Finnegan's Cup

Orang Éire hosted the first leg of the Finnegan's Cup International Rules Match on 21st March. Orang Éire faced the Malaysian Warriors for the 2nd time; the first match was played last November in which the Warriors walked away comfortable winners. This year both clubs have decided that the Finnegan's Cup will be played over 3 legs with the 2nd leg being played in July and the final leg in November, the better of the teams over the 3 legs will have their name stamped on the cup.This time around both clubs decided to introduce the Kids International Rules Cup. Both the Auskick and OE Kids battled it out for a new cup.

The day kicked off with an Orang Éire Ladies interclub match in which the OE ladies split up and battled for two grueling 12 minute half's in 34 degree heat. Next up was the OE Kids against the Auskick kids. Orang Éire started of well and bagged a goal and a couple of points and in within the first few minutes, the Auskick team settled and started dragging back some scores leaving them just ahead at half time. After the half time break Orang Éire started well but were out run by the skill of the older Auskick players and Auskick bagged another couple of scores finishing off the game with a comfortable win.

The Warriors warmed up as did Orang Éire and the battle began. Orang Éire started very comfortably and the practice that they had put in on the tackling and the handling of the ball really paid off. There was some hard tackles, good passing and lots of running but Orang Éire finished the 1st quarter a couple of points ahead. The 2nd quarter started and Orang Éire came out to a flying start. They battled through the 2nd quarter with more hard tackling and fantastic team work to finish 14 points ahead. Some hard talk to the Aussies from Sarge revved the warriors up and they came out in the 3 quarter with all cylinders firing. The 3rd quarter finished with the Warriors gaining 12 valuable points leaving the game standing; Orang Éire at 34 points and the Warriors 32. The last quarter was a fantastic game to both play & watch with both sides putting in 100% effort and some great team work shown on both sides. Referee Harry done a fantastic job and had kept tight control of the game at all times, the game finished Orang Éire 37 & the Warriors 40.

After the game both clubs joined together around the barbeque for a few beers to finish off the day with a bit of craic. It was then shower time and to head to Finnegan's Sultan Ismail to watch the boys in green take on the Welsh for the Grand Slam. As we walked out of Finnegan's at 5:30am still celebrating Ireland's Grand Slam, we said to ourselves; what a hell of a day it had been.