JIM STYNES CUP REVIEW

Last Friday the 17^th March saw the eagerly anticipated annual event between the Gaelic Athletic Association and the Hong Kong Dragons. HKD10,000 was raised on the evening which is a fantastic effort and will contribute towards assisting youth via the Reach Foundation established in Australia by the late great Jim Stynes.

Despite being slightly concerned by the 30-40 spare interchange players the Irish recruited from the outskirts of Country Cork, between Cian’s incoherent pre match ramblings, Maddy’s glistening biceps and Kev’s multi-coloured shorts and skivvy selection we didn’t know what to expect from the Irish.

After a few years of defeats on the trot the Dragons were keen with some fresh faces to the international rules format including Sloth, Andy B, Clayton, Flemo, Coby, Stretch, Benny x 2, Jock , the Dragons decided to field a team of 6ft plus players (apart from Barbs, Maz) which made it tough with the round ball on the deck.

Big Stretch Archer battled well in the ruck and gave the smalls first go at the ball. Coops had limited supply but was probably the only Dragon to beat their man convincingly. Sloth and Hammer battled hard as ‘keeper, giving us a fighting chance. Sick of snaring goals in the corporate world, Justin “Bento-Box” Bentley decided to put through 8 behinds.

It was great to see Club President Barbs back in a Dragons top after a spell due to knee and oral injuries.

Some fresh faces at the Dragons and there are great signs for the upcoming international games in Shanghai and beyond.