New York U14s beaten in Feile Peile group

"It was heartbreaking stuff," is how New York U-14 manager Noel O’Connell described his side’s defeat in the All-Ireland Feile Peile na nOg in Ireland earlier this month.

Arriving in Shannon, the Yanks were confident of going one better than in previous years. Two challenge games in Kerry and plenty of advice from the local experts, the visitors looked good for a final berth. When the finals kicked off in Tipperary, the New Yorkers were ready.

After defeating the Fossa club in Fitzgerald Stadium the day before the finals, everything was going according to plan. The New Yorkers played the host team, Cappawhite, in the first round of the tournament and emerged winners on a scoreline of 2-9 to 0-0. The team then headed to Thurles for the annual parade and opening ceremonies.

In Thurles, New York faced Annacorty, also from Tipperary, in their second match. The New York boys outplayed their opponents and won handily 3-10 to 0-1. Now the scene was set for a quarterfinal showdown against The Heath from Kilkenny. The Heath also defeated the same two opponents as New York and the winner of this match would go on to the semifinal rounds of the Feile.

New York dominated the majority of this game. However, the smaller pitch did curtail their lively forwards. Lady luck also departed the side and the visitors hit the crossbar twice, the upright once and had a certain goal-bound ball deflect off one of the forwards. With six minutes remaining and the scores level the Heath hit an opportunist goal. For the remainder of the match, New York laid siege on their opponent’s goal, but they failed to get the all-important score. The crossbar reached out and stopped a lethal shot, the upright prevented a point, another ball hit the crossbar and was cleared off the goal line by an alert Heath defender. A New York point then reduced the deficit to two points. But the most devastating event of all was in the final minute. The referee awarded New York a penalty, and then changed his mind after consulting his umpires. The entire New York team, coaches and traveling party were devastated. The final whistle sound after the kickout.

The players on the New York Under 14 panel were Sean Brady, Anthony Caltabiano, Steve Cassels, Gary Clancy, Kevin Cullinan, Michael Durkan, Joseph Farrell, Steven Greaney, Joseph Hallinan, Kyle Hannon, Conor Hogan, Chris Hughes, Matthew Jordan, Peter Kennelly, Lorcan Malone, Shane McDonnell, Thomas McGovern, Conor McKeon, Brendan McManus, Danny O’Malley, Peter Shea and Brian Walsh.