All Stars' cold comfort
2007 All Stars 6-9 2006 All Stars 4-11
John Mullane of Waterford tries to keep himself warm during the All-Stars game at Gaelic Park New York on Saturday
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THE first snow of winter swept into New York on Saturday night, just hours after the Vodafone hurling All Stars had displayed their considerable array of skills to an appreciative local audience in a revamped Gaelic Park.
As is the norm for these exhibition games, it was all about skill and touch and while the sub-zero temperatures made it difficult for the players, they still managed to display why hurling is rightly regarded as one of the most mesmerising sports on the planet.
This was a very special occasion for the Gaels of New York as they showed off the redeveloped stadium to the cream of the hurling world. Gaelic Park has always had a special place in the hearts of GAA people and while there were doubts at one stage as to its future, the redevelopment has ensured that it will remain as the football and hurling HQ in New York long into the future.
The synthetic surface and the excellent floodlights have given the ground a different feel but it's very much in keeping with the vibrancy of a local organisation which continues to promote Gaelic Games in the city.
"The All Stars are returning to a completely different setting from their last visit here nearly 20 years ago. Gaelic Park, redeveloped in conjunction with Manhattan College, is now a very modern playing facility. It has been transformed by the installation of the artificial turf and floodlights. It's something we're very proud of," said New York chairman, Seamus Dooley.
His pride is understandable as it's a lovely ground and, given its sense of history, it would have been most regrettable if it had been lost to the GAA.
The New York Board had to raise $500,000 to qualify for the Central Council grant of $1m and the combined effort was certainly worthwhile as the ground has been transformed into a comfortable facility, which will continue to serve the GAA long into the future.
"The return of the All Stars to New York is a source of much celebration for those who work so hard to promote Gaelic Games in the city. I have never seen Gaelic Park looking so well. It has a special place in the hearts and mind of Irish people who have come to this city over many years," said GAA President, Nickey Brennan.
It was fitting then that many of the country's top hurlers were on duty in a game that lived up to all expectations. The cold weather made it difficult for the players but they overcame that handicap to serve up an excellent contest which was memorable for a variety of reasons.
Firstly, it showed why Donal Og Cusack is rightly regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of his generation as he pulled off a number of brilliant saves.
He made it all look very simple, which, of course, is part of his wonderful art. He made at least five superb saves while his opposite number, Brian Murray also thrilled the crowd with some fine stops.
And then there was James Young, the Laois man who continues to underline what a wonderful talent he really is. Unfortunately, it's unlikely that he will ever get to display his remarkable skill set on a big Croke Park occasion which really is a great pity as he exudes class.
He looked very comfortable in the company of so many of hurling's top names and there's no doubt he would be the target for widespread offers if a transfer system applied in the GAA.
He scored 1-2 for a 2006 side for whom Tipperary's Eoin Kelly landed 2-4. His county colleague, Shane McGrath, hit 1-2 but even their combined efforts weren't enough to sway the contest their way.
That was due mainly to the power play of Ollie Moran, Stephen Molumphy, John Mullane, Tommy and Michael Walsh, who were excellent for the 2007 side.
It was level with four minutes to go but the 2007 side finished the stronger with goals from Eddie Brennan and Stephen Molumphy setting the 2006 side a target they couldn't reach.
Occasions like this really do show what a great pity it is that hurling can't be spread to a wider world audience. We tend to take it for granted as we enjoy it back home but there's something magical about seeing it being played in a city like New York where, in fairness to the locals, huge effort is being made to promote Gaelic Games.
Injuries meant that the game was reduced to 13-a-side, an interesting experiment which added to the entertainment level as the forwards had much more room than is normally the case.
They certainly enjoyed the freedom and would no doubt love to play under similar conditions back home, especially on a big pitch like Croke Park.
It made life hard for defenders but they reacted well. However, they will be glad to return to normal business in the New Year where there's less space for tricky opponents to manoeuvre.
SCORERES -- 2007: S Molumphy 2-3, O Moran 1-2, J Mullane, A O'Shaughnessy (0-1 f), 1-1 each, E Brennan 1-0, M Walsh 0-2. 2006: E Kelly 2-4 (1-0 pen, 0-1 f), S McGrath, J Young 1-2 each, T Griffin (1f), 0-2, A Kerins 0-1.
2007 -- B Murray (Limerick); M Kavanagh (Kilkenny), D Fanning (Tipperary), A Kearney (Waterford), T Browne (Waterford), T Walsh (Kilkenny), M Walsh (Waterford), D O'Grady (Limerick), J Mullane (Waterford), O Moran (Limerick), S Molumphy (Waterford), A O'Shaughnessy (Limerick), E Brennan (Kilkenny). Subs: M Fitzgerald (Limerick) for Kearney, N Ronan (Cork) for Brennan.
2006 -- D Og Cusack (Cork), E Murphy (Waterford), JJ Delaney (Kilkenny), S Hickey (Limerick), R Curran (Cork), K Rossiter (Wexford), S McGrath (Tipperary), D Lyng (Kilkenny), A Kerins (Galway), J Young (Laois), T Griffin (Clare), E Kelly (Tipperary), M Comerford (Kilkenny). Sub: E McGrath (Waterford) for Comerford.
Ref -- D Kirwan (Cork).
- 2006 All Stars 4-11
