HEAVY hitter James Connolly scored the winning goal at the 10th annual Cup of the Argentine Republic in a single exhibition match which took place at the AIPC in Phoenix Park on the first day of September.

The winning goal scored in this year’s close contest between Ireland and Argentina took place before dignitaries and ambassadors from a number of embassies and consulates based in the capital.

The single match tournament draws two countries together each year at the AIPC which have more than a century of shared history, the Argentine navy founded by Admiral William Brown of Foxford, Co Mayo, while in contemporary times, the main attraction has been polo.

“There is a great bond between Ireland and Argentina,” said AIPC President, Eamonn Laverty, who played in the match for Argentina. “We have a lot of people living here in Dublin, and many from the (Irish) polo world have been over to Argentina.”

Hosted by the Embassy of Argentina in Ireland, cultural food and drink flowed with Malbec wine paired with traditional empanadas and chorizo as Ireland and Argentina competed to win the 10th annual title.

“It was a wonderful match with excellent players,” said Her Excellency Laura Bernal, Ambassador of Argentina in Ireland. “Thank you all to the club, President Eamonn Laverty, umpires Siobhan Herbst and Leo Rossellini, commentator Lar Sheeran and congratulations to the Irish team.”

Eamonn Laverty, Jack Armstrong, Facundo Matilla and Javier Franck were first on the scoreboard for Argentina, however Barry Finnegan for Ireland quickly followed with a goal to tie in the first chukka.

Colm Kelleher for Ireland was everywhere on the pitch, backing up the first of two tie-breaking goals to be scored by James Connolly which would prove crucial in the match.

The score tied once again in the third chukka with a goal scored by Facundo Matilla for Argentina, which stood until James Connolly belted in the winning and tie-breaking goal.

The match was decided in the third chukka on a score of four goals to Ireland and three for Argentina, who failed to add even just one more goal in time for the end of the fourth chukka.

COMPETITIVE

“We had a very competitive time of polo with Ireland coming out the winners,” said Eamonn Laverty just before the Cup of the Argentine Republic was presented. “As part of the team for Argentina, we put on a good show.”

The cultural and sports exchange concluded with a demonstration of Latin dancing with professional tango dancers, Kristina Chaloir and Julian Brigatti.