Midwest Gaelic Athletic Association
USGAA National Championships
The end of July and the beginning weeks of August are Championship season for USGAA clubs. It is an extremely busy time of divisional playoffs, the USGAA Finals, and for clubs with youth programs – the Continental Youth Championships (CYCs).
The CYCs are the largest GAA event outside of Ireland and were held outside Philadelphia (Malvern) this year. Cleveland sent 23 players, who mostly amalgamated with San Francisco, a few with Chicago, and one group of U12s who joined players from Akron, Pittsburgh, Detroit, and Toronto Michael Davitt’s. Akron registered their largest youth contingency yet as their program continues to grow.
The USGAA Finals were also heavily attended by Midwest Clubs. Pittsburgh sent six teams (two each at men’s football, ladies’ football, and hurling), Cleveland sent four teams (all codes), and Albany sent their men’s football team.
We will have a full recap of the championships games next month when we return, but for now:
[From Coach Jim Coyne]: The Ladies Football Team competed very well in the Junior B Championships, first defeating a veteran Austin GAA Team. The game was tied at half time: 1-7 to 3-1.
The 2nd half was won by our girls with terrific defense and goaltending (Yi Wang) and timely goals (Maeve Kelly) to pull away from Austin with a final score: 3-10 to 3-5 (19-14).
The semi-final game pitted us against a very strong and favored Cayman Island side that had very strong midfielders and halfbacks. The Cleveland gals were up by 1 point at halftime.
It was back and forth with 10 minutes left – Cayman Islands up by 2. In final 8 minutes, our defense again stiffened and clutch points from Annie Coyne, Sarah Balfour and a game winner from Dee Scully gave us the edge at the end, with a final score of 3-7 to 2-9 (16-15). Maeve Kelly again led the way with two goals.
In the final, we were up against a very strong and large club from Chicago – the Erin Rovers. We started strong with a couple of goals and the lead; however, the Rovers were very stout around the ball the whole game. They showed their experience throughout and pulled away for a 3-15 to 3-6 (25-16) victory.
Although not bringing home the Cup, the ladies showed much grit and toughness, as we were the only side in Junior B to have an all US born team. There is much to be proud of, as our young team in their 1st year up – fought their way to a Championship game.
They will be back. Up the Saints!!
Cleveland St. Pat’s / St. Jarlath’s GAA
Go raibh míle maith agaibh!
Thanks, y’all, to our readers and supporters. Fáilte (welcome) to all. The Gaelic Athletic Association is Ireland’s largest sporting organization and a bit of home for the Irish abroad here in the U.S. of A. Beyond sports, the Association also promotes Irish music, song and dance, and the Irish language as an integral part of its objectives.
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