February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Pierce O’Reilly
New York’s senior footballers received a major double boost last week with the news that Armagh’s lethal attacking forward, Peter Loughran, is set to stay in town for the upcoming season — while Westmeath’s Kieran Ryan has also rejoined the senior panel.
Loughran, who has lined out for the Orchard County on several occasions is set to play with the Donegal team in New York later this summer and is expected to be a key player for the New York county team when they head home to play Roscommon on May 19.
Last year’s New York center-back, Kieran Ryan, has also rejoined the senior panel. Ryan who transferred from his native Westmeath to Tyrone last month, was outstanding in the Florida 7s tournament two weeks ago and his return to form will greatly aid New York manger Paddy Kearney and his three selectors.
Both Ryan and Loughran have distinguished colleges and intercounty careers and their experience on the big stage will bolster the New York camp. Loughran hit the headlines while still a student at the University of Ulster, Jordanstown, while Ryan was one of the best defenders for Westmeath two years ago.
"We need all our best players fighting for places on the county team and it’s good news to see the two lads back," Donegal’s manager, Donal Gallagher, said.
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Donegal, who regained the senior crown last year, are in fine fettle again this season. They have recently acquired the services of Loughran, Donegal U-21 star Rory McSweeney, and Fermanagh’s Martin Meehan. They also have Eunan Doherty, Owen Cummins, Gary Dowd, Niall McCreedy, Kevin Lilly and Kieran Keavney on the county panel.
"We’re delighted to have the lads playing for the New York team," Gallagher said. "Their fitness levels are very high right now and their enthusiasm for the game is so much greater."
It came as no surprise that they walloped everyone in the John Joe Cassidy 7-a-side tournament last Sunday and their installation as favorites for the championship is on merit. It did, however, surprise a lot of GAA supporters in New York that Connie Molloy stepped down as Donegal team manager last season after bringing the Ulster men back into contention after eight years. Gallagher, his successor, appears to have the credentials for the top job and is very eager to keep his forces at the top. Personal commitments were cited for Molloy back seat position this year.
GAA PRO John Moore said the New York board is delighted with the progress in both the hurling and football camps.
"Both teams are training extremely hard and it’s obvious that they mean business this year," he said.
The New York hurlers play their first-ever championship clash at Gaelic Park on May 13 and it’s expected that a bumper crowd will be in attendance.
"It’s very encouraging to see the players and clubs giving it 100 percent this year," Moore said.
In the past, New York panels have complained that lack of match practice has greatly hindered their championship preparations. Moore, however, has a different view this year.
"Very few county teams in Ireland have played a league game or a challenge game in the last two months because of the foot-and-mouth crisis, so their ill wind will definitely help out case this year," he said.