The second edition of the Azur Gaels vs. Wild Geese FC Dublin match took place on the 26th August.

This friendly (but nonetheless competitive) encounter is the chance for the two teams to pull on their boots and get their skills back after a well-deserved summer break.

It’s 3pm and the organisers are on site to give the Biot stadium a quick gaelic makeover, including those all-important goalpost extensions for the umpires to count the points as the ball goes over the crossbar.

At around 3.30pm, the Wild Geese from Dublin arrive. They’re veterans to this event by now, and their squad has been bolstered an enormous inflatable goose.

After a brisk warm-up given by the two coaches, all the players return to the dressing rooms for a pre-match briefing, during which the different tactics and formations are discussed.

Referee Cédrik Piquot throws in at 4.30pm. This will be his first experience officiating an international match (or indeed any match) since his training course in Germany earlier in the year.

The tone is given from the outset and despite the late august heat, the Eagles and Geese are flying in at every opportunity. The first points are registered by the Wild Geese, who are proving very apt from the kick-outs.

But the Azur Gaels are not to be outdone and manage to come into the halftime break with a slender lead.

The second half throws in and a few tactical tweaks have been made by both coaches. The instruction given among the Eagles is to tidy up their passing and focus on taking their points whenever the opportunity arises. The score remains very tight throughout the encounter.

The tension is palpable in both camps, and it won’t be diffused until the final whistle that sees the Azur Gaels emerge victorious by the slimmest of margins: 4-7 : 3-9 (=> 19:18). The victory marks revenge for last year’s one-point defeat.

After exchanging handshakes and friendly banter, and the traditional team photos, the teams part ways… Only to meet a couple hours later for the equally traditional after-party at Ma Nolan’s in Cannes.

All proceeds from the match were donated to Greystones Cancer Support.

Match report by Guillaume Firmin