NY Girls U14 Gaelic Football Team are All-Ireland Feile Champs

News from Legislator Patrick Moroney

The Rockland County Legislature has honored the winning 2015 New York Girls U14 Gaelic Football Team for bringing home the All-Ireland Feile Championship Cup to the United States.

The 24-player team includes 11 members from Rockland, most from Pearl River, which is home to a large number of residents with proud Irish roots.

“It’s a tremendous accomplishment for these young ladies that at the age of 14 they traveled all the way to Ireland and competed so successfully in this program,” said Legislator Patrick Moroney (R-Pearl River). “It’s a privilege to take time out to honor them, their parents and their coaches.”

The annual National U14 tournament brings together 235 teams and more than 6,500 players. The tournament moves around Ireland and this year the 559 matches were played in Carlow, Wexford and Wicklow, and drew about 50,000 spectators. The program is sponsored by the Gaelic Athletic Association in Ireland.

The New York Girls had gone eight years without a championship, but took the cup in 2012 and then again in 2014 and this year. The team had to win eight straight games to earn the top victory.

The following players were honored Wednesday: Aileen O’Brien, Ashleigh Healy, Bridget Doherty, Casey Conroy, Claire Mahoney, Catherine Brady, Daria McCabe, Bella Kennedy, Fiona McCormack, Kelly Brady, Kerry Tyer, Fiona McIntyre, Lily Sheahan, Isabel Schwagerl, Sinead Henry, Madison Formes, Mairead Ryan, Niamh Healy, Caitlin Treanor, Morgan McGuire, Olivia Doorley, Sarah Enright, Orla Gormally, Teagan Mulvihill.

The following managers were also honored: Ian Conroy, Vince Tyer, Jen Moran and Simon Gillespie.

“In each game, the girls totally dominated the competition and I think they’re still talking about it in Ireland,” Tyer said. “Great job ladies.”

Moroney also noted that the girls were maintaining a link to their Irish roots through their participation in Ireland’s traditional sports.

“We’re very proud of you and we always will be,” Moroney said.