The Midwest was well represented at the USGAA Finals in San Francisco. At the Junior B Men’s Football level, both Cleveland and Detroit competed. Cleveland fell in the first round to the eventual runner-up, Charlotte James Connolly, while Detroit fell to the eventual champion Young Irelanders-St Brendan’s (Western Division) in the semi-final after the lottery draw put them into the semi-finals.
At the Junior D level, the Buffalo Fenians fell to the Denver Gaels 1-7 (10) to 2-9 (15) in the quarterfinal. At the same level, Cincinnati won the bye into the semifinals and edged over the Denver Gaels 4-7 (19) to 4-6 (18).
The win put Cincy into the final against Atlanta Clan nan Gael. Cincinnati competed well, but fell short 0-12 (12) to 0-18 (18). For Ladies’ Football, the Pittsburgh Banshees played at the Intermediate level against the Boston Shamrocks. The Midwesterners lost be a mere point, 3-16 (25) to 5-11 (26).
The Camogie championship consisted of round robin play, with the top two finishers playing a final for the cup. At Junior A, Pittsburgh Na Laochra fell to San Francisco Cú Chulainn (1-2 to 5-9) and St. Louis (0-3 to 7-12).
At Junior B, Cleveland beat Charlotte James Connolly 2-5 (11) to 2-4 (10). The next round saw Cleveland win again over Seattle 1-4 (7) to 1-2 (5) putting the Lady Saints atop the pool and into the final to play Charlotte again.
The final went down to the wire, but Charlotte pulled ahead to spoil Cleveland’s third straight USGAA final, 1-5 (8) to CLE loss 2-1 (7). In Junior B hurling, the Pittsburgh Pucas put the hammer to LA Hurling in the quarterfinals 1-12 (15) to 8-18 (42).
The semifinal was much tighter for the Pucas. The Worcester Fenians edged out the win on goals, 4-12 (24) to 3-14 (23). At the Junior C level, Cleveland faced the local St. Joseph’s – handily winning 6-20 (38) to 0-3 (3) in the quarterfinal. St. Louis also fell in the semi-final to the Saints, 0-15 (15) to 2-18 (24).
The win cemented an impressive run for Cleveland Hurling, having reached the championship in every USGAA Finals they attended.
Cleveland continued in the driver seat, winning their second USGAA Final with a full-time tally of 5-19 (24) to 2-13 (19). The back-to- back national championships see Cleveland rise from Junior D to Junior B. Comhghairdeas a Naoimh.
At Junior D, the Buffalo Fenians saw success over the Denver Gaels in the quarterfinal, 1-15 (18) to 2-8 (14). The Twin Cities Robert Emmet ended their run with a win: 4-8 (20) to 0-3 (3). Agus sin é as San Francisco.
Ladies Gaelic Football Celebrates Fifty Years
The LGFA was founded in 1974 in Tipperary and is currently the fastest growing sport in Ireland. To commemorate the 50th anniversary, the LGFA and USGAA honored individuals whose lifetime of work contributed to the success of the games. From the Midwest Division, Cleveland’s Maureen Mohney and Pittsburgh’s Carrie Anne McKenna were honored. Fair play and thank you.
Cleveland and Midwest Youth
Cleveland youth joined up with the new Toronto Michael Davitt and Toronto Chieftains in Centennial Park, Toronto for the third round of the Great Lakes Youth Tournament on August 17th. The blitz dodged the morning storms, but the afternoon was cut short by five inches of rain.
Next up for the clubs is the original Detroit tournament scheduled for September 21st. Clubs from Chicago, Toronto, Cleveland, and Akron will join the local Harps in hurling and football.
Cleveland St. Pat’s – St. Jarlath’s GAA
Reach out the club via social media or the website, clevelandGAA.com. New players are always welcome and the offseason includes intercity local games at the West Side Irish American Club for both football and hurling.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh
Thanks y’all, to our readers and supporters. We need your help and involvement, but would most like to share the fun of Irish sport and Cleveland community with you. Consider getting involved at any level. 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 US of A.
Beyond sports, the Association also promotes Irish music, song and dance, and the Irish language as an integral part of its objectives. Cleveland GAA is open to all who want to play competitive sports, meet new people, and join an athletic, fitness-minded club for all ages.
Follow @ClevelandGaelic on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for the 2024 activities for Men, Women, and Youth, or visit ClevelandGAA.com. Email [email protected].
Vincent Thomas Francis Xavier Beach is a proud Greater Clevelander and emigrant ofMichigan (GO BLUE!). He joined the St. Pat’s Gaelic Football Club in 1999 and, with much help, is the current caretaker of the Cleveland St. Pat’s – St. Jarlath’s GAA. His Irish is a cross of dialects from the University of Cincinnati (suaimhneas síoraí d’anam Edgar Slotkin) and An Cheathrú Rua. With his wife, Michelle, he enjoys watching time absolutely fly by as their three children grow. His other hustles are coaching CYO basketball at St. Mary of Berea, teaching Construction Management at CWRU, and laying down some engineering skills on local water/wastewater projects. His 1912 farmhouse and twelve darling hens beg for attention.
Vincent Thomas Francis Xavier Beach is a proud Greater Clevelander and emigrant of Michigan (GO BLUE!). He joined the St. Pat's Gaelic Football Club in 1999 and, with much help, is the current caretaker of the Cleveland St. Pat’s – St. Jarlath’s GAA. His Irish is a cross of dialects from the University of Cincinnati (suaimhneas síoraí d’anam Edgar Slotkin) and An Cheathrú Rua. With his wife, Michelle, he enjoys watching time absolutely fly by as their three children grow. His other hustles are coaching CYO basketball at St. Mary of Berea, teaching Construction Management at CWRU, and laying down some engineering skills on local water/wastewater projects. His 1912 farmhouse and twelve darling hens beg for attention.
