World Footy News

This is the third year in a row the USAFL's Austin Crows and the Irish Celtic Cowboys have contested a three game series International Rules Series. The rules combine elements from both games with the Irish advantage being the round ball and the Aussie advantage being the tackling. We thank the Austin Crows for the match report.

On another hot and humid Austin summer day, the teams arrived at the Stassney field to once again see who has bragging rights as the best Footy team in Austin, Texas. The Crows were a little undermanned through injuries and unavailability but had a considerably younger team than their Irish rivals.


Six points are scored from a goal that goes under the cross bar and past the goalkeeper (as in regular soccer), three points for an over the cross bar goal similar to a goal in Australian football, and one point is scored just like a behind in Aussie Rules footy.

The game started off with Austin controlling the midfield duels and putting early scores on the board. Tensions flared late in the first quarter as all players adapted to the combined rules. Several players were sent off by the umpire in what turned out to be a fierce game.

The Crows went into the quarter time break with a comfortable 15 point lead through overs (three pointers) to Campbell, Arnold, Gloster, Sam Harris and Sam Ryan. Crow ruckman Ryan Minnick was doing a wonderful job on dangerous Cowboy Rory. Colum Kelly was one of the few Irish Cowboys to win the ball but the Austin defense through King, Enslow, Bedford and Campo held firm.

The Crows dominance continued in the second and third terms and they should have put the game away, but their inaccuracy in front of goal and their ability to handle the round ball gave the Cowboys a chance.

With the Crows mid fielders running short on gas in the hot temperatures, Herrera and Barrientos were asked to step into the midfield and did well. With five minutes left the Crows held a 14 point lead that looked safe. However, with several key back men going down with injuries and some inspired play by the Cowboys, they tied the game with one minute left through two six point goals and an over. With all the momentum and now for the first time all day, the lead, the Cowboys pushed on to notch a "Houdini" like come from behind win.

The Crows will do some soul searching over the coming weeks in the hopes of a better finish in game 2 so they can push the series into the deciding third game and potentially wrest the Austin International Cup from the Cowboys hands. Photos of the game can be see at the following link - http://www.straussphotos.com/Sports/F...7053_AfvxX

Irish Cowboys- 2 goals, 10 overs, 16 behinds, 58 points
Austin Crows- 12 overs, 18 behinds, 54 points
Austin Crows best: Ryan Minnick, Seymour Butt, Jonathon Barrientos, Grant Campbell, Mat King, Dave Enslow, Andres Campo
Umpire: Simon Boyce
Attendance: 84 at the Stassney field

Meanwhile on August the 7th, the Columbus Jackaroos will be putting on an International Rules exhibition match in Dublin, Ohio, 4-7pm at the Dublin Irish Festival, it is beleived to be the first event of its kind in Ohio