The penultimate day of the World Games saw four of Australasia’s teams come through the knockouts to book a spot in Celtic Park for Friday’s finals.
Results
Open women’s football
Cup semi-final – Australasia 7-18 – 1-3 Asia
International women’s football
Cup quarter-final – Australasia 0-10 – 2-2 Galicia White (AET)
Cup semi-final – Australasia 1-6 – 2-4 Charlotte James Connolly’s
International men’s football
Cup quarter-final – Australasia 1-7 vs 1-5 Galicia White
Cup semi-final – Australasia 0-5 – 1-5 Seán McDermott’s
Camogie
Cup semi-final – Australasia 7-19 vs 0-2 Europe
Hurling
Final group game – Australasia 0-11 – 2-12 Middle East
Round-ups
Open women’s football
Our Irish women’s footballers booked a spot in Celtic Park with a comprehensive win over Asia in the cup semi-final. With confidence high in the camp having defeated their opponents comfortably earlier in the week, the girls continued their exemplary form here. Laura Gallagher, in goal, Jade O’Donnell and Aisling Bourke kept a tight ship in defence, while the triple threat of Andrea O’Reilly, Rachel Talbot and Ciara Bourke kept the umpires busy throughout the game, clocking up a huge 7-18 to Asia’s 1-3.
It’s Parnells awaiting the team in the final, and although our girls got the win over the Londoners in the group stage, the final is bound to be a close encounter. The teams contested the last two finals, claiming a win each, so Friday’s best-of-three final will be a thriller.
International women’s football
Day four of the competition saw the girls play Galicia White in the quarter-final. The Galicians put up a really strong fight and had our girls on the ropes for quite a while, particularly in the first-half. Even though they struck the net twice, our girls were composed in front of goals, Becc Higgins and Lauren Saunders keeping the scoreboard ticking over. It took extra-time to separate the teams, with our girls earning a two-point win, 0-8 to 2-2, to advance to the semi-final.
The semi final was always going to be tough against Charlotte James Connolly’s, who had looked impressive throughout. However, our players performed spectacularly well to only lose out by a single point, in a score of 2-4 to 1-6. Best of luck to the North Carolina side in the final.
The journey is over for the team, but we’re all extremely proud of the ladies’ efforts over the last four days.
Men’s international football
Our international men’s football team beat a gallant Galicia White in the quarter-final by 1-7 to 1-5. This was a very tense game and we had a poor start in slippery conditions. However, the lads went man on man in the second half and put them under considerable pressure, which eventually paid dividends on the scoreboard.
In the semi-final we were beaten by a very skillful and composed (in football terms!) Seán McDermott’s club team from Birmingham. The game essentially swung on two events in the first half: we missed a gilt-edged goal chance in the first minute, and then gave away a goal just before half-time. Despite being down six points at the break, our team showed tremendous spirit and drive in the second half, and Johnny Pegoraro gave an exhibition of free taking from the ground (an old art form at this stage). We had two goal chances to snatch a draw but we were denied by some last-ditch defending. The team have had a great experience at the competition but sadly missed out on a big opportunity to play in the final. Thanks to all in the squad and our management for a great effort overall.
Camogie
Our camógs cruised into Friday’s final with a massive 7-19 – 0-2 semi-final win over Europe. Like yesterday, the Europe side are a far greater outfit than the scoreline suggests, but our quality all over the pitch was simply too much for the opposition. Jackie Doyle in goal and Claire Nolan marshalled well in defence, while up front Jen Hosford, Áine Cunningham and Shelly Farrell were full of running and taking their scores with aplomb. Best of the luck to the girls as they take on Middle East in tomorrow’s final, and here’s hoping they can land a third successive World Games title.
Hurling
Having already secured a spot in Friday’s final, the hurlers had their final group-stage game against Middle East, who, as it happens, they’ll face in Friday’s decider. The first meeting between the pair was a 3-12 to 1-9 win for our lads, but the Middle East got the upper hand this time round, raising two green flags to secure a 2-12 to 0-11 win.
With tomorrow’s game in their minds, we’re sure both sides didn’t show their hand too early. Middle East are going for three World Games wins in a row, having beaten our teams in 2016 and 2019. The lads will be bulling to get over the line this time round, especially the likes of Seánie O’Leary who played in the 2019 finale.
Day 1 round-up – Monday 24 July Day 2 round-up – Tuesday 25 July Day 3 round-up – Wednesday 26 July
