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. 27