February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Dublin Fire Brigade 2-11
N.Y. Fire Department 2-2
By Peter Nolan
The Dublin Fire Brigade topped their New York counterparts, 2-11 to 2-2, in a spirited challenge match Sunday at Gaelic Park.
In a game that was played as part of the special Ulster Senior Hurling semifinal package, in which Antrim later beat New York, three members of the New York Fire Department played this match with the memories of their lost brothers to spur them on. Tom McHugh lost his brother Dennis, and Kevin and Eugene Meehan were surely thinking of their brother Damien.
Dublin Fire Brigade Manager Frank Devlin described this match as a “hands across the water” gesture that he hopes to see become an annual event. Dublin were represented by a talented squad featuring two former Dublin county footballers, Conor Keegan and Jim Bissett, and one county hurler, Connie Ring (nephew of the immortal Christy), and goalkeeper Dave Henderson is a former League of Ireland player.
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With all the talent on display, however, it was full forward Senan Moylan and center forward Stephen Cunningham who dominated the proceedings. New York’s Bravest were overmatched in a football sense, but they showed the grit they are so well know for.
Tom McHugh and Ed Bolles worked hard in the center of the field. Gerry O’Riordan showed he still has plenty to offer on the 40. Eugene McNulty was very active on the wing and Kevin Meehan and goal scorer Eugene Meehan were good up front.
The winners received a cup sponsored by former Lord Mayor of Dublin Michael Mulcahy, and Dublin Manager Devlin looks forward to a return match next year in Dublin.
Devlin said he and his men were grateful for the reception and treatment they received from New York’s Bravest.
“We were treated royally,” and New York manager Billy Nolan “was at our disposal for the entire trip,” he said.
“The two sides represented their departments and their cities well and, hopefully, this will be just the first of many such encounters.”
Dublin: Dave Henderson, Joe Nolan, Pat Feehan, Peter Keating, Connie Ring, Derek Dowling, Conor Keegan (0-1), Adrian O’Grady, Jim Bisset, Paul O’Riordan (0-2), Stephen Cunningham (0-3), Liam Adamson (1-0), Ron Tuile (0-3), Sean Moylan (1-1), Mick O’Connor. Subs: Mark Wilson, Martin Williams, Cathal Roche, Brian Burke, Joe Drumgoole, Robert Keane, Tadgh Fallon, Mick Moylan (0-1), John Meeney, Willie Kelly.
New York: Joe Brosie, P.J. Colgan, Kevin Rafter, Pay Ryan, Paul McGahey, Barry Annette (0-1), Pat Gallagher, Tom McHugh, Ed Bolles, Eugene McNulty, Gerry O’Riordan (0-1), Billy Horan, Kevin Murphy, Kevin Meehan, Eugene Meehan (1-0), Darren Meany (1-0). Sub: Sean Sorahan.