The New York Football College squad is travelling to Birmingham England next week to again compete in the British College Games. The panel which was announced last Friday are returning to that city after a very successful trip last February when they won there division with wins over Rennes, France, Nottingham, Lincoln and a draw against Carlisle before they bowed out at the hands of Manchester in the semi final. The Manchester team went on to win the Plate in that section of the competition. While there are three groups in the championship, New York will again contest the Plate with five games on Saturday the seventh of February, with the semi finals and final on Sunday the eighth for the teams that qualify out of their respective sections. The manager of the side has come from the winning NY under 21 club. This year Joe Hallinan from St Barnabas follows Danny Hannon from the same club. His selectors are Ed Brady, Dennis Twomey and Eugene Kyne. Kyne is also training the squad. Off a panel of nineteen players last season seventeen participated in the New York senior divisions either at Junior or senior level. This year's panel will consist of a full panel of players that have lined out in New York in 2008 and they comprise what is a cross section of a strong minor Board that has graduated to the senior level. The squad has the full backing of both Boards in New York with Financial and preparatory help in the last weeks from both as the side prepares for flight. The team has trained in a variety of locations in January with Garlic Park utilized when weather permitted and Gyms across Yonkers availed off when snow arrived. The full panel of players making the trip this year is as follows with there minor Board affiliated side. . Thomas McGovern, Nick Moustosis, Joe Hallinan, Kyle Hannon, St Barnabas. Steve Spellman, John White, Rockland. CJ Molloy, Danny Tierney, Kevin McArdle, Celtics. Eoghan Kyne, Denis Kilkenny, Steve Gomez, Ciaran Slattery, Nick Greene, Conor Brady, Sean Brady, TJ Higgins, St Raymond's. Shane Carty, Sean Twomey, Pierce Cassel's Rangers. While some of the players also line out for their home club under the senior Board the following clubs are also represented, Cavan, Astoria Gaels, Donegal, Kerry, Dublin and Armagh. Twelve of the 2008 squad returns which will certainly help experience wise. A total of 33 three players tried out for the panel which left a very difficult decision for the management went it came time to select the final travelling party. The side will have a fund raising going away outing next Sunday in Danny Macs Bar on McLean Avenue, beginning at 2.00pm and all are invited to come and wish the side well before they embark. With Mayo on the horizon for the New York senior team in a few short months in the Connaught Championship, this is the beginning of Championship season in a certain fashion with this tournament now looking to be penciled in as an annual affair for New York. Tweet

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