NACB finals take shape, but New York remain on the outside

By Pierce O’Reilly

As the North American County board GAA championship kick starts in all of its 11 divisions, NACB Public relations officer Eamon Kelly has given New York clubs the thumbs down in relation to partaking in the playoffs on Labor Day weekend.

"I can’t ever see a club from New York taking part in the North American finals. Why should they? We have two different county boards with different agendas and it wouldn’t make sense for visiting clubs to be allowed in."

While relations between New York and Boston, a North American board member, have long been strained, it was rumored earlier this year that the neighboring associations were considering some sort of alliance. New York GAA president Monty Moloney and the Boston chairman, John McDevitt, did have several productive meetings at which they discussed the possibility of teams traveling between the cities.

"The NACB have no problem with intercity challenge games, but it’s important that they are filed through the proper channels," Kelly said.

Earlier this year, NACB officials refused to sanction a game between an all-star Boston selection and the New York county team because they claimed both cities were going on a "solo run" over the issue.

"We must develop and grow together if we’re to succeed." Kelly said. "But it must be done in the proper way and not by just two individuals." New York men’s clubs have always shown interest in joining their fellow U.S cities in the all-American finals. However, they have never being invited.

In 1997, a New York camogie team was invited to play in the San Francisco finals. But when they failed to turn up for the final game, the fledgling partnership was dissolved. The NACB were in a dilemma earlier this year themselves when they pulled the finals out of San Diego due to "inadequate playing facilities in the city."

It later emerged that they had serious concerns and reservations over the running of the event that now attracts up to 20,000 spectators over the three-day festival. Following intensive negotiations and after visiting the city, the officials decided it would be better to move the games to San Francisco.

"We’re very happy with the setup at the Polo field, where the games are going ahead now," Kelly said after the NACB visited the city recently. "They have access to at least three excellent fields and there is ample space for refreshment tents, parking and spectators."

Last year’s football champions, St. Brendan’s of Chicago, are in fine fettle again this year and with several new recruits in their ranks they are raging favorites to retain their pulpit position. In Boston, McAnespies, Cork and Conamara Gaels have all made early season progress. Elsewhere, Donegal and Derry are going neck-and-neck in Philadelphia. While in San Francisco, the Ulster club is always dangerous. The off-field activities including the awards banquet will take place at the Irish heritage center along the waterfront.

"It should be a great weekend and with the teams improving every year, we’re confident it will be a resounding success," Kelly said.

2000 NACB winners

Senior Hurling; Cuchulainn (Chicago) beat Galway (Boston), Senior Football, St. Brendan’s (Chicago) beat Cork (Boston); Intermediate Football, St. Colmcilles (Boston) beat Notre Dame (Boston); Junior "A" Football, Clan na Gael (San Diego) beat St. Brendans (Chicago); Junior "B" Football, Denvor Gael (Colorado) beat St. Pats (Florida); Junior Hurling, Galway (Boston) beat Naomh Padraig (San Francisco); Ladies GAA Final, Boston Shamrocks (Boston) beat Roscommon (Boston).