BILL NIKOLOPOULOS CUP 2010

GAME 1

Sunday 25^th April

SCC

GAME 2

Saturday 10^th July

Turf City

The format for game 1 of this engaging series was 12 a-side teams. Given the numbers interested in participating from both sides, ‘A’ and ‘B’ games were played.  The day kicked off with the B competition, played over two halves of 15 minutes. Historically, this fixture has been dominated by the Wombats but the Lions recorded the first ever victory in this game to set a tone for the day that unfortunately couldn’t be maintained.

Given the weight of history and with a stand in goalkeeper of questionable capability and outfield players combined from various parts of the globe, some of whom had never met each other before including a few token Australians who are honoury Irishmen at this stage, victory for the Lions in the B game seemed an outside bet at best but there was no need to worry as the outfield players quickly settled into a pattern which made one think that they were playing this hybrid game all their lives and this also gave the reassurance that there was never any need to depend on the rogue goalkeeper between the sticks apart from a few kickouts which were adequately executed.

Maiden victory for the B’s and excellent performance ensuring call ups for most players to the main squad.

On to the main event, where the format remained at 12-a-side but 4 quarters of 12 minutes each. In his final game for the Gaelic Lions before he departed the shores of Singapore to heap more misery onto the people of Ireland by joining the band of rogues, more commonly known as politicians, John Mannion was captain of the Lions for the day. The game was tight affair with the lead changing hands on numerous occasions throughout the day, with the Wombats finishing with an 8 point lead. (Equating to 1 and a bit scores under the hybrid scoring system). Victory for the wombats was earned primarily through the goals they expertly executed although rumour has it that the Lions goalkeeper was heard as far away as Changi shouting at his midfield to offer some cover for the defence which was getting over run at times but no joy. Alas, good lessons to be learned for the remainder of the season.

The team lined out with 12 new players and the majority of the B team were called up again as subs for main game in which they performed above and beyond expectation.

Eamonn Keenan was named official MVP for the Lions (man of the match in GAA speak) at the after dinner bbq hosted by the wombats where he was presented with his pint for racing and through to the results of the day, managed to come second again.

B-Squad: M Smith; L Kearney; K McHugo; O Burke; C Scott; J Drossos; G Davies; A Loney; D Whelan; D Cahill; S Sands; P Boyle; D McSharry; S McCann

A-Squad: D Lynch; F McKenna; M Smith; E Keenan; J Mannion; D Lynch; R Lenihan; D Lenihan; D Brady; K Patwell; D O’Brien; C  O'Muircheartaigh

+B squad players

MVP: Eamonn Keenan

Final Score: Wombats 52-44 Lions

After getting to know each other in Game 1 followed by the inaugural Lions-Wombat league cup where both clubs team joined up for a combined league, run over 3 weeks consisting of mixed teams with one half GAA and one half AFL, the scene was set for an explosive second round encounter with the Bill Niko trophy awaiting the winner (After last years winning captain eventually found the trophy due to his relocation excuses).

The airport runway at turf city was the venue for this second leg encounter, where the teams lined up with 15-a side and with plenty of subs required there was no room for a B game.

Given the Lions are at this stage accustomed to the 9 a side game and indeed some of the squad had never played the 15-a-side game it was perhaps surprising that the lions started the brighter and clawed back the 8 point deficit by the end of the 1^st quarter. Opting to play 3 midfielders and rely on the pace of the two inside forwards in Niall and John, seemed to have paid off with points being popped over the bar from all angles.

As is traditional though the wombats came back strong in the second and third quarters, dominating these by pressing high up the pitch and the ACB chairman in goals for the Lions often found himself kicking the ball out within seconds of his last kickout. However the Lions showed the fighting spirit required and played some exquisite football in the final quarter to keep their heads held high.

In defence, Owen before he got injured and Anthony, who despite his Cavan background was determined to test himself against the twice his size wombats, played key roles in keeping the wombats at bay. These were ably supported by the experienced Lions, Cormac, Micheal and Frank as well as the MVP from Game 1 Eamonn. Daniel, Ronan and John the mad scientist lined up to establish a strong midfield. Daragh Brady was to be selected as the MVP from his position at centre forward and he was ably flanked by the other mad dub from Citco as well as Dave Heat stroke O’Brien. The afore mentioned pacy duo of John and Niall formed a potent inside forward line.

Key to the performance was the impact of all the subs with Ken, Lawrence and Paul all playing important roles in defence with Micheal and captain Ken deputing for the midfielders and Dave Mac, Ally, young gun Joe and Cahir all providing important contributions in the forwards.

As always the most important part of the lions club is the support and social aspect of the club and this was demonstrated on the day again with the lionesses attending in numbers and supporting and shouting from the sidelines albeit with the help of some alcohol.

Onto the penny black for the presentation later in the evening where the powers that be in GAA headquarters  would have been banging their head against the wall when the Bill Niko cup – full to the brim with Jagerbombs – was handed over to the wombats captain .

Best of luck to the wombats who looked very powerful team and hopefully we will all celebrate together in September/October after successful Asian Games.