Ballymacarbry Trip to N.Y. - MLGFA Munster Ladies Gaelic Football Association

Ballymacarbry Ladies Football team win All American 7a-side Championship 2011

Ballymacarbry  7 a-side team and a group of mentors and supporters comprising 21 people in total travelled to New York recently to take part in the All American 7 a-side championship taking place on Saturday May 28 in Gaelic Park having been invited over by the New York Ladies Football Board.  From the moment that we arrived at the airport on Thursday morning May 26th it was evident that this was going to be a special trip to say the least.  The wheelchair at the airport setting the tone for the weekend!!!  When we arrived in JFK we were greeted by the host families with whom we were staying for the weekend and the treatment we received from them for the duration was top class.  
Friday was spent visiting the many famous sights in New York City.  It was a great day and we all managed to make it back to our houses eventually despite some of the “recycled teenagers” ending up on the wrong train to Harlem!

On Saturday it was an early start as the team needed to be in Gaelic Park by 10 o’clock for their first game.  It was clear from the throw-in in the first match that even the 30 degree plus heat was not going to affect the girls.  They put in 3 sterling performances in the group stages coming out on top in 2 of those games and drawing one against a strong Cavan (American) side.  The girls won the semi final against a Boston outfit comprehensively and ended up meeting Cavan again in the final.  But this time they were prepared and focused and ended up winning on a scoreline of 2-19 to 1-2, an unbelievable performance, dominating the game from start to finish.  Every single player was outstanding all day and some spectacular football was played.  A special congratulations to Michelle Ryan who won MVP on the day (Player of the Tournament).