Boston v New York Challenge

New York 1-17 Boston Selection 0-10


As part of their preparations for the Connaught Championship New York traveled to Canton Massachusetts on a cold raw April day to take on a Boston selection. New York management will have been satisfied with the end result, a ten point victory, however, there were spells in the game where Boston enjoyed a decent amount of possession and if a few more finishers had been in the front six, the home team would have been much closer to their opponents on the scoreboard. On the whole, however, New York’s superior fitness and sharpness winning the ball were clearly evident. New York midfielder Pat Madden was the best player on show, while Robbie Tasker and Dan Doona carried the forward line for the visitors.





New York are peparing for their meeting with Roscommon May 1

 New York opened with a flurry of missed opportunities, and after 5 minutes Colm McCrory opened the scoring with a point from Boston’s first attack. Seamus Toner got New York on the board with a fisted effort, and Dan Doona then gave the visitors a lead that they would maintain for the rest of the game. Boston, however, kept it close for the first 20 minutes of the half. Barry Murphy and John O’Brien worked hard in the wing back positions, however, it was largely down to the running of McCrory to generate scores for the locals. McCrory and Kevin Curran each pointed for Boston, and Stephen Harold and Francie Cleary kept the visitors noses in front. With New York winning the lions share in midfield, and the Boston players tiring as half time approached, the visitors extended their lead. Johnny McGoldrick, Doona, Madden and Tasker pointed without answer. McCrory pointed from a free and from play for Boston to make the half time score 0-5 to 0-9 in New York’s favour.

Boston Selection who faced New York Saturday.

Boston improved their overall performance in the second half, as the home side had plenty of possession and worked the ball well upfield, but once in range of the opposition goal posts, found openings to shoot few and far between. Doona and McCrory exchanged scores after the restart, and Boston worked hard for the next ten minutes to try and eat into New York’s lead. The Boston back line played well and moved the ball upfield, however, the home sides shooting was wayward or New York won possession back. New York brought in some substitutes for the last quarter, Kenny O’Connor was planted at full forward and netted with a looping shot after 20 minutes. Kevin McGeeney, Rory O’Connor, and Paul O’Hara made an impact on the scoreboard as Boston tired and fresh legs finished the job for the Big Apple boys. Barry Murphy pointed from wing back and McCrory pointed twice as the clock ran down, and,which may give New York some pause for thought, were twice in for late goal chances only for Alan Heraty to save well at his near post on two occasions.



The New Yorkers will certainly face a much tougher task on May first against Roscommon. The run out Saturday will have done them no harm, and the side look fit. The Boston side worked hard and played well for periods, and were worthy representatives of the Divison. Best of luck to New York in two weeks.



NewYork: A. Heraty, P. Lambe, B. McGorty, K. Martin, J. McGoldrick, M.J. Fitzgerald, R. McGinty, P. Madden, S. Harold, G. McCooey, K. Smith, F. Cleary, D. Doona, S. Toner, R. Tasker. Boston: L. Mailey, P. Wamish, M. Boyne, N. Gannon, B. Murphy, N. Kerr, J. O’Brien, P. Toner, G. Brilly, K. Curran, C. McCrory, E. McGlinchy, D. Reddin, O. Kavanagh, A. McEnrey.


By Rory O'Donnell