GAELIC SPORTS WORLD Issue 21 – March 14, 2015 | Page 18

countries and their native players playing our games with enthusiasm and passion.
They truly brought an International dimension to our ‘’culture’’
and embraced it, something that the Irish back home would
really have appreciated.
BERNARDO DEVEREUX LYNCH
- PLAYER ON INTERNATIONAL MEN’S WORLD CUP
CHAMPION TEAM - ARGENTINA

We prepare during a year approximately; we reach Abu
Dhabi with expectations of doing our best, without knowing the level of our rivals. We win one then the next one
and so on until the end of the tournament where we finish
unbeaten.
It is a dream come true, the first GAA tournament won by an
Argentinean team. We started many years ago with Gaelic
sports, supported by GAA, got successful growth results, two
years ago a 2nd place in a Hurling tournament, and today
a championship in Gaelic Football, there’s nothing more we
can ask for; we are just enjoying the present. Then we´ll
start preparing for the gathering in Ireland 2016 while we
keep on working to increase the number
of players and clubs in Argentina.

ing this inaugural event happen, should be applauded for
all the planning, work and effort required for turning this
idea into a reality.
LAURA SHAUGHNESSY
– AUSTRALASIA LADIES TEAM

It was one of the best experiences of my life and one I will remember forever. Games were played at a high standard, the
pitches were like carpet and the weather was warm...but manageable for those coming from Australia and Asia! To lose the
final by 2 points to the home side was heart-breaking which
just a small indication of the effort is and heart we put into
preparing for the games, but it was apparently the game of the
tournament and one we will be forever proud of. It was fantastic watching Argentinians and South Africans play a sport as if
they had been born and bred with it and it really stunned most
of us out there. Possibly the most surreal point in the games
was hearing Michael O Muircheartaigh commentate live on
the game for everyone to enjoy, tough not to get distracted by
it on the field! The organisers in Abu Dhabi should be proud
of what they achieved and I hope Croke Park chooses to build
on what has the potential to become a hugely competitive biannual competition.

ANITA DOECKE
– AUSTRALIAN NATIVE ON AUSTRALASIA LADIES TEAM, RUNNERSUP IN LADIES WORLD CUP.

Representing Australasia in the Gaelic
World Games was certainly a once in a
lifetime experience for me. The grounds
and facilities in Abu Dhabi were exceptional and the quality of the competition
was first class. The Middle East GAA,
sponsors and everyone involved in mak-

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Australasia ladies team. Photo courtesy of Middle East GAA/Tina