Raleigh Cú Chulainn Gaelic Athletic Association

gaa.ie news from the North American GAA finals

Raleigh Match Reports/pictures…

Schedule

Date/Time      Field  Round    Team A          Team B

Match Reports – by Eddie Foley

Raleigh v Cayman Islands – Friday 29th August 2014 QF Nationals Junior ‘B’ Football

Starting Line-up:
Gerry Farrell (GK); (FB) Alan, Dermot; (HB) Mark, Pete, Colin; (M) Dara, Sven; (HF) Mike, Tim, Chris; (F) Enda, Jack
Subs: Shane, Joe, Josh, Steve.

The Cayman Islands started well in this one, steadily putting over points in the first half. Raleigh got a lot of frees but were not able to take them. Raleigh was 0-9 to 0-2 behind in the first half.

Then in the second half Raleigh started taking points well, but the Cayman’s scored a goal. With 5 minutes to go, the Cayman’s were 5 points up, and Raleigh started running at the Cayman’s defence, yielding a goal and several points right at the end. At the end of the second half, it was 1-9 to 1-9.

Extra Time.

Raleigh started extra time really strong scoring points and a goal, and was 6 points up at one stage. Then the Cayman’s staged a comeback, pulling back 5 points. But then the whistle blew, and RALEIGH HAD WON!

Cayman Islands were 5 points ahead with 5 minutes to go and Raleigh dug in and fought for the win. Final score 2-13 to 2-12.

Fantastic result. We play San Diego at 12 tomorrow. We’ve played them twice at Nationals before, won one and lost one. Another epic game in store.

Raleigh v San Diego – Saturday 30th August 2014 Semifinal Nationals Junior ‘B’ Football

Raleigh started with almost the same line out as the last game.
This game, Raleigh started strong, having the better of the play, and taking points well, but San Diego counter-attacked very well, and took several goals in the first half. Despite playing well, Raleigh ended up 3 points down in the first half.

In the 2nd half, Raleigh and San Diego started trading points, but at one point San Diego were 5 points up. Then Shane was brought down while driving for goal, and a penalty was given. Dara drove it into the corner, and suddenly there was only a point in. Raleigh and San Diego traded a couple of points, and they were level with a minute to go, when Jack was brought down in the box. Another penalty!
Dara stepped up having scored the previous one, but this time the keeper guessed right, and parried the ball out. Dara fielded the ball, but was surrounded by defenders, so he fed it out to Jack who drove it over, under pressure, for a great point. As soon as the goalkeeper kicked it out, the referee blew for full time. Raleigh had just won again. Final score 3-8 to 3-7.

Honourable mention to our lengthening list of injuries. Colin was injured again, and Dermot was concussed following a heavy collision, and had to go to hospital. Mike Gowen was also injured, but will hopefully be able to play again tomorrow. The Raleigh players are putting their bodies on the line to dig out these wins.

The Final is Sunday 31st morning at 9:20 against Washington DC.

Raleigh is also running the Kick Fada (long kick) Sunday, before the senior football final. It will be a busy day and we wish them all the best.

Raleigh v Washington DC – Sunday 31st August 2014 Final Nationals Junior ‘B’ Football

After two thrilling come from behind victories on Friday and Saturday against the Cayman Islands and San Diego respectively, Raleigh was into the Final against Washington, DC on Sunday morning.  The final was originally scheduled for 9:20 am but was moved to 8:00 am upon request from Washington, DC.  It was late Saturday night when Raleigh found out about the schedule change, which required some great behind the scenes work to ensure that the whole team knew and to make accommodations to get to the field on time.  Of course, no one was happy about the earlier departure time but the team’s angst was quickly dissipated with the message from Alan Corr, “I’ll play these guys at 4 am if that’s what they want”.

There were a few line-up changes for the Final with Enda Wiseman moving into Midfield alongside Dara O’hAnnaidh.  This allowed Sven Johnson to move to half back in place of the injured Dermot McElhennon who suffered a concussion in Saturday’s semi-final.  Colin Keenan who’s injury forced him out of Saturday returned to the half back line and played his best football of the weekend in the Final.  Mike Gowen also returned to the starting line-up after injury forced him to miss Saturday’s game too.  Raleigh once again fell behind early as DC surged forward and scored an early goal and some well-taken points. However, goalie Gerry Farrell’s kick outs to the middle of the field started to pay dividends as Enda and Dara controlled Midfield.  A brilliantly taken goal from the right wing by Chris Kendrick and a skillfully taken point on the run by Alan Corr with the outside of his boot helped Raleigh to go to half-time all level at 1-4 each.  At half time, a tired and sore Raleigh team was asked once again to dig deep to pull out another victory.

The second half started ominously with DC taking the lead and then Mike Gowen received a black card for allegedly pulling down the DC attacker.  Peter Capozziello who filled in admirably once again playing outstanding defense and completely taking his man out of the game replaced Mike.  A second goal by Chris Kendrick and a superbly taken point by Tim Cronin kept Raleigh in the game.  Shane McDermott was hobbled by injury and had to come off.  Steve Shannon came on in defense and Sven Johnson was moved to the full forward line alongside Jack Foley.  The move paid almost immediate dividends as Jack won a long through ball and passed it to Sven on the run who blasted it into the back of the net to put Raleigh ahead for good.  The game got testy as Raleigh held onto the lead.  At one point both Dara and Enda laid on the ground after taking hits to the head.  The hits should have seen both DC players red carded.  Instead one DC player was yellow carded and despite his black eye, a yellow card was issued to Enda Wiseman for what the referee described as “the worst dive he had ever seen”.  The decision left the Cork man in utter disbelief.  Raleigh did extremely well to maintain their composure in spite of the chippy play.

DC swarmed forward in search of the late goal that would put them back in the game but the Raleigh defense was resolute.  Steve Shannon brought great intensity to the defense and the Raleigh full back line of Joe Nett and Mark O’Hagan were outstanding.  In the end, Raleigh won the game by 4 points with the final score of Raleigh 3-7 and Washington DC 1-9.  As captain, Dara O’hAnnaidh accepted the cup on the field and gave an emotional, heartfelt speech that will long be remembered by those present.  Great credit goes to everyone who travelled to Boston this weekend.  Some players did not see any game time but their support throughout was unwavering and instrumental in lifting the team to victory.  Team manager, Eddie Foley gave out game balls after each victory.   Alan Corr was christened “the little engine that could” as he put the team on his back and saw them through to victory on Friday.  Mark O’Hagan got the game ball for his outstanding defense in Saturday’s game.  Chris Kendrick got the game ball on Sunday for his willingness to drop back in defense, carry the ball forward and for scoring the two goals.  A new tradition was started as the team came together before each game and prayed.  In one final act, Dara lead the team in prayer as we gave thanks to the Lord for allowing us to bring the cup home to Raleigh.

[Show as slideshow]

1 2 ►