There were three games played in the New York Ladies GAA Junior Championship last Sunday with players admirably enduring the sweltering high temperatures at Rockland Park.
Despite the scorching heat and humidity the standard of football on offer was excellent as were the fitness levels of all teams.
Shannon Gaels 1-7 O’Donavan Rossa 1-2
Shannon Gaels avenged their league defeat to O’Donovan Rossa with an impressive victory in the final game of the afternoon’s tripleheader.
Shannon Gaels led at halftime by 1-4 to 1-1 and then pulled further away from the Rossies in the second half.
Aoife Mathers was astutely positioned as a sweeper and mopped up plenty of loose ball before launching countless attacks from her own back line.
Her darting runs split open the Rossies half back like and the Gaels forwards took full advantage of the ensuing chaos.
The deficit would have been a lot greater if it were not for the selfless efforts of the Rossies defense who battled on valiantly until the final whistle.
O’Donovan Rossa had a fair share of possession in the second half but could not break down the well-organized Gaels defense.
Doireann Tarrant scored 1-1 while Emma Quinn scored the team’s other point.
The standout players for O’Donovan Rossa were Zoey O Sullivan and Orla O Reilly as well as Kerry Conroy who was an impactful substitute in the corner forward line. Mary Ann Keane also impressed.
Rockland B 5-17 Leitrim 4-8
A ding-dong battle between Rockland B and Leitrim gave spectators in Rockland full value for their money in this nine-goal thriller.
The first half saw an incredible eight goals netted with four goals apiece for both sides. (A New York GAA record?) It would have been nine goals only for a superb save by keeper Maeve Tracey.
Rockland led by two points at halftime on a scoreline of 4-7 to 4-5.
The blistering pace continued after the break and the superior fitness levels of the Rockland ladies proved crucial as they began to take control of proceedings.
Rockland hit some excellent long-range points and they will surely be in the mix come the business end of the season.
Elsewhere a depleted St. Brigids team lost out to last year’s league winners Manhattan Gaels.
This weekend sees Kerry Donegal take on Rockland at Frank Golden Park in College Point, Queens. The park is located at 132nd Street and 14th Road.
Throw in is at 10 a.m. Sunday.
Junior Teams 2021
O Donovan Rossa
Manhattan Gaels
Shannon Gaels
Leitrim
Setanta (new team this year)
Rockland B
St. Brigid’s
Senior Teams 2021
Cavan
Na Fianna
Rockland A
Kerry Donegal
