World Footy News

Saturday the 21st of May saw a milestone day for Australian Rules Football in Ireland, with the contesting of the country's first ever inter-school match.

The match took place between Gaelcholáiste Mhuire A.G. and Coláiste an Phiarsigh, two all Irish-speaking schools in Cork City, in Cork Institute of Technology, Bishopstown. It came about as a result of a decision made at the league’s AGM in December to appoint Vincent Manning as a schools development officer to introduce the increasingly popular sport to a younger playing spectrum.

"A lot of work has gone into this, both on and off the training ground," said ARFLI President Ciarán O’ Hara. "After ten years of Aussie Rules in Ireland it’s great to see it finally being played by a younger generation."

Coaches, Vincent Manning of Gaelcholáiste Mhuire A.G. and Cian Quigley of Coláiste an Phiarsigh normally work together as part of both Cork’s Leeside Lions and the Irish international squad but jumped at the chance to introduce the game to their students and add to the rivalry between these historically sporting schools, ‘the Mon A.G.’ being the alma mater of Carlton Blues player Setanta O’ hAilpín.

The game itself was played in great spirits with both sides giving it 100% in wet and windy conditions. Both sets of players found it difficult to control the wet ball with the A.G. falling foul of the conditions in front of goal on a several occasions throughout the game. Coláiste used the wind to their advantage well in the first quarter clocking up a 3 goal lead with the wind.

Using the wind to their advantage in the second quarter, the A.G. tacked on a few goals and some tenacious tackling by Alan Mac Aindriú and Antóin O hAirt around the middle keeping the attacking threat of Muiris Mac Phartaláin and Conchúir O Dálaigh to a minimum. They could not prevent however a nice individual score by Aindriú Mac Gionnáin to leave Coláiste with a half time lead of 31-22

Hard work and a continued effort against the elements by both teams were on display in the 3rd quarter and even though it was their first time playing the debutants were developing a great familiarity with the game. It was a high scoring quarter again for Coláiste an Phiarsigh while at the other end scoring chances were few and far between. Two big tackles late in the quarter by Sean Mac Sceallóige couldn’t prevent Coláiste an Phiarsigh from pulling further away from the opposition.

A wind-assisted fightback by Gaelcholáiste Mhuire A.G. in the final quarter promised to make a game of it with Graham Mac an Coille on target and a very opportunistic goal by Shaun O Ricín. Seán O Fógartaigh stamped his mark on the game with a fine score at the other end shortly after that that left Coláiste an Phiarsigh eventual winners with a scoreline of 62 – 45.

A lot of positives can be taken from the day none more so than the enjoyment shown by the young players during and especially after the game with all individuals leaving the ground with a medal presented by league president Ciaran O Hara and Michael Martin, fan development executive with the Sydney Swans. Special ‘Best on Ground’ presentations were also made to Antóin O hAirt and Seán O Fógartaigh for their displays on the day.

Coláiste an Phiarsigh

Gaelcholáiste Mhuire A.G.