Michael Cusack ladies created history on Sunday 24th of September when they won their 10th ladies football championship trophy.  They also did the trifecta by completing a treble – winning all three NSW GAA competitions – a feat they last achieved in 2002.

On a day when all of NSW was on critical fire alert, a blazing sun and temperatures in the high thirties raised the tempo of finals day at Auburn.  Hot winds swept across Princes Park even at 10.30am when the Cusack girls took on the Central Coast in the ladies final.  This was a great opener to finals day and with the wind behind them Cusacks got off to a good start with 2 great goals – the first by full forward Angie Whitmore and the second by corner forward Lisa Kiwi Roper.  Despite playing against the wind Central Coast worked hard and kept in the game with some strong midfield play.  Eimear Foxe then added a crucial goal for Cusacks and the girls took a well earned break at half time with the scoreline at 3-5 to 1-3 in Cusacks favour.

The second half started and it was now Cusacks turn to face the stiff breeze which seemed to get even stronger as the game went on.  Central Coast took full advantage of this and attacked from the start getting another goal and some great points.  Suddenly they were right back in the game half way through the second half when they levelled the match at 2- 8 to Cusacks 3-5.  Cusacks were now having serious problems getting the ball out of defence but with Angie Whitmore and Etaoine O’Kane dropping back and helping out the defence things started to improve for the girls in red.  Slowly they got the ball up the field and when Angie Whitmore punched a great goal to the net Cusacks gained some breathing space.  Shortly afterwards Cusacks captain Marie Keating finally broke away from her marker to score a superb goal to give Cusacks a 6 point cushion.  However Central Coast were kept in the game with some great scores but despite putting the Cusacks defence under continuous pressure in the last quarter, Marie Keating’s team kept them at arm’s length down the finishing straight and were worthy winners by 5-6 to 2- 11. 

This was one of the best ladies finals seen at Auburn and it ended a fine season for the Cusacks girls who celebrated long into the night.

In terms of personnel, this was certainly a victory for team spirit, collective willpower and unity of purpose where the Cusack girls fighting spirit and never-say-die attitude came to the fore.  Best on the day were Angie Whitmore and Marie Keating in attack, Rosarie Holland in midfield and Etaoine O’Kane and Roisin Cooper in defence.

The ladies team was coached by Paudie Cooney and the ladies squad on the day was as follows: 
Angie Whitmore, Bernie O'Donnell, Daveena Doyle, Deanne Stephenson, Eimear Foxe, Etaoine O’Kane, Fionnuala Callanan, Joanne McDonald, Laura Connolly, Lisa Doyle, Lisa Roper (Kiwi), Lorraine Whelehan, Marie Keating, Michelle Gorman, Olivia McCreesh, Roisin Cooper, Rosarie Holland, Ruth Cahalan, Siobhan Toolan, Stefanie Kuhlee, Talei Owen and Yvonne Rooney

The Michael Cusacks camogie team played Craobh Padraig in their final at 1.30pm.  This was the first year that camogie was played in NSW and it attracted a large following.  Many of the Cusack girls had already played a hard game of football but they continued to play with the same passion and determination and Craobh Padraig were no match for the girls in red.  Rosarie Holland was superb in midfield and she was ably assisted by Roisin Cooper.  Captain Ruth Cahalan was totally reliable in goals and Laura Connolly could not be faulted in defence.

But the performance of the day was from star forward Marie Keating who gave an incredible exhibition of hard work, class and scoring ability with her 7 goals and 6 points in a game which Cusacks won easily by 9-9 to 1-9.

It was a proud day for manager Dee Stephenson and her team.  The team and substitutes on the day was: 
Fionnuala Callanan, Laura Connolly, Lisa Doyle, Lisa Roper (Kiwi), Lorraine Whelehan, Marie Keating, Olivia McCreesh, Roisin Cooper, Rosarie Holland, Ruth Cahalan, Stefanie Kuhlee and Yvonne Rooney