IRELAND WILL MEET old foes Great Britain in the Grand Final of the 2013 AFL Europe Championship after easily accounting for Croatia in the last round of the group stages at the DCU Sportsground in Dublin 83 – 7.
Ireland led from the first goal of the match and were rarely challenged by an unusually subdued Croatian team. It was meant to be a battle of the two most physical teams in the tournament but Ireland’s swift ball movement and skilful kicking never allowed their opposition to turn it into a tight tussle.
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For Ireland, Captain John O’Regan was again tireless in his running and effective with his ball use. When the game was there to be won, it was Brian Roche at centre half forward who provided the focal point of the Irish attack where he was well supported by Ryan McCloskey and Brian O’Connell. There were eight goal kickers for the Irish in what was easily their highest score of the tournament.
Ireland have now won all three of their games for the tournament, as have Great Britain, who earlier in the day were far too strong for Sweden and sit undefeated at the top of Group B.
It will be an intriguing Grand Final, with Great Britain have nothing to lose having come into this tournament as underdogs against an Ireland team who will have to deal with the expectation of favouritism and the home crowd.
The challenge for Ireland will be in stopping Great Britain’s forward trio of Chris James, Sam Willatt and David Saunders who have dominated every defence they’ve played so far.
Great Britain will be spending the next two days contemplating how to shut down the influence of key play makers O’Regan, James Flavin and Paul O’Halloran.
The Grand Final starts at 4pm this Saturday at the DCU Sportsground in Dublin. Sweden will play Denmark beforehand at 2pm and Germany will play Croatia in the curtain-raiser at 12pm.
Ireland to face Great Britain in AFL Grand Final after overcoming Croatia
IRELAND WILL MEET old foes Great Britain in the Grand Final of the 2013 AFL Europe Championship after easily accounting for Croatia in the last round of the group stages at the DCU Sportsground in Dublin 83 – 7.
Ireland led from the first goal of the match and were rarely challenged by an unusually subdued Croatian team. It was meant to be a battle of the two most physical teams in the tournament but Ireland’s swift ball movement and skilful kicking never allowed their opposition to turn it into a tight tussle.
For Ireland, Captain John O’Regan was again tireless in his running and effective with his ball use. When the game was there to be won, it was Brian Roche at centre half forward who provided the focal point of the Irish attack where he was well supported by Ryan McCloskey and Brian O’Connell. There were eight goal kickers for the Irish in what was easily their highest score of the tournament.
Ireland have now won all three of their games for the tournament, as have Great Britain, who earlier in the day were far too strong for Sweden and sit undefeated at the top of Group B.
It will be an intriguing Grand Final, with Great Britain have nothing to lose having come into this tournament as underdogs against an Ireland team who will have to deal with the expectation of favouritism and the home crowd.
The challenge for Ireland will be in stopping Great Britain’s forward trio of Chris James, Sam Willatt and David Saunders who have dominated every defence they’ve played so far.
Great Britain will be spending the next two days contemplating how to shut down the influence of key play makers O’Regan, James Flavin and Paul O’Halloran.
The Grand Final starts at 4pm this Saturday at the DCU Sportsground in Dublin. Sweden will play Denmark beforehand at 2pm and Germany will play Croatia in the curtain-raiser at 12pm.
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AFL Europe Championship Croatia DCU Sportsground Denmark Great Britain Ireland John O’Regan Report