By Eugene Kyne

THE New York panel that is preparing for the visit of Sligo on May 13 in the Connaught Championship first round was released to press this past week.

While it has a remarkable number of last year’s team absent due to returns to Ireland, it also has a familiar look to those who frequent Gaelic Park. While the panel had been the topic of discussion recently, manager Louis Holland was open and receptive in conversations this past week.

He spoke at length about the preparations for the game ahead and invited the Irish Voice to training at its earliest convenience. He will be taken up on his offer this week.

The panel for the championship encounter has been training for the last 10 weeks, with Clinton High School in the Bronx, Orchard Beach, and Van Cortland all being utilized.

After an agonizing defeat against Roscom-mon at the same stage last season 1-14 to 0-9, preparations have intensified.

“While conditions here are nowhere near what a team in Ireland has, the panel is giving a brilliant effort. We have had great numbers in training and the lads picked their captain and vice captain recently, with Robbie Moran the captain and Derek Riney. We are looking forward to Sligo and will give it our best effort,” said Holland.

The manager was getting ready for a trip across the pond to see Sligo in action last weekend against Wicklow in a league playoff. To see a team in a competitive game before playing against them is a must at any level as it gives a first hand feel for their strengths and weaknesses. With less than four weeks to curtain at this point Sligo would not have many personal changes from the Wicklow encounter.

Moran is in his fourth year in New York and has already won a Senior B championship with Mayo, and was on the Leitrim team that lost narrowly to Kerry in last season’s Senior A final. He is one of seven Leitrim players on the panel (three more are drafting to Leitrim) and has played for his native Mayo in an All-Ireland under-21 final as well as for New York in the championship.

“When I heard I was voted in as captain I was delighted as it is a huge honor,” said Moran. “I am also delighted to have Derek Riney with me as he has been one of the top players in New York for the last number of years and brings a wealth of experience and ability to the team.”

Moran echoed his manager’s words when asked about training, and remarked that he expects a big push for the final weeks.

“The pick is not any bigger than last year and we lost a number of players,” he said. “However, this year’s lads are well capable of stepping in and the experienced players can lead them. Sligo is having an up and down year, but they are a county team and as such we know what they are capable of doing.”

The 24 man panel is as follows: Shaun Munnelly, Alan Foley (Astoria Gaels); Mark Dobbins (Down); Kevin Lilly (Derry); Alan Reilly (Dublin); Liam McDonald (Four Provinces); Dermot Fleming (Galway); Derek Riney, Anthony Glackin, Shane Clifford (Kerry); Aiden Power, Ken O’Connor, Dan Doona, Matthew Mitchell, Kevin Mitchell, James Mitchell, Robbie Moran (captain) (Leitrim), Declan Reilly (Mayo), Vinny Gavin (Offaly); Ronan Garvey (St. Barnabas); Justin O’Halloran (Stamford/Clare); Deon Gallagher, Conor Skeffington, Ryan Canavan (Tyrone).