Heartbreak for New York in Lavey
Erin’s Own Lavey may be the spiritual home of Derry club football and home to one of the greatest ever Ulster club teams but for New York GAA it will only provide bitter memories for Tom Bennetts men. The fact that this one of the most exciting games in the competition to date and arguably the best football of the competition to date will be of no consolation to New York. Mayo teams are renowned for their big preformances in semi finals and this side followed in that tradition. The empire state men began this game as though they meant to finish it in five minutes and they nearly did given the onslaught on the Mayo team’s goal . Intensity was the buzz word from the onset and the New Yorkers played 20 minutes of this game at a level that no one would be able to cope with them. In the end however, Moy Davitts goal in the 22nd minute proved the difference between the teams.
From the off New York took a foothold into the game Gerry O’Sullivan at full back was catching high balls 10 feet from the ground in the slipperiest of conditions following the downpour that preceded the games. The goalie must have had super glue on his hands to hold on to some of the skyscraper balls that were dropping in on his goals. Conor Cassidy opened up the scores with a right footed effort from 25 yards that settled the New York nerves. James Linnane got in a great block on his opposite number in the 7th minute to set up Joe Mc Cormack who delivered into Cassidy who just narrowly pulled his shot to the left and wide. Moy Davitts however were made of sterner stuff than anything New York had faced previously having beaten Sean Dolans of Derry by 31 points , Claudy from Derry by 16 points and the much fancied Cullyhanna team by 9 points. The Davitts full back was marshalling NY danger man Ronan Curry Well and the two Davitt corner backs were fearless to a fault putting their heads on some occasions where you wouldn’t leave a shovel. However Conor Cassidy was able to break the Davitts resistance with a superb ball from Ciaran Bennett. Seamie Lawless added another point after Ronan Curry had gotten the better of his marker and laid a clever ball off to Lawless who struck the ball sweetly over the bar. In the next play right on the 13th minute New York smacked the underside of the crossbar and for a fleeting moment it seemed it might be all too easy for the boys. Davitts pulled what seemed was going to be a consolation score in the 14th minute to leave the scores as half time loomed 1-03 to 0-01. As word began to filter through from Castledawson that the girls were in control against their opponents it seemed that the dream of an unprecedented New York Feile double was on the cards.
Half time in the New York camp and there was no talk of the demands of three games in one day, no talk of excuses just more of the same – intensity. However the game turned on its head just inside the 16th minute when the Davitts number 15 drilled in a low shot past the keeper. Now it was game on and the Davitts players seemed to grow in confidence as they trailed by two points. Once again in the 18th minute they managed to work the ball past the New York midfield and into the full forward line who shot the ball just passed the post as the New York following breathed a collective sigh of relief. By now the Erin’s Own ground crowd was swelling as people emerged from the car park , inside the hall and indeed outside the grounds to witness the unfolding spectacle. Again Moy Davitts got within striking distance of the New York net but the keeper pulls off a finger tip save to send the ball over the bar for a point to the mayo men. It was clear the tide had turned and now the mayo men had their tails up. Time and again the New York boys were guilty of wasting possession and hitting balls out the sideline. Disaster for New York then in the 22nd minute as the Davitts midfielder bore down on goal and drilled it past the New York defence. Davitts again added another point from range and it seemed that at three points down and seven left the NY boys were going to need something special and they got it as Joe Mc Cormack stepped up to the plate and delivered with an inspirational point from 35 yards after the New York half backs worked the ball in quickly. Two points between the teams and another long ball was launched into the NY full forward line Kieran Bennett won a 50 / 50 ball from his marker in the corner and then headed straight for goal knowing that time was against the New Yorkers he was confronted by the Davitts full back who he duly turned and launched a piledriver past the keeper and just off the top left upright. It was the be the closest the boys would get to All Ireland glory. Davitts turned the ball over from the resulting possession and added another score to put three between the teams. In the last minute of normal time Joe McCormack got on the ball and launched a ball inside to the full forwards but the move was broken up by the outstanding Davitts Full back. To rub salt in the wounds with nearly the last play of the match Davitts won a free on the 22 to put 4 between the teams. As the final whistle blew it was obviously a case of an opportunity lost for the boys but no doubt they will be back in the blue and white before too long.
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