MASTERS| Ireland Secure Masters International Rules

Wednesday 26.10.2016

Club

Ireland take honours in Masters International Rules Series
Tyrone had a big representation in the recent Masters International Rules series between Ireland and Australia which Ireland won 2 games to nil. Eugene Bradley and Joe Leonard had the honour of managing the Ireland team along with Cavan man Jimmy Galligan. Trillick man Damien Gormley captained the team and lifted the Paddy Gaffney Cup after the second game in the series. Eglish club man Mark Gallagher picked up an award from the Australian players as ‘Best on Ground –Defender (Ireland), 2nd Masters International Rules Test 22nd October, Denn Cavan’. Carrickmore club had two representatives in Kevin Gormley and Gavan Mc Elroy with Gavan also picking up an award from the Australians as ‘Best on Ground – Defender (Ireland), 1st Masters International Rules Test, 19th October Kilkeerin-Clonberne, Galway’. All four Tyrone players saw plenty of action playing for the duration of the 1st, 2nd and 4th quarters of both tests.
It was at the Denn GAA club, Cavan on Saturday past that Ireland’s Masters footballers, assisted by the Tyrone quartet, regained the Paddy Gaffney Cup held by the Australians since the competition was last played in 2008. The victory followed on from the first test played in Kilkerrin-Clonberne, Galway on Wednesday night which saw a fired up and well drilled Irish side came out all guns blazing in the first quarter to establish an early grip on the game which set the tone for the night. A couple of quality scores from vice-captain Eamonn O Hara settled the Irish team in the first few minutes and they kicked on from there.

 
The second test was ultimately another comfortable victory for the Irish Masters team in front of big crowd, fittingly at Paddy Gaffney’s home club. The score line however did not truly reflect a gritty and improved Australian performance.
Playing their fourth game in ten days and having picked up a number of injuries in their already smaller squad it looked like an uphill battle but Australia came out fighting and upped the intensity from the start making it clear that Ireland were still facing a real challenge. They more than matched Ireland for grit and determination with their physicality in the tackle and won many admirers for the attitude they bought to the game.
Where Ireland had the edge was in their greater familiarity with the round ball and ability to consistently keep the ball moving with accurate passing with foot and hand. Australia won their share of possession and whilst their round ball skills continued to improve too often good work was undone by a stray pass or shot.
No quarter was asked or given however but Ireland’s ability to open Australia up for 6pt goals widened the gap and their greater strength in depth and freshness of their bigger squad put further gloss on the score from an Irish perspective.
Throughout both games both sides did their countries proud with their sporting endeavour, skills and attitude in which the games were played. Whilst Ireland dominated on the scoreboard Australia won great respect and admiration from their opponents and the Irish crowd for their never say die attitude.
In a fitting end to a great week the cup was presented on the field at the end to winning Irish captain Damian Gormley from Tyrone by Paddy Gaffney’s daughter.
Overall Masters football was the winner and a strong relationship has been re-established between the Gaelic Masters Association and AFL Masters and the embraces at the end showed the genuine respect and personal friendships that have emerged between the Irish and Australian players. The concept was given an even greater endorsement when the AFL Masters touring party received a visit prior to the second test from An Taoiseach Enda Kenny and had the honour of the attendance of Richard Andrews, Australian Ambassador to Ireland, at the game in Cavan on Saturday.
2016 Gaelic Masters International Rules panel :
Lloyd Kelly, John Slattery, Sean O Dowd, Declan Meehan, Ger Keane, Ollie Hannon (Galway) Philip Rainey, Joe Corroon, Joe Cunnane (Westmeath) Bryan Hennelly, Sean McCaughey, Danny O Toole (Mayo) Eamonn O Hara, David Durkan, Con O Meara (Sligo) John Coyle, Declan O Neill, Mike Keane (Longford) Oliver Costello, Kiernan Fox, Mark Rehill, Christy Shiels, Jason O Reilly, Padraig Sheridan, Jerome Kiernan (Cavan) Gavan McElroy, Kevin Gormley, Mark Gallagher, Damien Gormley (Tyrone) Charlie Gallagher, Charlie Doherty, David McShane, Daniel Bradley (Donegal) Colin Mallon, Ronan Hamill (Antrim) John Kenny, Roy Malone (Offaly)
Irish Player Awards: 1st Test: Best in Ground-defender, Gavan Mc Elroy: Best in Ground-Midfield Charlie Gallagher: Overall Man of Match Roy Malone.
Irish Player Awards 2nd Test: Best in Ground-defender, Mark Gallagher: Best in Ground-Midfield Chrisy shiels: Best in Ground-Forward, Joe Cunnane; Overall Man of Match Con O’Meara.
Irish Man of Series: Eamon O’Hara.