Cold Doesn’t Freeze All-Star Show

Irish Voice Sport

Cold Doesn’t Freeze All-Star Show

December 6, 2007

By April Drew

DESPITE artic temperatures last Saturday, hundreds of GAA supporters showed up at Gaelic Park in the Bronx, donned in hats and scarves, to see the 2006 and 2007 Irish all-star hurling teams battle it out in an exhibition game that marked the official opening of the refurbished Gaelic Park. Although accustomed to harsh weather in Ireland, some of the players couldn’t believe the severity of the cold.

“I always knew that New York was cold at Christmas but I never dreamed it would be this bad,” said 2006 player Ronan Curran (Cork) 10 minutes before togging off to face his 2007 opponents, who won the friendly by five points.

The wives of GAA President Nickey Brennan and the GAA’s outgoing director general Liam Mulvihill sat at the sidelines before the game with their hands wrapped around a strong cup of Barry’s tea. Maire Mulvihill told the Irish Voice that the weather didn’t bother her so much and she intended to enjoy the remainder of the trip in New York.

Mairead Brennan said she was enjoying the trip and was excited about the exhibition game. “We’re looking forward to the game on the new pitch,” said Mairead, referring to the new pristine astro-pitch recently laid down in Gaelic Park.

It wasn’t all about the game for a Dublin man by the name of Gavan Reilly. He turned 21 last week and decided a birthday to remember would be coming to New York to see the all-stars in action on American soil, and at the same time see what all the fuss is about. “New York is amazing, I’ve never been here before and the only way I can describe it is chaotic,” he said.

Included in the 105-strong delegation that traveled from Ireland for the game were the wives and girlfriends of the players. “We weren’t going to miss out on any bit of New York,” said Lucy Bourke, wife of Tipperary all-star Declan Fanning.

The girls who arrived on Thursday with their significant other halves stayed at the Helmsley Palace Hotel in Manhattan. “Of course we are here to enjoy the game, “ said Leona Power, girlfriend of Eoin Murphy from Waterford. “But we are also having a ball shopping,” she added, admitting that she spent most of her time in Macy’s department store.

Stephanie Power, girlfriend to hurler John Mullane, both from Waterford, was looking forward to Sunday when the game was all over and the real shopping time could kick in.

“We are going to Woodbury Commons tomorrow so we are excited about that,” she said.

Teammates Eddie Brennan and Jackie Tyrell of Kilkenny from the 2007 all-star team were having words with Ronan Curran (Cork) from the 2006 team pre match. The lads were not looking forward to the cold but were excited about getting to play under the new floodlights at Gaelic Park.

“They have a fine pitch here and although it’s bloody freezing, I’m looking forward to getting out on it,” said Tyrell.

While 2006 all-star hurler Tony Griffin was having words with Martin O Ciardhc of Irish radio station Radio na Gaeltachta, his girlfriend Kiera-Eva Mooney told the Irish Voice that she was very excited to be in Gaelic Park to see the lads play each other.

“It will be fun to watch,” said Mooney while wrapping her scarf tightly around her neck.

Not only did the locals turn out in crowds to see the game, visitors traveled from far and wide to see the exhibition. Newlyweds Liz and Aidan Tierney traveled from Boston for the game.

It’s been a while since Aidan, who hails from Ballingarry in Limerick, has seen any of his county play hurling so he was especially excited to meet and discuss game tactics with 2007 all-star player Ollie Moran, who scored one goal and two points at the match.

“It was great chatting to Ollie and the lads. They put on a fine performance for us and it was a pleasure for me and my wife to see the lads play tonight,” said Tierney.

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