GAELIC SPORTS WORLD Issue 21 – March 14, 2015 | Page 30

and it was only in the latter stages that the Blues took a hold in the
game and pushed on for victory by
2-9 to 1-6. Blues player Kate Fenton
did well in this game and later represented Australasia as team captain at
the World Games in Abu Dhabi last
weekend. In the second semi-final,
Flinders O’Neill’s who finished third
in the league, faced fourth placed Na
Fianna.
Testing hot conditions made life
difficult for both teams and after the
end of the first half Flinders led by a
goal 2-5 to 1-5. The aid of a wind in
Irish Australian Blues player in possession in the ladies final at St. Mary’s Park. Photo:
the second period for Flinders helped
Gaelic Football & Hurling Association of South Australia.
their cause and they dominated
things thereafter holding their opponents scoreless and went on to take victory by 3-8 to 1-5.
The lineup was complete for the Grand Finals on Sunday
The prelimary finals took place a week later on Sunday
with St. Brendans once more facing Western Ireland, the
evening March 1st with a 5pm throw-in for men’s football.
team they narrowly beat in the men’s semi-final, while in
Western Ireland put in a storming first half performance
the ladies the Blues were going for their 5th Finn Cup in
in the opening half when leading Port Districts by 2-6 to
succession and standing in their way were rivals Onkapar0-3. Port Districts were not about to give up without a fight
inga.
and came back into the game in the second period with a
pair of goals but Western Ireland were able to keep things
Hundreds of people, both passionate Irish expats and conticking over scoring points and ran out five point winners
fused locals, descended upon St. Mary’s Stadium - the spiritin the end by 2-13 to 2-8.
ual home of Gaelic Football in South Australia to watch the
four best teams of the season playoff for SA Gaelic Football’s
In the Ladies football preliminaries, Onkaparinga were
Holy Grail.
well ahead at the half and things didn’t look good for Flinders O’Neills. But Flinders turned things around in the secThe day started with the Junior Football Academy exhibiond half with a fine comeback and but for some great saves
tion match. The Academy has grown over the years through
by Onkas goalie, Fiona Clancy, things might have swung
the guidance of Andrea Malone and Ken Brophy. This was
Flinders way. As it was, last year’s league winner’s Onkas
followed by a highly entertaining hurling exhibition match
held on for a narrow one point victory by 4-4 to 3-6. Lauorganised by Tommy Dunne and Jamie Mor