New York and Boston set for All Star clash
New York and Boston set for All Star clash
New York and Boston set for All Star clash
As part of the 2014 GAA/GPA All Star Tour in Boston, the New York GAA team will take on Boston in the curtain raiser to the main All Star exhibition game between the 2013 and 2014 sides this Saturday.
The match will take place at the Irish Cultural Center in Canton, MA at 12pm.
The 2013/2014 All Stars party depart for Boston on Thursday while New York and Boston have both named their panels for Saturday's game.
Former Donegal player Ross Wherity is included in Ian Galvin's New York panel along with Down duo Ger McCartan and Keith Quinn. Offaly midfielder Brian Connor returns after missing out on the Connacht SFC defeat to Mayo in May.
The Boston Northeast Division and the Irish Cultural Center are hosting a traveling party of 100 from Ireland, including GAA and GPA dignitaries, referees, media, and a star studded group of 30 of the top Gaelic footballers in the world who will play on the storied turf at the ICC in Canton.
GAA President Liam Ó Néill and President-Elect Aogán Ó Fearghail will be making the trip, as will GPA President Dermot Earley. The delegation arrives later on Thursday, and there will be a series of events, including a reception with the Consul General, before the big day on Saturday.
Also on the slate is an under 12 game which will see the Shannon Gaels club travel up from New York to take on a Boston selection.
New York manager Ian Galvin said: "We are really looking forward to the game. I'm delighted to get the opportunity to get the players together. We have a lot of new lads and there's been a good turnover of players. It's a huge honor for our players to be able to show their abilities before the best players in Ireland and I'm sure it will be a well contested game against Boston."
Newly elected New York Chairman Laurence McGrath said the visit to Boston was the ideal way to round off the centenary celebrations.
"We will be launching our history book in December in the Irish Consulate and that will be a great evening for New York GAA," said McGrath. "Fergus Hanna has put a lot of work into the book and it is an excellent publication. We are honored to be invited to Boston for such a prestigious occasion and I'm sure the three games will prove to be a fine exhibition of Gaelic Football.
Tralee native Brian Kennedy is managing the Boston side along with Gerry Prior (Wolfe Tones) and Michael McGinty (Donegal). Kennedy has previously managed local club Shannon Blues to two Boston senior football championships.
"There has been a great response from our players," he acknowledged. "The commitment is great, the lads are putting it in on the training ground and giving everything for the game. We do not just want to show up, we want to win the game."
Click here for details of the 2013/2014 All Star teams travelling to Boston
NEW YORK (NY clubs in brackets): Gavin Joyce (Cavan), Ger McCartan (Kerry), Kieran O'Connor (Kerry), Ronan McGinley (Cavan), Keith Scally (Westmeath), Lee Kelly (Rockland), Mike Jim Fitzgerald (Kerry), Brian Connor (Leitrim), Keith O'Connor (Cork), Colm Maginn (Cavan), Sean Dalton (Cavan), JJ Mathews (Longford), Gary O'Driscoll (Kerry, Captain), Luke Loughlin (Westmeath), Jer O'Sullivan (Kerry), Tommy Warburton (Cavan), Richey Morgan (Armagh), Michael Hallissey (Armagh), Liam Deane (Barnabas), Shane Hogan (Barnabas), Ciaran Hughes (Leitrim), Mickey Leneghan (Cork), Ross Wherity (Kerry), Damian McCaughey (Manhattan Gaels), Keith Quinn (Leitrim), Jason Kelly (Offaly), Dermot Mullen (Cork).
BOSTON: Eoin Connolly (Connemara Gaels), Paddy Coakley (McAnespies), Colin Mc Carron (Donegal), Sean Doherty (Donegal), Shane Kelly (Shannon Blues), Damien Doolin (Connemara Gaels), David Clifford (Shannon Blues), Sean Connelly (Connemara Gaels), Garry Brilly (Wolfe Tones), Pat McNicholas (Connemara Gaels), Conor Mullen (Shannon Blues), Niall Gallen (Mc Anespies), Paudie Kenneally (Christophers), Collie Donnelly (McAnespies), Pat Murray (Shannon Blues), Ian Whelan (Kerry), Noel Graham (Connemara Gaels), Matt Smith (Donegal), Gareth O'Neill (McAnespies), Mike O'Brien (Wolfe Tones), Coleman Mulkerins (Connemara Gaels), Cormac Joyce-Power (Wolfe Tones), Robbie Croft (Kerry), Conor Fitzgerald (Shannon Blues), Ciaran Mc Devitt (Donegal), Sean Moriarty (Shannon Blues), Joey Fitzpatrick (Kerry), Dan Kenneally (Christophers), Dan McCabe (Wolfe Tones), Shane Kavanagh (Shannon Blues), Joe O'Shea (Kerry), Mark Dunphy (Donegal).