Pics & Report from Amsterdam Rugby v Dublin Selection

  • Aug 14,2011

More photos can be viewed by clicking here - GAApics.com

Spirt of Sport

AAC Amsterdam is a Rugby Footbal Club with a vibrant and successful Ladies Team. AAC has been the leading rugby club in Amsterdam for over 80 years. In this time it has produced many international players, Men, Women and Youths.At AAC everyone is invited to play the game and train with one of our teams. As a club they are willing to try out new ideas.


Thisteam decided to visit Dublin and true to their ideals asked about the possibility of a game of Ladies Gaelic, and so the idea was worked on. With the necessary permissions obtained it was all systems go for a match on August 12th.

Parnells kindly hosted the fixture and afters in their facilities and the Dublin Executive put together a Dublin Clubs Selection XV by inviting clubs to represent the County against the visitors. Tony Fitzpatrick took charge of the team and Andrew McAllister was the official in charge. True to their spirit of innovation and new ideas, at least to the home side, the AAC girls had abrilliant warm-up to music which was repeated at the warm down and at the latter joined by the Dublin side. A lesson there for Tommy and his squad. It might raise more than a few eyebrows if repeated on All Ireland Sunday in Croke Park!

The game started out one side in the Dubs favour, but that was to be expected. Although AAC were bigger and stronger than most of the home side, their skills at LGFA rules werent honed and it was the nippiness of the Dubs and their ability to catch and keep ball which won through. By the second half though, AAC were getting to grips with the finer points of LGF play and began to putpoints on the score board. Their goal when it came was marked by loud applause from everyone present.

At the final whistle, the Dubs made a spontaneous gesture and formed a guard of honour and clapped AAC off the pitch which was a nice touch and the gesture was returned in equal measure. Then came the aforementioned warm down.

Back in the club after some refreshment, County Charperson Maureen King spoke a few words of thanks to the Amsterdam visitors. She presented them with the "Spirit of Sport" memento and noted that this cross code game not only opened doors to other sports but began a link with women in sport in Amsterdam. Nienke Ruepert thanked Dublin for the game in reply and said that her team was very grateful for the friendship shown to them and that she hoped her club could repay the kindness on a return visit to th Netherlands! Perhas well see Dublin playing with the oval ball!

Atthe wrap-up the AAC girls left for their bus and each thanked Parnellshost Tony Fitzpatrick in the customery continental fashion - three kisses on each cheek! That left Tony beaming!

Players:
AAC Amsterdam: Anita Clarke, Deborah Reurts, Elisabeth Geertsema, Inge Visser, Mara Moberg, Mirjam Steenbeek, Myrtha Pruijn, Nicole Misseldine,Nienke Ruepert, Niki Ankersmit, Sarah Toll, Stephanie Goijia, Rita Wiri, Tessa Veldhuis, Simone Guit, Miluska Bos, Linda Fransen, Sascha Werlich and Pien Selbeck

Dublin Club Selection: Kath Whyte & Marie Kenny, Ballinteer St Johns; Aoife Clarke & Mags Fitzgerald, Ballyboden St Endas; Kim Flood & Sinead Vivash, Clanna Gael Fontenoy; Enna Schutte, Sarah Egan & Eimear Hugard, Cuala; Ann MarieMcBarron, Kilmacud Crokes; Miriam Wynne & Moureen Fitzharris, LucanSarsfields; Pamela Kavenagh & Emily Hearne, St.Judes; Helena Reddy,Lorraine Kitt, Amy Kavanagh & Jennifer Judge, St Peregrins; AislingSpillane, Skerries Harps and Tamara Tarr & Vicki Ronning of Parnells.

Reporter Eoghan Mac Aodhagáin