North American Playoff Results
Sunday September 4th, 2005

More results to follow

Fog City Bring Silverware to the West
Ladies’ Junior A Football Final
Fog City Harps 2-14 Philadelphia Donegal 1-10

Aisling O'Flynn Goes on the rampage

Fog put in an okay performance in the first half of this game that was played in much more humid conditions than the Californian team would have been used to, just a little bit of fumbling let them down and Donegal led by two points at half time.

In the Second half, Aisling O’Flynn was able to either set up points for her team mates or get the ball over the bar herself with just about every ball she got her hands on. This allowed Fog to take the lead before very long with a point from a free by Rosie Carew.

Fog City were on a roll, scoring a total of 2-8 without reply during a twenty one minute period when Donegal never got a single score. It was during this time that Fog’s accuracy went through a bit of a dry spell, but scoring resumed when a ball worked all the way up the field culminated in a goal by Aoife Ryan, rolling so slowly over the line it seemed to wipe its feet before going in. It was swiftly followed by a second goal by Siobhan Dolan who booted it off the ground after by-passing the keeper.

Donegal’s scoring drought came to an end with a point from a penalty, and it was here that Philly’s defence started to come together, put the pressure on Fog City, and eventually salvage a goal as Fog slightly fell apart.

Very late in the game, Donegal secured a penalty, and since they were trailing by seven points there was no chance of this one going over the bar. It was kicked straight at goalkeeper Ashling Bryant, one of the last kicks of the game.

Cusack’s Demolish Boston Mayo in Intermediate Football Spectacle
Intermediate Football Final
Michael Cusack’s 4-9 Boston Mayo 0-7

This Cusack’s side had its work cut out playing in the humid conditions and with a crosswind that wasn’t helping their accuracy when it came to shooting. An early Cusack’s goal was the first of many attempts at getting three pointers, which was ill-advised at this early stage in the game since many subsequent scoring opportunities were squandered. Boston were breaking through occasionally, but tight defending by Cusack’s kept them out, resulting in goal number two taking the San Francisco team to a two goal lead at half time.

Boston pulled it together slightly in the second half, but Cusack’s were still on top, although there were still a few greedy attempts at goals where points would have been quite sufficient.

That said, another goal did materialise from Podge taking a 45 from near the sideline, launched into Seamus O’Gara who promptly blasted it into the net. Cusack’s were flying now, running at them at high speed and slicing through in mid field, although Mayo were still getting through often enough to cause concern.

As time wore on, Cusack’s more or less had the freedom of the field, able to take their time to look up and pass the ball properly. This culminated in Seamus O’Gara once again getting into the right place at the right time to intercept a high bouncing ball and punch it by the keeper for the fourth and final goal to kill the game and earn an emphatic win that will doubtless be talked about for years to come.

Referee: Gerry Kinneavy, Galway