GAELIC SPORTS WORLD Issue 34 – September 19, 2015 | Page 14

The Junior Hurlers played their Semi Final, against Washington DC Gaels, and though they were on a par with their
opposition, they found the scoring difficult. Alan Rosales, and
the 2 Colin’s, Young and O’Flynn, fought for every ball.
In Camogie, though San Fran were more experienced, from
the first whistle Vancouver, with early goals from Emma Lane
and Michelle Healy, set the tone. Every single member of the
team played their part, from Caithlin Harper keeping her
marker scoreless from play, to Martina Tallis attacking the left
wing and picking out passes to Rita Burke mopping up everywhere. Special mention to the ladies in Midfield – Sinead
Hughes and Ghirseach Ni Ionnractaigh. Vancouver would
win in style, 4-12 to 2-4, moving onto face a strong Atlanta
team in the final.
The Hurlers were unable to match the Ladies’ result in their
semi, bowing out to eventual senior champions, Harry Bolands of Chicago. The home side were good, but the final scoreline does not do justice to a fine performance by the Ryan’s and
a great match. Strong displays by Kevin Foley and Eoin Ryan
couldn’t prevent this defeat, by 0-13 to 1-23.
LADIES SUNDAY
In the soaring heat with temperatures well over the midthirties, the Ladies teams took the field looking to create their
own history.
The Ladies Footballers had set the championship winning
tone early in the day by winning the Ladies Intermediate
Football Championship. A true team effort, with every player
working hard for their enigmatic captain, Jillian Vieira. Vancouver scored 3-13 to Clan na Gaels 1-3, to dominate in their
Final.
Back with Camogie and with a number of overlapping players this was going to be a tough ask – however this Ryan’s
Camogie team were adamant that after to getting to the final
they would not leave empty handed from Gaelic Park.

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Vancouver and Atlanta Camogie team capts before the final. Photo
courtesy of Camogie Association

From the first minute, Vancouver got on top, a quick point
followed by an Emma Lane goal settled the nerves and they
began to play their own game.
Vancouver at half-time, 1-5 to 1-1, and it as only late in the
game that the nerves were finally settled with a second goal by
Michelle Healy. Subs Aoibheen Shields, Orla Fegan and Natalie
Behan came into game and provided additional stability to see
the game through to the final whistle. Vancouver won, 2-9 to
2 -2 – captain El Marie Cronin accepting the cup on behalf of
the team.
Though the Harps and Ryans men had an unusually quiet
Sunday at North Americans, the support they shoed for the
pioneering Vancouver JP Ryan’;s Camogie team and the Harps
Ladies Footballers, was magnificent! The Seattle Camogie
team joined all the Vancouver teams in roaring that amazing
Camogie team that came to be through the tireless work of Rita
Ritchie and ElMarie Cronin.