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Opening games at Gaelic Park

February 16, 2011

By Staff Reporter

By Pierce O’Reilly

The draw for the opening games at Gaelic Park in both senior and junior football were announced this week and a host of interesting clashes are in store for avid Big Apple GAA supporters.

Opening day is Sunday, April 1, and it’s hoped that several rounds will be played before the New York footballers and hurlers depart for their championship clashes.

The New York hurlers are hosts this season to Down on May 13. However, it is expected that no hurling or football games will be played for at least two weeks before the championship clashes.

The New York footballers play Roscommon on May 19 at Dr. Hyde Park in Roscommon. All eyes this year will be on new Donegal coach Donal Gallagher to see if he can build on the recent success of Connie Molloy and retain the senior crown.

Kerry are eager to rejoin the top table this season, while Tyrone are reported to be stronger than ever with John Moore at the helm. Leitrim are struggling with a player shortages presently and may need another year to rebuild, while Westmeath, Cavan, Stamford, and Sligo have failed to impress in recent years. New kids on the block Rockland may have a few surprises in store, but they’re unlikely to trouble the top three or four teams later in the season.

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In the "B" division, Offaly, Monaghan and newcomers Rangers will battle it out for the top places. Longford, Clare, Cork, Mayo and Roscommon will be relying heavily on summer imports, and if they don’t arrive, most of them will struggle to make the playoffs.

In the Junior "A" division, Down may make the breakthrough this year. Donegal, Fermanagh, Armagh and Kerry will make a dogfight out of it, but the Mourne men have being around a long time now and if they keep their cool they should be good enough for senior football next season.

In Junior "B," it’s impossible to call, with 19 teams competing. Derry and Galway will have good intentions, while Stamford, Astoria, Monaghan, New Haven, and Meath won’t be far away.

The full list of opening games is as follows.

Senior Football draw

Division "A"

Kerry vs. Tyrone, Rockland vs. Donegal, Westmeath vs. Cavan, Leitrim vs. Stamford. Sligo have a bye.

Division "B"

Cork vs. Roscommon, Monaghan vs. Offaly, Mayo vs. Clare, Rangers vs. Longford.

Junior "A"

Sligo vs. Armagh, Down vs. Kerry, Tyrone vs. Celtics, Fermanagh vs. Donegal.

Junior "B" Section 1

Rockland vs. Monaghan, Rangers vs. Westmeath, St. Raymond’s vs. Derry. Meath have a bye.

Junior "B" Section 2

Offaly vs. New Haven, Galway vs. Cavan, St. Barnabas vs. Brooklyn.

Junior "B" Section 3

Long Island Gaels vs. Dublin, Stamford vs. Roscommon, Astoria vs. Mayo.

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