A Look Back at 2006

By Eugene Kyne

The past New York GAA season threw all sorts into the fire as it transpired with many endearing moments . . . and a few that were not quite as palatable. No grand medals or silverware for the following notes but some fantastic memories for the future from 2006.

Of course the county team’s endeavors against Roscommon and in their quest for the Ulster title are at the top of the list. Here’s a look at the club scene for the last eight months.

Save of the year: Alan Gleason, Dermot Boyle and Brian McGonigle all had their moments that made admission worth it, but pride of place goes to Dermot Fleming in the Senior B final when he twice stopped the marauding Cork forwards with breathtaking ability.

Score of the year: Mike O’Donaghue (Kerry). Stam is his nickname for his soccer ability after the famous Man United defender. However, his display in the first 20 minutes of the county final was outstanding. He had three points on the board and Leitrim reshaped their defense to try and combat him.

It worked for the rest of the game, except for one tremendous moment when he appeared in no-man’s land beside the doctor in front of the railway tracks at Gaelic Park. He turned twice and calmly slotted over the bar from a completely impossible angle with a defender in his face. Pure class.

Game of the year: Cork vs. St Barnabas in the Senior B county semifinal. It went to extra time and Cork survived with a monstrous display by Eoin Coveney off the bench, and Tom Moylan as a midfielder in the defensive mode. It kept the punters on the edge of their seats as the lead with back and forth before the Rebels finally clinched a return to the county final.

Team of the year: New Jersey/Kilkenny. They repeated their title success of 2005 and had only one loss all year when Hugh O’Leary and Liam O’Connor were not available for selection. With a completely new line up from ‘05, they took on all comers and walked away with the title with a 10-point win in the final.

Coach of the year: Fergus Daly (Down). The Mournemen had gone through a barren period from 2001-’04 with the losses piled high. A new approach arrived, with returning natives to the Down colors including Liam Farrell, Mark Dobbins and Eugene O’Hagan.

The final piece of the puzzle was the arrival of Tyrone man Daly. They went undefeated in the championship and concentrated on that in lieu of the KO tourney. It paid off, and the cup is headed for Queens with a pulsating win over Armagh in the county final.

Ref of the year: John Hennessy. All the men that take the whistle in their hands are to be commended for their endeavors as it can be a thankless job. Hennessy has all the training qualifications from Ireland and indeed refereed inter-county games at various levels in Munster.

A former player in New York, he hurled for 19 years for his native county in Ireland and has All-Ireland B winners medal, as well as a number of county medals. His training shows when he is in the middle of the park, and it is a good idea to get training for all the local referees as it can only help both players and officials.

It’s a tough task but someone has to do it award: When Dublin, Stamford, Armagh and Astoria were asked to go to Rockland to play their knockout encounters it was a night for the bravest of the brave. In torrential downpours the four teams gave their best with visibility at a minimum. The state trooper on the Palisades didn’t make the games as he had his hands full with trees across the parkway at four or more locations!

But we don’t want to go to New York award: When New York hurlers gave Antrim a serious fright in ‘05 and then defeated Westmeath for the Eddie Brady title in November of that year, the writing was on the wall. Derry were the opponents in the Ulster championship in May and the locals were storming. The historical win was secured and the rest is history.

Provincial finals galore: The renowned announcer Michael O’Muiraheartech made a special announcement when New York were about to begin their battle with Antrim for the Ulster title. John Madden, a devout servant to the New York cause over the years, was the first man to play in two different provincial finals. A record possibly never to be equaled. Congrats John.

I have my cell on but where are you?: When Roscommon arrived into town for the Connacht championship over 3,000 people arrived into the Mecca. The night before around Rosie O’Grady’s in Manhattan it was reminiscent of Dublin before an All-Ireland as there were Irish visitors everywhere. With support like that and a minor team that took the All-Ireland title this year, surely bigger wins are on the way for Ros.

In Aussie Rules you kick it from your hands!: Gaelic Park following on the wrong way kick last season when the ball was driven 50 yards for a 50, with a first at the Mecca when a certain goalie kicked the ball from his hands continually on the kick outs. Never saw it before, don’t want to see it again. Nuff said!

When you play in the cup, there is a cup, right?: After a number of knockout rounds in Rockland, Paddy’s Field and Van Cortlandt, two teams qualified for the final of the junior KO competition. Alas at the end of 50 minutes no cup was on hand to present the winners. Don’t want to see that again either. Nuff said!

I’ll take Dan, you take McPartland!: While congrats go out to all the winners, certainly some players stood head and shoulders above the rest. For certain jobs you need certain men.

If a goal is needed near the end of a football game, Noel McPartland (Armagh) is the man with the golden touch. For a defensive stop, Aidan Power was superlative at number three all year. Derek Riney also did nothing wrong and was not bettered by any opponent.

A 50 with tics on the clock? Matt Mitchell. Just give him the ball and he will slot it through. A free anywhere near the target? It’s Dan Doona from the middle or right and Ronan Garvey from the left. Both are automatic. I need to mark their best player? Niall Corbett will take number 15 and follow him all over.

From the hurling angle, Tom Moylan is a mountain of strength at center half back. Bonnie Kennedy slots all the frees over, although if he’s not around Kieran Bergin can step in. Liam O’Connor will cover acres of ground for you and never a word out of him. Colin White is the man for the goal when required.

Cathal McKeever is gone but his fire with hurley or the bigger ball leaves a lot of memories. Thanks for the highlights lads.

A great year all around, and 2007 around the corner.

A look back at the Connaught and Ulster championship next week before the winter break.