Orang Éire ladies Gaelic football team of Malaysia were crowned South East Asian Champions at the second annual Guinness South East Asian Gaelic Games in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday May 9.

Players from Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia gathered to play Gaelic football, and over 120 practitioners donned their uniforms to take part in the men’s, women’s and children’s tournaments.

For the ladies, host team Orang Éire had too much for their competitors. A highlight in the women’s competition was the first time addition of a squad from Thailand .Congratulation to all involved in Thai GAA! In the final itself Singapore Gaelic Lions tried valiantly but the Orang ladies easily won the title by 4-6 to 1-2, with the MVP going to Orang Éire captain Jenn Collins.

Singapore Whites won the men’s title when they defeated Singapore Reds by a one-sided 1-8 to 0-1. Orang Eire came in third and Orang Eire Blue were next. A special mention must go to fifth-placed ThaiNam, a squad made up of player from Vietnam, Thailand and one dedicated footballer from Cambodia. Man of the match for the final was awarded to Joe Lyons of Singapore and MVP for the whole meet went to Singapore’s Conor O’Loughlin.

The children’s tournament was won by local Aussie Rules footie club Auzkick, who won the U-12 title when they beat Orang Eire by 2-4 to 0-0. The Teresa Ryan-led Singapore U-12s played their part in a great competition, but found the going tough against the two finalists.

Ireland’s Ambassador to Malaysia, Eugene Hutchinson, Guinness Managing Director Anchor Berhad, Charles Ireland & Peter Khemlani were among the spectators who enjoyed the GAA fare at Orang Eire grounds (Orang Éire are the first Gaelic Football Club in Malaysia) . Congratulations to all coaches, players and volunteers, and long live Gaelic Games in South East Asia!