lo-(USA)-th

This Week 'Independence day' was celebrated in the US!

What better way to celebrate than Check up on our Exiles playing GAA stateside.

GAA in America has never been better. 

Record number of teams across all levels are playing regular matches in well run competition's, in superb facilities.

I'm not making this up!! and I might add, that this activity is not just seen in the Traditional American GAA Strongholds like New York, Boston, Chicago and San Francisco but it is the likes of Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and San Diego that have never been as strong also.

Sure, Recent high emigration levels is a key factor in the games development but the behind the scenes work of the GAA has really brought the games on over there and they should take alot of credit for it's success.

Every Community needs a base and the GAA in this case have worked hard on investing time and money in the development of the bases all over the US.

ICC in Canton Boston and Treasure Island in San Francisco being a prime examples, New pitches and clubhouse's funded by the GAA to help Gaelic games grow there.

For longterm expats it has always been a great way to network and meet people and for lads just over for the summer on J1's for example it's a great chance to see the world and play ball while doing so.

As a nation of travellers especially to America, interest in competitive GAA has always been strong, but the organisation hasn't now, with the infrastructure's in place the organisation of games and standard gradually improves. 

This is highlighted further by the high number of high profile quality players attracted to play over there.

which brings me on to our lads.

As we know 7 of our senior squad departed to play footy but another 13 players from Louth have since joined them from all levels and divisions across the county.

That makes 20 players in total. (Boston has 8, New York 5, Chicago 4 and San Fran 3)

Majority of them are based in Boston, Which would be regarded as the premier league of US GAA. Big money backers, Big names and some explosive action in a league of 11 teams compete for the top four places then playing off in two semi's for the championship.

We have 8 Players spread over 4 teams in Boston.

Clogherhead duo James 'Peach' Califf and Louth U21 Peter Kirwan with Cork, Kevin Keelan DYI is with Wolfe Tones, Senior panelist and Geraldines big man Michael Rogers is with Connemara Gaels.

Last but not least we have 4 players with Donegal Boston who are currently sitting pretty on top of the table after 5 games. Brian White and Donnelly from Cooley and Derek Maguire and Shane O'Hanlon are our Louth representative's who are rightly favourites to win this years title especially with the news that Kevin Cassidy and Dessie Dolan are soon to join up with them.

I will be keeping an eye on their developments over the Summer and keeping you posted but if you want a regular updates on all thing Boston check out this Brilliant Boston GAA Blog for all the news and scores.


New York has a more familar system of Senior, Intermediate and Junior grades. Roche man Barry O'Hare has joined up with NY Celtics with Thomas Moran from Na Piarsaigh and Niall Lennon from Kilkerley.

Other Emmets men Alan McGuill and Louth panellist Cathal Bellew are with Longford.

Both teams in the Junior A and B grades respectively.

In Chicago and 4 Senior teams battle it out to be champions and we have 3 Louth men on the Oliver Plunketts team, Stephen Moonan From the blues and cousin's Andy and Richie McDonnell from blues also and the Fechins. 
and Mochta's man Shane mcMahon suits up with the Wolfe Tones club.

Finally Over the west coast, three louth men all from the Geraldines are in San Fran playing for the Sean Tracey's club. One of 5 Senior men's clubs in the Bay area.

 Oh Say can you see A US Louth Team could look something like this

1 Kevin Keelan

2 Richie McDonnell 3 Stephen Reidy 4 Tiarnan Hand

5 Shane McMahon  6 Shane O'Hanlon 7 Stephen Moonan

8 B Donnelly 9 Peach

10 Cathal Bellew 11 Brian White 12 Andy McDonnell

13 Barry o'Hare 14 Michael Rogers 15 Derek Maguire

Subs

16 Thomas Moran

17 Peter Kirwan

18 Alan McGuill

19 Niall Lennon

20 Kevin Pepper

Impressive right? Could they win the Louth senior Championship?? 

Now there's food for thought!.

Jerry;s final thoughts!!

They say travel broadens the mind, so playing in foreign shores is something that is going to improve these players no end, playing for fun with good players from all over Ireland with different styles and opportunities to be successful. 

It could be the making of these relatively young players and one of the best football experiences of their life.

Sure isn't that what the GAA is all about!!

Best of Luck to all and I hope you don't get lost on the way home!!




Classified List:

Boston (8 players)

Donegal Boston:

Derek Maguire DYI

Brian White Cooley

Brian Donnelly Cooley

Shane O'Hanlon Gers

Cork:

James 'Peach' Califf  Clogher

Peter Kirwan Clogher

Connemara Gaels:

Michael Rogers Gers

Wolfe Tones:

Kevin Keelan DYI

New-York (5 Players)

NY Celtics:

Barry O'Hare Roche

Thomas Moran NaPiarsaigh

Niall Lennon Kilkerley

Longford:

Cathal Bellew Kilkerley

Alan McGuill Kilkerley

Chicago (4 Players)

Oliver Plunketts:

Richie McDonell St Fechins

Andy McDonnell N Blues

Stephen Moonan N Blues

Wolfe Tones:

Shane McMahon Mochta's

San Fran (3 Players)

Young Irelanders:

Tiarnan Hand Gers

Stephen Reidy Gers

kevin Pepper Gers 

Thanks for Reading

L&P