Wolfe Tones Pipped in NY Sevens Final

By Rory O'Donnell

Wolfe Tones and Connemara Gaels made the 200 mile journey to New York to compete in the John Joe Cassidy Seven a Side.  It was an exciting competitive tournament with lots of action and some strong opposition for the Boston boys to take on.  The Tones traveled as defending holders and were pipped in the final by a very strong Cork outfit from New York.  The Tones brought a strong side that feature a handful of newly registered players.  Dubliner Johnny Kelly and Clane men Danny Egan and Craig Gartland togged out in the Blue and Navy for the first time.  The Tones had chances to make sure that they would not have to hand over the cup, but came up just short in the final.  The Boston outfit were placed in group with fellow Bostonians, Connemara Gaels, as well as Cavan NY juniors, Cork NY, and Young Irelands Philadelphia.  The Tones made it through in second place behind Cork NY, having beaten the other teams in their group.   

The Tones drew Kerry NY, who won the other section, in the semi-final and just about shaded it with a one point victory.  The Tones led by a point in the late stages, but Kerry had a last minute chance to win it.  Barry McShea played hero as the Mayo man saved a penalty to preserve the lead, and the Tones were in the final for the second year running.  There they met the New York Cork club.  It was almost a reversal of fortunes from the semi-final as it was the Tones looking to make up the one point deficit in the final minutes, but Danny Egan had a chance and went for the win, but his shot hit the side netting.   

The Connemara Gaels, who left Adams Village at 6:00 Sunday morning, faced a Cork NY in their first game suffered a heavy defeat.  The Boston side fared much better in the next two games, though the Connemara men felt hard done by in their game against Young Irelanders.  Three disputed point calls did not go their way and the Gaels lost on the score sheet.  The final game against the Tones went to the wire.  The Gaels led by a point in the latter stages only to give away a goal and end up on the losing side by one point, but unfortunately did not do enough to progress. 

Players who traveled to New York were:  Wolfe Tones - Johnny Kelly, Gavin Walsh, Danny Egan, Craig Gartland, Cormac Joyce-Power, Mike O'Brien, Barry McShea, Gary Brilly, Collie Carr, Marty Farrell, Keith Gill, and Cormac Moran.  Connemara Gaels - Chris Lafferty, Kevin Owens, Jack Purcell, AJ Maguire, Noel Graham, Damien Doolan, Coleman Mulkerrins, Pat McDonnell,  - Guest players for the Gaels were Pat Murray, Derek O'Brien, and Sean Manley.