Played over a 3 match series between the Singapore Wombats Aussie Rules Team, and the Singapore Gaelic Lions, the Bill Nikolopolous Cup is an International Rules event combining the best of Gaelic Football with Aussie Rules.  The Cup is named and played in honour of the late great Bill Nikolopolous who played at the heart of both teams. 

The first of the 3 matches was played on March 18th, 2006 at the Singapore Polo Grounds, with the Lions running out convincing winners.

The second match was played at Turf City on April 29th.  The match was a competitive and at times tense affair and the Lions emerged as winners in the end 61- 48. 

The Lions closed out the Bill Nikolopolous Cup series on Saturday 17th June, winning the third and final game by 6 points. The game was held at the Australian International School and was preceded by an exhibition game between our young Gaelic lions and the Australian school rules team

The Young Lions played well and as this was their first time playing in a competitive match they will only get better in the future….

In the main game the” over competitive “edge from game 2 wasn’t too evident so  a more free flowing game was played…the teams were not more than a goal or so apart and the game was not decided till late in the fourth quarter. 

The future of this competition is now secure and indeed the spirit in which the whole series was played would have pleased our old friend BTG.  Many beers were had afterwards and we look forward to next year’s series and hope to repeat our win….also looking forward to one or two of the Wombats joining us later in the season.

Congratulations to man of the match Cormac O’Muircheartaigh and to the Lions on their Win.

More Photos here:

Bill Nikolopoulos Cup Series - Game 1
Bill Nikolopoulos Cup Series - Final Game