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#EC16 Day 2 Review

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German Eagles vs Swedish Elks

The 2nd day of matches at the AFL Europe Championships was again graced with beautiful sunshine. The German Eagles and Swedish Elks kicked off proceedings with what many pundits predicted to be the most bruising and physical encounter of the tournament.

Both sides were eager for the contest and this showed when they both started warming up at full intensity 45 minutes prior to the first bounce.

With the breeze at their backs in the first quarter, the German side, took the ascendancy early in the match. The footy was camped in the Eagles forward 50 with only their accuracy for goal proving costly. Tristan Thormann backed up his performance from Sunday to again assert a physical presence to every stoppage or contest he took part in.

Buster Sund picked up the slack for the Elks and did his best to swing the momentum in his sides favour. Despite the Eagles having the better of the game early, the Elks got a goal against the run of play to open the scoring for the day. A quick reply from Germany and this match was all level going into the 2nd term.

The 2nd quarter was a see-sawing affair with the Swedes and Germans trading goals to start the quarter. Andreas Svensson racked up a ton of the footy in the midfield for Sweden while their backline was being well served by Hampus Olsson who had a handful of last ditch intercept marks in the Elks defensive 50.

Jakob Jung showed his class in the midfield and displayed why he was one of the most talked about talents in Europe, while teammate Ruben Streicher was getting off the leash for the Germans up forward and when he marked and goaled from deep in the forward pocket the momentum well and truly shifted in the Eagles favour.

With a two goal lead to the Germans at halftime and kicking with the breeze in the third term meant the boys from Sweden had to muster something special to get back in the game. Some inspirational words from coach, Ryan Tucker, had the Elks come out from the main break like men possessed.

The intensity went up a notch in this game and the Swedish side did everything they could to get themselves back into the match. Spot fires were opening up after each contest with neither side taking a back foot.

Two goals in quick succession for Sweden to Phillip Nilsson and Chris Martensson to open the 4th quarter and the Elks opened the door for a come-from-behind victory. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be with Germany’s, Jan Huesken, kicking his third goal of the game and sealing what proved to be Germany’s first win in a full 18-a-side match in over 3 years, a great achievement for coach Mark Woods and his chargers.

Final scores: 7.14. 56 to 4.4. 28

Goals:

Germany: J. Huesken 3, R. Streicher 2, M. Herthum, H. Van de Stay

Sweden: K. Karlsson, A. Olsson, P. Nilsson, C. Martensson

Best:

Germany: J. Jung, T. Thormann, J. Huesken, M. Schutoff, M. Preiss, R. Streicher

Sweden: A. Svensson, H. Olsson, B. Sund, A. Tellstrom, T. Persson, J. Nilsson

 

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GB Bulldogs vs Irish Warriors

The much anticipated game against these two old rivals was set to be an absolute thriller and it didn’t disappoint. With a twilight bounce, a growing crowd joined the boundary at Motspur Park to catch a glimpse of these two European powerhouses go head-to-head.

With a few injuries, a no-show and a dip in the Serpentine taking its toll on the home side they had to utilise their full squad for this game. The Irish weren’t without their troubles with a few knocks from their first hit out against the Germans ruling out some of their players.

Squad issues aside both teams were fired up for what was most likely a dress rehearsal for the Championship match in a few days’ time. The match opened with the footy whizzing from end-to-end. Neither side could string together more than a handful of clean possession, with a mixture of nerves and intense opposition pressure forcing simple skill errors.

Muiris Bartley was collecting a heap of the footy across the halfback line for Ireland and was launching the Warriors into attack with his raking left boot. Similarly, for GB was Luke Booth who was everywhere for the home side.

The 1st quarter deadlock was eventually broken by Irish forward pocket, Ryan McCloskey, whose nous around the goals was second to none. Another goal to Padraic O’Connell and the Irish had the better of the opening exchanges.

The 2nd term was a complete scrap. The footy was hot and neither side took a backward step. The Bulldogs were again hampered by their inability to covert forward entries. They finished the first half with 10 behinds and no goals in what proved a goalless term for both sides.

It was a low scoring first half with the scorecard not reflecting the excitement the game was providing its spectators. Jack Coughlan and Chris Britton were doing all they could to get the home side up-and-about while Gavin Murray was proving pivotal for the Irish in the ruck.

The match resumed similar to how it left off. Turnovers were again hurting both sides. Dominic Joyce got off the chain and opened the scoring for Ireland. Ill-discipline crept into the Bulldogs game and coupled with their inaccuracy in front of goal was putting the game out of reach.

With 3 goals to GB’s 0 in the third term the Irish looked like they had this game on ice. Injuries took their toll on the Warriors with a handful of players finishing their day early.

The Bulldogs started the 4th term still without a goal to their name. Cashman finally broke through for the hosts to breath some life into his Bulldogs teammates. Cashman goaled again and before you knew the game was alive. Andrew Walkden jagged another for GB and the game was well and truly turning into a nail biter. A mercurial tap on to an open Liam Burns steadied the ship for Ireland and gave them a 7-point lead with 5 minutes to play.

The footy was locked in the GB forward line with conversion again proving costly for the Bulldogs. They couldn’t buy a goal. It took a left-foot snap deep in the forward pocket from Vice-Captain, Michael Sharp to get the Bulldogs within a solitary point of the Irish with 2 minutes on the clock.

That was all she wrote in this blockbuster with the Irish able to hold on for what was a thrilling 1-point victory. Inaccuracy was the achilles heel for Great Britain and will be something they will look to rectify in their final pool game on Thursday.

Final Scores: 6.5. 41 to 4.16. 40

Goals:

Ireland: R. McCloskey 2, P. O’Connell, D. Joyce, E. O’Murchu, L. Burns

GB: M. Cashman 2, M. Sharp, A. Walkden

Best:

Ireland: M. Bartley, G. Murray, K. O’Brien, D. McElhone, P. O’Connell, D. Joyce

GB: M. Sharp, A. Cochrane, L. Booth, A. Overton, C. Britton, J. Coughlan

 

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Ireland ready to retain their IC titles

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By Michael McCormick

The Australian Rules Football League of Ireland (ARFLI) is arguably the most successful league outside Australia, having produced players such as the late, great Jim Stynes, Tadhg Kennelly and more recently Pearce Hanley.

Heading the charge to retain their 2011 International Cup championship is ARFLI President, Paul Brogan.

Brogan, who initially became involved in coaching prior to the 2013 European Championships, was anointed President earlier this year and will be responsible for the Irish team in the International Cup.

“I will represent our league in Australia, and aid the rest of the management team in training and preparing the squad during the tournament,” stated Brogan.

As reigning premiers, the Irish will attempting a feat that has not previously been achieved in International Cup history.

“Our goals for the IC, are to retain both the mens and womens titles,” continued Brogan.

“We face an uphill task as no one has ever retained the trophy, but it is my belief that we have the quality in this squad to go all the way.”

Travelling with Brogan to Melbourne will be 14 players, including playing head coach, David Stynes. Stynes will replace Shaun McElhone who will not be attending the International Cup due to family reasons.

Once in Melbourne, the full twenty-eight man squad will resume training and preparations for the tournament.

“There are a lot of new faces notably among the Irish based contingent, none of whom have ever played in the IC before,” stated Brogan. “They can all draw from the experience of winning last years european championships however.”

Brogan is a big supporter of the International cup and the opportunities it provides for players all around the world.

“The IC is showcasing the worldwide talent, that exists in the sport, giving the opportunity for lads to aspire to play on the greatest stage of all, the MCG.”

The Irish squad was chosen via trials and on the back of scouting feedback in both Ireland and Australia.

The Australian based players play for clubs in Perth, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, and will all be making the trip down for the two week tournament.

“Its tough for players as they are making a huge commitment,” stated Brogan.

“We have secured sponsorship for both the mens and ladies teams, but that will only cover a small portion of the costs involved. The players will be contributing the remainder themselves.”

The men’s and women’s squads will be landing in Melbourne on the 6th of August and will have regular training and recovery sessions in the St Kilda area where they will be staying throughout the tournament.

They will need to be on top of their game however if they are to defeat the might of Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.

“They have a grassroots structure in place, so can develop players from a young age whereas we have to develop our lads from the skills they bring from sports like Gaelic Football and Rugby,” stated Brogan.

“History would dictate that PNG will be the main challengers for the title, considering that have been to every grand final since the inception of the tournament, however NZ had a very strong showing in nearly defeating the AIS Academy team in January.”

“We will certainly have to be at our best to beat these two sides.”

#warriorsweek #bansheesweek #IC14

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Paul Brogan, ARFLI President

Irish Warriors players’ profiles

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Name: Brendan Kelly

Brendan Kelly

 

Team: Belfast Redbacks

Jersey number: 3

Position: Defensive corner pocket

Why and when I started playing: Province of origin 2012. I started playing just as a form of training and quickly got interested with the competitiveness and chances to progress to a higher level within the sport.

Expectations for IC: My personal expectations are to achieve the best performance I can as this is my first International Cup. Expectations as a team would be to qualify for the finals and take it step at a time after that.

Best footy memory: Mark Leavy scoring the winning goal in the 2013 European championship final in the dying seconds.

Favourite footy team/player: Tom Hawkins, Geelong Cats

 

 

Name: Mark Leavy

Mark Leavy

Team: North Leinster Giants

Jersey Number: 4

Position: back pocket/wing back

Why and when I started playing: I started playing about ten years ago. I went to watch a match that my friend was playing in and ended up joining in and loving the game.

Expectations for IC: To play to the very best of my ability and enjoy the whole experience , while hopefully winning the IC.

Best footy memory: kicking the winning goal in the 2013 European championship final in Dublin.

Favourite team/player: Hawks/Buddy Franklin

 

 

Name: David McElhone

David McElhone

Team: Melville Rams

Jersey number: 6

Position: On Ball

Why and when I started playing: My brother got me into it about 6 years ago, he played for the Belfast Redbacks and was in the Ireland team at IC2005, it started out a second sport for me but  I loved the game and after only a few games I was hooked. I think the tackling, body contact and general skill of the game drew me in.

Expectations for IC: I expect the Irish Warriors to be taking centre stage again at the MCG again in the final, there are alot of good teams in the competition and we are by no means complacent, we will have to work twice as hard this year to retain the International Cup. However, I believe we have the players, management and structures in place to push on again and repeat the feats of IC2011.

Best footy memory: Best footy memory has to be winning the International Cup at the MCG in 2011. This is something we had been building towards since the European Championship in 2010 so to win it was a very special feeling. 

Favourite footy team/player: Favourite team is Collingwood and favourite player is Dane Swan.

Title defence’s no walk in the park – IC14

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By Michael McCormick

Luck plays an insignificant role when it comes to the Irish and AFL talent. There are already several Irish nationals showing their class in the AFL and VFL ranks and the International Cup in 2014 is another chance for this skilful team to show the world that Ireland are an Australian Football powerhouse.

Having hosted and triumphed at the European Championships in August, 2013, the Irish will be taking plenty of confidence in their ability to win on the big stage to Melbourne.

Needless to say the Irish are not strangers to International Cup glory either, holding the title of reigning premiers for both the men’s and women’s competitions, further proving themselves as the best in the world.

Despite their success, they remain humble and grateful for their opportunities.

Past President and current treasurer of the Australian Rules Football League Of Ireland, Ciaran O’hara, contends that this is because of the fierce competition coming from the rest of the world and in particular those teams close to home.

“[Great Britain] have been getting closer and closer to us and with the strength they’ve now got in the squad they’ve announced, I expect them to be major contenders.”

O’Hara, who provides logistical support to the coaches and management of both the men’s and women’s national teams revealed that the Irish teams really fire up once they hit Australian soil.

“Our Australian based players play for clubs in Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney, so they don’t get opportunities for collective training so the hard training for us usually begins once we arrive in Australia”

While the trip to Melbourne is being mostly self funded, both the men’s and women’s teams have been fortunate in securing sponsorship to assist with expenses.

Blu Marine Ltd, an internationally renowned ship fitting company, are supporting the Irish Warriors and the Irish Banshees are sponsored by major aircraft leasing company, Avolon. In addition several players have their own individual sponsors.

Financial support aside, the Irish team’s success has stemmed from the great leadership from different coaches and captains throughout their history.

The recent retirement of Head Coach Shaun McElhone has seen David Stynes named as Playing Head Coach of the Irish Warriors for the 2014 International Cup. His assistant, Lachlan Buszard is returning from the same post at the International Cup in 2011.

With several Irish players already living and playing football in Australia, around half the team will consist of players who won’t need to make the long trip from Ireland.

There are also a lot of new faces, with the 14 players selected to make the trip from Ireland having never played in an International Cup competition.

Of those players who are embarking on the quest to retain the International Cup for Ireland, O’Hara believes that a couple could catch the eye of the AFL world.

“Muiris Bartley who has played for both the European Legion and the World XVIII could impress or perhaps Ronan Geraghty who is on an Aussie Rules Scholarship at Sydney University and plays in the NEAFL,” stated O’Hara.

Although both the Irish Warrior and the Irish Banshees would love to retain their titles as the world’s best AFL nations outside Australia, they know that there’s a long road ahead.

“It would be nice to retain the title, but we know that the IC will be hard won if we are to do that.”

#warriorsweek #bansheesweek #IC14

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