Digicel Gaelic football finals this weekend

Friday, June 23, 2006

Buffers Alley and Na Piarsaigh will face off in the
women's final.

Qualification for the finals of the Digicel Gaelic Football League, set to take place on Saturday 24 June, went down to the wire recently.

With only Western Gaels certain of their place in the men's final, and with the three other teams in the league all still in the running for the remaining spot, the action was certainly hot in the final round of regular season games.

The Wolfe Tones needed to see off Cabra Gaels in the first game of the afternoon to keep their hopes alive.  Despite giving away a 5 - 1 first half lead, the Tones came within a single point of Cabra in the dying moments, but the Gaels held on for the win, bringing an end to the Tones' amazing League revival.

Next up, Gabriels needed a win against a somewhat depleted Western Gaels side, with captain Kieran Mehigan resting some of his warriors ahead of this weekend's final.

Gabriels played some of their best football of the season to come away with a comfortable win and keep their title ambitions alive.

The second men's finalist for 2006 would therefore be decided in the very last league game of the season. Unfortunately it turned out to be a very one-sided affair between Cabra Gaels and Gabriels. Two quick-fire early goals from Mick Kehoe, together with a midfield powerhouse display from Mike Hughes and Jason O'Driscoll, kept Gabriels off the scoreboard for large portions of the game. Gaels eventually ran out victors by a massive 15 points, claiming the remaining slot in the finals.

In the ladies' football league, Na Piarsaigh put on a huge performance to outscore league leaders Buffers Alley by eight points to two in what was a dress rehearsal for this Saturday's ladies' final. Buffers Alley is certain to heed the warning sounded by Na Piarsaigh's performance, and the final promises to come down to the wire.

The finals of the Digicel Gaelic Football League will take place on Saturday 24 June.

The day will kick off with a ladies' challenge match at 3:45 pm, to be followed by the men's plate final, which will be contested by Wolfe Tones and Gabriels at 4:15 pm.

The ladies' final between Buffers Alley and Na Piarsaigh will kick off at 4:45 pm, followed by the men's final between Western Gaels and Cabra Gaels at 5:15.

The season will be closed out with a after-finals party and awards extravaganza at the Triple Crown Pub.

The night will include the presentation of various prizes, including the awards for the ladies' and men's winners and runners-up, men's and ladies' player of the year, and men's and ladies' newcomer of the year (non Irish).

There will also be a raffle with giveaways including airline ticket vouchers, restaurant vouchers, and a Digicel phone giveaway. The players will vote for the player of the year and newcomer awards.

The Digicel Gaelic League finals will take place at the Rugby Club on South Sound.

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