Match Report of NSW Gaelic Football Ladies League Final
Location : Princess Park, Auburn, Sydney, Australia
Time : 1.30pm Sunday, 20th June 2004.

It was a lovely sunny winters day, perfect conditions for football. The grounds were perfectly presented, for what could only be described as the "Clash of the Titans"- Michael Cusack Ladies versus Clan Na Gael Ladies in the Ladies Football League Final.

Cusacks won the toss and they chose to defend the " Lower End" against the sun. The referee (Melinda Bright, Irish Australians) threw in the ball and it was Michelle Cole of Cusacks, who pointed it in the opening minutes. What looked like a promising start, turned out to be a very busy period for the Cusack backs, who defended admirable considering the pressure that Clan kept them under. This was due to a very strong wind and error handling by Cusacks caused by a very determined Clan Na Gael team always being in touch. However the backs and goalie, Siobhan Toolan, were outstanding and saved an onslaught of balls that left a few sideliners with a few grey hairs.

The half-time whistle was blown with a score of:
Michael Cusacks - 3.3
Clan Na Gael - 1.3

The second half got under way and still an equal matching of the sides continued.
It was here in the second half, that saw Cusacks really gelling as a team, with some great intercepting by the backs and the ball being worked up field to the forwards, who finished it off in great style. The last 10 minutes, really saw Cusacks pick up the pace with a raft of goals that sealed Clan na Gael's fate and left Michael Cusacks with one of the sweetest victories that they have savoured in two years.

The final score was
Michael Cusacks - 8.10
Clan Na Gael - 1.6

The scorers for cusacks were as follows:
Angela Kenneally 2goals, 1point; Sinead Gordon 2goals, 1point; Michelle Cole 2 goals, 1 point; Daveena Doyle 2 goals; Niamh Bonnar 2 points; Eimear Daly 2 points; Alison Hooban 2 points; Katie McDermott 1 point.

All of the team deserve special mention and they are as follows:
Siobhan Toolan - Goalie, who was non stop action woman.
Katie McDermott - Corner Back, for coming all the way forward and point scoring with the " bad leg".
Deanne Stephenson -Full Back, who played like exceptionally well.
Eileen Morgan - Corner Back, for flying back from Brisbane (with fans) for the game.
Lorraine O Sullivan - Wing Back who was outstanding and deservedly received "Player of the Match".
Fiona O Neill - Wing Back, who was the entire game almost play and pass perfect.
Laura Connolly - Centre Back, who made it look easy.
Niamh Bonnar- Centre Field, for finally having some belief in herself and playing out of her skin.
Alison Hooban - Centre Field, for getting a bang on the head and a yellow card to get "fired up".
Philly Mc Dermott - Wing Forward, for keeping her player out of action.
Michelle Cole - Centre Forward, for scoring and ball distribution.
Eimear Daly - Wing Forward, for scoring and distribution.
Sinead Gordon - Corner forward, for positioning and finishing so beautifully.
Daveena Doyle - Full Forward for great distribution and scoring.
Angela Kenneally - Corner Forward, for great turning, scoring and staying off the fags.

The substitutes were
Sinead Mc Mahon
Yvonne McGonagle
Anne-Marie Cummins
Betty Servis
Kate Radcliff
Clare Carey.
Special thanks to them for their great sideline support and water distribution.

Coach and trainer was Dan " The Man" McMullen, who deserves a special word of thanks for bringing this victory to the Cusacks Team and for being an exceptional trainer… Watch this space.

Mary Sexton, non-playing captain, collected the cup and thanked all involved.

Thanks also to our sponsors for their generosity and support, they are:
The Illinois Hotel, on Parramatta Road &
Durty Nellies, on Glenmore Road.

Celebrations are continuing as this article goes to press!