New York 0-13; Kilkenny 1-9
New York footballers made history on Sunday at Croke Park by capturing the All-Ireland Junior football championship. Kilkenny were back to defend their title from last year, while New York were hoping to avenge last year’s defeat by the Cats.
The new format, initiated in 2022, in the Junior championship (which is a grade not an age category) features New York, Kilkenny and the winners and runners-up of the British Junior Football championship. In 2023, New York booked their final spot on Friday by defeating Warwickshire, 1-7 to 0-7, and Kilkenny accounted for London, 1-13 to 0-15.
Kilkenny lined out 10 of last year’s victorious squad, while New York were all American-born, ample testimony to the great development work being done by the Minor Board. There was plenty excitement, especially in the latter part of the second half. Kilkenny had dominated most of the second half to go two points clear with the help of a Mick Kenny goal, plus points from James Carroll, Conor Hennessy and Mick Malone. Brian Coughlan, the savior or hero from the semifinal, capped a great come back, with the winning point in the third minute of added time.
Prior to that three late points from Shay McElligot, New York’s most productive player and man-of-the-match had drawn the sides level.
Meanwhile the game was played under ideal conditions, but both sides squandered scoring options before James Carroll got the opening score for Kilkenny resulting from a turnover. At the other end CJ Molloy got New York on the board with a free after Conor Mathers was fouled. The next score didn’t arrive until midway in the period, Mick Kenny pointed a free while Dylan Curran got a yellow card for being a bit over-zealous. It was soon stalemate as Conor Mathers landed a fine effort from play, after a turnover set the scene for the score. The two Micks namely, Kenny and Malone, combined for the latter to point on the 20 minute mark. For the remainder of the half New York were much more dominant; as they defended well, forced turnovers, strong penetrating runs by Brian Coughlan, and spectacular fielding accentuated by Colm Shalvey.
The scores began to flow from McElligot, with good help from Molloy, Mathers, Coughlan and company to open up a two points lead approaching the half. However that was nearly negated as Mick Malone, burst through and blasted a golden goal opportunity wide from close range. There were two minutes of added time at end of the half, and New York added two valuable points courtesy of Thomas Shalvey and Conor Mathers. New York led 0-7 to 0-3 at the break.
Upon resumption Kilkenny introduced substitutes who would later have an impact, especially Ciaran Quilty, but it was New York who had the first impact. Brian Coughlan forced a turnover and took off on one of his trademark penetrating runs, only to be fouled, leaving McElligot the chance to extend the lead to five points after five minutes into the period. Kilkenny were now stepping up their performance, putting New York under pressure. However, they wasted viable chances before Mick Kenny pointed. This score seemed to greatly invigorate them as in a 12-minute spell, the Cats would put an unanswered 1-3 on the board. James Carroll pointed before he had a powerful looking goal-bound effort brilliantly saved by Ryan Corrigan. However, keeper Corrigan was not able to stop Mick Kenny’s goal in the 42th minute, and now the sides were all square.
Kilkenny went ahead with a fisted effort by Conor Hennessy, but it was soon level again as Emmett Loughran came off the bench to point. Kilkenny looked destined for the victor’s circle, with points from Malone and Carroll with less than five regulation minutes left on the clock. Shay McElligot initiated the comeback with a superb point from his left boot and quickly equalized after the referee applied the advantage, but Ciaran Quilty punched over to regain the lead as the clock headed into added time. The tit for tat sequence continued as time ebbed away with Shay McElligot leveling once more.
Then in the 63rd minute, Brian Coughlan gained possession and his mission was clear, a score. The ball was in good hands, he delivered a major score in the semifinal, and he delivered a major score here, the winning point. Kilkenny went all out looking for a score, goal or point, but they were resolutely met by Corrigan, Cronin, Mathers, Rafferty, Boyle and company at the back.
Overall New York were deserving winners; they were more productive and economical with their possession, they defended diligently, and as a team they combined and supported each other very well.
Congratulations on this historic achievement and kudos to manager Johnny McGeeney and his backroom team of Gareth Bailie, Mike Healy and Kevin Moriarity. What a year it has been for New York football, a first win in the Connacht championship and now an All-Ireland Junior championship. It was also nice to hear Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” being serenaded in Croke Park.
New York: Ryan Corrigan, Peter Cronin, Dylan Curran, Paidi Mathers, Mikey Boyle, CJ Molloy, Colm Shalvey, Conor Mathers(0-2), Gearoid Kennedy, Danny Corridan(capt), Brian Coughlan(0-1), Thomas Shalvey(0-1), Shane Slattery, Kevin Rafferty, Shay McElligot(0-7). Subs Chris Mulvihill for CJ Molloy, Emmett Loughran(0-1) for Thomas Shalvey, Kaelan Walsh for Shane Slattery, Ian Kavanagh for Colm Shalvey, Aidan Lawler for Kaelan Walsh.
Kilkenny: Ciaran Farnam, Shane Kelly, Tom Kenny, James Darmody, Kevin Blanchfield, Nathan Sherry, Ger Malone, Conor Hennessy(0-1), Tom Aylward, Mick Malone(0-2), Jim Culleton, Mick Kenny(1-2), James Carroll(0-3), Ian Duggan, Jamie Holohan. Subs. Ciaran Quilty(0-1), Adam Mansfield, Vinny O’Grady, Joe Fennelly, Mikey Jones, Rory Monks, Ethan Phelan. Referee David Murnane(Cork)
2nd quarter proves
crucial for Tipperary
2-22 Waterford 3-13
Tipperary had too much firepower for Waterford to contend with in this New York senior hurling championship, though they did get a late scare.
Waterford were quickly out of the blocks and Ciaran Kirwan drew a foul on their first attack, which chief marksman Donal Parr duly pointed. Indeed the same player had a very productive outing, but it wasn’t enough. Meanwhile when play switched to the other end a superb catch on a long delivery ended with AJ Willis rifling it to the net. Still Waterford had the momentum in the first quarter and went ahead on the basis of Parr frees, though some in the press box were adamant that a black card should have been allotted. Tipp dominated the second quarter, they put ten points on the board while limiting their opponents to just three. Freetaker Conor Hammersley hammered home several, and teammates Mark Caulfield, Darragh Hynes, Tommy Kavanagh, James Keyes and Pat Ryan also demonstrated their scoring prowess. At the short whistle Tipperary led comfortably by 1-10 to 0-7. On resumption Tipp continued to dominate and they quickly added three points as well-directed long deliveries to the forwards was the norm. Waterford’s long scoring drought ended with a point from Ciaran Kirwan, and hopes might have been raised when Parr floated over one from play.
However any notion of a comeback was quickly dispelled when full-forward Pat Ryan stroked a fine point and followed up with a goal after a nice pass from Tommy Kavanagh. Now there were 11 points between the teams with just 10 minutes gone in the period. In fairness to Waterford, though the deficit was mounting, they kept battling, and hit three unanswered points courtesy of Parr(2) and substitute Conor Condon. Things seem to be going favorably for Tipp as they added four points, to be twelve ahead with just five minutes left on the clock. Then defenders Darragh Hynes and Lar McDonald chipped in with points before the scoreboard changed radically. Waterford had their most productive period scoring three goals in as many minutes to give the scene a veneer of competitiveness. First Ciaran Kirwan goaled,and Declan Parr followed with two more to leave the score 2-20 to 3-13 with mere minutes left.
That was as good or as close as it got as Tipp added late points from Pat Ryan and Mike Sheedy to help solidify the icing on the victory cake. Overall Tipp was the stronger team, and they had a much greater variety of scoring options, while their opponents did not have the same variability. New York’s Vice-chair, Seamus McNabb presented the Michael J Flannery Cup to joint captains Darragh Hynes and Darragh Peters.
Tipperary: Keith Robinson, Darragh Hynes(0-1), Henry Keyes(0-1), Brian Power, Mark Caulfield(0-1), Colin O’Brien, Daragh Peters(0-1), Johnny Burns, Tom O’Meara, Tommy Kavanagh(0-1), Conor Hammersley(0-7), James Keyes(0-2), AJ Willis(1-1), Pat Ryan(1-4), Ruadhan Mulrooney(0-2). Subs James McCormack, Frankie Kennedy, Bill Maher, Mikey Sheedy(0-1), Joey Grace(0-1), Liam Donovan, Kevin Bulfin, Padraig Gill.
Waterford: John Joe Joyce, Mick Ward, James Cronin-Rogers, Colin Foley, Jimmy Bermingham. Darran O’Donoghue, Emmett Hunter, Johnny Power, Willie Brazil, Evan Hunt, Donal Parr(2-8), Martin Cullen(0-2), Aidan Organ, Ciaran Kirwan(1-2), Conor Lynch. Subs Lar McDonald(0-1), Cormac Condon(0-1), Peter Gallagher, Byran Mullins, Conner O’Kane, Eamon Melville, Conor Higgins, James Breen, Joe McBride. Referee Chris Dalton, Man of Match Conor Hammersley
Kerry in control
Kerry 1-10 Cavan 0-6
For most of this intermediate game Kerry dealt capably with the Cavan challenge, though surprisingly Cavan had three points on the board in the first three minutes. In a low scoring first half, Kerry led 0-6 to 0-4 at the break. The Kingdom surged ahead comfortably in the second, even with the luxury of missing a few goals.
Kerry: Kevin Dwyer, Hugh McDonald, Niall Collins(0-1), Adrian Lang, Rob O’Sullivan, James Walsh, Mike Cronin, Liam Kearney, Peter Fox, Niall McCarthy, Niall Madine, Keith Quinn, Colm Logue, Martin Stack(0-7), , Conor Keane(1-3). Subs Ed Meyers, Shane Mangan, Creigh Courtney, Sean Liddy, Ronan McLoughlin, Kenneth Quirke.
Cavan: Mark Galligan, Adam Sherriff, Frank Brady, Ryan Sexton, John Oates, Eoin Curry, Keith Kelly, Mike Argue(0-1), Oran McNally, Conor Nulty(0-1), Martin Michael Lynch, Conor Harten(0-1), Caoimhin O’Reilly(0-3), Fionn Ferguson. Subs Steven Harten, Barry Davis, Martin Walsh, Chris Cahill, Liam McGrath. Referee Ciaran Lee.
