February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Some sort of New York selection will be put together to give the youngsters a match, although not much information was available at press time. The Connacht selection has been culled from the cream of the Connacht colleges. Nineteen Galway schools are represented and two players have been selected from each of the other from Connacht counties.
This is the first ever School’s Hurling trip to the U.S. and the team will move on to Boston following Sunday’s tussle in the Bronx. Michael Fahy, John Fahy, and Conrad Byrnes manage the team.
2 p.m., Senior Hurling Semi
Westmeath vs. Tipperary
Two weeks ago, Connecticut ended Limerick’s two-year reign at the top of New York’s hurling heap and on Sunday Tipperary and Westmeath will vie for the right to challenge the suburbanites for the crown.
Either of these teams would be worthy finalists based on their work this season. Tipperary are perennial contenders and have a host of home-based stars at their disposal. Among them are Sean Quirke, Owen Cummins, Sean Sheppard, Robbie Ryan, John Madden, and the Kennedy brothers, Mike and Kevin.
Westmeath have already put one trophy on the mantle this season when they captured the Junior Football B honors, and last week they tasted disappointment when they dropped a controversial and heartbreaking decision to Kerry in the Senior Football A competition.
Westmeath beat Tipperary to qualify for this match, but Tipp were already safely through so the Midlanders had hunger on their side. This time they’ll be on level ground on that score. Westmeath are a solid group led by Barry Smith, Paddy Barry, Martin Finn, and John Murtagh. Weekenders, both those that make it through Immigration, and those who don’t are always something of a wild card, liable to tip the balance one way or the other.
With that said, I think a very close match is likely with Westmeath squeaking through.
3:30 p.m. JFA Final
Donegal vs. St. Barnabas
Donegal’s dismantling of Kerry last Sunday will be fresh in the mind as they head into the Junior A Final versus St. Barnabas. Barnabas, however, qualified away from the spotlight of Gaelic Park when they trounced a very able Derry side a few weeks back.
Donegal struggled with their shooting early versus Kerry but they have a dangerous collection of forwards led by Sean McFadden, John Mason, and Leslie McGettigan. Garreth Kelly plays with heart and skill in the middle of the park and the defense is solid.
St. Barnabas have been unstoppable at times this year with Ronan Garvey, Jonathan Daly, and Sean Carbin pointing the way goalward. Dave Garvey has produced either at midfield or in the defense and veteran Brian Montgomery has had a great season in the backs.
As good as Donegal looked on Sunday, if St. Barnabas can hit form, I believe the Bronx side can earn promotion to the Senior B ranks.