Hurling All Stars Tour 2007 All Stars 6-9 2006 All Stars 4-11It started at a snail's pace but who could blame them. The sub-zero temperatures in Gaelic Park made it even more commendable that 800 Irish Americans braved a bitter December night. By the finish the elite stick merchants had warmed to the task with a rhythm of hurling that made us glad to be present.
Several players attempted to avoid freezing in unique fashion (the 6.30pm throw-in hardly helped matters) with Waterford's John Mullane sporting unusual head gear (He explained: "I wasn't going without it in these conditions, especially with a tight haircut"), while Tommy Walsh donned a hoodie under his jersey.
The most intriguing aspect was the artificial surface. Afterwards, we left the cosy confines of the media hut to traipse across the pitch where GAA president Nickey Brennan informed us that this would be the future of winter hurling. The managers Brian Cody and Richie Bennis - who understandably kept a low profile on the sideline - agreed.
"When the Randal's Island initiative went belly up I said to the boys that we'll give them one million dollars but they must come up with half a million," explained Brennan about the $3 million development. "We had to build up the confidence of business people but we got a crowd behind it. (New York chairman) Séamus Dooley pulled them together and then we talked to Manhattan College (who own the ground) and got going.
"Those two fellas you see talking over there," he continued nodding at two men in deep conversation, "Joe Bedford, on the left, is our facilitator in Croke Park and the other guy is the head man for the people who do these fields in Ireland. He came out specifically to see how the game would play here tonight. There is no question this is the way forward.
"All in all I thought the touches went well. The ball bounced and moved well on it. You're not going to be playing senior inter-county matches on this but other types of games. Just ask a colleges guy and he'll tell you which he prefers.
"We've committed to spending €30 million plus on these type of facilities. You're going to see a lot more of these in Ireland."
This was an exhibition match so forget about intensity. Sure, men challenged for possession, Limerick's Ollie Moran was even accidentally split open late in the second half and there were enough moments of excellence for the natives to remember. Because of injuries, the game was 13-aside and because of the cold they only played for 50 minutes.
Eddie Brennan hit the ground running to set up Andrew O'Shaughnessy for the opening goal and soon after a fine individual effort from Moran put the 2007 line-up well clear.
Eoin Kelly ensured a competitive second period with a well struck penalty after a foul on Tony Griffin ensured Cork referee Diarmuid Kirwan was forced into action. The half-time scoreboard read: 2-2 to 1-4.
"Some of them were still cold at half-time," smiled Bennis, who lacked the ebullient responses that marked Limerick's summer campaign although the twinkle in his eye remains.
On we went with Mullane and Tipperary's Shane McGrath showing well as an occasional touch of genius drew gasps from an enthusiastic gallery.
The tide turned permanently in the 2007 All Stars' favour when a speculative shot from Brennan saw the rarest of events: a Donal Óg Cusack error.
Michael "Brick" Walsh (a man so tough he actually prefers these climes) came alive to belt home the sixth goal before Kelly provided a consolation strike past Limerick's Brian Murray down the other end.
All that remained was for Kilkenny's Michael Kavanagh to collect the trophy before the group retreated to Rory Dolan's pub in Yonkers to sup upon something that warmed the insides.
2007 ALL STARS: B Murray (Limerick); M Kavanagh (Kilkenny, capt), D Fanning (Tipperary), A Kearney (Waterford); T Browne (Waterford), T Walsh (Kilkenny); M Walsh (Waterford, 1-1), D O'Grady (Limerick); J Mullane (Waterford, 1-1), O Moran (Limerick, 1-2), S Molumphy (Waterford, 1-3); A O'Shaughnessy (Limerick, 1-1, 0-1 free), E Brennan (Kilkenny, 1-1). Subs: N Ronan (Cork) for E Brennan, M Fitzgerald (Linerick) for A Kearney (both half-time).
2006 ALL STARS: D Óg Cusack (Cork); E Murphy (Waterford), JJ Delaney (Kilkenny), S Hickey (Limerick); R Curran (Cork), K Rossiter (Wexford); S McGrath (Tipperary, 1-2), D Lyng (Kilkenny); A Kerins (Galway, 0-1); J Young (Laois, capt, 1-2), T Griffin (Clare, 0-2, one free), E Kelly (Tipperary, 2-4, goal pen, 0-1 free), M Comerford (Kilkenny).
Referee: D Kirwan (Cork).
