GAELIC SPORTS WORLD Issue 21 – March 14, 2015 | Page 10

LADIES INTERNATIONAL WORLD CUP FINALS
The first big game on the Saturday at the Zayed Sport
City Complex, was the 12 minute a half semi-final of the
Ladies International Cup between Canada and South
Africa. On their unbeaten Group form, Canada were
the favourites here against a South Africa side who were
full of enthusiasm and spirit throughout the tournament but were still only a year playing Gaelic Football.
This would prove a disadvantage for the South Africans
against a mostly all Canadian team who had that little bit
more experience and came away with a deserved 1-8 to
1-0 victory to reach the final. The other semi-final was
contested between Middle East and Galicia. The Middle East international ex-pats, though suffering a defeat
to South Africa in the previous days Group stages, improved their performance and were too strong this time
for a gallant Galicia ladies squad who were defeated on
a scoreline of 3-6 to 1-4.
The final of the Ladies International Cup between Middle East and Canada, two evenly matched sides was a
thrilling affair. The game was close all through and went
to Extra Time. Canada were that bit sharper in front of
goal than their opponents and in ET were able to get
the scores that saw them over the line with just a goal to
spare on 3-7 to 3-4. The standard was good in this category and the Canadian team impressed in their games
and were crowned worthy inaugural International Ladies Champions.
MEN’S INTERNATIONAL WORLD CUP FINALS
The equivalent Men’s International Cup competition also
featuring four teams meant that all four would make it
through to the semi-finals on Saturday. The previous day
in the Group stages, Argentina had made their intentions
known and undoubtedly, the team to beat. However, Galicia also showed well at the group stage and could not be
counted out.

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Canada Ladies Team going well in the groups stages. Photo:
Courtesy of Middle East GAA/Tina & Stew Hunt.

The first semi-final of the Men’s international world cup saw
the top seed Argentina against 4th placed team in the group
Middle East. The home side all native with the majority hailing from Oman, had already succumbed to Argentina at the
group stage and this would be a tough task for the local side.
They were defeated by 1-6 to 0-1 then but this time around
fared much better. The home side did enjoy better overall possession in this first semi-final but they found it hard to break
down a physically imposing Argentine defensive unit. Scores
were at a premium for the Middle East while Argentina, only
playing Gaelic football in a training capacity for three months
prior to the tournament, used their field sense and positioning from their first game ‘rugby’ at their home club Hurling