U14 Team on the Way to Ireland for the Feile Peil na nOg

The time is almost upon us for the U14 feile team to travel to Ireland for the second year running, and represent the division at the annual John West Féile Peile na nÓg tournament.  The team contains a mix of players who have the experience of last year’s tournament under their belts and kids who are going for the first time.  The chance to represent Boston and play in Ireland is a key part of the youth development efforts.

Back Row L-R:  Pat O'Malley, Martin Kerr, Dylan Murtagh, Liam Davoran, Conan McCusker, Colm Faherty, Eoin Morissey, James Newell, Liam McGowan, Davey Murtagh, Thomas Murray, Eoin Faherty, Aidan Flanagan, Brendan Smith, Mick Sammon.  Front Row L-R:  Kian Hanbury, Aidan O'Malley, Ciaran McGurran, Declan Walsh, Daragh Jordan, Griffin Harvey, Aidan Skillin, Luke Sammon.  (Not in Pic Cathal Carney, James O'Neill).

The preparation required to ready the team, fundraise, find sponsors, and organize the trip is not to be underestimated.  Practice and preparations began last fall, with a committee forming and practices for the players.  An eager group took the reins and with help from some who had been through the experience last year, the endeavor is about to come to fruition.  The team will acclimatize with a challenge game against Cavan club, Shercock, on the Wednesday before the first tournament game.  Corduff, which is located a little to the north of Carrickmacross, is hosting the Boston boys and Friday June 23 the team opens the tournament with games against Aughnamullen and San Francisco.  A huge part of the experience includes players staying with their host families, and Friday the kids will meet their hosts and spend 2 nights with them.  Saturday June 24 is the date for the matchup with the host club, and depending how the games go it could be off to Lisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh for the quarter final. 

A big thank you to all who helped with the organization, and the team sponsors - New England Building Supply for the training kit, Lucy’s Restaurant for the track suits, and the Glynn Hospitality Group for the jerseys, and Keash excavation for the gear bags.  Also, special thank you to treasurer, Kelly McCarthy, and to Margaret Riordan who put in countless hours co-ordinating affairs with the folks in Ireland in the early morning hours.  The players who will be traveling are:  Cathal Carney (Wolfe Tones, Springfield), Aidan Skillin (Trinity, Milton), Aidan Flanagan (ISYL, Watertown), Colm Faherty (Trinity, Milton), Luke Sammon (Trinity, Milton), Conan McCusker (ISYL, Dorchester), Kian Hanbury (St. Brendan’s, Dorchester), Dylan Murtagh (ISYL, Dorchester), Eoin Morissey (ISYL, Watertown), James Newell (ISYL, Weymouth), Liam Davoran (ISYL, Milton), Thomas Murray (Trinity, Milton), Declan Walsh (Trinity, Milton), Aidan O’Malley (ISYL, West Roxbury), James O’Neill (St. Brendan’s, Milton), Darragh Jordan (Trinity, Milton), Eoin Faherty (Trinity, Milton), Griffin Harvey (ISYL, Stoughton), Brendan Smith (ISYL, Quincy), Liam McGowan (St. Brendan’s, Weymouth), Ciaran McGurran (St. Brendan’s, Weymouth), David Murtagh (Trinity, Milton).  Coaches:  Martin Kerr, Mick Sammon, Pat O’Malley.

By Rory O'Donnell

Pat O'Brien Cup and Feile Fundraiser Event

Saturday April 29 sees the beginning of the 2017 GAA season at the Irish Cultural Center.  The Pat O’Brien Cup features 3 games with the defending champions, Connemara Gaels, taking on last year’s championship finalists, Galway.  The other ties see Donegal take on Wolfe Tones and Aidan McAnespies play the Shannon Blues.

The cup takes on a new format with each team playing the others in the group, and at the end of group play the top teams will play each other in the final.  The format ensures at least two games for each club before the Championship begins on June 4, and clubs have the chance to get their home based players back into the swing of things, and to blood some the many new home based signings.  Group A:  Aidan McAnespies, Shannon Blues, Galway, Connemara Gaels.  Group B:  Donegal, Wolfe Tones, Christopher’s. 

There will also be a fundraiser at the ICC on Saturday evening for the U14 teams that will be participating in the Feile at the end of June in Ireland.  The competition is a trip of a lifetime for underage players, who put in a tremendous effort preparing for the competition, and the prospect of traveling to Ireland and being part of the team really bolsters the underage programs in the region.  It is a large expense for a family to travel and a successful fundraiser helps defray some of the cost.

Connemara Ace Sean Conneeley chased by Donegal's

Gavin "Fireman" Gallagher

So, next Saturday is a chance to enjoy some early season action and get out to not only support the home based players, but to give the youth support and enjoy some music and Irish dancing at the fundraising event.

Sat April 29 - Schedule of Games:

4:00 Aidan McAnespies v Shannon Blues

5:00 Galway v Connemara Gaels

6:00 Wolfe Tones v Christopher’s

Fundraiser begins at 6:00.

Pat O'Brien Cup Opens April 29

Boston GAA

Season Kicks off April 29 with Pat O’Brien Cup

The Boston GAA season begins on April 29 with the commencement of the Pat O’Brien Cup.  The competition will take a group format with the seven teams who entered drawn into groups of 4 and 3 teams respectively.   After the groups have been completed the top team in each group play for the cup.  Group A:  Aidan McAnespies, Shannon Blues, Galway, Connemara Gaels.  Group B: Donegal, Wolfe Tones, Christopher's. 

Schedule:

April 29

Group A

4:00 Aidan McAnespies v Shannon Blues

5:00 Galway v Connemara Gaels

Group B

6:00 Wolfe Tones v Christopher's

May 6

Group B

4:00 Donegal v Wolfe Tones

Group A

5:00 Aidan McAnespies v Galway

6:00 ShannonBlues v Connemara Gaels

May 13

Group A

4:00 Aidan McAnespies v Connemara Gaels

Group B

5:00 Donegal v Christopher's

Group A

6:00 Shannon Blues v Galway

Provisional Date for final May 20.  Games may need to be rescheduled due to weather.  Championship begins June 4.

Youth Board News

Feile Preparations in Full Swing – Fundraiser April 29

The U14 Boys and Girls are training diligently for the Feile competition to be held at the end of June in Cavan, Monaghan and Fermanagh.  It is yet to be determined where the teams will be based.  A fundraising event will be held on April 29 at the ICC to help defray the cost.  2016 was the first year that a team traveled from Boston in 8 years, and the trip was a resounding success with the team reaching the quarter final.  Auction and raffle items are needed, and your support is greatly appreciated in sending these kids for a trip of a lifetime.

Gorey Community School to visit Boston

It will be an evening for Wexford people at the ICC Tuesday night.  A team from Gorey Community School in County Wexford is on a trip to the United States and will be visiting Boston next week.  The Wexford youngsters will play a Boston U16 and minor team in football and hurling on Tuesday April 11.  The games will commence at 5:00, followed by a reception for the visitors from Wexford.  Come down to the ICC Tuesday evening and welcome the kids!

2016 A year of firsts for Boston GAA

2016 will be remembered as a year of firsts in the sporting world.  The Chicago Cubs, Leicester City, and Cleveland Cavaliers were among high profile winners in the professional world, and it was no different on the local front for the Boston Northeast GAA.  The Wolfe Tones won their first ever senior football championship, and Offaly hurlers won the junior championship in their maiden season.  From a Boston and Northeast perspective there was a lot to feel good about with regard to the state of affairs, however there were warning signs as well.  Two new hurling clubs joined the ranks in Providence and the aforementioned Offaly, but there was one less club in football as Kerry pulled out this year.  At underage level there was much to feel encouraged about with a team representing Boston at the U14 Feile in Ireland for the first time in 8 years, and there were successes from the local underage clubs at the CYC in Chicago. 

Having started off on an unsteady note following the AGM in February, the season passed successfully, and without major incident, under the leadership of Joe Lydon.  Kerry, who have been in existence for over a century, were added to the list of long standing Boston clubs that have bitten the dust in recent years. There are rumors that the Kingdom may be making a comeback for 2017, and please God, we will see the green and gold back on the field at Canton.  Offaly and Providence were added to the ranks of hurling clubs, bringing the total to 10 – outnumbering the men’s football clubs by one, with 9 playing football.  Indicative of how Americans are embracing the ancient game of CuChulainn, there are now 5 junior B and C hurling clubs representing all but one New England state – a club in Vermont would mean representation in each state in the region. 

Offaly hurlers won the junior championship on the first try.

There were firsts for the Wolfe Tones footballers and the Offaly hurlers.  In their third successive final, the Wolfe Tones faced a strong Galway team, a team that would have been strong enough to come out victorious in years past.  With each team coincidentally looking for their first senior championship in 27 years, the Westerners had the misfortune of taking on a Tones side that made sure that this year there would be no doubt about the outcome.  The Tones had a professionalism about them that was unparalleled and despite a gallant Galway performance, the Tones victory was comprehensive in the end.  Galway hurlers won the senior hurling, and the Boston Shamrocks their first ladies senior football championship since 2012.  The most exciting final of the weekend (from a neutral perspective) was the junior A football where Donegal defeated the Connemara Gaels by a goal.  In the much expanded junior A hurling championship, new side Offaly, made their mark straight away with a win over Galway, who themselves fielded at junior level for the first time in many years. 

Boston Shamrocks had a good year, winning a haul of 3 trophies.

A team of American Born players traveled to Philadelphia to play in an All American football competition early in the year, and were unlucky to narrowly lose out to New York in the final.

At Youth level the Boston/Northeast region sent a team of U14 boys to the Feile Competition, the first team to travel in 8 years.  The team had representatives from 5 underage clubs in the region and did well, winning 2 games and losing 1 in making the quarter finals of their section.  However a strong Hertforshire team come out on top in the quarter final following a one hour trip from Tralee to Kanturk.  The team were hosted by Ballymacelligott and the visitors could not have expected more from the local club who went well beyond the call of duty in making the American visitors feel welcome.

Boston Northeast Feile Team in Kanturk before the Quarter Final.

There was much success at the CYC for local clubs.  The competition was held in Chicago Gaelic Park, which has to easily be the largest GAA facility in North America.  For four solid days acres of sun (and rain at times) soaked fields were filled with boys and girls from all over the United States playing football and hurling.  The Irish Sports Youth League, St. Brendan’s, and Trinity Milton brought 7 national championships back to the Boston area.  The West Seneca Soccer Complex in Buffalo NY is the destination for 2017’s CYC and is eagerly anticipated by the local clubs.  (Good news for parents is that there is a Dunkin Donuts 2 minutes away from the fields – or 12 if you care to walk.)

It was a year for celebrating for the Wolfe Tones with their first senior championship.

Wolfe Tones capped off the year with a victory banquet at Florian Hall in Dorchester.  It was an emotional Gerry Prior who took the stage to address the assembled crowd with a heartfelt speech after years of disappointment.  Guests included three of the Dublin All Ireland winners – Philly McMahon, James McCarthy, and Dean Rock, Sunday Game pundit and former Derry footballer, Joe Brolly, and former Meath player, Bernard Flynn.  A great night was had by all, having the chance to rub shoulders with the visitors and listen to some very entertaining stories from their playing days recounted by Brolly and Flynn.   

A trip down memory lane:  Boston GAA Schedule for the month of May, 1973 that was published in the Boston Irish News (Courtesy of Billy Kelly).

No All-Star Game or Fenway Hurling in the Fall this year, but with changes to the registration deadline and home based requirements following the North American Board Convention, clubs will have to be on their toes to get their panels of players lined up for 2017.  AGM in February, registration deadlines in March and April, and it is on to another hot GAA summer in Boston!      

By Rory O'Donnell

Dream Trip to Ireland for Boston U14 Gaelic Footballers

Excitement is building on both sides of the Atlantic as 24 local boys are bound for Ireland next week to compete in the annual Feile na nGael.  Kids and parents, and relatives in Ireland alike, are keyed up for what will be a trip of a lifetime.  The kids have the unique opportunity to play Gaelic football on Irish soil against Irish teams, an experience that will stay with the players for a long time.  It is the first time that a team from Boston has traveled to play in the famous competition for age Under-14 players since 2008.  The players have been practicing since last October under the watchful eyes of Martin Kerr, Noel Gannon, Paddy McCusker and Pat O’Malley.  Players from all 3 of the Boston area underage clubs have been joined by players based in Springfield and Portland Maine, who have made the multi-hour journey from Western Mass. and Maine to attend the practice sessions and challenge games. 

Exciting Trip Awaits this Group of U14 Footballers

Ballymacelligott, just outside Tralee in County Kerry, is the host club, and word is that a lot of preparation has been underway.  The Boston boys will be paired up and will spend 2 nights of the trip with a host family in Kerry.  Needless to say, the players involved are excited as well as nervous with the prospect of playing in Ireland against local kids and Warwickshire who are traveling from England.   The hope is that this group of players will be the first of an annual trip to the competition from Boston and that the experience these kids have will be one that other Boston and New England area kids will have.

On Friday June 24 the team plays Warwickshire at Ballumacelligott at 5:45, followed by a game against Kerry team, Athea at 6:30.  It is back at it on Saturday at 9:45 in the morning against Limerick.  Quarter finals are at 2:00 Saturday afternoon, with semi-finals and final on Sunday.

Presentation of kitbags by Dermot Quinn of Greenhills Bakery.

A person who deserves special mention, and without whom this endeavor would not have been possible, is Laura Corbin.  Laura has been tireless in organizing fundraising activities, setting up and updating the Facebook page, and being the primary point person for the folks in Ireland and the parents involved on this side of the Atlantic with updates and information.   

Everybody involved would like to thank all of our sponsors, including the Greenhills Bakery and Feeney Brothers who sponsored kit bags and jerseys, and the many people who have supported fundraising efforts over the last several months. 

The players traveling are:   ISYL - Lawrence Byrne, Devin Corbin, Aidan Flanagan, Gerard Gannon, Michael Kerr, Conan McCusker, Eoin Morissey, Patrick Moylan, Dylan Murtagh, James Newell, Colm O’Malley, Aidan O’Malley, Eoin Walsh.  Wolfe Tones, Springfield - Cathal Carney, Neil O’Sullivan. Trinity Milton – Eoin Faherty, Colm Faherty, Darragh Jordan, Nessan O’Donnell, Aidan Skillen.  St. Brendan’s – Kian Hanbury, Sean Hobbs, James O’Neill.  Maine – Frank Tierney.

By Rory O'Donnell

Pat O'Brien Cup Semi Finals, Senior Football Championship Next Weekend

Boston GAA

By Rory O’Donnell

Last weekend saw the semi-finals of the Pat O’Brien Cup.  Christopher’s and Donegal would have to do it all over again after the game failed to produce a winner.  Midfielder Conor O’Brien produced the leveling score for Christopher’s to make it 1-9 apiece, and a replay is to be scheduled to decide who makes the final.  In the other game the Connemara Gaels defeated Aidan McAnespies by a handsome 2-13 to 0-6.  Brendan Boylan produced a man of the match performance in the middle of the field, and the former Armagh U-21 chipped in with a point for good measure.  Phil O’Sullivan and Sean Conneeley produced the goal for the Gaels.

Other news saw the Barley House Wolves and Worcester, meet in Concord NH in the junior C hurling championship.  The Wolves got their season off to a great start and put up an impressive 6-13 to 0-4 for Worcester.

Barley House Wolves and Worcester Parade before the Match.

As part of their preparations for the Feile next month the U14s traveled to New Haven and played challenge games against New York and Philadelphia.  The Boston side held their own in the first half, however, as the game wore on New York showed their class with an impressive performance.  New York compete in the top division in the Feile and last year came close to winning it out.  Philadelphia provided a stern challenge in a very evenly contested game and ended up narrow winners.  Thanks to New York and Philadelphia for making the trip, and to the Greenhills bakery for furnishing sandwiches and Playwright Irish Pub for food after the game.

U14s got some vital match experience in New Haven

The Boston Shamrocks also made a trip south to Hoboken NJ for a 7-a-side hosted by the Manhattan Gaels, narrowly losing in the final to Chicago.

Shamrocks, Chicago,and Manhattan with the New York skyline in the background.

Next weekend senior football championship action begins, as well as Sheehan Cup hurling.

Schedule of games

Saturday May 28

Sheehan Cup

4:00 Galway v Wexford

5:00 Fr. Tom Burke’s v Barley House Wolves

Sunday May 29

Sheehan Cup

12:00  Tipperary v Worcester

Senior Football Championship

2:30 Galway v Shannon Blues

3:45 Donegal v Aidan McAnespies

5:00 Connemara Gaels v Wolfe Tones