FECK, THAT FELT GOOD!!

Even though most of us played the 2 games, I'm sure it wasn't only me who felt like doing a slip-jig at the 45 after that well deserved win for the seniors!!

In a hard fought game, the East's Seniors finally got that needed, deserved and due win against Shamrocks on Sunday. I think the new strategy at training is paying off. We played some beautiful football in both Reserves and Senior games - I remember we broke down one of Shamrock's attacks in our own full back line and four passes later we had a beautiful point from our forwards - Magic!!

The Senior squad was one of the better squads I've seen out for East's this year. A few tactical changes to the normal line out worked in our favour. Our first half was not "good", but as Shane Farmer said at half time, it was BRILLIANT! We were up at half time but we did not let that go to our heads. "The only way to defend a lead is to attack it" (Mickey Harte, Sunday Aug 2). And we did that. Fair play to the lads for playing both games. We kinda died on the last 10 mins of the second half though, but what can you expect after playing the 2 games, in what was indeed a usual hot day at Willawong.

The victory was sweet and its been a long time since I've seen the East's men fight so feckin hard - keep it up men. There was no individually spectacular performance, but a special mention goes to the following:

Subs - men, thanks for the support and availability. Your as much a part of the team as anyone who was on the pitch.
Andy (keeper) - some fine work son.
Dave Ryan - showed he can listen, think and play excellent football. Well done for putting what we practiced at training into the game yesterday.
Jay - some fine football, and great discipline.
Matt - a definite asset in midfield.

In closing lads, the championship starts in 2 weeks and by next Wed night at training, we will need to name our squads for both reserve and seniors. Can everyone spread the word to come to training. We will train this Wed as usual (even though its Ekka day) but we will be finished at 8pm sharp.

I think that strong finish to the season that I asked for a few weeks ago is finally here.

Ronan

"Oh how ye tables turn"

Well, every East's Seniors player must have read last weeks report because the first half against Sarsfield's definitely put it to them. Unfortunately though, mainly through fitness (or the lack thereof), the second half went completely the opposite direction!

East's started like raging bulls in a china shop, holding Sarsfield's to level scores at half time. Ronan Harper saw his 45 effort drift into the back of Sarsfield's goal, much to the delight of himself and the supporters! But to their credit, Sarsfield's played some fast and well structured football in the second half to leave East's with yet another lost game in the Qld league. They're good, but not great dem Sarsfield's boys - East's showed them in the first half that they are not a team to be pushed aside. Lad's, lets get to training on Wed night and "keep er lit in 6th" for the last few games.

Toowoomba this weekend - that will definitely be a win for East's as they protect that Cup with honour. Thanks to the couple of new lads who stepped in on Sunday - promising players so keep at it (Budgie, we eventually forgave you for that sitter you missed on goal!!!)

One last thing..........Tyrone for Sam!!! Ye ha!!!

Ronan

SENIORS - "NEARLY BOIL THE KETTLE"

In a damp day at Willawong, East's Celts Seniors again put in a gallant second half performance, but just narrowly miss a well needed win in the Queensland League.

Even with the welcomed comeback from Stevie Ryan, and the goal striking new recruit Simon Redfern, the Seniors were 1 man down and only started with 14 men. Should be said though that it did not look as if the Seniors were a man down in the second half as the brave performances from the 14 men easily made up for the lost man.

But what about the first half? Well, yet again the Seniors seemed "last cab off the rank" as John Mitchell's seemed to flow through to goal. Fortunately for East's though, John Mitchell's men seemed to still be on the grog from the Saturday night as numerous shots at goal went wide. To be only 6 points down at half time proved fortunate for East Celts, and something must have been in the half time water because East's emerged in the second half as a different team.

Once again, a solid performance by Matt O'Neill in midfield proved a vital link between the forwards and the backs. Thanks to Joel Houghton for stepping in goal and pulling of some fine saves to keep us in the game. East's were taking no shit from the Mitchell's men, which was evident from the few rows that emerged on the field. Shane Farmer again proved invaluable and must have covered 100kms of running from the 2 halves! Thanks also to the ladies for running water.

Next week see the Seniors play the "fit-feckers" being Sarsfields and we must strive to begin that usual second half performance from the throw in in the first half. Bring it on......

Ronan

East Celt chances in Friday nights Brisbane Shield, Queensland's first Gaelic football match played under lights, were soured before the start of the game by heavy injuries, a number of players backing up (9) and players with other commitments (Ronan in Cairns). Mark Ram, Chris Woods and an injured Ash pulled on a jumper to make up numbers. Given these circumstances you wouldn't berate the team for a poor performance. However this could never be further from the truth. East's refused to give in at any time and it was a hard fought game from start to finish. Shamrocks were never given the chance to take total control of the game and this can be seen by the 2 points difference at the end.

There were many standout performances throughout the night with Shane running hard all night, Loic and Gus working hard in defense and Marc having a solid game in goals. Our forwards worked very hard, but for some very poor and inconsistent umpiring the score would have been different. Special mention needs to be made of those players who go out each week and do the job asked of them without question; Nathan, Adrian, David, Greg and Dov - without players of this quality East's would not be the club it is.

The game which was played in front of a large crowd started with Shamrocks continued attack in our back half. Our backs continually hit the ball hard, repelling those advances. The conditions on the night didn't help either side as there were turnovers, poor ball movement and lots of dropped ball. The first half settled down to be a tough contest, with both sides not giving an inch. East's went into the half time break 3 points down.

In the second half Easts were under enormous pressure and needed players to stand up and fight the game out. The edge was with Shamrocks as they were a fresher outfit. From the start of the 2nd half we hit the ball hard and attacked at every opportunity, which started to work in our favor. With ten minutes to go a Shamrocks player (without being red carded) kicked Joel in the hand when he was picking up the ball, which in the end penalised us as the ball quickly returned to their end of the ground. Being a man down in our backs they scored a goal to put them up by 5 points. We continued to play attacking football which resulted in an own-goal by the Shamrocks fullback. We continued to attack and seen to be getting the upper hand, but were unfortunate not to be able to convert this effect into scores. Our experienced players such as Shane, Barry, Loic, Conan and Mark all led by example which assisted the other players to lift their game and play to a level which our club can be proud of.

As I have said before both teams can hold their heads up high as they did their club proud. We as a club can't feel fulfilled by the reserve win, we now need to go on and prove to the rest of the competition what we already know, Easts are a tough, hard, skilled side, who refuse to give in.

We had a number of injured players give support on the night and I would like to thank them for their efforts (sorry Mick for hitting you with the water bottle). I would like to thank Veronica for creating the banners, also to all the women's team who turned up to cheer us on I would like thank you, the men's teams appreciate all your efforts (I liked the give me an e, E give me etc).

Neville Whiteley