Group Stage                                                                                   Quarter Final

JMU v Strawberry Hill     (0-0, 0-4)                                                   JMU v Brunel                 (5-5, 0-2)

JMU v Liverpool Hope     (3-2, 0-0)                                                   Semi-Final  

                                                                                                    JMU v Strawberry Hill     (0-2, 3-5)

I would like to congratulate all the ‘GAC’ girls on their brilliant performance over the weekend. Must admit the whole thing started in a bit of a panic on hearing that we’d been drawn in the same group as St. Mary’s Strawberry Hill (the holders) and Liverpool Hope University. Our first match against St. Mary’s was a tough one and JMU were just unlucky. There was no need to psyche ourselves up for the second match against Hope - it happens automatically. JMU showed those no ‘Hopers’ that there’s only one team in the ‘Pool.

The quarter final draw gave us a difficult game against Brunel (the second favourites for the cup, behind St. Mary’s). JMU raised their game and emphatically and unexpectedly progressed to the semi-finals. Unluckily for us (if it wasn’t for bad luck we’d have no luck at all!) JMU were drawn against St. Mary’s Strawberry Hill again. The cocky cockneys played good football, but most of them deserved an Oscar for all the diving and whinging they did (we’re not bitter!). Strawberry Hill went on to win the Cup for the 4th year running. But JMU did Liverpool proud and will be serious contenders for the title next year.

I would like to thank Dermot Breen and Sean Hackett (our stand in managers) for all the effort they have put in recently. Dermot, I’m sure Brenda thanked you ‘personally’ on Sunday night. Sean-what can I say? Coach, referee?! (in a Scottish accent) and transport co-ordinator for the Hope team (!!), you’re deadly.

Although I must admit the funniest part of the weekend was seeing wee Sean’s face when we all turned up Sunday morning for the semi-final, pretending to have hangovers! A definite Kodak moment. Thanks to our real manager Niall who has trained us to get us this far. Don’t worry captain Breda Travers and us girlies did ye proud lad! I must also commend the very ‘friendly’ relationship between the ladies and men’s teams. On construction of a league table (this is terrible!), Dermot Breen and Shaun Neeson are neck and neck with 3 of the ladies (?!) team. This end Raza McGinn is the winner with 3 from the men’s team.

Finally, I’ve one question to put to the ‘GAC’ girls.....

            ‘Who the f**k are Strawberry Hill?????’

(Orela Macken)