February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
There were six winners from the five divisions because of a deadlock among the selectors for the Senior football award. Rather than an unsatisfactory solution, such as a coin toss, it was decided that both players deserved the accolade and so Niall Corbett, Kerry’s attacking cornerback, and Matthew Mitchell, Donegal’s impressive number six were declared joint winners. The other winners were Bonny Kennedy (Connecticut State Senior hurling), Cathal McKeever (Derry SFB), Ronan Garvey (St. Barnabas JFA), and Brendan Moran (Offaly JFA).
Awards of this type are always a lightening rod for controversy, and of course, that’s half the fun of it. No team can possibly satisfy everyone, so let’s explain how this came about.
Last spring, the Association decided to institute these awards and the rules were established. Only New York-based players were eligible, no sanctioned players and no weekenders for the hurlers. To pick the winners the NYGAA invited the reporters from the three publications that regularly cover the matches, The Irish Echo, Irish Emmigrant, and Home and Away. It was also decided to include a representative from the SFA and SH champions. Unfortunately on the night of the balloting, the hurling representative from New Jersey/Kilkenny could not attend.
It was no easy task and many deserving players were unlucky enough to miss out. We attempted to select players at their legitimate positions, rather than selecting three center backs in the halfback line, for example. Fifteen hurlers were selected even though the local season is contested at 13 a side.
Senior Hurling All Stars
Alan Gleason, Offaly: Gleason’s spectacular goalkeeping performance for New York in the Eddie Burke Cup victory over visiting Westmeath capped an excellent season and earned him the nod over Tipperary’s fine keeper Tomas O’Meara.
Matthew Mitchell, Offaly: The co-footballer of the year surprised a lot of people with his prowess with the small ball but his athleticism combined with solid hurling skills make Mitchell New York’s only dual star.
Philip Wickham, Connecticut State: Wickham has been the model of consistency for both Connecticut and New York for the past several seasons and this year was no exception.
Adrian Guinan, Offaly: Starting with a great performance versus Antrim back in May and finishing with another blinder versus Westmeath, Guinan may well have been the best defender in New York this season.
Tadgh Healy, New Jersey/Kilkenny: The young Cork dual star was a major part of NJK’s first championship and New York’s victory over Westmeath.
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John Madden, Tipperary: John has won almost every award there is in hurling, including two All Ireland medals for Tipperary. He had another fine season in ’05 and no one has given more for club and county in New York over the last decade.
Enda Condren, Offaly: He has been the backbone of the Offaly side through thick and thin and continues to be as The Faithful have become a real contender in this division.
Tom Moylan, Tipperary; It was just a matter of which position for Moylan, who regularly switches with Madden. He was a tower of strength for New York versus Antrim and again versus Westmeath.
Paul Murray, Waterford: Murray never gave in during Waterford’s rough season and he is one of New York’s top dual stars.
Michael “Bonny” Kennedy, Connecticut State: Bonny is a remarkable scorer from both play and frees. The New York captain has turned the close free to a virtual penalty.
Ollie O’Neill, Connecticut State: The big number 11 has been an important part of Connecticut’s climb and his strength and hurling acumen continue to make him a handful on the 40.
Trevor Fletcher, Tipperary: “Fletch” is Tipperary’s main scoring threat and an ideal bookend to Bonny on New York’s half-forward line and was outstanding in New York’s close Ulster championship loss to Antrim.
Roy Henley, Waterford: The Waterford speedster had a great season despite his club’s struggles and has established himself and become a regular on the New York team.
Dave Simms, Galway: The Tribesmen’s lone representative put up some big numbers in 2005 showing that he hasn’t lost the scoring touch that has made him one of New York’s most dangerous forwards for so long.
Denis McCarthy, New Jersey/Kilkenny: Another dual star, McCarthy was a key man on NJK championship team.
New York Football All Stars
Eunan Doherty, Donegal: Still the best custodian in New York after yet another great season for Donegal.
Niall Corbett, Kerry: Co-player of the year can shut his man down and still contribute to attack.
Paul O’Connor, Clare: O’Connor loves the challenge of the big game. He kept Declan Browne quiet from play versus Tipperary and should be the first name on any New York team sheet.
James McIntyre, Cavan: Often moved onto opponent’s top forward, he had great battles with Kerry’s Johnny Crowley and had an outstanding season.
Pa Murphy, Kerry: Man of the Match in the New York final, this New York captain is a leader, who never gives less than 100 percent to his team.
Matthew Mitchell, Donegal: This co-player of the year never had a poor game. Outstanding in back-to-back matches for New York when the hurlers beat Westmeath and footballers before losing to Tipperarary.
Cathal McKeever, Derry: Brilliant in Derry’s SFB Championship, McKeever is a great passer and marker with a remarkable engine.
Cormac Kelly, Cavan: The most consistent midfielder in New York this season. Kelly is not flashy, but strong and steady.
Sean Lorden, Cavan: The more spectacular of the Cavan midfielders, the athletic Lordan was a big part of Cavan’s success this year.
Ronan Garvey, Clare: The Junior A player of the year for Barnabas, Garvey is the best passer of a football in New York and is always a dangerous scorer.
Alan McFadden, Leitrim: Leitrim had an up and down year but McFadden never faltered. A skillful passer and scorer, he is an ideal center forward.
12. Dave McCarthy, Kerry: Often in Bingo’s shadow, McCarthy has been a big reason for Kerry’s success in recent years.
Mike Keaveney, Clare: Dangerous from frees and plays, Keaveney showed great heart against native Galway despite New York’s bad loss.
Dermot Foley, Kerry: The lanky young footballer was a key cog in the Kerry attack in their championship season.
Paddy Smith, Cavan: “Tomo” is a handful for any back and was as dangerous as any forward in New York this season.
This recognition is long overdue for the players who do so much to keep Ireland’s native games alive and well in New York. Congratulations.