Simon Gillespie, New York GAA Games Development Officer reports from the Annual Young Ireland’s Camogie Tournament
Brussels Girls Claim the Honours in Rockland!
On Saturday October 1st teams from Canada, Belgium and the United States gathered together at Rockland GAA grounds to compete at the annual Young Ireland’s tournament now entering its 51st year. Despite the rainfall the weather had little effect on a great day for Camogie overseas with Brussels winning the competition outright after a close final against a very determined Boston outfit.
The competition was organised by Young Ireland Committee members Kathleen Mc Donagh and Maebh Mc Daid and coordinated on the day by New York GDA Simon Gillespie. On the day we had Toronto Camoige Club, Brussels Camogie, 2 teams from Boston Eire Og, 2 teams from Baltimore Camoige and New York competing for honours. The initial games were very close encounters with Toronto gaining early wins over Boston Red and Baltimore Bohs who had reached the NACB Junior Camoige Final while Brussels showed great form with wins over New York, Baltimore B and Toronto in the semi finals.
Boston Eire Og Blues raced out of the blocks with some fine wins setting up an exciting final against the Europeans, carrying on from their great form at the North American Finals in San Francisco.
The standard of Camogie was immense throughout the day and improved visibly as the day progressed. The nationalities and accents varied throughout the teams with players from Ontario, Maryland, Yonkers, Brighton MA, Brussels and Cork!
The final pitted Boston Eire Og against Brussels. Both teams had been undefeated and the final promised to be a cracker. The first half ended with Boston in front by 2 points before Brussels took a commanding lead in the second half scoring 2 goals to pull away with the game and win the Young Ireland New York Tournament Trophy.
Kathleen Mc Donagh presented the trophy to the winning captain of the tournament and thanked everyone for a wonderful day. All the travelling teams then retired to Emmet’s Castle at Blue Hill Pearl River where they were greeted by our generous host Emmet Woods who provided a wonderful evening’s entertainment for all. The weekend’s action concluded the following day as Camogie played on a double header billing with the New York Mens Senior Football Championship Final.
In a special International Camogie Game, the United States took on Canada and Europe in an epic contest with the US winning out on the day! A great weekend was had by all and we are already planning ahead towards next year to make this event an even bigger occasion.
*If you would like further information on Camogie in New York please contact Simon Gillespie New York GDA @ nygaagdo@gmail.com
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