Cusack ladies travelled to San Remo near Gosford in great spirits
on Sunday 20th of March 2005 for the Annual Central Coast tournament.

First game up was against Irish Australians. Cusacks started well with Angie Whitmore firing them ahead after five minutes with two good points. This was closely followed by a sweetly taken '45 by Niamh Bonar. Cusacks looked strong at this stage and were attacking with venom. A great ball was quickly delivered from mid-field into the full forward line where Aine McElroy was on hand to score a fine goal. Daveena Doyle then added another point to the tally. It seemed Irish Aussies had no answer to the Cusack onslaught as Oonagh Magennis dispatched a goal and a point in quick succession followed by a point from Aine McElroy. The score at half time was 2-6 to 0-0 and Cusacks knew that this lead had to be built on in the second half. Quickly after the restart the ever-reliable Aine McElroy duly obliged by slotting over another point. With the breeze now behind them the Irish Aussies made a short comeback by scoring 2 points. Their comeback was to be short lived, however, as Niamh Bonar and Oonagh Magennis extended the lead as they tipped over a point each, while Aine McElroy edged Cusacks further ahead with another fine goal. Two more points from Niamh Bonar and Sinead Gordon completed the scoring as Cusacks ran out easy winners by 3-11 to 0-2.

Due to the big margin of victory against Irish Aussies Cusacks secured a place in the final so in their next game against Clan na Gael some new players and team formations were trialled. It was a tough game in which Cusacks were first to score when Tara O'Neill got on the score sheet with a good point. Despite an improved performance in the second half, Clan's superior performance in the first half proved decisive with Cusacks going down by 2-3 to 0-1.

Finals time dawned and there was a lot at stake. After the loss to Clan earlier in the day and to avenge last year's defeat Cusacks were determined to come out winners especially for Captain Niamh Bonar who was heading back to Ireland. Their determination and hunger to win was evident throughout the game. Backed by the breeze in the first half Cusacks made the most of their scoring chances. Aine McElroy opened the scoring with a point two minutes into the game. Within minutes Daveena Doyle landed another point and in the fifth minute it was once again the Antrim woman Aine McElroy who found the back of the net for Cusacks. Angie Whitmore, Sinead Gordon, and Aine Mc Elroy added further points before Clan found their feet to score a point twelve minutes into the game. Four minutes later the hardworking Niamh Bonar had Cusacks another point ahead and this was followed by a great goal from Sinead Gordon who raced into the danger zone and finished clinically to the net. Further points were added to the tally before half time with Oonagh Magennis getting on the score sheet and Davenna Doyle slotting over a long range effort to leave the girls in red leading at half time by 2-9 to 0-1.

Cusacks faced the challenge of a stiff breeze in the second half and a big push and more scores were expected from the pink ladies of Clan who duly added a goal and a point to their scoreline. A fine point notched by the ever-dangerous Aine McElroy settled the Cusacks girls and almost immediately Angela Kenneally won possession and sent a screamer into the bottom corner of the net. Clan na Gael answered back with a point, subs were introduced, challenges sparked, the tempo was upped as they tried hard to take the game to the Cusacks as, but it was not their day. Cusacks mid-fielders and defenders worked overtime to hold out the onslaught and it was only fitting that Cusacks captain and star player Niamh Bonar (best and fairest winner) should complete the final scoring act with a great point. It was a glorious victory for Cusacks as they regained the Central Coast trophy they last won in 2002. The smiling faces at the end said it all as they ran out easy winners by 3-11 to 1-3. Cusacks won the battle at midfield, their forwards worked hard and unselfishly and their tight defence was rock solid throughout an entertaining game. From Aine McElroy at full forward to goalkeeper Siobhan Toolin there was not a weak link in this team. Everyone played their part and the girls on the sideline were also generous with their support. All were jubilant at the final whistle as there was little doubt that Clan had earmarked this encounter as one they would win. Cusacks played with great heart and spirit and teamwork was the cornerstone of this win.

The victorious Cusacks were captained by Niamh Bonar from Tipperary, trained by Ally Gormley (Cavan), Shelly Hart (Offaly) and Grainne Keating (Offaly) and managed by Paudie Cooney (Cork). The ladies squad who travelled up the coast was as follows: Aine Fox (Cavan), Aine Mc Elroy (Antrim), Alma Kavanagh (Donegal), (Angela Kenneally (Kilkenny), Angie Whitmore (Wexford) Anna Beresford (Waterford), Bernie Frawley (Clare), Bernie O'Donnell (Mayo), Carma O'Connor Dunne (Meath), Camilla Murray (Roscommon), Cliona Ni Shuilleabhain (Dublin), Davenna Doyle (Sydney), Eileen Morgan (Cork), Elaine Fitzgerald (Tipperary), Helena Power (Waterford), Karen and Laura Scully (Dublin), Laura Connolly (Galway), Mary Breen (Cork), Mary Hogan (Clare), Mary Sexton (Cork), Niamh Bonar (Tipperary), Oonagh Magennis (Armagh), Sinead Gordon (Mayo), Sinead Griffin (Limerick), Siobhan Toolan (Sligo), Stefaine Kuhlee (Louth), Stephaine Murray (Wexford), Tanya Carroll (Wicklow), Tara O'Neill (Clare) and Theresa Boland (Offaly).