Women’s senior football
St Kevin’s 4-9 – 4-6 Sinn Féin
Sunday 2 July
St Kevin’s and Sinn Féin met in the women’s senior football final, the third meeting of this pairing in finals in 2023. With Sinn Féin taking the Pearses Sevens title, and St. Kevin’s victorious in the league final, the championship final was aptly the decider for the year. It was all Kevin’s in the first half with an eight-point difference at half time, but Cormac O’Neill’s Sinn Fein came out firing in the second half, clawing back to make it a draw game. It seemed like the momentum was all with Sinn Féin, however St Kevin’s dug deep and found that extra gear that was evident all season to kick the final three points of the game. At full time it was St Kevin’s 4-9 to Sinn Fein 4-6. Captain Mona Sheridan was amongst St Kevin’s best and accepted the cup, with Anna Jones named player of the match. Australasia World Games player Tricia Melanaphy was a star for Sinn Féin, and will be one to watch in Derry at the end of the month.
St Kevin’s and Sinn Féin faced in a best-of-three for 2023 in the women’s senior football final. Photo: An Astráil
Men’s senior football
Garryowen 3-15 – 2-9 Wolfe Tones
Sunday 2 July
This final was eagerly awaited between two great rivals in Garryowen and Wolfe Tones. Wolfe Tones started very strongly getting three points in the first five minutes but this was nullified by an opportunist goal on the break from Garryowen. Wolfe Tones’ tactics worked well in the first half causing several critical turnovers, which helped them build a small lead at half time. The second half was a different story, however. Garryowen’s running game clicked into action and their superior ball handling, speed and fitness was telling. Wolfe Tones did score a fine goal on the break to keep them in the game but Garryowen’s on-field leaders, namely Conor Dorman, Stephen Cahill and Shane Buckley came to the fore, particularly in the final quarter to finish their opponents off in some style. Matthew O’Sullivan at full-forward had a fine game for Garryowen scoring three wonderful points from play when it really mattered. Some observers said he was reminiscent of his fellow county man, the legendary Eoin ‘Bomber’ Liston.
Garryowen’s Seán McSweeney kicks a free in the men’s senior football final against Wolfe Tones. Photo: An Astráil
Camogie
Melbourne Shamrocks players celebrate their resounding championship final victory over Garryowen. Photo: An Astráil
Hurling
Melbourne Shamrocks 1-24 – 2-18 Garryowen
Sunday 2 July
In a repeat of the league final, Melbourne Shamrocks and Garryowen battled it out for the 2023 championship title. In a titanic tussle that ebbed and flowed, both teams produced a fantastic hour of hurling. Shamrocks went in at the short whistle leading by a goal, 1-9 to 0-9. The second half produced some delightful scores by both teams in an action-packed 30 minutes of hurling. After a great effort by Garryowen, Shamrocks finished the stronger and held out for a three-point win on a scoreline of 1-24 to 2-18. Paul Morris accepted the cup on behalf of his team, while Kieran Bennett received the player of the match award following his outstanding display.
Action from the hurling final where Melbourne Shamrock claimed a league and championship double over Garryowen for 2023. Photo: An Astráil
Men’s intermediate football
Garryowen 3-9 – 0-13 Pádraig Pearses
Sunday 2 July
Whilst Garryowen started out as favourites, Pádraig Pearses took the game to them from the start with their combative and direct style of play in an entertaining encounter. Pearses delivered the ball quickly into Brian Lowry to great effect throughout the game, and he finished with 0-8 points from play and frees, a tremendous individual contribution. However, Garryowen’s powerful running game proved to be more incisive and their three goals were ultimately decisive. Jonathan Quinlan (man of the match) at midfield was imperious for Garryowen, and he won a huge share of possession under considerable pressure at vital stages in the game. And Eddie Goggin, the veteran corner forward, was a constant and deadly threat to the Pearses defence. The game moved at a great pace in both halves and was played in a very sporting fashion. Garryowen were full value for their win against a brave Pearses outfit.
Garryowen and Pádraig Pearses contest a kickout in the men’s intermediate football final. Photo: An Astráil
Women’s intermediate football
Sinn Féin 3-9 – 4-4 Pádraig Pearses
Sunday 25 June
The women’s intermediate football was the first of Victoria’s championship finals to be played. In a game that saw seven green flags raised, Sinn Féin eked out a two-point win to take home the title.
The Sinn Féin team who defeated Pádraig Pearses to win the women’s intermediate football final.
