Congratulations to the Queensland Womens Team, winners at the 2002 Australasian Games held in Auckland, New Zealand; and to Easts Celts Narelle Saward and Renae Whitehead who were part of this team!

A good turnout at Fiddlers Elbow celebrated the efforts and achievements by both individuals and teams for the Easts Celts in 2002.

In recognition of their shining seasons, Narelle Saward, Nathan Ram and Shane Farmer dominated the club awards, winning two apiece.

Narelle, a Queensland Womens Team representative who recently received a QGFA Best and Fairest award, won the Easts Best & Fairest award for the second consecutive year, as well as winning Player's Player.

Nathan, the QGFA Best Under 18's player for 2002, collected the Club Seniors Best & Fairest and Most Improved awards.

Shane was voted Seniors Player's Player in addition to receiving the Most Consistent award.

In Reserves, Buddha (aka Jamie Byrne) added to his QGFA Most Consistent Reserve title by securing back-to-back Club Best and Fairest awards.

For outstanding efforts both on and off the field, Cathie Orgill was presented with the Club Member of the Year award.

Easts Award Winners
Awards Night Photos courtesy of Veronica Snowdon

Well the time has finally come for the mighty East's to say farewell to the mighty James Duffy, as he travels back home to the Emerald Isle. James joined East's back in early 2001, and since his arrival he has been a 'pailen post' (i.e. a solid base) for the club. He's off for a bit of travelling before returning "across the Irish sea, back to Mayo".

In midfield James held the team together on many occasions, and if it wasn't for his dedication and commitment, the team would have no doubt fallen away. Not only for his strength and skills on the field, but as he so painfully made us aware, his techniques as he managed our training sessions were, well painful (remember, no pain, no gain!)

Deservingly, James was crowned the Queensland runner up Best and Fairest at the Willawong end of year presentation awards last Sunday.

In closing, thanks James for your support to the club over the past 2 seasons. We will keep your place open if you decide to come back next year (as long as you bring back that number 8 jersey!)

Best of luck!

East's Celts GFC, Brisbane Australia.

On behalf of everyone at Easts Celts GFC, we would like to thank James Duffy for all his support and dedication to the club.

James has been a great asset through his 2 years of football, coaching and as a committee member. He finished last season as Senior Mens 'Best and Fairest' and this season among the leading Senior Mens scorers with 1 goal and 16 points. He also scored 3 goals and 10 points in the Reserves, highlighted by a memorable goal from a 50 kick-in against the John Mitchels in Round 5.

It will be difficult to fill his shoes with only one pair of feet and we wish him all the best in Ireland and in the future. He is very welcome back in Brisbane and at Easts anytime.

Cheerio James, from the mighty Easts Celts.

Easts Celts Reserves were denied a grand final berth after being defeated by reigning champions Harps in the 2002 Qld League Semi-Final.  Match Report

Grand Final Photos courtesy of Anthony Durrington

Gutsy performances by the Easts Celts Women and Seniors Teams unfortunately could not secure victory in Quarter Final games of the 2002 Queensland League contested this afternoon.

Easts Celts Women kicked into a strong wind in first half of their match against John Mitchels and denied a number of Mitchels scores with good pressure football to trail by a only a few goals at half time. Mitchels scored early in the second half to hold a commanding lead but this sparked Easts into a barnstorming display. Dominating general play, Easts laid siege on the Mitchels goal producing some excellent scores. Ultimately the lead proved too difficult to catch, with John Mitchels 5-5-20 defeating Easts Celts 3-5-14. Match Photos

Taking the field with 14 players, Easts Celts Seniors matched it with Souths in a tense first half. As the half progressed, both teams failed to convert scoring opportunities and frustrations surfaced; Souths were reduced to 14 with a player sent off shortly before halftime, where the scores were locked at 1-all. The arm wrestle continued into second half where scores were few and far between. With Easts trailing by 1 point late into the half, an attack by Souths saw a cross rebound from the goal post into the Easts net for a gamebreaking goal. At the final whistle, Souths 1-7-10 had prevailed over Easts Celts 0-4-4. Match Report  |  Match Photos

The Women and Seniors teams can be proud of their efforts this afternoon when the competitive Easts Celts spirit was on full display.

Easts Celts won the 2002 QGFA Toowoomba Cup defeating Souths at Commonwealth Oval (Griffith Park), Toowoomba on Saturday, 29 June 2002.

This years competition was decided by "best of three" wins in games for Seniors, Reserves and Womens teams. The Reserves match originally scheduled first was forfeited by Souths.

Kicking off a cool and windy afternoon, Easts Celts used the conditions well in the first half to hold a halftime advantage over Souths in the womens game. In a competitive second half, Souths eventually prevailed against a gallant Easts Celts team, 1-15-18 to 1-7-10.

This set the games aggregate at 1-1 and set up the Seniors match to decide the winner of the Cup. In a keenly contested and entertaining Seniors game between two evenly matched teams, the Celts held off a determined Souths side to win 2-12-18 to 4-4-16 and clinch the Toowoomba Cup for the first time in its four year history.

Capping off a successful day, the Irish Club Hotel hosted the post match celebrations on Saturday evening which carried on Sunday morning for breakfast and beyond...........

Thanks to Jim Couburn and the Irish Association, Paul Robertson and the Irish Club Hotel, Fran who organised publicity, Phillip Daly of the Toowoomba City Sport & Recreation Association who organised the field, and the Southern Cross bus company for transportation.

Three cheers for Souths who were gracious in defeat.

And finally special thanks must go to Cathie Orgill whose efforts in organisation had everything running smoothly and made this years weekend in Toowoomba an unforgettable event!

Related Links: Photos | Seniors Match Report | Womens Match Report

	Easts thank Fiddlers Elbow for their sponsorship

Thanks to all club members, supporters and the management of the Fiddler's Elbow for the club drinks night last Saturday. East's was hugely represented, and a great time was had by all. The proceedings started around 7pm and went on into the wee wee hours of Sunday morning - fair play to the ladies as well for their strong performance on Sunday after an equally strong performance on Saturday night! The dance floor was packed with the yellow and blue gems, and it even looked as if they were having a better time than at training?

As the night progressed, drink was taken as if lent started at midnight, songs were sung, hearts were broken, and after that, more drink was taken!! Thanks again for everyone's support in making this night one to remember........