Boston Northeast GAA

North American GAA Finals 2009

by Irish Emigrant - www.irishemigrant.com

Against a backdrop of the most picture perfect New England weather imaginable some forty-four teams from across the country gathered at the Irish Cultural Centre in Canton this past weekend to participate in the North American GAA finals. The annual meeting of the clans attracted an estimated 10,000 patrons to the expansive setting just south of Boston, proving beyond all doubt that through good times and bad the national games of Ireland will always stand tall. It was a rich day indeed for the Boston teams with Christophers and Wexford taking the Senior Football and Senior Hurling titles respectively and Fr Tom's, McAnespies and Eire Og also emerging with silverware, a great deal of credit and some great memories.

Senior Hurling:

Tipperary

Standout Player 2009: Cronin Dempsey (capt)

Strong Performers: David Young, Jim Bob McCarthy, Paul McGrath

Tipperary enjoyed a fine start to the season, going to New York in April and emerging as winners of a prestigious seven-a-side in the Big Apple.

“After that we kept the momentum going. We won four games out of six in the championship in Boston,” explains Tipperary’s Liam Tuohy.

“We tied with Wexford and ended up getting to the final where we met Wexford again.”

Tipp prevailed by a score of 0-14 to 1-9 against the Model County to put the seal on a perfect 25th anniversary season for the club – the blue and gold have an enviable record of having competed in 13 of the last 15 Boston finals.

In the North American finals Tipperary were set to face Na Fianna of San Francisco, the home boys being hampered by the fact that several of their number had headed back home for a certain other game involving a hurling team from the Premier County.

“But, explained Tuohy “we have a decent chance because we had a strong panel all year and the lads that have stepped in have done well.”

Tipperary defeated Na Fianna of San Francisco in Saturday’s semi-final with the last puck of the ball.

“It was a free from about 57 yards out. Pat Howard put it down and lifted a brilliant shot over the bar from that distance. I couldn’t believe my eyes,” said onlooker Jim Grogan.

But it wasn’t to be in Sunday’s final as Wexford took revenge for their defeat in the Boston final to see off their arch-rivals by a score of 3-14 to 2-8 (see match report below), making it indeed a day to forget for followers of Tipperary hurling.

Wexford

Standout Player 2009: Stephen White

Strong Performer: Dominic Magill, Eoin O’Shea, Tony Murphy, Gerard Griffey

The Model County started off the season quite well and were always there or thereabouts with Tipperary.

“We were going for four in a row in Boston, and we were disappointed that we didn’t get it after losing out to Tipperary, but this makes up for it,” said Peter Ryan after the North American final on Sunday.

Wexford took revenge for their defeat in the Boston final to see off their arch rivals by a score of 3-14 to 2-8.

For the winners the backs were very brilliant on the day. Clareman Gerard Giffey was superb in goal and Dominic Magill hurled very well in the middle of the field. Stephen White lived up to billing by taking the man of the match award while Peter Ryan will remember his first North American success – the big lad bagged two goals for his county.

Brian O’Dwyer was nothing short of exceptional in the big game while Tony Murphy and Jamie Keogh, when introduced, and Donie Redmond can be proud of their performances.

The club would like to thank manager Dave Power, Joe Doyle, Teresa Hobbs, Peter Nolan for their tireless work, and of course Porter Bellys for their sponsorship throughout the year.

CONGRATULATIONS WEXFORD!

Junior A Hurling:

Fr. Tom’s

Standout Player 2009: Aidan Staunton or Robert Croft

Strong Performers: Dave Hession, Mike Moore, Larry Guinan

Sean O’Brien at center back and Robert Croft at left wing forward were outstanding over a year which can be described as a successful one for Fr Tom’s.

“The season in general was a successful one,” said Christina Martin, spokesperson for the club. “Galway pulled out and it left three teams so we were going to be headed to some sort of playoffs,” said Martin who also went on to sing the praises of the club’s free-scoring forward Derek Spillane.

Jamie Moore, James Brett were good performers over the long haul as were Nick Lawrence, Chris Cullinane, Kevin Mooney and ‘old reliable’ Dermot Fox.

With no semi-final game played Fr Tom’s were straight into Sunday’s decider where they met with Naomh Padraigs of San Francisco. In an evenly matched contest both backlines were extremely good giving no opportunities to score from play.

Naomh Padraig missed a catalogue of chances from frees in first half but did find the net from a first half penalty. It was not enough however for the visitors as the Boston team ran out winners by a score of 0-11 to 1-5.

A great night would be had by all at Sonny’s in Dorchester according to Christina Martin, who wanted to thank the restaurant and indeed Brenco Construction for their sponsorship throughout the year as well as commend the club’s board and the New England board for their great work also.

And last but not least she paid tribute to Fr Tom’s wonderful fans who have carried the team along throughout the year.

CONGRATULATIONS FR TOM'S!

Men’s Senior Football:

St. Christophers (Boston)

Standout Player 2009: Dan Kenneally

Strong Performers: Sean Kelly, Gerry Connelly, James Howard

Christopher’s started the season almost in neutral gear but were aided by their sanction players who came out from Ireland. The club also had a great home base of players including six locally born lads, which in itself is testament to the success of the ISYL.

“As the weeks went by we got stronger and we knew we were in with a shout when we beat Macs in the semi-finals,” explains Noel Keane.

“In the final against Shannon Blues we won it by six points – it really was an outstanding performance,” says Keane who felt Christopher’s had every chance of going all the way in the weekend’s North American finals.

And it certainly looked that way in Saturday semi-final as Christopher’s had a poor first half showing against Kevin Barry’s of Philadelphia, but yet emerged with a two-point lead at the interval. The Boston side ran out easy winners on the day with Dan Kenneally and Sean Kelly enjoying fine performances.

So it was on to Sunday and a final meeting with Parnell's of Chicago. And the local boys couldn't have hoped for an easier afternoon as they trounced the visitors by a score of 4-17 to 7 points. It was touch and go early on in this decider but the home team pulled away either side of the interval and wrapped up what proved to be a memorable North American title.

Sean Kelly took the MVP honors from this contest while Dan Kenneally was also outstanding.

CONGRATULATIONS CHRISTOPHERS!

Men’s Intermediate Football

Armagh Notre Dame (Boston)

Standout Player 2009: Gavin Gilsenan

Strong Performers: Frank Behan, Niall Lennon, Damien Burke

Armagh Notre Dame can easily be described as the comeback team of the season in Boston. Having started off the season slowly things got slower for Cathal Brady’s team as they lost their opening two contests. But 18 year-old Sligoman Gavin Gilsenan sprang into action and a victory over Cork in a close game appeared like it might be a catalyst for the Brighton based outfit.

It proved to be a false dawn however as reverses to Christopers and, the Gaels and the Tones soon followed.

But ArmaghND’s season turned the corner with the victory over Galway (by a point) and then Mayo, successes which saw them into the local semi-finals.

“We were been fourth seed of the four semi-finalists and were paired against the first-placed Wolfe Tones,” remembers Cathal Brady. Victory against the Tones represented real progress for ArmaghND particularly since their semi-final opponents had prevailed against them by 15 points in the regular season.

“Conor McKeever and Hugh Meehan were back for the semi and it helped us,” says Cathal. “We were at full strength for the final and beat the Gaels by three points, them having beaten us by 22 points in the regular season.”

A comeback team if ever there was one!

Armagh ND were hoping to make history at the weekend – never having won a North America title – with victory over, firstly, Sons Of Boru (San Francisco) in Saturday’s semi-final and then the following day in the championship game.

“Our chances are good because we only lost one player from Boston final,” predicted Brady.

But that optimism proved to be unfounded as ArmaghND came out on the wrong end of a high-scoring semi-final on Saturday.

The Brighton club lost out to the Sons Of Boru (3-8 to 3-7) in a tit-for-tat game which saw the local side slow out of the blocks.

“The first half went way of visitors and we got into it in the second half,” said Robbie Logue. ArmaghND were 8 points down at one stage in the semi-final but came to within a point at the final whistle.

Dominic Magill, Gavin Kilsenan and Damien Burke were all to the fore for the losing side on what was a disappointing end to an otherwise positive season for the Brighton club.

Men’s Junior A Football

Aidan McAnespies (Boston)

Standout Player 2009: Niall Clancy or Colin Clarke

Strong Performers: ‘Big’ Shane Lynn, Jimmy Leonard

The McAnespies’ juniors were consistent all year that is, having lost their opening encounter to the Wolfe Tones.

“After that we won every game – ourselves and Donegal were strong all the way,” commented McAnespies’ Gerry McKenna.

“The guys did well who came in and stepped up and Hoodie McKenna had a big game in final,” claims his namesake.

Prior to the weekend Gerry saw the Macs as having a tough time winning the North American final given that Chicago’s Wolfe Tones had gotten used to the winning habit in previous years.

MacAnespies prevailed in Saturday’s semi-final against Charlotte James Connolly’s by a score of 2-15 to 0-9 points with Shane Lynn outstanding in this performance and Benny McGettigan getting his name on the score sheet. Nigel Regan and Niall Clancy were outstanding in the outfield for the Southie side while Rab Duffy was unbeatable between the posts on the day.

If Gerry McKenna was guarded about his team’s chances of success in the finals, he needn’t have been as Macs routed the favored Wolfe Tones (4-15 to 0-7) in Sunday’s Junior A final.

Word going into the contest was that the big pitch wouldn’t suit the visitors – whether this was true or not the Tones were never at the races as corner-back Niall Clancy had a performance to remember. Mike Allen won’t soon forget his day either after landing the game’s MVP award.

Rab Duffy was nothing short of brilliant for the winners and pulled off a stunning save in the first half, while Big Shane Lynn powered Macs on at all times and Benny McGettigan found the back of the net to cap a fine performance personally.

And who will forget ‘Crusher’ who came on late to score a wonderful goal.

CONGRATULATIONS AIDAN MCANESPIES!

Shannon Blues (Boston)

The Shannon Blues’ North American finals stint lasted only one game as the local side were put out by the Wolfe Tones of Detroit in Friday’s semi-final game, by a score of 2-11 to 0-14.

The Blues had less than the full complement starting the contest and despite some brief rallies in the opening half were always chasing the game.

Senior Camogie

Eire Og (Boston)

Eire Og defeated the San Francisco Shamrocks by a score of 4-10 to 4-2 in Sunday’s Senior Camogie final.

Fiona Gohery was outstanding as always and deservedly landed the game’s MVP award. The Boston girls got the first couple of scores in the game but the Shamrocks came back into it.

“It was tit-for-tat after that until the end,” said Caroline Hanley of Eire Og

“But we strode away in the end. We were the better team but we let them back into it,” said the winning team’s midfielder.

There were strong performances on the day from Niamh Daly and Niamh O’Neill in back line while Erin Dolan also played well as did Maria Keane and Caroline Hanley.

CONGRATULATIONS EIRE OG!

Ladies Intermediate Fooball

Many of the girls who played in the Camogie final were also involved for Tir na Nog in the Intermediate Football final which was played later in the day. Unfortunately for the home team they were defeated by a powerful Saoirse team of San Francisco, the score 2-17 to 1-8.

MVP for Tir na Nog in that contest was Christine Kelly.

“They were a much better team – we were a bit out of our league,” said Caroline Hanley of Tir’s opponents who were used to competing at a higher level.

Cudos go to Niamh Daly who played, count them, three full games and Maria Keane and Eadaoin Snee who did likewise.

Ladies Senior Football 

The Ladies Senior football final, which featured still some of the camogie and intermediate footballers, saw Fog City Harps prevail over Tir na Nog by a score of 2-12 to 1-8.

A tired team was led by MVP Laura Breannacht, with best performers in this tie being Niamh O’Neill, Claire Hehir, and Maeve Maloney.

“All in all the season was a very enjoyable one,” said Hanley. “It’s a pity that we lost a few girls who went home to college but it was a good season. We won Boston and we’ve never won senior football before.”

“The whole club boils down to Niamh Daly,” continued Caroline. “We wouldn’t have a club without her,” said Caroline who also thanked veteran manager Sean Gallagher and The Castlebar for all they have contributed to the cause.

Boston also took home silverware for the All American Football.