen Clay, the team
has shown a marked improvement in front of goal resulting in a move up the table. This year they should make the
Playoffs for the first time. If they can keep their players from
week to week and play for the full sixty minutes they could
be the darkest of Hannigan dark horses. Their highlight to
date - a tough win against St Brendans.
Na Fianna have struggled with player numbers and have
fallen back to the pack slightly. The loss of the mighty Merv
Stynes, Robbie Mc Mahon and Paddy Quirke has seriously depleted the team. The departure of Tom Javor has also
MEN’S 15-A-SIDE FOOTBALL
seriously weakened the club. Gavin O’Reilly’s elevation to
coaching though has been positive.
The Irish Australians are rebuilding under the guidance of
Ken Brophy. So far this season they conceded more points
than other team in the competition as they have trouble
pushing back as a unit when the ball is turned over. A key
moment thus far is the Irish Australian representing South
Australia in the Tasmanian Sevens football competition.
Meanwhile, Flinders O’Neills, the oldest club in SA, after
a good start to the season, have floundered as things progressed. The team is led by Christian and James Neeson with
great support from Alex Haughey.
So Brendans lead the way followed closely by Western Ireland and reigning champions Onkaparinga with Round 9
of this 14 round league plus the Playoffs, due to resume this
Friday Jan 9th and Sunday 11th.
WOMEN’S LEAGUE
In the Ladies Gaelic Football League, Last year’s champs,
the Irish Australians Blues continue to dominate the women’s competition. Despite coach Mike Lyons clocking up
more frequent flyer miles than any elected official, the Blues
have only lost once so far this season. While lower ranked
teams Rovers have proven nuisance value, the Blues have
had comfortable wins over their expected challengers in
Flinders and Na Fianna. The highlight so far is the return of Anita
Doecke and Kate Fenton.
Onkaparinga, seemingly off the
pace early in the season, have lifted their play and now hold second place in the league. Coach Joe
Campbell has an experienced side
at his disposal that is still capable
of causing damage on their day.
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