The winter polo season got underway at the weekend with the 2024 Sapphire Shield, hosted by the Downs Polo Club at the Clifton Recreation Groundsm with a golden goal deciding a thrilling main event.
Nine teams, including six local teams made up of Downs Polo Club members, took part in the competition, with polo played over three grades.
The Colliers C Grade final saw local sides Downs Blue (Erin O’Rourke, Haydn O’Leary, Craig Holman and Shaun O’Rourke) took on Downs Green (Bill Murfit, Chris Slack, Justin Rous and Anthony O’Leary).
The game was hard-fought with both teams giving it their all to take home the silverware. Upon the final whistle the score was level, so it was down to a penalty shootout to decide the winner, with Anthony O’Leary securing the winning penalty shot for the Downs Green side.
The Black Toyota B Grade round robin competition saw two local teams in Downs Hooper Accountants (Richard Marchant, Pip Gilmore, Cameron Byrne and Will Gilmore), Downs Silvershop (Peter Grimes, Katie Porteous, James Reid and Paul MacGinley) and visiting side FH Polo (Steve Kapernick, Jane Ament, Michael Fitzheny and Bingham Fitzheny) fight it out for the top spot in the B grade competition.
All teams gave it their all with Downs Hooper Accountants taking the top spot after two days of polo at the Clifton-based club.
By Sunday it was time for the AEW Horse Walkers A Grade final that saw local side, Downs Pursehouse Rural (Derek Gilmore, Damain Allport, Beau Skerrett and Jack Mantova) take on visiting side Colliers (Simon Beirne, Mark Adamson, Wayne Glennie and Dan O’Leary).
The A grade decider was played over two days, with the score at the end of the first day’s play level at six goals each.
Both teams headed into Sunday’s final with everything to play for.
A nail-biting game ensued with a penalty goal from Jack Mantova for the Downs Pursehouse Rural side levelling the score at 12 goals each with just 20 seconds remaining in the game.
The A Grade final went to extra chukka and golden goal with Derek Gilmore shooting out of the line out and straight to goal to secure the win for the Downs Pursehouse Rural side in the first play of the extra chukka.
The Downs Pursehouse Rural side were crowned the 2024 Sapphire Shield champions. Polo will continue at the Clifton Recreation Grounds for next two weekends with the Silvershop Bracelet being played on 20-21 July, followed by the Downs Shield on 27-28 July.
The Downs Shield is expected to be the biggest tournament of the season, welcoming an expected 16 teams to the Clifton club.
As part of the Downs Shield festivities, the Downs Polo Club is hosting a Polo by Tailgate event, in conjunction with Black Ram, on Sunday 28 July.
General admission is free.
