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

The first of the Men’s World Cup
Semi-Finals saw Middle East 2 and
unbeaten Asia do battle and because
of the better group record - 3-0 versus
2-1 - the Asia side would have fancied
their chances to make the final. Asia
started strongly putting a couple of
points on the board. They followed up
with a goal but Middle East held their
composure and fought their way back
into the game and two goals before the
break saw they right back in it. Asia
started strongly in the second half with
points but Middle East once more hit
back this time with a brace of goals and
from there pulled away for a fine 6-5 to
2-9 victory.

Middle East 2, win inaugural Men’s GAA World Cup. Photo courtesy of Middle East GAA/
Tina & Stew Hunt.

The second semi-final saw the unbeaten Middle East 1 go
up against New York. This proved to be a non-event as Middle East completely dominated their opponents running
out with a huge 12-10 to 1-6 victory. The New York men’s
team will have been disappointed with that performance
and there is no doubt that along with the North America
side (NACB), will want to show better next time. Of course,
the American team’s preparations would have been hindered when training indoors as winter snow prevented
proper training outdoors. New York obliged when asked not
to bring their elite county team by the international GAA
committee, and though they picked across a range of grades
from senior to junior, their overall showing would have been
a surprise. Of course, the New York Ladies did well at the
games and showed improved form throughout to go on and
win the Plate competition. The NACB selection process was
unclear from the start,