New York Police Win By One Over Galway Garda

New York Police Department 2-09 Galway Garda 1-11

    The New York police department and their visitors from Ireland the Galway Garda football team got the second game of the double header off to a slow start but it eventually got hot so hot in fact that referee John Fitzpatrick had to send a player from each side for an early shower to help keep order in the game. Just goes to show you it doesn’t matter if you are a policeman, fireman or priest, when they competitive juices are flowing in sport all rules go out the window.

    Overall though it was a sporting game except for a brief period in the second half when both sides were going all out for the win.

    New York had a perfect start to the game with Thomas McGovern slotting over a point for the first score of the game. Jim McGovern followed with a goal for New York after being put clear by a great ball from Robbie Moran. Fergal Kilbane had the visitors opening point after ten minutes. This was cancelled out by a point from New York lively Danny McNulty.

    The visitors then took command of the game for ten minutes and Brian Meaney a Dublin native fired over three quick points in succession. Jim McGovern for New York and Pat Foley for Galway swapped appoint each to keep New York ahead by the minimum one point as the half was drawing to its conclusion. New York were lucky that Foley effort was only a point as he was clearly going for goal only to see his blistering shot go just inches over the crossbar.

    New York had the final score of the half when Aiden Power linked up well with his club mate Robbie Moran before firing over a point. At the break New York ahead by two 1-4 to 5 points

    Galway cut the deficit to a point when Brian Meaney had the opening point of the second half. New York answered immediately when sub Joe Lyons made his presence when he rifled over a point off his left foot.

     They followed it with three further points as New York enjoyed a dominating ten minute period. Thomas McGovern, an outstanding score from the left corner, Kevin McGeeney, and Robbie Moran also hit for a point each. Kevin McGeeney who won a senior B medal with Cavan last week was now pushing much further forward and he was helping the attack open up gaps in the Galway defense.

New York was coasting at this stage but this quickly changed when a Galway attack found its way to towering full forward Fergal Kilbane and he fired home a well taken goal. Aiden Power had his second point for New York before Galway again started to dictate and fired over three unanswered points. Brian Meaney accounted for two while Shane Waldron had the third. Galway then tied the game with a fine point this time from Joe Waldron.

The game was now up for grabs and it was at this stage that tempers became frayed and John Fitzpatrick had to send a player from each side to the line

 When Alan Keane slotted over a point from a free for Galway it looked like it might be a match winner but New York defender Kevin McGeeney had other plans. He hooked up with Aiden Power and Thomas McGovern and fired a tremendous goal to put New York back in front with only moments on the clock. Despite another Keane free the local side held on for a one point victory.

A fine game of football especially the second half when both sides were intent on getting the win and the bragging rights. This time it was New York who took home the win and the glory that goes with it.

The game was played in memory of Seamus McIntyre and James Madden, Seamus was born in Kenmare Kerry and played at all age levels for his club. He was killed in a road traffic accident while on duty at the far too young age of 30. James Madden was born in Queens to Irish parents on April 17th1962. He was one of three brothers in the police force. On April 30th2001 Jim died suddenly and unexpectedly from complications due to injuries he had sustained in a car accident that occurred 13 years prior. May they rest in peace.

NYPD 1 PJ Doherty 2 Andrew Donaghue 3 Kieran Traynor 4 Phil Birmingham 5 Aiden Traynor 6 Kevin McGeeney (1-01) 7 John Walsh 8 Danny O’Sullivan © 9 Aiden Power (0-02) 10 Dan McNulty (0-01) 11 Robbie Moran (0-01) 12 Brendan Heaps 13 Jim McGovern (1-01) 14 John O’Connell 15 Thomas McGovern (0-02) Subs Joe Lyons (0-01) Dermot O’Sullivan

Galway Garda 1 Vivian Jennings 2 Marty Delaney 3 Noel Gillespie 4 Paul McBride 5 Barry Burke 6 Patrick Kelly 7 Sean Durkin 8 Shane Waldron (0-01) 9 Alan Keane © (0-02) 10 Seamus McDonnell 11 Mark Sullivan 12 Jason Kelly 13 Brian Meaney (0-06) 14 Pat Foley (1-01) 15 Fergal Kilbane (0-01) Subs Ken Painter, Alan Regan

Referee John Fitzpatrick (Rockland)

** ABOVE ARTICLE BY KIERAN O'SULLIVAN.  PHOTOS BY MARGARET PURCELL**

THE IRISH EMIGRANT, ISSUE 1131, 10/6/08 - 10/12/08

KEEPING  THE  HERITAGE  ALIVE