Sligo trio help Ireland masters to victory over Australia
THE Irish Masters International Rules side enjoyed a 2- 0 series win over the touring Australian Wombats side last week. It was the first time the sides had met since Australia won the series in Australia in 2009.
Tourlestrane’s Eamonn O’Hara ( vice- captain) and David Durkin, and Coolera- Strandhill’s Con O’Meara all played big parts in the Irish win. O’Hara, Ireland’s vice- captain, operated in the full- forward line and was a perfect target man. His 1- 02 ( 12 points in international rules) early in the first test in Kilkerrin/ Clonberne set the tone for the series and he was voted Player of the Series. Durkin, playing in the half- forward line was a constant menace with his incisive running and he landed 13 points in the second test. O’Meara’s winning of marks in midfield saw him win Man- of- the- Match in the second test in Cavan.
The side, containing many inter- county stars of the past like Declan Meehan ( Galway), Roy Malone and John Kenny ( Offaly), and Cavan’s Jason Reilly, were captained by Tyrone’s Damian Gormley. The management team of Jimmy Galligan ( Cavan), Joe Leonard and Eugene Bradley ( Tyrone), and Galway’s John Davin, had their side well- prepared for the Australian challenge.
Ireland won back the Paddy Gaffney Cup, a trophy named after the Denn clubman, Cavan, who represented Ireland Masters in International Rules. A tour to Australia is now in the pipeline.
Eamonn, who along with Declan Meehan and John Kenny, became one of three who has represented Ireland in International Rules at Senior and Masters level, said afterwards “Obviously it’s an honour to represent your country at any stage. We’re delighted with the win and it’s great to have a strong Sligo presence in an Irish side. The Australians brought great physicality, especially to the second test. While their problems with the round ball made it difficult for them, they competed fiercely throughout.
It’s huge to have an outlet for guys who still love to compete. The Masters provides that and to have an international dimension to that is fantastic too.’
Sligo competed in the Masters All- Ireland series this year for the first time in over a decade. They will have learnt a lot from the experience and with players of the calibre of Michael Moyles and Gerry McGowan qualifying to play next year, they can look forward to being very competitive.