[caption id="attachment_68060" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Colaiste Eoin's Cillian O'Seanin is tackled by A.J. Murphy of Dublin North during the Leinster Colleges [high schools"]
In the final of the u 16 league Rockland just about had the edge but the combination squad made them work hard all the way to the final whistle. Rockland started very impressively and soon jumped ahead with points from Aidan Weir, Ronan Curry and Garvin Lee. St Raymond's/St Brendan's were slow to start but eventually some strong running from Mike Murphy set up Terence McDonald for the opening score.
By midway they had drawn level as Peter Rogers pointed from play and from a placed ball after James Smith was fouled. However Rockland stepped on the gas again as Kieran Walsh, their chief play-maker and score-getter, struck two very fine scores. Meanwhile another good run by Murphy plus a good interchange between Rogers and Smith ended a Murphy point. For the last 10 minutes Rockland monopolized possession but a goal bound effort from Weir came back off the post before a quick free from Walsh set up Lee for a point. At the other end the post also came to the rescue before another trademark run from Murphy ended with a spectacular point to just leave the minimum between the sides at the break.
The combo squad leveled up right from the throw in as good lead- up play by Rogers and Murphy ended with Smith hitting the target. Further pressure saw an Emmett Keane effort cleared off the line before the action was transferred to the other end. Rockland were now back in the driving seat after withstanding the early onslaught as Walsh ran off three straight points with good support from Logan McIntyre, Martin Gavin, Ryan Traynor and Lee. Then as Rockland looked to be edging away, a goal from Steven O'Shea brought the sides level midway in the period.
Now the intensity increased as both side had shots blocked and missed before Lee broke the dead lock by finishing the good support play of Walsh and Aidan Noonan for a point. A further attack saw Weir solo right through the defense but keeper Kilkenny did well to deflect the ball out for a "45." However once again Walsh showed his coolness and class as he clinically sent the ball with plenty to spare over the black spot.
The combo squad battled back to score again, but Rockland had the ace in Walsh as he methodically ran down the clock and eventually drew a free and an eventual score to cap a man of the match performance to complete a very sporting and exciting game.
Rockland Pat Guerin, Joe Joyce, James Linnane, Brian Maher, James Moriarty, Chris Coughlin, Brandon Healy, Martin Gavin, Brian Coryn, Aidan Weir, Kieran Walsh, Eoghan O'Brien, Ryan Traynor, Ronan Curry, Garvin Lee. Subs. Aidan Noonan, Logan McIntyre, Alex Jeroy, Kenny Sessay
St. Raymond's/St. Brendan's John Kilkenny, Joe Minna, Declan Byrne, Brendan Grant, Mike Murphy, Conor Phelan, TJ Corbett, Peter Rogers, Steven Slattery, Emmett Keane, Steven O'Shea, Conor Bradley, James Smith, Terence McDonald Subs Stephen Dunnion, Darren McGivney, Colm Mellet, Kevin Mahon, Morgan McLoughlin, Brian McLoughlin, Pearse Crowley Referee Martin O'Connor
Rangers roll over Rockland
The minor final brought down the curtain on Gaelic games for the year as the Rangers easily saw off the challenge of Rockland. This was a very powerful Rangers squad as they well anchored from goalkeeper Aidan Tansey to a strong central line of Donnacha O'Dwyer, Daniel Lehane, Kevin Daly, Brendan Hynes, Aidan Jussiffe and Kevin Moran and which was well supported from the flanks.
In fairness to Rockland many of their players had earlier being involved in the tough u 16 decider and hence fatigue was certainly a factor. Though Kevin Daly and Mike Vince exchanged opening points the Rangers took control as they raced into a 2-5 to 0-2 lead at the half. Moran struck the first goal after he latched on to a well- while placed delivery from Daly while Brian Twomey hit a brace of points before he rattled the net after Lehane had supplied the critical pass.
The exchange after the break were fairly evenly until midway as Mike Vince, Conor McIntyre, Ronan Curry, Conor O'Sullivan and Austin O'Toole stepped up their performances for Rockland. Both sides hit three points before Rangers hit the turbo button again midway as Jussiffe blasted a powerful shot to the net plus another three points quickly popped up on the board.
With 10 minutes left and leading by 3-11 to 0-5, it was well and truly over as a contest but Rockland to their credit refused to throw in the towel despite the deficit. They managed to add 1-3 to their tally with the goal coming from James Moriarity with Vince and O'Sullivan hitting the points to add a veneer of respectability to the score line of a contest that was rarely in doubt once the rampant Rangers found the range.
Rangers Aidan Tansey, Kieran Donnelly, Donnacha O'Dwyer, Dan Feighery, Garrett Moore, Daniel Lehane, Dan Moriarity, Kevin Daly, Brendan Hynes, Joe Shankey, Aidan Jussiffe, John McCusker, Jack Becker, Kieran Moran, Brian Twomey. Subs. Keith McCarthy, Mike Teelan, Paul Reynolds, Emmett Clarke, Enda Dunbar, Keith McHugh, PJ Loane, Uner Cassidy
Rockland Mike Coleman, Stephen Moroney, James Linnane, Chris Coughlin, Conor Madigan, Andrew Giamarcia, Austin O'Toole, Tommy Furlong, Mike Vince, Conor McIntyre, Garvin Lee, Ronan Curry, Conor O'Sullivan, Kieran Wash Subs Aidan Weir, Logan McIntyre, James Moriarity, Alex Jeremie Referee Martin O'Connor.
Pat Murray R.I.P.
Pat Murray, a former New York Leitrim footballer, and most recently a resident of Hackensack passed away on October 31st. He was 73 and retired as a construction supervisor from the New York Telephone Company. Pat is survived by his wife Noreen and children Brian, Shean, Eileen and Diane. The funeral service was held on Thursday, Nov. 3 at the Englewood Assembly of God Church and the late Pat was buried in George Washington Memorial Park Paramus.
Pat was universally known as Big Pat Murray in New York GAA circles and he was easily recognizable from his large physical stature on the playing field. He got the "Big" prefix attached to his name when another Pat Murray, this one of smaller dimensions and a fine footballer, too, came along from Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim. From then on, it was Big Pat and Little Pat with their performances being occasionally labeled the "Murray Show" by John Byrne of the Irish Echo.
Before coming to the States, Pat played with his local club Drumeela and St. Ciaran's College in Dublin. In New York, he won championship medals with Leitrim in 1958 and 1973. During his prime playing days Pat featured prominently on the New York All-Star team. In 1962 he traveled to Wembley to play against London and later against Kerry. In 1963, Pat played against Kerry in the National League Home final and he won a National League medal in 1964 when New York defeated Dublin. Pat's individual and inspirational displays on the local scene also garnered him many accolades.
In 1962 and 1963, Pat won the Ballantine Awards for outstanding displays. Also in those years , he won the grand prize as player of the year and received trips to the All-Ireland. He also picked up the Tommy Ayers trophy for the Outstanding Player at the United Irish Counties field day. Pat was unique in the annals of Leitrim football as he played longer (1957 to 1982) and in more games (at least 200) than any other Leitrim player. Besides being a central playing figure, Pat Murray capably commanded the gamut of positions from full back to full forward, he could also make a credible claim to another record, namely torn jerseys. It was not an uncommon sight to see defenders swinging from Pat's shredded jersey as they attempted to stop him going goalwards.
Besides having a very productive and prominent playing career, Pat also managed, trained the team while also being Leitrim's delegate and secretary. In later years with St. Joseph's he guided several under-age teams to New York Minor titles. The late Pat was my team mate in the early 1970s and I was in awe of his prowess as he was an outstanding player on the field but more importantly also an outstanding individual off the field. Big Pat Murray was a tower in the Leitrim ranks for nearly three decades, and capped a great career by being Leitrim's most capped player.
The GAA Elections
The nodding, the winking, the hinting and keeping the cards close to the proverbial vest ended on Thursday night as calls for nominations were made at the regular meeting of the GAA. Larry McCarthy's reign as chairman was ending so the word from the unofficial sources along McLean Avenue was that Brendan O'Sullivan, the Vice-President would progress to the Chairman's position. However getting the top job was not going to be that easy as Liam Birmingham, the current Secretary and also a former Chairman, threw his hat into the ring for the position. Naturally as O'Sullivan has had to vacate his position in his quest for higher office, thus prompting Tommy Fahey and Lawrence McGrath to seek the Vice-Presidency.
Similarly as Birmingham vacates his position, there will be a battle between the outgoing Registrar Mary Murphy and the current PRO Joan Henchy, both native New Yorkers, to fill the position. Voting will be on Dec. 4 while I'm sure the delegates will be hearing from the respective office seekers as they seek to obtain their all-important number one on the ballot. Meanwhile Treasurer John Phelan and Assistant Treasurer Liam Moffat will be returned unopposed as will the Development Officer, John Fitzpatrick, the Youth Officer, Denis Twomey and the Coaching Officer, Alan Hearty. Rounding out the slate of officers as the incoming PRO is yours truly.
