By Eamonn Kelly
For the first time in the 41-year history of the North American Board of the GAA, the nation’s capital will be the host city for this years national playoffs. Following many months of planning by the Washington, D.C., Gaels, the lone GAA club in the capital, the stage is all set for the 1998 Guinness North American Championships over the Labor Day weekend. It has been an enormous task for this enterprising club as 47 games are on the agenda and over 10,000 fans are expected to attend the tournament in the Washington suburb of Gaithersburg, Md.
After the conclusion of the various divisional championships over the past couple of weeks, the following cities will be represented in the playoffs: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Detroit, Philadelphia, Pompano Beach, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle and Washington, D.C.
The huge schedule which starts at 12:50 p.m. on Friday Sept. 4 includes the following competitions: camogie, ladies junior and senior football, men’s junior A and B football, men’s intermediate football, men’s senior football, minor and juvenile football, junior and senior hurling.
As all divisions have now identified the team that have qualified for this years playoffs, following is a brief review of each competition:
Senior Football
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Chicago Wolfe Tones who were bidding for a record-breaking fourth consecutive divisional and North American title were dethroned by a very well balanced St. Brendan’s team in the Chicago Central Division final replay. Based on their displays in the drawn and replay games, St. Brendan’s will be a strong contender for the national championship. They face Boston Aidan McAnespies in the semifinal on Saturday at 3:40 p.m. Defeated North/East finalists, Kerry, have qualified to meet Philadelphia champions, Kevin Barry in the second semifinal on Saturday at 5 p.m.
Senior Hurling
Current senior hurling champions, San Francisco Naomh Padraig, relinquished their western division title to rivals, Na Fianna so will not be in Washington to defend the national title they won in great style against Chicago Cu Chulainn in San Francisco last year. The loss of former Tipperary star, Declan Carr, and the retirement of Brendan Uniacke no doubt contributed to Naomh Padraig’s effort to retain the divisional title. Na Fianna, who have won nine of the last 10 Western Division championships may be favorites to recapture the national title they last held in 1990 and 1991.
However, stiff challenges are expected from Central Division champions Harry Boland’s and the two North/East division representatives, Tipperary and Cork. They are scheduled to play North East winners, Tipperary, in the semi-final on Saturday at 11:40 a.m. Chicago Harry Boland’s, holders of 11 North American championships, finally overcame current Central Division champions, Cu Chulainn after a replay and 30 minutes of overtime. The Boland’s now face North East runners-up, Boston Cork in the second semifinal on Saturday at 2:20 p.m.
Junior Hurling
Los Angeles St. Pat’s will begin to defend their title when they meet Boston Cork in a semifinal clash on Saturday at 3 p.m. In the other semifinal, Western Division champions, San Jose St. Joseph’s qualified to meet Philadelphia Brian Boru in the other semifinal. staged at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
Intermediate Football
North American champions, San Francisco Sean McDermotts regained their Western Division title with a victory over Shannon Rangers and will now face defeated North East finalist, Notre Dame in the semifinal on Saturday at 5 p.m. Northeast winners, St. Pat’s will play Philadelphia champions, Young Ireland’s in the other semifinal on Saturday at 10:20 a.m.
Junior Football (A)
The 1997 winners, St. Pat’s from Pompano Beach, Fla., will again be the team to beat in this years Junior A competition. Their opening game at 12:50 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4, offers tough opposition when they face Philadelphia champions, Wolfe Tones, in the quarterfinal. The other quarterfinal pairings are: San Diego Clan na Gael (1997 Junior B winners) vs. Detroit Wolfe Tones; Chicago John McBrides vs. Boston Shannon Blues; Philadelphia Donegal vs. San Francisco Naomh Padraig.
Junior Football (B)
With last years winners, San Diego Clan na Gael promoted to the A Division, the football junior B competition is wide open. Biggest challenge may come from Florida St. Pat’s whose club won the Junior A last year. The quarter final pairings are as follows: Seattle Gaels vs. Atlanta Clan na Gael; Florida St. Pat’s vs. Cleveland St. Jarlath’s.
Women’s Senior Football
Philadelphia Emerald Eagles who have dominated the women’s senior football championship in recent years will be competing for their fourth consecutive North American title. Last year’s runners-up, Chicago Erin’s Rovers, who were considered unfortunate in last year’s extended final are expected to provide the biggest challenge. Also, Boston Shamrocks, who came close to taking the title two years ago are expected to do well. In the first semifinal, scheduled for Saturday at 2:20 p.m., Western Division champions, San Francisco Fog City Harps will face off against North East winners, Boston Shamrocks. The second semifinal will be a repeat of last years final when Philadelphia Emerald Eagles face Chicago Erin’s Rovers at 3:40 p.m., Saturday.
Women’s Junior Football
Most cities will compete in the women’s junior football competition. Last year’s winner San Francisco Saoirse relinquished their Western Division title to Fog City who will play Florida St. Pat’s in the quarterfinal on Friday at 2:10 p.m. The other quarterfinals are: Detroit St. Ann’s vs. Denver Gaels; So. Cal vs. Atlanta; Washington Gaels vs. Seattle Gaels.
Underage Football
Three underage competitions are on the schedule, under 16, 18 and 21 with teams from Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia and San Francisco competing. Chicago are the current minor under 18 champions and will be competing against Boston and San Francisco.
Camogie is also on the schedule with New York Young Ireland’s competing with teams from Chicago, Boston and San Francisco.