Finley girls win 2012 Paul Kelly Cup
By Will Dempsey
Finley Public School has taken out the third annual Girls Paul Kelly Cup in an impressive one point victory over Lilli Pilli Public School at Blacktown International Sportspark.
Coming from two goals down at half time, Finley came out blazing in the second half- kicking three straight majors and stealing the victory.
Finley Public School, who travelled over 700 kilometres to participate at Blacktown, left it to the narrowest of margins, only sliding into the Grand final with a one point victory over last year’s runners up Coogee South Public School.
Lilli Pilli Public School were front runners on their road to the finals, breezing through their pool games and then having a two goal victory over Holy Spirit in their Semi Final.
In what looked like a foregone conclusion in the Grand Final for Lilli Pilli, they couldn’t hold on against a charging and determined Finley Public School.
An enthusiastic crowd of parents and support staff had made the journey up from the Riverina were elated with the result.
Finley Public School continues the strong success of rural schools in the Paul Kelly Cup afters previous years winners the Assumption School of Bathurst (2011) and Kings Langley Public School of Newcastle (2010).
Although Lilli Pilli Public School where unable to take out the major prize, student Kierra Griffiths managed to win the combined schools 50 metre dash.
Both schools had the privilege of having their medals presented to them by GWS GIANTS Fan Development General Manger Rebecca Shaw, who invited them to the GIANTS Round 23 clash against North Melbourne.
Mark Ayers, NSW/ACT Schools & Program Manager, said it was one of the strongest competitions seen in years.
“Over 1000 teams and 15,000 participants played in this year’s Girls Paul Kelly Cup, making it the largest field posted in history.”
The competition was narrowed down to 16 schools from across New South Wales who battled it out in a round robin gala day at Blacktown International Sportspark.
“The skills and standard of competition was more than impressive from all participating teams,” Ayers said.
Ayers said the girls “didn’t hold back” during the competition.
“It’s a strong indication that the game is growing and is gaining some prominent popularity with girls around New South Wales,” he said.
Grand Final
Finley Public School: 3.1. 19
Lilli Pilli Public School: 3.0. 18
Semi Finalists: South Coogee Public School, Holy Spirit Canberra
Quarter Finalists:St Thomas Acquinas School, Wallsend South Public School, the Assumption School and Willoughby Public School
Winner 50m Dash: Kierra Griffiths – Lilli Pilli Public School
Previous Winners
The Assumption School 2011
Kings Langley Public school 2010
The Boys Paul Kelly Cup round robin final will be played on Thursday 23rd of August at Blacktown International Sports Park @ 9:30am
