Sydney International Rules this Saturday

[Rafters]

G'day sportslovers

A quick advert ... if you are looking for something to do now that footy season and Bathurst is over, then come along this Saturday (16 October) to HJ Mahoney Oval (Illawarra Rd, Marrickville) for the big clash between AFL Sydney and NSWGAA.

The match starts at 3pm with a curtain raiser between the ladies from both codes at 1pm.

AFL Sydney have won the past two encounters and looking to make it a three-peat this year. I can vouch that the NSWGAA boys have been training the house down & looking to make amends after defeat over the last few years.

Match officials are preparing for an epic showdown between Sydney's finest Australian Football and Gaelic Football players with both sides bolstered by impressive recent performances.

The AFL Sydney side will showcase some of Sydney?s up and coming youngsters with several members of the successful Development squad that won the NSW State Title in Wagga Wagga in June this year pushing for selection.

The big match is sure to set the stage for the highly anticipated International Rules series when the AFL heads across to Ireland. The first test will be in Limerick on Saturday, October 23, followed by the second and final Test at the famous Croke Park, Dublin a week later.

Free admission to the game & there will be a HUGE afterparty at Durty Nelly's Irish pub in Paddington on Saturday night ... all welcome!

Yours in footy

Rafters

[Rafters]

The NSW Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) side has won The Mick Raftery Cup for the first time with an emphatic 25 point victory over AFL Sydney in the International Rules match played at Mahoney Park today. Final score 4.7.8 (53) to 0.7.7 (28).

Blustery conditions greeted the two sides in the third annual clash between the two local codes and how the teams mastered the strong wind would be crucial to the final outcome. Running with the wind, the Irish fully utilised the conditions and made the perfect start with a 24 point lead in the first quarter. Any fear that the NSWGAA had on a AFL Sydney three-peat had been quickly extinguished with two early goals by Mickey Kennedy and Padraig Berry, much to the delight of the strong Irish contingent in the crowd.

Three overs by Declan Donahue early in the second quarter inspired the AFL Sydney to bounce back strongly but poor disposal of the round football would ultimately prove costly as the Irish defence stayed firm to secure a 14 point lead at the main break.

In the third quarter, the NSWGAA continued to pile on scoreboard pressure with deft handling of the round football in the conditions and extended their lead to 24 points with a goal to Roch Hanmore who plays Australian Rules with the newly promoted Premier League side UTS.

These International Rules clashes are renowned for the strong finishing by the Australians and with the wind behind their backs for the last quarter, it was expected that AFL Sydney would mount a strong challenge to retain their crown and set the match up for a thrilling climax. But any hope of the AFL Sydney winning the Mick Raftery Cup for a third time was evaporated by goal in the opening minute of the last quarter by the GAA?s (and UTS) ruckman Alex Whooley.
After the match NSWGAA?s captain Mark Murphy was presented with the Mick Raftery Cup from Mai Raftery whilst NSWGAA?s Padraig Berry, who has played county football in Ireland with Longford, was presented with the Kerry Murphy medal for a best on ground performance.
In the earlier match of the day, the NSWGAA women easily accounted for the SWAFL 8.19.16 (119) to 0.1.5 (8).

AFL Sydney 0.0.2 0.4.3 0.5.5 0.7.7 (28)
NSWGAA 2.3.5 2.4.5 3.7.5 4.7.8 (53)

AFL Sydney

Goals:
Overs: Declan Donahue 3, Lynn Roehrig, Matt Edwins, Ryan Bottin-Noonan, Earl Shaw
Behinds: Declan Donahue 2, Lynn Roehrig, Matt Edwins, Ryan Bottin-Noonan, Alex Sneddon, 1 rushed
Best: Declan Donahue, Lynn Roehrig, Max Carter, Matt Edwins, Ryan Bottin-Noonan, Jack Dimery

NSWGAA

Goals: Mickey Kennedy, Roch Hanmore, Padraig Berry, Alex Whooley
Overs: Padraig Berry 3, Mickey Kennedy 2, Fergal Purcell, Richie Hoare
Behinds: Fergal Purcell 2, Roch Hanmore, Cathal McKenna, Ciaran Brady, Padraig Berry, Alex Whooley, 1 rushed
Best: Philip Bredin, Mark Murphy, Cathal McKenna, Damien Flaherty, Padraig Berry, Fergal Purcell

Kerry Murphy Medallist: Padraig Berry (NSWGAA)

At HJ Mahoney Memorial Reserve.

Crowd 15,312

In the earlier match of the day ?

SWAFL 0.1.0 0.1.0 0.1.5 0.1.5 (8)
NSWGAA 2.5.2 4.9.4 5.14.6 8.19.16 (119)

SWAFL

Goals:
Overs: Renee Socher
Behinds: Renee Socher 2, Emma Yuen, Lara Creber, 1 rushed
Best: TBA

NSWGAA

Goals: Fiona Cotter 3, Joann Roann, Sandra Ryan
Overs: Yvonne Connell 3, Michelle Bergin 2, Fiona Cotter 2, Laura McCann 2, Sandra Ryan, Eilish McCarron, Joann Ronan, Davina O?Hara
Behinds: Fiona Cotter 2, Pamela Fitzpatrick 2, Sandra Ryan 2,
Best: Suzanne Flaherty, Yvonne Connell, Carol Breen, Fiona Cotter, Keira Kinahan, Ciara McMenamin

Best on Ground Medallist: Keira Kinahan (NSWGAA)