New South Wales Championship winners 2014
September 18, 2014
Cormac McAnallens mens squad celebrate
CORMAC McANALLENS GAC CAPTURE CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLE IN SYDNEY
Cormac McAnallens topped off a very successful season in the New South Wales GAA calender by capturing the Mens and Ladies senior football championship titles at Monarch Oval on Sunday past. Ciaran Brady from Cavan lifted the mens crown after his side recorded a one point victory over Michael Cusacks, and Corks Catherine Tobin lifted the ladies cup after leading her team to a comprehensive victory over Central Coast.
The mens final was up first and the Macs team were made to fight all the way for their second crown in three years. Final Score; Macs 1:12 Cusacks 2:8.
A nightmare start saw Cusacks hit the net twice in the first 15 minute with Macs only early score coming from a Gary McCurry free. The second goal left seven points between the sides, but it also seemed to kick start the Macs team into life and with James McGovern starting to exert his influence around the middle, they were able to hit 6 points on the trot to reduce the margin to one point at half time. McGovern grabbed three of these points with others coming from Matt Mitchell, Paddy McAlary and McCurry again.
Cormac McAnallens took the initiative early in the second half with McCurry and Ciaran Brady pushing them ahead. Brendan Mackin equalised for Cusacks and he was without doubt their most dangerous forward on display. As the game entered the crucial last 10 minutes it was always going to take something special from either side to grab the win. Macs were fortunate that this was their day and as a high ball from McAlary floated into the Cusacks square, Aaron Devlin somehow managed to get a hand to it and flick the ball past the keeper into the net. Tony Martin followed up with another point to leave four between the sides and at this stage it looked like the Macs were home and dry. All credit to Cusacks who did not give up the fight - late scores from Mackin (2) and Dara Considine reduced the margin to one point, but when Niall O'Kane blew the final whistle it was the McAnallens men who had done just enough to take the spoils.
The Ladies final was not as close, but the Macs team deserve huge credit for their powerful display against Central Coast to win 5:20 to 4:3. They got off to perfect start with early goals from the Donegal duo of Anna Marie McGlynn and Yvonne McGonagle. This was followed up by some exceptional point taking from Niamh Hegarty, Aoife McDonnell and Amy Kerrigan. The McAnallens defence also played their part with Brenda Campbell, Maria Brody and Catherine Tobin cutting out many opposition attacks.
Central Coast did have their spell of dominance and a four goal tally gave the Macs sideline plenty to worry about, however it wasn't to be their day and when further goals were scored by Brid Twomey and AM McGlynn again, it put the result beyond doubt.
