BIG WIN FOR AUSSIES IN GALWAY

The next phase and second match of the AAFC tour saw the team head to Galway to play the National University of Ireland on Tuesday, 7^th October. On what must be one of the most picturesque sporting field in Ireland (the ground is adjacent to a river and a ruined castle), two days of consistent rain had created a very heavy pitch. Due to the heavy rain, points posts where unable to be erected therefore only “Overs” (3 points) and “Unders” (6 points) would and could be registered.
The match commenced in similar fashion to the first with the Australian side having the majority of possession but unable to convert and kicking with a slight breeze. The National University side rebounded strongly at the 4^th minute mark to slot through an over and register the first score of the match. They again attacked and slotted through a classy under and the signs weren’t great for the Australians ability to put a score on the board. That was until the 9^th minute of the first quarter when Toby Hazeldine slotted in a clever under to register the first AAFC score of the match. That seemed to spark the Australian forward line with overs to Buller, Watts and Woods. Woods pounced on a poor kick in from his over and ran the ball in to put through Australian’s second under just before quarter time.
Quarter Time
AAFC              2.3  (21)
NUI                 1.2  (12)

Kicking into the breeze in the second term, the match developed into a battle of the half back lines with both sides finding it difficult to penetrate each others defences. McGuinness was doing a brilliant job in the difficult in-goal position and Iezzi, Wilson and Jordan were providing plenty of drive into attack. Peter McGettigan slotted through the first over of the quarter at the 7^th minute mark after the Australians had butchered many chances. Ellis slotted through his first over for the match and McGettigan another a minute later and the Australian side looked to be taking control. The uni rallied however, and three late and clever overs, some from angles that impressed onlookers, had them still in touch at the long break.
Half Time
AAFC              2.6  (30)
NUI                 1.5  (21)          

The third quarter started similar to the second, with plenty of run and scoring opportunities being wasted by both sides, mainly due to the intensity and pressure from players of both teams. Horsborough broke the deadlock at the 7^th minute mark which opened the floodgates for the Australian side. Overs to Jones, Iezzi, Watts and another the Horsborough were reward for the dominance the Australians established right across the ground before Watts made sure they went into the break with a sizable lead after slotting through Australia’s 3^rd under right on the bell.
Three Quarter Time
AAFC              3.11  (51)
NUI                 1.5    (21)

With a sizable lead, Coach Bob Cross asked the boys to experiment a little with scoring options and get a feel for running the ball in. Many opportunities were wasted from errant kicks but the Australians now firmly dominated the match and continued to take risks. Horsborough, who was outstanding all day across half forward, slotted through his third over after a strong mark and O’Sign and Ellis also got into the act. Ellis finished off the match with a clever under with his team mates joining in for a coordinated celebration which again had their opposition scratching their heads. Another solid win to the AAFC produced smiles all round until the instruction was given to take a dip in the river as part of their recovery. The boys now head to Dublin to take on a talented county side before meeting the GAA Academy side next week.

Final Score
AAFC              4.14 (66)
NUI                 1.6   (24)

Unders:
Hazeldine, Woods, Watts, Ellis
Overs:
Horsborough 3, Ellis 2, McGettigan 2, Watts 2, Buller, Iezzi, O’Sign, Jones, Woods

Best:
Horsborough, O’Sign, Buller, Jones, Iezzi, Wilson, Ellis