Australasia results and round-ups from day 1 of the GAA World Games on Monday 24 July.
Results
Open women’s football
Australasia 4-6 – 0-1 Round Towers
Australasia 1-3 – 1-3 Middle East
International women’s football
Australasia 4-12 – 0-0 Central & Eastern Europe
Open men’s football
Australasia 6-7 – 2-3 Asia
International men’s football
Australasia 1-3 – 2-4 Éire Óg San Fran
Camogie
Australasia 5-3 – 3-3 Middle East
Hurling
Australasia 4-8 – 1-8 Asia
Round-ups
Open women’s football
Our Irish-born women’s footballers were the only team with two World Games fixtures on day one. The first match was an early morning start against Round Towers of London. There were certainly no signs opening-game jitters from our side as the team landed a couple of early goals to see off the cross-channel outfit early on.
Game two versus the Middle East was a different prospect altogether. Playing with the wind at their backs in the first half, our girls took in a narrow lead at the short whistle. The second half ebbed and flowed throughout and, with the advantage of the strong breeze, the Middle East soon gained parity. Either side could’ve nabbed a winner in the closing moments, but both teams will be happy with the draw. Standout performers on the day include Maud-Annie Foley, Ciara Burke and Rachel Talbot. Iberia and Central & Eastern Europe are the team’s opponents for day two.
International women’s football
Our international women’s footballers got off to a flying start in the first match of the competition with a great win over Central & Eastern Europe. Rebecca Higgins opened the scoring with a point and went on to score a total of 2-4 as the opposition’s defence struggled to keep up with her blistering pace. Her sister and team captain Chloe Roesler added to the scoreline with an impressive 1-2 from midfield. The scores were spread around the team with Penny Rawinski also scoring a goal, and Lauren Saunders, Alex Tresize and Kate Fenton all adding points.
Our defenders, meanwhile, were highly successful in shutting out the opposition with Siena Covino, Tess de Grandi and Tiaré Verenitani blocking out any attempts on Heather Williamson’s goal. The team will face Siròc and Iberia on day two.
Open men’s football
After a good run out against a Derry selection in a challenge match earlier in the day, our Irish-born men’s football team faced Asia in their first game of the competition. The scores were tight at half time, with our lads 1-3 to 0-2 ahead, despite squandering several chances.
The second half saw the team up the intensity, and this was rewarded with goals from Adam Neely, Cory Quinn, Kevin Smullen and Evin Scanlon. This attacking threat and a relatively tight defence propelled them to a comfortable 6-8 to 2-3 win. Standout performers on the day included Kevin Smullen, Conor Ffrench and Adam Neely. Benelux and Italy await the team on day two.
International men’s football
Our international men’s football team were narrowly defeated 2-5 to 1-4 by a very strong Éire Óg San Francisco on the opening day. The match was very physical and combative in wet conditions. Our men started slowly but played much better in the second half. Justin Evans was our best player on the day scoring 1-1 and covering acres of ground. William Cheesman-Dutton also had a great game in defence, with some great tackling and blocks. The team are looking forward to day two where they will play Ottawa and Galicia Blue.
Camogie
Our three-in-a-row-chasing camógs had their first group game against a strong and well organised Middle East. It was a typically competitive game against our perennial rivals, but the team held their own throughout. Some swift attacking play combined with tenacious defending to thwart multiple goal chances saw us come away with a 5-3 to 3-3 win. Day two sees the team face Britain 2 and Asia, and they’ll be gunning to maintain their good start.
Hurling
The hurlers’ opening game was a 4-8 to 1-8 win over Asia in wet conditions. After a sluggish start, the team found their groove in the second half, and raised four green flags to get over the line. They will play Benelux and Middle East on day two.
