PAFS Ireland was delighted to enter our first ever Gaelic Football team for the All Ireland Inter-Firm GAA Championships. The new season began the first week of November and all teams that entered get a minimum of 3 games. Then, teams are graded for knockout stages based on performances in these groups.
There was a big increase in the number of teams entering the competition this year with 45 teams entering in Gaelic Football and 29 teams in Hurling. PAFS Ireland, with a number of competitive Gaelic Football players amongst the ranks, decided to enter the Gaelic Football championship this year. All four provinces were represented and PAFS Ireland were drawn in the Clare/Limerick division where there were eight teams in total broken into two groups. Within the PAFS Ireland group were Atlantic Aviation, Aughinish Alumina and Irish Cement.
Our first game took place on a cold winter’s night on at the start of November against Irish Cement. The team looked the part in their new white and purple kit and recorded an impressive victory in our opening game with Paul Kelly the star performer on the night.
The second game was held at the end of November against a talented Aughinish Alumina. The team put up a valiant effort but Aughinish proved too good on the night and showed why it has been successful in the competition in the past.
The third group game ended up as a no contest due to the opposition not being able to field a team on the night. However, with one win and one loss from the group stage, this resulted in PAFS Ireland reaching the Clare/Limerick semi-final stage of the Junior category.
The semi-final took place in mid-January against the University of Limerick (“UL”). With a six-point lead at half time, it looked like PAFS would comfortably reach the final but a rejuvenated UL came out in the second half and reduced the lead to 2 points. PAFS Ireland were lucky enough to pull away in the end to record an impressive win against a tough UL side. Junior final here we come!
The Clare/Limerick Junior final took the following week versus Analog Devices. Analog started the game well and opened up an early 6-point lead. PAFS Ireland got right back in it with a goal on 18 minutes. With only 2 points between the sides approaching half time Analog struck 2 quick goals to leave it 4-6 (18 points) to 1-7 (10 points) at half time. PAFS Ireland threw everything at Analog in the second half and reduced the lead to 3 points with 4 minutes remaining. Analog defended well in the closing stages to see out the game.
PAFS Ireland now had the All-Ireland Series to look forward to where we were drawn against Smyths Toy store in the All Ireland Junior Quarter Final. The game took place in early February and with an injury-stricken team, we were always up against it. Smyths started the game powerfully opening up a 6-point lead within ten minutes which PAFS could not manage to claw back.
No silverware this time around but a very successful first year for the PAFS Ireland team. A thoroughly enjoyable experience for all involved and we are already planning for pre-season training…..Let the excuses begin 😊
