Regional Games thrill in the tropics

Cairns played host to the seventh Australasia Regional Games on Saturday 15 November, with a record 18 teams competing in what was the biggest tournament yet.

The pristine Watsons Oval grounds buzzed with energy throughout the day as players and supporters from across Australasia gathered under tropical skies and 30-degree heat.

Teams travelled from far and wide with Na Fianna Catalpa (WA), Flinders O’Neill (SA), Young Melbourne, Geelong Gaels and Gold Coast Gaels making the trip to Far North Queensland to compete with “local” teams: Townsville Wolfhounds, Four Mile (Port Douglas) and hosts Cairns Chieftains – delivering a fantastic day of Gaelic football and hurling.

Townsville Wolfhounds and Flinders O’Neill in the women’s senior football competition at the 2025 Australasia Regional Games

The intermediate men’s and women’s football competitions, and the debut of a hurling contest were welcome additions to this year’s tournament.

Townsville Wolfhounds claimed the women’s intermediate title with a narrow victory over Young Melbourne, while Na Fianna Catalpa made their cross-country trip from WA a memorable one, winning the men’s intermediate final against hosts Chieftains. Outstanding achievements for two relatively new clubs – and with Na Fianna Catalpa’s burgeoning underage scene, the future bodes well for the club.

The hurling final saw the Gaels of Gold Coast and Geelong produce a gripping match, with Gold Coast edging out Geelong by 2 goals after extra-time.

Geelong Gaels (navy and white) and Gold Coast Gaels in the hurling final at the 2025 Australasia Regional Games

In the women’s senior football competition, reigning winners Gold Coast Gaels came through a thrilling semi-final extra-time battle against Geelong to set up a decider with 2019 winners Flinders O’Neill. The South Australians, already in strong mid-season form, proved too strong and deservedly took home their second title.

The men’s football competition was loaded with quality, with the top 4 teams in the 6-team group only separated by points difference. But it was the Gold Coast men who got the rub of the green on the day. Overcoming Wolfhounds by a point in the semi-final, the Gaels set up another all-Queensland tie against Cairns Chieftains in the final. Drawing on their experience, the Gaels maintained their composure to close out a hard-fought two-point victory, and in doing so claimed a memorable football-hurling double for the club.

Cairns Chieftains and Gold Coast Gaels in the men’s senior football final at the 2025 Australasia Regional Games

Ned Sheehy, Chairperson of Australasia Gaelic Games, praised the tournament’s success: “These games really capture what our Gaelic games community is about – players and supporters travelling great distances to compete in a spirit of sport and friendship.

Ned continued, “The growth in numbers at this tournament is truly impressive, and Cairns Chieftains, who were only established less than 3 years ago have set a fantastic example of what’s possible for our regional teams.”

Local supporters cheering on Cairns Chieftains at the 2025 Australasia Regional Games

A special thanks goes to Cairns Chieftains for hosting this year’s tournament, as well as all volunteers, officials, the Irish dancing group, the pipe band, and all who contributed to another fantastic Regional Games.

Tournament All-Stars

Women’s Senior Football

Kat Reynolds – Flinders O’Neill

Olivia Bramley – Flinders O’Neill

Lauren Frost – Flinders O’Neill

Erica Greet – Flinders O’Neill

Siena Covino – Flinders O’Neill (Best on Ground)

Aoife O’Callaghan – Gold Coast Gaels

Roisín Kerins – Gold Coast Gaels

Eabhnáit Scanlon – Gold Coast Gaels

Tess De Grandi – Geelong Gaels

Sasha Long – Geelong Gaels

Rachel Gilligan – Townsville Wolfhounds

Aíne O’Dowd – Townsville Wolfhounds

Andrea Lordan – Cairns Chieftains

Amy McGettigan – Young Melbourne

Men’s Senior Football

Tommie Keane – Gold Coast Gaels (Best on Ground)

Billy Campbell – Gold Coast Gaels

Aidan Doohan – Gold Coast Gaels

Seán Tiernan – Gold Coast Gaels

Paul Fleming – Cairns Chieftains

Evan Clarke – Cairns Chieftains

Dylan Murphy – Cairns Chieftains

John O’Shaughnessy – Townsville Wolfhounds

Darragh Ranahan – Townsville Wolfhounds

Jamie Hodge – Young Melbourne

Alex Barba – Young Melbourne

Scott McCarthy – Geelong Gaels

Brody Francis – Four Mile

Hurling

Cian Aldred – Gold Coast Gaels

Denis Coughlan – Gold Coast Gaels

Paul Higgins – Gold Coast Gaels

Ciarán Burke – Gold Coast Gaels

Ger Powell – Geelong Gaels

Scott McCarthy – Geelong Gaels

Phillip Brennan – Geelong Gaels/Four Mile

Women’s Intermediate Football

Rose Kenneally – Townsville Wolfhounds

Emily Keating – Townsville Wolfhounds

Blaithín O’Brien – Townsville Wolfhounds

Jess Driemel – Townsville Wolfhounds (Best on Ground)

Georgia Bold – Young Melbourne

Brigette Roberts – Young Melbourne

Aoife Desmond – Young Melbourne

Men’s Intermediate Football

Michael Kelly – Na Fianna Catalpa

Chris Cassidy – Na Fianna Catalpa

Ronan Dunne – Na Fianna Catalpa

Paddy Clarke – Na Fianna Catalpa

Ben Madigan – Na Fianna Catalpa (Best on Ground)

Lewis George – Cairns Chieftains

Jonah George – Cairns Chieftains

Ryan Boland – Cairns Chieftains

Nick Levesy – Townsville Wolfhounds

Aidan Jenkins – Townsville Wolfhounds