Since the new leadership assumed office under the stewardship of Sean Price, there has been plenty of action in boardrooms and meeting rooms dealing with the logistics of planning and scheduling for the upcoming season. The administrative headquarters of the GAA has moved from Broadway to McLean Avenue. Meanwhile the outdoor season of the New York GAA was in full swing on Saturday as about a dozen of true blue seasoned GAA warriors assembled for the annual cleanup of Gaelic Park and its environs. They were equipped with rakes, brooms, shovels and garbage containers under the direction of Tom Nugent.
Evidently the dilapidating press box is scheduled for demolition as the crew began dismantling it. This certainly evoked notes of nostalgia as it had been my sanctuary from the sideline shenanigans for almost two decades. During those years some very notable GAA characters, impromptu analysts, shed their pearls of wisdom about events unfolding on the field. The press box was like a neutral or demilitarized zone where excessive exuberance was frowned upon. During the reign of the late Seamus Dooley, the gregarious Monaghan native, ensured that the press core was well fed and hydrated with copious amounts of beverages and a plentiful an assortment of sweet treats. As the adage so succinctly states, they don’t make them like they used to anymore. So true.
Dark Blue 4-22 Light Blue 2-22
The action also returned to Gaelic Park’s pitch as two New York squads squared off in a challenge match, namely Dark Blues versus Light Blues. Needless to say this was more than the typical challenge match as players sought to impress manager Ronan McGinley and his backroom team as the panel of players will be reduced to twenty six for the championship against Galway. Noticeable also is the fact that over forty percent of the panel are products of the Minor Board.
This was also the first occasion that a game was played at Gael Park under the new rules with Martin McNally officiating. The Monaghan referee had the honor of trialing the new rules in the interprovincial games in the fall. He also conducted a number of seminars in the Big Apple to ensure that all officials and teams are fully acquainted with the new rules and their effects on Gaelic football. To this nearly half frozen reporter several changes were obvious such as the speed of the game, the long kick-outs , high fielding, long-range shooting, high-scoring, lack of dissent and the absence of dilatory tactics of goalkeepers and free-takers as well stealing a few yards to a more advantageous position from where the infringement occurred. New York players seemed to have adapted well to these changes, and in fairness to the referee when infringements did occur, he explained the rationale for the subsequent penalty.
Meanwhile in the game itself, the Dark Blues started well with a nice interchange between Matt Queenan and Killian Butler ended with Tiarnan Mathers firing over a point before the Light Blues got a touch of the ball. Indeed the Dark squad looked to be on target for a goal but they squandered the opportunity to rattle the net. However their next attack was successful as good supportive play by Kieran Murphy set the stage for Killian Butler for a major strike. The Light squad got their opening score with a fine point from Mike Brosnan and followed by another from Oisin Mathers. However for most of the first quarter the Darks were dominant as Bobby O’Regan Shane Brosnan, Frank O’Reilly and Tiarnan Mathers shot over points with good support from Rob Wharton. Corner back Cian O’Dea was also in the thick of the action as a defense-splitting run set the scene for towering midfielder Kieran Murphy to land a fine point.
Another powerful run by O’Dea set up Tiarnan Mathers for the Dark’s second goal. At the other end opportunities were scarce but points from Morgan Garry, Oisin Mathers and a two-pointer from keeper Ryan Corrigan kept them in touch. However for the second quarter the Lights stepped up their performance considerably. Jack Reilly led the way with a flurry of points and a good example of the tap and go set up Morgan Garry for a goal. However at the other end a defensive snafu allowed the Lights to concede a soft goal. There was just a point between the sides at the half as the Darks led by 3-9 to 1-14. The second half was a much closer affair, as the Lights jumped in front as Sean Horan goaled after a timely pass from Mikey Brosnan.
However the Darks soon regained the lead with a flurry of points from corner men Frank O’Reilly and Bobby O’Regan, plus Kieran Murphy capped off a fine performance with a score. At the other end scores from Jack Reilly, Mikey Brosnan, Sean Horan and Shay McElligiot kept the pressure on the Darks. Ultimately it was the fate of two goals that put the result beyond the reach of the Lights. A goal from top scorer Bobby O’Regan as a result of a turnover was recorded while a late goal from the Lights was deemed a square-ball by the referee and disallowed. Overall a great workout for the players and despite the Arctic like weather, the players seemed fit, well disciplined and played with great exuberance. In general the referee let play flow, but I was surprised at a few of the tackles he let go.
Dark Blue: Joe Grace, Cian O’Dea, Sean Wilson, Noel Hatton, Jamie Boyle, Mathew Queenan, Rob Wharton, Eoghan McElligiot, Kieran Murphy, Shane Brosnan, Killian Butler, Tiarnan Mathers, Frank 0’Reilly, Adam Loughlin-Stones, Bobby O’Regan.
Light Blue: Ryan Corrigan, Tadgh O’Riordan, Israel Illunga, Mikey Boyle, Bill Maher, Mike McCarthy ,Sean Horan, James Walsh, Mick Argue Conor Mathers, Connall Kennedy, Morgan Garry, Mikey Brosnan, Jack Reilly, Oisin Mathers.
Subs: Oran Power, Brian Coughlan, Shay McElligiot. Injured: Jack Robinson, Donal Hunt, Joe Hagan, Gain O’Brien, Cillian Lagan
