Round-up: oneills.com GAA World Games Finals

After a hectic week of action in Waterford, the oneills.com World Games came to a conclusion at Walsh Park with eight finals played off in glorious sunshine before a large and enthusiastic crowd.

In the opening match, an impressive Middle East team won the Open Football grade, claiming the Sean Harte Cup on a 3-9 to 0-5 scoreline against Yorkshire.

Early points from Niall Rooney and Oran Doogan and a goal from Matthew Gorman helped the eventual winners into a useful early lead. Further scores from Corofin man Jamie Malone and Damien Kelly made it 1-4 to 0-1 before Yorkshire opened their account with a well-taken point from Conor Murphy.

Gorman left seven between them at half-time and Wicklow native Thomas Kearns found the net with a tidy finish for Middle East early in the second half.

Dublin All-Ireland winner Robbie McDaid added another major and although Eoin Murray and Portglenone, Co Antrim man Declan Doherty and Kerry native Kyle Griffin pulled back points, Gorman, Kelly, McDaid and Malone all registered on the run-in.

The Ladies Football Open title also went back to the Middle East as they defeated Asia by 4-10 to 0-1 with a commanding performance.

Two early scores from Megan O’Shea and a goal by Bronagh Murphy got Middle East off to a fine start and a free and another goal made it 2-3 to 0-0.

The winners walked the ball in for a third major just before half-time to leave Middle East in complete control, despite a gallant effort from the Asian side.

Shannon McLoughlin knocked over a free for Asia but there was no catching the would-be winners.

In one of the best matches of the week, Middle East completed a hat-trick when they won the Open Hurling final with a nailbiting 2-23 to 4-12 victory over Asia after extra time.

Simon Thomas and the excellent Eoghan Ryan (two) registered early points; Shane Ryan hit back with a brace but two great goals from Eoghan Ryan helped Asia into a 2-8 to 0-8 half-time lead.

At times it looked as if Asia would pull away but Middle East kept battling. Shane Ryan rattled the net for Asia with eight minutes remaining but Sean O’Connor responded in kind.

Asia thought they had it won only for Middle East goalie Jason Corcoran to drill home a goal in the dying seconds.

There was time for more twists, however, and a late score from Eoghan Ryan nudged Asia in front only for Daire Flanagan raising a white flag for Middle East at the death.

Middle East had a bit more left in the legs in extra time and won that period (two halves of four minutes apiece) by 0-6 to 0-1, Gary Tynan proving deadly accurate from frees and play.

Middle East made it a four-timer when their camógs won the Open Camogie title with an impressive win over Britain.

Early points from Aobheann Malone and Alannah Mullaney settled Middle East into the contest and an eye-catching score from Malone furthered their advantage before Rachael O’Connor replied with a super effort for Britain.

However, star player Melissa Lyons found the net for a tremendous goal which saw Middle East lead 1-6 to 0-2.

Lyons added another 1-2 before the break, with Mairéad McCarthy splitting the posts from long range for Britain as Middle East led 2-10 to 0-3 at the interval.

Lyons completed her hat-trick on the resumption as Middle East pushed on to win with a bit to spare, 3-11 to 0-9, and bring home the Mary Gavin Cup.

The New York camógs got the ball rolling for the Big Apple with a merited victory over USGAAA Southeast, claiming the Ettie Kelly Cup on a 1-7 to 0-1 scoreline.

Captain Claire Mahoney was in fine form, registering a hat-trick of early points for New York, with Gráinne Lavery also on target.

A goal from Sinéad McGovern put daylight between the teams, with Colleen Kerger the sole scorer for the American side.

The Division 1 International Hurling crown also went to New York, as they got the better of Pearse Óg from San Francisco in a well-contested final.

Dylan Kenneally and Liam Spillane traded scores early on, with Fintan McGourty driving over a massive point and Spillane finding Cormac O’Reilly, who hit the net eight minutes in.

Pearse Óg livewire Eoin McLoughlin pointed, as did Kenneally. The game was in the melting pot right to the business end but a goal from James Breen late on helped swing it New York’s way.

The International Division 1 LGFA final between Fog City Harps from San Francisco and France GAA was a fantastic spectacle, with the large French crowd bringing huge noise and colour.

In the end, the French won by 6-5 to 0-7, a scoreline which flattered them as they added two goals in second-half injury time.

However, France did play some superb, pacey football. Their movement was outstanding and in Amandine Dranguet, they had the star player on show; the attacker landed four goals and teed up another for Segolene Rivals, with Manon Gendrot bagging the final major.

The last match of the tournament was one of the best as Sean McDermott’s from Warwickshire saw off Eire Óg, San Francisco in extra time, 2-13 to 2-10.

The sides were level at 0-4 apiece early on, with the accurate Fionn O’Brien and Ronan Orford among the scorers.

A super point from Colin O’Donoghue nudged the Americans in front but a brilliant goal from Niall Gilbride, who slalomed through the heart of the defence, sent Sean McDermotts back in front.

O’Brien and Conal Doherty Fagan exchanged points before impressive Eire Óg goalkeeper Barry Cahalane found the net with another brilliant goal.

The nip-and-tuck nature of proceedings continued; Parker O’Regan then used his power to drive through and plant a powerful shot past Cian Quinn.

The Warwickshire men had a chance to wrap it up but missed a penalty and O’Regan popped up to fist over the equaliser and force extra time.

In the additional period, Oisin Doherty Fagan pointed but a goal from Michael Mannion proved crucial and the final score from Michael Bennett heralded a famous win after a magnificent contest.