All-Ireland JFC: Holders New York advance to decider

All-Ireland JFC Semi-Final

New York 2-12 Warwickshire 1-11

By Paul Keane at the GAA National Games Development Centre, Abbottstown

The New York junior footballers are an hour from a historic three-in-a-row of All-Ireland titles.

But it took a powerful second-half performance in Abbottstown to secure their place in Sunday afternoon's Croke Park final.

Trailing by three points at half-time in a low-scoring game at that stage, it wasn't looking good for New York who previously required extra-time to see off USGAA by a point at the quarter-final stage.

But in sweltering heat at the north Dublin venue, New York's fitness stood to them as they came roaring into the game in the second-half with Jack Healy their key man, sniping 1-2.

Healy's 42nd minute goal put New York into a lead they would stretch to four points by full-time.

Colm Shalvey fisted in New York's second goal with nine minutes to go, setting the seal on a deserved win though he was injured in the process and had to be taken off.

Substitutes had a big impact in the stifling conditions with Shalvey and Emmet Loughran getting on the scoresheet while James Donovan won the kick-out that led to Shalvey's goal. Shalvey also won a free that was converted by Brian Coughlan who finished with 0-5.

Mick Healy's New York showed eight changes from the team that lined out at Croke Park for last year's one-point All-Ireland final win over London.

Full-forward Coughlan, who played in each of their two final wins, was back again and among the scorers early on as New York started brightly.

They had three points on the board inside eight minutes and looked all set to push on for greater gains.

But playing into the stiff wind they didn't score again until after the siren had sounded at the end of the half.

They had their chances for goals but Coughlan and then Lorcan Kennedy, who came on as a sub in last year's final, were both denied by blocks. Wing back Ian Kavanagh also hand-passed a ball to the net when trying to fist over the bar.

Warwickshire eventually capitalised on New York's wasteful play, as well as the wind advantage, drawing level by the 18th minute and pushing on to take a 0-7 to 0-4 half-time lead.

Michael Mannion boomed over a terrific two-pointer, as did Jack Keogh.

Midfielder Jack Gillespie had a big impact for Warwickshire too, powering forward whenever he got the opportunity and he scored a point from play, as well as another from a free after drawing the foul.

Warwickshire, beaten in the All-Britain final by a point last month, twice led by four points in the third quarter but noticeably faded out after that in the wilting heat.

New York came thundering into the game in the last half hour, outscoring Warwickshire by 2-7 to 1-2. Jack Keogh pinched a late goal for Warwickshire after playing a one-two with Gillespie who spent much of the second-half close to goal.

Scorers for New York: Jack Healy 1-2, Brian Coughlan 0-5 (3fs, 1 45)), Colm Shalvey 1-0, Lorcan Kennedy 0-2, Ian Kavanagh 0-1, Aaron Traynor 0-1, Emmet Loughran 0-1.

Scorers for Warwickshire: Jack Keogh 1-2 (tp), Jack Gillespie 0-5 (3fs), Michael Mannion 0-2 (tp), Louis Monaghan 0-1, Declan Staunton 0-1.

New York: Pat Guerin; Paidi Mathers, Dylan Curran, Rory O'Riordan; Aaron Traynor, Kevin Rafferty, Ian Kavanagh; Gearoid Kennedy, Conor Mathers; Lorcan Kennedy, Garvin Lee, Danny Corridan; Ronan Melly, Brian Coughlan, Jack Healy.

Subs: James Donovan for Conor Mathers 39, Colm Shalvey for Lee 39, Emmet Loughran for Corridan 48, Chris Mulvihill for Colm Shalvey 51 (inj), Eoin Kennedy for Gearoid Kennedy 56, Ryan Shalvey for Melly 59.

Warwickshire: Daniel Rushe; Callum Maguire, Darragh Mahon, Declan Staunton; Freddie Langdell, Jack Chapman, Michael Mannion; Jack Gillespie, Niall Gilbride; Paddy Bennett, Mikey McAleer, Rossa O'Donovan; Louis Monaghan, Conal Dowling, Jack Keogh.

Subs: Sean Murphy for Langdell 39, Neil Kelly for McAleer 45, Eoghan O'Sullivan for O'Donovan 49, Lorcan Towey for Bennett 53, Finn O'Brien for Gillespie 59.

Referee: Diarmuid Boylan (Monaghan).