The weather was not kind to the annual GAA tournament at San Remo on Sunday 25 March 2007 as the wind and rain was more akin to weather on the west coast of Ireland than the central coast of NSW. Nevertheless the wet and cool conditions did nothing to dampen the spirits or enthusiasm of the Michael Cusack teams who made the trip to the Central Coast.

First up were the hurlers who lost to Craobh Padraig in a low scoring game by 2-0 to 1-6. They then had a big break to reflect on how best to turn their luck around but it was not to be their day. In their next game they came up against a determined Central Coast side who had to win by 9 points to progress. This they did - and more - despite gallant efforts by the boys in red. Manager Eddie Maloney was disappointed as he had hoped that his boys may have been able to take home the hurling trophy that they last won in 2004. Team and subs who travelled to San Remo are as follows: Luke O'Brien (Cork), John Kirby (Limerick), Seamus Collins (Cork), Dave Fahy (Limerick), John King (Galway), Stevie Connal (Galway), noel Furlong (Cork), Barry Ring (Cork), Derek Keane (Galway), Frankie Stapleton (Limerick), Mike Naughton (Cork), Dermot Conway (Clare), Kevin Carey (Limerick, Donnie Broderick (Cork), John Lynch (Waterford), John Lynch (Limerick), Johnny Maher (Tipperary), David Maher (Tipperary, Bob Murphy (Kerry), Enda Hardiman (Galway), Jimmy Mulcahy (Limerick) and Jody Collins (Limerick).

Next up were the ladies team who were missing some key players from previous years due to retirements. Nevertheless managers Nadine O'Connor and Gavin Morris were determined that the girls in red would give it their all. Unfortunately the Cusacks girls were very slow to get to grips with their first game and they went down to Central Coast by 3-6 to 1-2. Their next game was against the eventual winners Irish Australians and it was inevitable that they would not be strong enough for the up and coming team in NSW. They fought hard and it was not because of lack of effort that they lost. Despite gallant displays by Stefanie Kuhlee, Geraldine Slattery, Mary Sheridan and Sinead Fitzgerald the game slipped away and the trophy that they had taken home on the last two occasions was wrestled from their grasp. The final scoreline was 4-9 to 0-1. The following girls made the trip to the Central Coast: Aishling McNally (Meath), Aisling Carvill (Dublin), Angie Whitmore (Wexford), Aoife McCarthy (Cork), Brid Nidhroighneain (Galway), Cara Connaire (Longford), Catherine McNeill (Donegal), Claudia Gormley (Roscommon), Denise Toner (Tyrone), Elaine Mullaly (Kildare), Ella Shaughnessy (Limerick), Geraldine Sherlock (Louth), Jamie Fitzsimons (Cavan), Kate Kelly (Roscommon), Mary Sheridan (Meath), Nadine O Connor (Galway), Niamh Moran (Meath), Norma Hurley (Cork), Olivia McCreesh (Louth), Roisin Collins (Meath), Ruth Kearney (Dublin), Sinead Fitzgerald (Limerick), Sinead Wilson (Cork), Triona Murphy (Cork), Stefanie Kuhlee (Germany) and Yvonne Rooney (Meath).

Cusacks footballers carried the club flag right till the very end and with all other teams out of the competition it was left to the boys in red to try and salvage something for the day. Managed by Conor Bourke this team was sharp and fast and playing with an urgency that brought them an early victory against Clan na Gael by 0-9 to 1-4. This was followed up with a well deserved draw against Penrith Gaels with a scoreline of 0-3 to 0-3 which sent them into the final against arch rivals Young Ireland. This was a hard fought battle in driving rain and wind and Cusacks bravely contested this final up until half time. They were unlucky to miss two goal scoring opportunities at the end of the first half and were two points down at the break (0-4 to 0-6). Hopes were still high on resumption but the game slipped away as the stronger team controlled the second period despite great work by Gavin Farrelly, Brian Dillon and Podge O'Reilly. Cusacks played with unflinching spirit and never gave up but the final whistle heralded another victory for Young Ireland by 0-10 to 0-4. It was a disappointed team that trudged from the pitch as they too, like the girls failed to retain the trophy they won last year. Team and subs was as follows: Michael Cahalane (Cork), Gavin Morris (Wexford), Padraig O'Reilly (Longford), Fergus Farrell (Kildare), Daniel Carey (Clare), Pat Nagle (Clare), Mike Murphy (Clare), Brendan Cleary (Clare), Ciaran Olwell (Meath), Alan Clarke (Meath), John McFadden (Meath), Gary Rice (Down), Mervin O'Brien (Meath), Aidan McCabe (Cavan), Rodger Gough (Limerick), Diarmuid O'Cadmain (Galway), Gavin Farrelly (Meath), Thomas Naughton (Galway), Shane Guckian (Dublin), Frankie Stapleton (Limerick), Mike Naughton (Cork), Philip Ryan (Clare), Kevin Nugent (Clare) Brian Dillon (Clare), Gavin Morris (Wexford), Mark Harte (Cork), Dave McKiernan (Cavan) and Garoid Confhaola (Galway)

Team Photos - Click Here