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www.independentfreepress.com SPORTS & LEISURE Skating club hands out awards Pages 2 & 3 Halton Hills Community Newspaper New businesses open in town Page SL5 Special pullout section Friday, May 11, 2007 8 Pages Circulation 21,220 Cregan cracks Irish squad Pro lacrosse prospect also signed by Peterborough Jr. A side EAMONN MAHER Staff Writer 2007 has been a blast so far for Georgetown resident Michael Cregan thanks to the 18-yearold's prowess as a box lacrosse goalie and he can't help but feel that the good fortune of Irish eyes have been smiling down on him as well. Not only has the Halton Hills Jr. B Bulldog grad just been signed to play with the Peterborough Jr. A Lakers, he's earned one of two netminder spots on the first-ever Republic of Ireland team to play in the World Indoor Lacrosse Championships, to be held May 14-20 in Halifax, N.S. Cregan's dad Marty discovered back in January while surfing the Internet that Ireland was putting together an entry to play in the eightMICHAEL CREGAN team world tournaOff to indoor worlds ment and that Michael was eligible to play because his grandfather, also named Michael, who now resides in Paris, Ont., was born on the Emerald Isle. So Cregan flew to Dublin with his father in early February to attend the Irish training camp and made the team, but his play on the floor wasn't the concern. There was little time to process the necessary paperwork between government agencies to allow Cregan to be considered eligible to play, so the help of a couple of the family's cousins overseas was required to have the matter resolved in time. "We had some problems with the Irish embassy because they couldn't process things quickly enough at first, but it was just a relief to finally get it worked out," said Cregan, who grew up playing in the Halton Hills minor system. "To think that we'll be playing Canada and the U.S. in our first two games, with guys like John Tavares shooting at me, it's crazy, actually. I'm the youngest guy on the Irish team and I'll probably be the youngest player in the whole tournament." Grouped with the tournament favourites U.S. and defending champion Canada in the preliminary round, Ireland isn't the only neophyte in this year's tournament as England, Australia and Scotland are also relatively inexperienced. Cregan said he's been told he'll likely alternate the goalie duties with a 6-foot-5, 300-pound Calgarian. At 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds, Cregan relies on his quickness and likes to get the ball up the floor and Lakers' GM Lee Vitarelli said that he's one of the most technically sound teenage goalies he's seen. "The coach for Ireland (fellow Ontarian Paul Stewart) told me that after playing at the worlds, your Jr. B season is going to be a breeze," Cregan added. "And I said, `Alright, then I guess I'll just have to make Jr. A.'" With confidence as bold as his bright red head of hair, the Grade 12 Christ the King student has aspirations to play professionally some day. "I have a $10 bet with a buddy about who is going to get to the (National Lacrosse League) first," he joked. "I think I've got a good shot at that $10 right now." Rebels runners-up at tourney Placing two players in the top five, the Georgetown Rebels were a close second in the team standings at the first of three rounds of the Halton high school boys' golf championships held at the Glencairn course in Milton earlier this week. Luke Ovenden of GDHS shot a 76 to finish three shots back of the leader from OakvilleTrafalgar, holders of top spot in the overall team scoring, while Rebel Adam Salisbury was tied for fifth after a 77. Acton's Andrew Tressel checked in with a 78 to place seventh, helping the Bearcats place sixth out of 21 schools in the team standings. Andrew Cardin's 81 put him in the top 20 as well. Danny Duplantis and Andrew Albrecht each carded 84s to lead the Christ the King contingent. Warriors on parade Fifteen-year-old Patrick Salick of the host Georgetown team performs for the judges at the Battle of Warriors international taekwondo meet held last Sunday at Mold-Masters SportsPlex. Hundreds of athletes from Canada and the U.S. took part in the 14th-annual event, which is hosted by the local Ayensu's Olympic Taekwondo/Martial Arts Academy. Photo by Jon Borgstrom 2007 SIENNA CE ·3.5L, 266 hp V6 engine ·5-speed automatic transmission ·ABS with brake assist and Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) ·A/C ·Power windows, locks and heated mirrors ·Dual sliding doors ·Cruise control · Tilt and telescopic steering ·Illuminated and keyless entry ·AM/FM CD with MP3 player and steering wheel audio controls & more LEASE FOR PURCHASE FINANCING $ FREIGHT AND P.D.E. 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