February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Five-time defending champion Cavan and Mayo face off in the climax of the New York Ladies GAA season, the Sean Faherty Championship, Sunday at Gaelic Park in the Bronx.
All eyes will be on the women from Ulster and Connnaught. This final has the makings of an edge-of-your-seat game as both teams have looked sharp throughout the season.
Cavan are no strangers to finals or Gaelic Park and bring with them many
years of experience. Under the keen eye of Jim Gilsenan, they were undefeated this season despite having no subs on a couple of occasions.
Gillian Bennett, Catherine McAteer and Louise Fox were terrific additions to the team last year and have blended well with such veterans as Olive Wilson, Rosie O’Reilly, Karen Shalvey, Pauline Coleman, Olive Lynch and Sharon Levins. This year, Orla Kirk, Nadine Doherty and Deidre Feeney joined forces at the end of this season and have proved their worth as well, especially in their impressive victory over Na Fianna in the semifinal. Once more the Breffni women look hot to trot for their chances in the final.
Heading for six in a row is no mean feat and captain Pauline Coleman will be hoping she will be the one lifting the coveted Sean Faherty Memorial Cup.
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Mayo, on the other hand, are in their first championship final. They have
been in the semifinals for the last few years and were pipped at the post each year until this one, when they overcame Leitrim a week ago Sunday.
Mayo have built a strong panel over the years and this year their forward line is in top scoring form. Manager Paddy Ward will expect nothing less than a victory from the ladies in red and green and will look to continued great play from Mary Toolan, Ellen McGrail, Collette McGoldrick, Fiona Ward, and Sharon Gallagher, and will hope that this season’s sharpshooters, Joanne McKenna, Shauna McGirr, Denise Dunnion and Nollaig Cleary, will overcome the Cavan defense, who are known for their close marking.
These teams have met on many occasions over the years with the majority of victories going to Cavan. But Mayo will hope for sweet revenge on Sunday in stopping Cavan’s drive for six straight titles.
Junior Semifinals
The All-Ireland Junior Semifinal pitting New York and Down will be held Sept. 10 at Gaelic Park Sunday Sept 10. Down advanced by beating Donegal in Clones last Sunday.