8/3/2024 – Junior C Football Final – Trinity Milton vs Worcester Fenians

 

By Neil McEnaney

 

Full Time Score

Trinity Milton: 3-21

Worcester Fenians: 1-8

 

A solid display of football from the young Trinity Milton side saw them as comfortable winners in the Junior C football final. Worcester, to their credit kept fighting but ran out of steam with a lot of their players togging out for the Junior C Hurling Final earlier in the day.

 

It was Worcester who started the brighter with a lovely point from Mike Begley. Trinity weren’t long responding when Liam Faherty forced a turnover leading to a Patrick Heffernan point. The opening quarter continued in this fashion with both teams going point for point. A torn hamstring ended the day early for Eoin Faherty of Trinity. We wish him a speedy recovery.

 

An excellent free kick from the deck from Begley from outside the 45 sailed over the bar to put Worcester ahead by a point. From the resulting kickout, Trinity moved the ball quickly up the field with some excellent play involving Colm Faherty who fisted it through to Declan Walsh who buried it from close range for the games first goal.

 

From here, the momentum started to shift in Trinity’s favor. Brian Kelly rolled back the years with a bomb of a point off his favored left while Liam Faherty and Aidan Rowley started winning ball around the middle third for Trinity.

 

Worcester were able to move the ball quickly up the field through the kick passing of Gareth McAlindon and strong, consistant running of Dylan Walsh. Unfortunately for Worcester, when they got into the final third, Joe Pender was on hand to turn over close to every ball that was near him. A second goal for Walsh before the stroke of half time gave Trinity a sizeable lead.

 

Half Time Score

Trinity Milton: 2-9

Worcester Fenians: 0-5

 

Trinity started the second half as they finished the first with Aidan Rowley going on a mazy run before finishing with a nice point. Begley and Heffernan added points for Worcester which kept their hopes alive but the fitness and running power of Trinity Milton saw them get a stranglehold on the game.  

 

Gareth McAlindon found Cormac Hughes with a long ball who turned and buried it in the Trinity net for a Worcester goal. Rowley was accurate from the frees and from play for Trinity while Colm Faherty wasn’t long adding another goal after a great solo run.

 

Congratulations to Trinity who saw out the game as deserved winners of the 2024 Boston Junior C Championship. Commiserations to Worcester Fenians who will no doubt be back again stronger next year.

 

Teams

Trinity Milton: Charlie Thomlinson, Matty McDevitt, Joe Pender, Kelly McKenzie, Aidan Skillen, Luke Sammon, Liam Faherty, Eoin Faherty, Aidan Rowley, Colm Faherty, Daragh Jordan, Declan Walsh, Brian Walsh

 

Worcester Fenians: Larry Carthy, Gareth McAlinden, Zack Podedworney, Andrew Engel, Dylan Walsh, Patrick Sullivan, Shane Sullivan, Kevin McKane, Mike Begley, Patrick Hefferman, Ryan Hayman, Eoghan Gallagher, Vincent Prendergast

 

Man of the Match: Joe Pender

 

Referee: Diarmuid Boylan

Buffalo CYC a Roaring Success

St. Brendan's and Trinity Milton met in the U8 Final.

Hundreds of underage players and families from the New England region made the 460 mile journey westwards to Buffalo, NY to compete in the 2017 CYC tournament.  It is the largest Gaelic sports youth tournament outside of Ireland, and took place from July 27 – 30 at the beautiful West Seneca Soccer Complex about 10 miles from downtown Buffalo.  The fields were converted to facilitate Gaelic sports for the weekend, and with hundreds of games to play, featuring thousands of players from Canada to California, all 14 playing fields were needed.  The event ran smoothly with the immaculate surfaces providing a lush carpet for the players, plenty of trees to provide shade from the sun, and water towers to keep players and coaches alike well hydrated throughout the day.  150 local volunteers ensured that the place was kept spotless and those who needed food (or drink) were not left waiting.  Buses ran on time to ferry parents and participants to and from hotels.  It was a massive credit to the local Buffalo GAA club to prepare for and run an event of this scale with hardly a hiccup.

Ryan Nugent in action for St. Brendan's U8 Footballers.



Kieran O'Driscoll in action for the U16 ISYL Hurlers.

The Boston-Northeast region was well represented at the event and teams from the Irish Sports Youth League, St. Brendan’s, and Trinity Milton featured well.  Between them the local clubs entered 20 teams from U8 to U18, and several players also featured on North American U16 and Minor County teams.  Competition was stiff with some very strong teams from New York, Philadelphia, and San Francisco to face.  Ten teams reached finals and there were 4 Cup winners and 6 runners up.  Both the U8A and U10A hurling finals were all Boston affairs.  St. Brendan’s U8’s defeated Trinity Milton in the U8 final, while it was the ISYL U10s who came out victorious against St. Brendan’s.  Winners also included the ISYL U14 Girls footballers and St. Brendan’s U8 footballers who each won their finals.  Runner up plaques also went to U18B Footballers, U18 Camogie, U12A Hurling, U16A Hurling and U18A Hurling.



ISYL, St. Brendan's, and Trinity in one Picture!

North American County teams features several players from the ISYL.  Winners were the U16 Boys football, U16 Girls football, and U18 hurlers, while the U16 hurlers shared the spoils with New York after the final finished in a draw.  Aidan Joyce won the Player of the Game award for his performance in goal for the North American team.  Players who featured on the county teams were, U16 Football:  John O'Doherty, Colm O'Malley, Gerard Davoren, Michael Kerr, Peter Bannon, Dylan Coyne, Kieran O'Driscoll, Stephen Joyce. Matt Duane, Gerard Gannon, Eoin Gormley.  U16 Hurling:  John O'Doherty, Colm O'Malley, Gerard Davoren, Michael Kerr, Peter Bannon, Dylan Coyne, Kieran O'Driscoll, Stephen Joyce. Matt Duane.  U16 Girls:  Aine Doyle, Aoife Delaney, Ciara Heffernan.  U18 Girls:  Emma Lynch, Roisin Bannon.  U18 Hurling:  Aidan Joyce, Tomas Griffin & Michael Moylan.  U18 Football:  Denis Harrington, Tomas Griffin, Aidan Joyce, Michael Moylan, Sean Winston.

Next year is the turn of the Boston division to host the tournament.  Buffalo leaves us with a hard act to follow, but with some experienced hands at the wheel it is one that is sure to be met.

By Rory O'Donnell

Playoff placings to be decided, Boston Youth at the CYC in Buffalo

The playoff picture for the senior football championship will be finalized on Sunday at the ICC with the last round of games.  The teams with the biggest interest will be Galway, Donegal, and the Shannon Blues.  Galway and Donegal clash in a top of the table matchup at 2:00.  Donegal have a 100% record in the championship, while Galway are on a 5 game winning streak.  A win for Galway will see them into the semi-finals automatically, while the Blues will be hoping for a Donegal victory as they might have a shot at second place should they defeat the Tones in the last game of the day.



Shannon Blues still have a shot at a bye into the semi-finals.

The Connemara Gaels take on Christopher’s, who are already out of contention, and it will be a quarter final game for them regardless of the outcome.  Along with the Tones and Aidan McAnespies it will be a case of waiting to see who they will play a week from now in the quarter finals. 

Junior A Football sees a big game for the Connemara Gaels when they meet Aidan McAnespies.  The Gaels and the Blues tied two weeks ago and are also tied in the standings for a semi-final place.  The Blues, however, have 2 more games left on their schedule and could overtake the Gaels regardless.

There are playoff places at stake in the junior B football championship also.  Donegal play Hartford Saturday, and are tied on points for the last semi-final spot with the Connemara Gaels.  The Gaels meet Kerry on Sunday where a win will keep them in contention of continuing their season.  Galway, Cork and Kerry are already in the mix.

Junior A Hurling sees what looks to be the 4 semi-finalists in action at the weekend when Wexford take in high flying Tipp on Sunday, while Tom’s and Offaly meet Sunday.  Farther afield in Portland Maine, the Barley House Wolves travel and hope to secure top spot in the junior C division. 

ISYL U16 Hurlers

Also this weekend underage players from the Boston Northeast division are in Buffalo, New York, at the Continental Youth Championships.  The venue is impressive, the West Seneca Soccer Complex.  The location has been converted into more than a dozen GAA fields to cater to a packed schedule of games for teams from U8 to minor.  More than 20 teams from St. Brendan’s, Irish Sports Youth League, and Trinity Milton have been in action the past 2 days, with many hoping to challenge for honors on Sunday. 

Boston GAA Schedule

Saturday July 29

Irish Cultural Center, Canton Ma.

Field A

4:15 Junior A Football:  Aidan McAnespies v Connemara Gaels

5:30 Junior A Hurling:  Offaly v Fr. Tom Burke’s

Field B

4:00 Junior B Football:  Cork v Galway

Hartford Ct.

5:00 Junior B Football:  Hartford v Donegal

Sunday July 30

Field A

11:30 Junior A Football:  Cork v Wolfe Tones

12:45 Senior Football:  Connemara Gaels v Christopher’s

2:00 Senior Football:  Galway v Donegal

3:15 Junior A Hurling:  Wexford v Tipperary

4:30 Senior Football:  Shannon Blues v Wolfe Tones

Field B

2:30 Junior B Football:  Kerry v Connemara Gaels

Portland Me.

3:00 Junior C Hurling:  Portland v Barley House Wolves

Boston Northeast Youth Board AGM

Boston Northeast Youth Board AGM

The Boston Northeast Youth Board AGM took place Sunday, January 29 at the Irish Cultural Center in Canton.  It was very encouraging to see all the positions on the board easily filled.  There was a lot of enthusiasm and plenty of discussion about how to move forward with competitions and transition to adult level for kids who are in the U16-U18 window, amongst other things.

Two positions even went to a vote – an unprecedented and encouraging development in the young life of the Youth Board.  Laura Corbin (ISYL) and Seamus Tobin (St. Brendan’s) each accepted the nomination for Chairperson, and Laura came out on top in the voting.  Martin Kerr (ISYL) and Peadar Nugent (St. Brendan’s) were on the ballot for Youth Officer, and Martin was voted in for the job.  Best of luck to the new board and on to a successful 2017.

The board for 2017 is:

Chairperson – Laura Corbin (ISYL)

Vice Chairperson – Mick Sammon (Trinity Milton)

Secretary – Tara Walsh (Trinity Milton)

Asst. Secretary – Liz Hunt (Trinity Milton)

Treasurer – Darren McGurran (St. Brendan’s)

Asst. Treasurer – Grainne Griffin (ISYL)

Registrar – Brendan McGrath (Trinity Milton)

PRO – Rory O’Donnell (Trinity Milton)

Youth Officer – Martin Kerr (ISYL)

Delegates:  Kevin Doherty (St. Brendan’s), Seamus Tobin (St. Brendan’s), Ellen Joyce (ISYL), Kevin Faherty (Trinity Milton).

by Rory O’Donnell

PRO

Youth Board Blitz

By Rory O’Donnell

The Boston Northeast youth board held its year-end blitz on August 20 at the ICC.  Hundreds of boys and girls from U6 to U16 from the Irish Sports Youth League, St. Brendan’s and Trinity Milton competed in the games of hurling and football in what was a great day out to end the outdoor season.  State representative, Walter Timilty, was also on hand to make presentations honoring the achievements of the clubs at the Chicago CYC last month.

State Rep Walter Timilty, Ellen Joyce, and Tara Walsh.

There was great excitement for the U12 football game featuring Trinity Milton, and St. Brendan’s and Irish Sports Youth League.  There was a dramatic finish to the game with the Trinity kids leveling the game with a point from the last kick.  There was also plenty of action for the U6s showing off all that they have learned through the guidance of their coaches.  U8 and U10 teams got a chance to compete, with the ISYL national champion U10s looking very impressive.  The hurlers capped off the day with a game featuring some very skillful youngsters who clearly are developing nicely.

Martin Riordan talks to his U12 footballer team
after a dramatic game.

The U14 and U16 footballers from all 3 clubs had the chance to play a 15-a-side game on the main field, the first time main field has accommodated a full game between the underage kids from the local clubs.  These kids are on the cusp of adult football and many will be lining out for adult clubs on that same field in the coming years.  The teams were managed by Chipper Bannon and Martin Kerr, and a big thanks to Jim Howard who stepped in to referee at the last minute. 

St. Brendan's and Trinity U8 in action.

During the Boston finals next Sunday, the U14 Feile Team and the underage clubs’ successes at the CYC will be honored at the Boston finals next Sunday before the senior hurling and men’s senior football matches.  Many thanks to the coaches and organizers and families from all of the underage clubs, and the supporters of youth development for contributing to the future of the games in the region. 

Action from the U14/16 game.

ISYL and Trinity Players 

Chicago CYC a Huge Success

By Rory O’Donnell  

The 2016 CYC was held at the Gaelic Park Complex in Oak Forest IL about 20 miles south of Chicago last weekend.   The prestigious tournament involving 2,500 players from teams all over the United States and Canada is the highlight of the season for underage teams in North America.  With over 400 games taking place over the course of four intense days at the top-class facilities this is the largest Gaelic sports event in the world outside Ireland.  The fields were in impressive shape and the organizers rode the tackles of major deluges on Thursday and Friday afternoon to juggle the schedule and run all the competitions off smoothly. 

ISYL U16 - Camogie Champions

There was a major presence from the Boston area at the tournament, and some major successes too from all 3 of the local clubs.  In total 23 teams were entered between the 3 clubs, and 7 cups made their way back to eastern Massachusetts on Sunday night and Monday morning.  On two occasions local teams met in knockout situations.  

ISYL U10A Football Champions

The U10A footballers of St. Brendan’s and the ISYL met in the semi-final with the ISYL making it on the final and coming out eventual winners, and the U8C footballers of Trinity Milton and St. Brendan’s met in a heart stopping final with Trinity coming through by a whisker, 0-3 to 0-2.

The Irish Sports Youth League, based at the Irish Cultural Center in Canton, entered 15 teams from U8-U18 in Boys football, hurling, Camogie and Girls football, and came away with a haul of cup and shield trophies.  There were victories for the ISYL Boys U10A Footballers, Girls U14B Football, and U16 Camogie.  The girls U16 footballers won the shield and there were several successes in hurling with shields won by U10, U14, and U16 Hurlers, and U14 Camogie.    

St. Brendan's U10A Hurling Champions.

There were also players from the ISYL who featured on North America County Teams that were victorious in U18 Camogie and boys U18 Football.  The North American U18 hurlers and girls U18 footballers won their shield competitions.  Players who attended the NACB County Team Camp were Sean Winston, Danielle O'Driscoll, Peter Bannon, Roisin Bannon, Dennis Harrington, Aidan Joyce, Stephen Joyce, Shane Kenny, Kieran O'Driscoll, Declan O'Sullivan. 

St. Brendan’s brought 5 teams to Chicago and made it to 4 finals with the U10A hurlers winning the championship, beating Ottawa Gaels in the final.  The U8A hurlers made their final and were narrowly beaten by the puck of a ball to St Pats Fairfield CT.  In football the U10A semi-final was another all Boston affair and the Dorchester based club lost to the ISYL in the semi-final with the local team going on to win it and bring the cup back to Boston.  St. Brendan’s fielded two U8 teams, A and C, and made it to both finals, however in the U8A final the Dorchester side were beaten by Rangers NY, and the U8C team played their hearts out only to lose by a single point to neighbors, Trinity Milton. 

Trinity Milton U8C Football Champions

Trinity Milton, came away from the competition with 2 trophies, the first in the history of the club that was founded in 2009.  The U10C and U8C football trophies were won by the relative newcomers to the underage scene in the Boston area, and both teams went unbeaten for the tournament.  There was tremendous excitement for the U8C final in which the youngsters from both teams played a storming game of football.  With all of the other teams from each side finished with their competitions there was plenty support on hand from each club to cheer on the young kids.  Parents and players alike lent tremendous support to each side, and amid a cauldron of excitement, the players from each team put on a fantastic show.  The game went down to the wire with Trinity pulling off a 0-3 to 0-2 win.  The Trinity U12s, along with assistance from players from Indianapolis, reached their final against the odds but lost to Buffalo in the final game by a score of 3-6 to 0-5. 

Boston Club Cup Winners

U8C Football – Trinity Milton

U10A Football – ISYL

U10A Hurling – St. Brendan’s

U10C Football – Trinity Milton

U14B Football – ISYL Girls

U16 Camogie – ISYL

Boston Club Shield Winners (All ISYL!)

U10 Hurling

U14 Hurling

U16 Hurling

U14 Camogie

U16 Girls Football

North American Team Cup Winners - U18 Boys Football, U18 Camogie

North American Team Shield Winners - U18 Hurling, U18  Girls Football