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The 9-aside Euro Cup takes place on the 8th Oct and 5 Lions have been selected within the 16 man squad. The Lions selected are Vincent Manning, Ian O'Sullivan, Brian O'Connell, Muiris Bartley and Brian Roche.

Well done in particular to Muiris Bartley and Brian Roche who will earn their first of surely many more Irish caps.

Also well done to Miriam Long who has been selected for the ladies team.

Friday - Our morning training session was cancelled today on account of heavy rain over night. All ovals were closed, and those who made it out in the bad weather were ushered off the grounds by Park Rangers. Not ones to rest on our arses, most Warriors made it to the gym and the pool, and footys were in hand all day. Player one-on-ones with head coach Tommy were up next, where we went through how each Warrior has been playing, the positives of their play, where they may need some improvement or tweaking, etc. All very positive, and the mood was good in camp. We welcomed the final member of the Warriors to the group, another former Leeside Lion Alan Coomey, and met for our team discussion. The assigned players went through their findings from watching how Denmark set up, whether they run the ball, hand-ball in the middle, kick long, etc., and we discussed how to enforce our style of play on the game. The match-day squad was announced, and the words 'Do or Die' were mentioned more than once. A loss now means our tournament is over, not an option to us. An early night was on the cards, and all focus was set for tomorrow's quarter-final against the Danes.

Saturday - This morning we were left to our own routines in preparation for the game. The well wishes were poring in, with squad members, who were rested, moving from room to room offering encouragement and advice for the game. The bus arrived and it was on to Blacktown Oval for our match. On arrival, the rubs and strapping were set up, as news filtered through that the ladies had another big win and had qualified for the Grand Final, another welcome boost! We went through our tactics, spoke in our groups, organised ourselves for set-ups, kick-ins, boundary throw-ins, etc. and all final preparations were seen to before we took the oval for the warm up. The crowd was bigger than usual, the atmosphere was building, and it was obvious that we had arrived at the business end of the tournament.

We flew out of the traps, Coomey and Goose were working hard and passing well, basic skill levels were high, and the tackles were hard, but we were met by a very well drilled Danish outfit, much improved from the team we met in the European Final a year previous. They were giving nothing up easy, and played to their game-plan of working themselves into better positions and hitting accurate leads inside the 50. At quarter time we saw the stats and it was split right down the middle, a dog-fight to say the least. The second quarter was an improvement on our part, with a few goals kicked, Seanie Mc Guinness and Paul Sharry very much to the fore on the wings, and Phil Bredin was a one-man wall at the back. The commitment to the footy was great, and the intensity was high. Cliff was causing problems at centre-half forward, and his work-rate was immense, making hard leads which freed up the forward line to take strong marks and kick set shots at goal. Larry Kavanagh was rucking well, and Davy Mac was kicking up a storm in around the middle. The second half started as the first had finished, with an added physicality brought to the table from both sides. Hard hits, shephards and tackles were the order of the day, and it was the Warriors who stood tall at the end of the quarter. With strong marking in the forwards from Fergall Mac Manus and Alex Whooley, coming from great work at the back from Quiggs, Heslin and Mick Carey around the middle, the Warriors were motoring well. A HUGE grab by myself led to my SECOND goal of the competition, and eventhough it wasn't as SPECTACULAR as my first, it was none the less a GREAT goal, and will be talked about (by me) for many a footy chat to come! The final quarter was another battle, with credit going to Denmark who were hard in the contest and worked right to the final siren. Daz added 2 more goals to his tally to round off a great performance by the Warriors, and secured our place in the International Cup 2011 semi-final! Warriors ab��!

Sunday - An early start again, with the Warriors in the pool for a recovery session at 8.00am. Great for the muscles and sore bodies, and especially with a long day ahead. Back to the apartments to change up, and on to the ANZ Stadium to watch USA v South Africa in the last quarter-final of the tournament, with the USA running out deserved winners in the end infront of a sizable crowd. Next up was the Sydney Swans v Saint Kilda an Round 22 of the AFL, and our Parade of Nations at half-time. The reception we received was amazing, with the Irish ladies and mens teams getting the biggest cheers by far! a lap of the stadium, with high fives, photographs and autographs the norm, and the odd tri-colour and GAA jersey (mostly Kerry) it was a great experience and one that wont be forgotten in a hurry. The game finished up, with the Swans running out winners, and we returned to our apartments for our last night in Sydney, before heading to Melbourne for finals footy!

Sunday - We started the morning with a recovery session at the Ian Thorpe pool near our accommodation. Ger Walls took us through some stretching exercises to loosen out the tight muscles after a long day of footy the day before, was exactly what was needed. There were a few small niggling injuries, but nothing major and the mood was upbeat and happy. We returned for a team BBQ and Davey McElhone was presented with the GWS Orange t-shirt, a symbol of our Hardest & Fairest player, voted for by the other players. Well deserved i must say. The rest of the day we had free, so i took in some of the sights Sydney has to offer, and got a spot of shopping done too. A relaxing day overall.

Monday - We moved to our new apartments today, a welcome change. 42' Flat screen TVs, full kitchen units with washing machines, dryers, dishwashers... all the comforts of home! We dropped off the bags and had no time to hang around, off to Blacktown Oval to watch Denmark v Sweden in Round 2 of the competition. Tommy and Buzz split us into 2 teams and assigned homework for us; i.e. watch how the teams set up, their style of play, who was dangerous, did they kick long or hand-ball a lot, were they a hard-running team, did they zone up or go man-on-man for kick ins, etc. It was a good exercise, and will help us in our games against these 2 teams. Also today, we had our own training session in Blacktown. Nothing too heavy, but a few light runs with footy in hand, some hand-balling and kicking drills with support play, it was good to get a run out. We stuck around for the women's team's first game of the tournament v Canada, and watched the Irish girls smash the opposition! Some very impressive displays from our girls, with a distinct style of hard-hiitng mixed with hard-running, saw them run out comfortable winners in the end. The day finished up with a relaxing night in the new apartments, and the poker school got into full-flow with Rambo and Hicks handing out lessons for a small fee!

Tuesday - We had a tour of the SCG (Sydney Cricket Ground and home of the Sydney Swans) today, given by our old friend Mick Martin. We visited the dressing rooms, warm up areas, saw the management offices, team lounge, and met some of the Sydney Swans players.We were given a run down on the video analysis and stats review that each AFL Club goes though, and to say we were impressed would be an understatement! It was amazing to see their attention to detail, from possessions and disposals for each player - down as far as where each passage of play originated and finished up. It was amazing. Quiggs led us up the race and out on to the Ground to round off a great tour. Thanks Mick! The Swans put on a BBQ for all teams in attendance, and a meet and greet session was set up with the Swans players. They gave us their views on the International Cup and answered some questions about the professional life of an AFL player. We followed that with a full oval training session, again with focus on support running and high quality skills. With our focus now squarely on tomorrows game v Sweden, we finished out the session with some set-ups and tactics. The matchday squad was announced that evening, with a few players resting until Saturday's game v Denmark. There were no surprises or sour lads, everyone is firmly behind the team now, and each of the lads aksed to sit this one out were in around the lads named in the squad, offering their well-wishes and advice. Great to see.

Wednesday - There was an early start for those who weren't named in the matchday squad; a photo shoot with Tadhg Kennelly & Chris McKeigue, the 2 Irish players from the Sydney Swans. The media circus was in full flow, with local and national newspapers in attendance aswell as photgraphers from the AFL and elsewhere. The Swans lads stuck around long enough to wish the squad the best on their arrival, and posed for photos, signed footies and guernseys, and spoke to the media about the competition before returning to their own training. Our preparations began in the rain, and each of the groups (backmen, middleman, forwardmen) went through their routines of how to set up, sorting match-ups, when to interchange, etc. The strapping was strapped, the rubs were rubbed, the muscles were stretched... it was time for footy! We flew out of the traps in the first quarter, with David Stynes and Mick Finn playing commanding roles, and Paul Sharry playing his best footy yet. Couple that with Manus and Wallsy up front, and John Heslind and Quiggs at the back, the Swedes didn't know where to loook for answers. The second quarter was more of the same, with Brendan Nannery and Kevin O Brien shining in around the middle, Toasty and Daz doing all the hard work, taking hits and winning dirty ball up front, and Roch Hanmore marshelling our defence. We looked comfortable at half-time, but we wouldn't settle for that, as percentages would tell a lot come finals time. Feagal Purcell and Rambo kept the scoreoard ticking over, and with Lenny and Coffey giving up nothing in the backs, we were motoring well at 3/4 time. We added a few goals towards the end, including a monster goal from Manus on the 50 to push us over the 100 mark. It was a good feeling to have another win under the belt, and competition for places is tough going into the Denmark game. The ladies team clapped us off the oval, and we thanked our supporters who came out in the rain to shout for Ireland. Next it was back to the pool for recovery, and no time to waste, as Header had secured a slot on Channel 10 news and weather! We scrubbed up, ate well, and travelled to Darling Harbour to go out live across Australia singing our team song! (Cringe!). Again, no rest for the wicked, it was on to the Irish Consulate in Sydney, where we were met with a proper Irish welcome, Sam the Butcher and Dan the Baker combining to provide sausage-rolls, black and white pudding, mince pies and the likes! Catr��ona welcomed us, congratulated us on our wins, and wished us all the best in the rest of our games, and Header thanked the Irish community in Sydney for everything they had done for us. It was a nice finish to a great day, and it was fitting to see Quiggs presenting an ARFLI Footy, signed by both the men's and women's teams, to Catr��ona under the banner of the Irish and Australian flags.

Thursday - A recovery session at Coogee Beach, our home away from home at this stage. The salt-water and cold temperatures were exactly what our bodies needed, and a welcome shock to the system! No major injuries to report again, which is great as the competition moves on towards the business end. The evening was split between some lads travelling to Blacktown to support thw women's team against Australia, and others opting to rest after the long day the day before. Later that evening it was on to PJ O Brien's (no, it's not named after our fellow Leeside Lion) for a cracking meal, organised by the Sydney based lads. It was movie night back in the appartments, and some lads sneaked away for a card-game too. Overall, a relaxing day, much deserved!

Thursday - We were up early today to meet with International Cup Ambassador, and former Sydney Swans captain, Brett Kirk. He went through some drills with us, gave us some home-truths about footy, what is expected of a footy player when he takes the field, how to beat your opponent, playing your role for the team, etc. It was an informative session, a nice light run out to loosen the legs, and a good start to the day. We headed to Trumper Park again for 4pm, to run through match day formations and play set-ups, and Buzz and Tommy spoke to the groups (backmen, middlemen and forwardmen) about their roles in each position. We jogged across to our own oval for our full session, and with all players now in attendance, it was a great run out. The professional approach is amazing, with every detail catered for, and every drill done at match pace. Hand-ball drills with focus on supporting the man with the footy, creating a '2 on 1' option, crumbing from ruck contests, shepharding with voice, kicking on the run through traffic in the corridoor... all drills that are beneficial in a game. We finished up the session and the team went for food afterwards, laid on again by the UTS Bats.

Friday - Quiggs had an early start to the day at the captain's call at Luna Park in Sydney Harbour, while the rest of the team had the morning off. Quiggs was posing with the backdrop of The Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House, while i was off doing the sights around the city. A nice way to start the day, and a good way to lead us into the opening function gala that night. The opening ceremony was held in Luna Park later that evening, and all teams were in attendance. It was great to have a meet and greet like that, and a chance to size up the opposition! Not being the tallest warrior here, it's safe to say it was daunting to see the physical size of some of the teams, but we were quietly confident in our own abilities within our squad. The ceremony was great, with a traditional welcome from the indigenous people of Sydney, and a rendition of 'Advance Australia Fair' by Shanell Dargun, coupled with speeches from Brett Kirk, from AFL General Manager of National and International Game Development David Matthews, AFL Commissioner Sam Mostyn and Australian Prime Minster Julia Gilliard. Some videos were played of IC08 and of Brett Kirk's trip around the world promoting the International Cup. We finished the night by returning to the hostel, where Tommy announced the starting teams and squads for the following days games. Quiggs starts at Centre-half back against East-Timor, Goose at half-forward flank, and I start in around the middle as ruck-rover, a new role, but one where i will hopefully get a lot of ball! In the second game against Great Britain i begin on the interchange, with Quiggs and Goose sitting out, and Feargal Purcell taking the deserved role as captain.

Saturday - Up early this morning for team breakfast and a quick run-through of tactics for ball-ups, kick-ins, boundary throw ins, etc., and then it was down to the bus for our trip out to Blacktown International Sports Park, home of the new AFL Franchise, GWS Giants. Our first game was at 12.00 versus East Timor, an unknown team, so preparations were in full flow, with strapping, rubs, chiropractic adjustments, final team speeches, stretches and drills. Then, our International Cup 2011 began. East Timor battled hard, but were out-weighed physically and lost out in height to our talls at ruck, Centre half forward and Full forward. Being honest, it wasn't much of a test for our team, but credit to the Timor lads, the battled right throughout the game, and their 'never-say-die' attitude must be respected. Personally, i enjoyed my role in around the guts, and got on a bit of ball too. Quiggs had his usual big grab with a dramatic fall to the ground, and Goose kept the scoreboard ticking over, which earned him a mention in the Best on Ground list.

Great Britain were a different kettle of fish entirely, a much more physical presence, with good skills and hunger for the footy. The smothered, tackled, marked, bumped and hit our boys, to which we responded with the same. A close 15mins of footy gave us a narrow lead at the short siren, 13 points to 6. The second half began much the same, but we began to hit leads, we didn't over-do the hand-balling, and made correct decisions at key times in the game. I got a run in around the half-forward flank, and managed to grab a snap shot around the body for my first goal of the competition, and, in my personal opinion, the greatest goal of the competition so far (!), which Header promptly awarded to Feargal Purcell! (Cheers Header!). All in all, we ran out comfortable winners in the end, 56 to 6, which ranked us at 2nd place, and paired us with our friends the Swedish and the Danes in the next rounds of IC11. Having watched the Swedes play New Zealand yesterday, the look like a good outfit, and the Danish side were impressive against South Africa also, so it makes for an interesting run in from here.

We left after our games to head out to Penrith Gaels GAA Club, who put on a great spread for us; full dinner and drinks, and welcomed us into their club. Add a few sing-songs and some photos, it was a great experience for us. The night was finished with some team bonding as we watched the footy on TV, and sampled some of Sydney's Pub's and bars. Drinking was kept to a minimum, but lads enjoyed themselves and it was good to blow off some steam after a great start to the competition.

Tuesday - The rest of the Irish based lads arrived early today, there was a great buzz about the camp, and the spirit is beginning to build. We had the morning off today, so i took a trip out of Sydney for some tourist sight-seeing, went out to The Blue Mountains. Some lads visited Sydney Harbour, and the majority went to Bondi for a few kicks, a swim, and to spot the talent on show!

We met up again at 4.30 to travel to our partner club team, UTS Bats' training ground, to go through some team trademarks, meet some more Aussie based lads, and our new coach, current GWS Giants development coach, Buzz. He gave us the run-down on what he expects, and how we're going to achieve it. Tommy (head coach) did the same, and took us for some drills on Trumper Park Oval. Skill level was up, fitness was good, and intensity was high. We joined the UTS Bats for their session next, with no less than 40 players out training! A great session overall, and exactly what the doctor ordered to be honest. We went to the UTS Bats local haunt for a meal afterwards, where we were given a warm reception from the staff at Dirt Nelly's, and gifts of free t-shirts!

Wednesday - Paid a visit to the famous Paddy Markets in Sydney city centre today, just for a browse around and to kill time before our skills session later. We traveled to the University of New South Wales for that, with a perfect Oval and superb weather for footy. With 23 of the squad available (6 still to arrive, 5 working), it was a great session. All focus was on ball handling, kicking, working it out of tough situations, supporting the man on the ball by giving an option for the pass, putting on a shephard, drawing a marker to you, plenty of voice... the stuff we all love to do, and what is needed from every player. We finished the session with a short (not!) trip to Coogee Beach again for a dip in the ocean, where we met Sydney Swans'Canadian Ruckman Mike Pyke, who was taking a recovery dip aswell. We wished us all the best and gave us some advice for the tournament. Sound lad.

Later in the evening we had a team BBQ at our accomodation, and our team guernsey presentation. Eoin 'Aussie' Sull was presented with No.19, James 'Goose' Flavin was presented with No.22 and named as Warriors Vice-Captain, and Cian 'Jay' Quigley was presented with the captain's No.1 guernsey. It was a good night, great to see the team gelling together, with lads striking up friendships with other lads they hadn't met before, starting the ribbing and winding up, etc.

Gearing up for tomorrow, where we meet International Cup Ambassador, and former Sydney Swans captain Brett Kirk, for a photoshoot and some skills work and team building work. That, followed by another training session with the UTS Bats, makes for another great day ahead!

Saturday - Took off from Dublin to Sydney (via Abu Dhabi) today, and managed to get bumped up to Business Class for the long-haul flight! Massage chair, free anytime kitchen, beds... the whole shabang! Couldn't have asked for better! Arrived in Sydney around 6.30pm

Sunday, local time and went to our accomodation, where we met with the members of the squad who had already arrived. We went for a stroll around the city centre, and watched a DVD before turning in for an early night.

Monday - We went for an un-official training session today at Coogee Beach. 13 of us in all, 4 Aussie based lads and 9 Irish based. (The rest of the party joining us tomorrow and Wednesday). Warmed up with a 4.3km jog with stretches, and went through some handball drills afterward. Focused on quick hand-balling, voice and supporting the man on the ball. Went into a possession game next, still with handball, and progressed into a kicking game. Finished the session with some light contesting marks with strong leading and place kicking.

It was great to get out for a kick, get the body up and running again. Also, the Aussie based lads' skills are top notch, and their drills are spot on. No doubt they'll be incorporated into many a Lions session, with the approval of Grinch of course!

After the session we took a dip into the Coogee beach to cool down. It was class to say the least.

Later in the evening the players went for a bonding session, 10-pin-bowling. Needless to say, the Lions were to the fore with Goose the outright winner, Aussie in 2nd place, and Quiggs a respectable last! Thank Christ he's good at footy! Met a few more of the Aussie based lads at the bowling, some great charcters in the group. With the rest of the crew to arrive tomorrow, things are coming together nicely!

That's all for now, hitting the hay now. Training session tomorrow with the UTS Bats, our host Club, and the home of many a travelling Lion over the years. I'll keep ye posted with the progress!

Best of luck to Cian Quigley and Eoin O S��illeabh��in as the two Leeside Lions players selected for Ireland in the World Cup in Sydney and Melbourne, which starts on Saturday the 13th of August. No doubt the two of you will have a huge part to play in the Irish teams achievements. Further congrats to Cian Quigley who has been selected as captain once again. We expect more of the rousing speeches we witnessed in 2008.

Hopes are high for Ireland as they have by far the strongest team in their history of the competition. To keep up to date you can follow the official website www.ic11.com.au and the associated facebook page for the competition. You can also follow the official twitter page for the competition which will have live tweets during all games. Lastly, Cian and Eoin will be taking over the Leeside Lions twitter page to tell us they're thoughts throughout the tournament.

Once again lads... best of luck. All the Leeside Lions are behind you!