Michael Cusacks ladies football team won their 9th NSW Championship title in Auburn on Sunday 11th September with a sensational team performance against Irish Australians. The game opened in a fantastic flurry of dramatic action and hell-for-leather endeavour as the Cusack girls set a cracking pace, which their opponents could not match. With Cusacks mid-fielders Daveena Doyle and Angie Whitmore winning lots of possession and providing the forwards with amply supply of quality ball it was inevitable that scores would come. The Cusack forwards chipped over some beautiful points from every angle and range and also repeatedly won frees that ace kickers Aine McElroy and Cathy McCullough converted with consummate ease. Aine McElroy gave an incredible exhibition of hard work, class and scoring ability. The powerful, two-footed full forward scored a hat trick of goals which Irish Aussies never recovered from and she was ably assisted by fellow forwards, Cathy McCullogh, Jennifer McConville, Mary Shortall and captain Siobhan Toolin.

After this dream start Cusacks were simply rampant as they raced into a lead of 5-09 to 0-03 by half time. Irish Australians were hoping to put it up to Cusacks in the second half but the Cusack ladies continued their demolition job on any dream Irish Aussies had of a comeback. With all the forwards and mid-fielders getting on the scoreboard Cusacks ran out easy winners by 8-19 to 1-07, retaining the trophy for a second year in a row.

To their credit Irish Australians never stopped trying but with the Cusacks backline in control and clearing their lines admirably in the second half the end result was never in question. Wing-back Roisin Cooper and corner-back Tanya Carroll were as dominant as Cusacks hoped they would be. Ruth Cahalane did everything that was asked of her in the Cusacks goal, while Dee Stephenson marshalled her defence excellently throughout a game, which was over as a contest long before the final whistle sounded.

While Aussies will be hugely disappointed with their performance the reality was that Cusacks - who have played more finals than any other team in NSW - were the better equipped side. Aussies were totally steamrolled by a brilliant display that indicates that this Cusacks side were definitely the ladies team of 2005. Angie Whitmore was deservedly awarded Best and Fairest for her tremendous display in a victory that was just reward for Coach Laura Connolly and her team who despite all their setbacks this season have let their on-field performances do the talking.

The team and substitutes on the day was as follows: Ruth Cahalane, Tanya Carroll, Dee Stephenson, Cliona Ni Shuilleabhain, Roisin Cooper, Bernie O'Donnell, Aedamar Lennon, Daveena Doyle, Angie Whitmore, Cathy McCullagh, Sharon Reel, Jennifer McConville, Siobhan Toolan (Capt), Aine McElroy and Mary Shortall. Subs: Maria Doherty, Laura Scully, Sinead Gordon, Yvonne McGonagle, Karen Scully, Stefanie Kuhlee, Yvonne Rooney, Hillary Bright and Cheryl Bernhard.