With a large crowd present at Field 2 in Palermo, the Final Round of the National Intercircuit Handicap Championship for the República Argentina Cup took place on Saturday, March 29. This prestigious tournament featured 16 teams with handicap valuations ranging from 16 to 23 goals, celebrating the essence of federal polo.
In a thrilling finale, La Irenita claimed victory with a narrow 13-12 win over Las Rosas La Natividad. The winning team benefited from a 5-goal advantage due to their lower team valuation, which added excitement to a match filled with talent and strategy.
The standout performances of “Vizcacha” Mac Donough and Custodio Eleno kept La Irenita ahead during the first five chukkers. On the other hand, Las Rosas La Natividad, led by an outstanding performance from “Lukín” Monteverde, managed to tie the match in the final chukker thanks to goals by Santi Cernadas and Monteverde himself.
When it seemed the final would go into overtime, Custodio Eleno made a decisive run, scoring the 13-12 goal just 25 seconds before the final bell, securing La Irenita’s third title in this significant tournament.
Finalist Teams:
La Irenita: Fermín Mac Donough (1 goal), Custodio Eleno (1), Martín Podestá (h) (2 goals), and Matías Mac Donough (h) (4 goals, including two penalties). Total: 16.
Las Rosas La Natividad: Matías González Otharán (1 goal), Santiago Cernadas (3), Lucas Monteverde (n) (6 goals, including four penalties), and Bartolomé Castagnola (2 goals). Total: 21.
Match Progression:
(5-0) 7-2, 8-3, 8-5, 9-7, 11-10, and 13-12.
The tournament was officiated by Federico Martelli and Rafael Silva, with Martín Inchauspe as referee.
The 2025 República Argentina Cup not only reaffirms its place as one of the most important tournaments in Argentine polo but also celebrates the competitive spirit and technical excellence of its participants.