The Mooney Cup ignited the Burdekin Football Club from 3 pm on Saturday, June 15, delivering extraordinary results and plenty of good times across the board.
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Anna and Brandon Mooney
Players with Anna and Brandon Mooney
The Memories Continue
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The Mooney Cup, an annual event in honour of ex-player Michael Mooney, who sadly lost his battle with brain cancer in 2019, brought International Park to life. Both players and onlookers gathered as the U23 Men and FQPL Ladies and Men showcased their skills in a jam-packed two days of exhilarating matches. Crowds eagerly enjoyed the action of the infamous Blue Balls and Rainbows Charity Match.
Played in great spirit, The Mooney Cup saw some friendly banter on Saturday night under perfect conditions. Rainbows took an early lead in the first half with a great goal from Chilli, boosting the team's morale as they enjoyed halftime beers in memory of Michael Mooney. The second half started slowly, with fatigue setting in.
About 15 minutes into the second half, a left-foot screamer from Puchy tied the game, leading to sudden-death shootouts at the end. Unfortunately, Rainbows succumbed to pressure when Weeksy missed his shot, handing the cup back to the Blue Balls.
The idea for The Mooney Cup originated after a Masters comp grand final night in 2016, where Hally jokingly remarked to Moon that even if he combined all three teams in the competition, they still couldn't beat the might of the Blue Balls. Combining three team colours led to the name Rainbows. Moon agreed to the concept on the condition that the event would raise funds for the Cairns bike ride for children's cancer, a cause he passionately supported. After Moon's diagnosis and passing, the event evolved into an actual cup and presentation in his honour, continuing the legacy of a great man and his dedication to fundraising for cancer research.
“All cancer is cruel, but if we can make a difference, hopefully one day it will be gone," said one of the organizers.
A heartfelt shout-out was extended to all the organizers, officials, bike riders, and the Mooney family. Good luck was wished to all riders participating in the challenging Cairns bike ride.
Contributed with thanks to Russell Hall.
Players of both teams with Anna and Brandon Mooney
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