A painful and unpleasant experience as Leitrim suffer on historic day for New York

Naturally Leitrim are very disappointed to be the first team to be beaten by New York in the Connacht Championship. For many years the Big Apple’s participation in Connacht was regarded as little more than cannon fodder for the counties of Connacht. 

However in more recent times that perception was changing and the writing was definitely on the wall for a break in the longest losing streak in Gaelic football. In relatively recent times New York provided sterner opposition as they forced Leitrim to extra time, while both Roscommon and Sligo escaped with narrow wins. 

Last year New York’s management were adamant that the foundation was being laid for an imminent win especially since Leitrim were ranked as lowest in Connacht, except London of course. New York’s belief was also greatly reinforced by a cadre of experienced county players joining the panel. 

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As one quite familiar with New York teams over a few decades, I can state that this was the most committed, strongest and best prepared team I have seen take the field and  the fact that there was now a secondary competition, the Tailteann Cup, has also enhanced the appetite. 

In the past the usual situation of just one game didn’t appeal to some, and hence they didn’t get involved. Now with a follow up game in Ireland, a huge panel wants to make the squad. This victory was New York’s biggest since they beat Mayo in Castlebar in the Gael Linn Cup in 1984 and  Sligo in the same competition circa 20 years ago, but it was then called the FBD Cup.

Losing is never a pleasant experience but this Leitrim loss was quite painful and unpleasant for a few reasons. 

First this was the biggest crowd seen in Gaelic Park in my time, with the reported figure being approximately 6,500.  That included the great number that travelled over plus the hundreds of Leitrim exiles domiciled in the tri-state area. Among them were such notables as Mike Dillon, a former Leitrim and New York player, who travelled from Boston and Joe Taylor from Eslin Bridge, and accompanied by large family groups. 

It would have been an absolutely wonderful weekend for Leitrim people reuniting and reminiscing but regrettably Leitrim lost. A win would have been the icing on the cake.

In most games there’s usually a positive and moderate correlation between the possession percentages and scoring opportunities. That statistic did not hold up here.

Leitrim were tops in both categories but New York won. You can argue that Leitrim were the authors of their own defeat rather than any superior or superlative performance from the opposition. Leitrim created multiple goal-scoring opportunities, but failed to convert any of them. 

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Indeed the outcome would have been different if Leitrim opted for minors rather than majors in some of these instances. 

Of course, it’s very easy to be wise after the event. Then again keeper, Mickey Cunningham was brilliant, the former Down player, guarded his cage as if it were Fort Knox. In contrast New York was hardly given a look at the Leitrim goal but the critical factor was they executed much more expeditiously in the attacking zone.

In close games, the referee is often the scapegoat but that was not the case here. He was consistent and as a former referee, I wouldn’t agree too much with some of his interpretations. I was amazed at how lenient Dave Goldrick was with the whistle, you really had to earn a free the hard way. 

It was a very physical game and the referee let play flow for the most part, and as they say what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. However if anyone was peeved with the referee, it might be New York. Shane Carthy, the former Dublin player who began his playing career with the New York Minor Board, seemed to have a legitimate score declared wide after lengthy consultation among officials. 

In close games home field advantage is generally a benefit, and that would be the case here, especially in relation to the artificial surface. It was funny to see a Leitrim player trying to dig up a tuft of grass or clay to tee up the ball. 

Towards the end of the game New York’s passionate supporters became very vocal, especially when Keith Beirne was taking a free. In extra time New York had the edge as they had more players at their disposal, critical when bodies are tired, bruised and battered. 

The variable of luck is often regarded as a factor, well evidently Leitrim didn’t have a surfeit here. Besides missing a bagful of bone fide goal chances, Leitrim were forced to line out without a selected player, plus a few more were unavailable due to injuries. Of course it’s claimed that good teams make their own luck.

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After the game the team, officials and patrons adjourned to Rory Dolan’s on McLean Avenue for a very late night meal. Usually there’s a great air of conviviality around the noted hostelries, but on this occasion the atmosphere was subdued and a bit somber. 

A few players were gracious and cordial to speak casually with me. There was no pointing of fingers but all were honest enough to admit that they left victory behind them in this instance. 

In times past, visitors to the Big Apple brought something back, unfortunately this time the footballers went home with an empty bag.   I spoke with Liam Bermingham, Secretary of the New York GAA, he said all the Big Apple Boys were fired up for their trip to Sligo for the second round of the Connacht Championship. 

Now here’s hoping that Leitrim bounce back and do well in the Tailteann Cup.