Hampshire hurlers travel to Ireland
June 21, 2010After a personal welcome from Shannon Airport's operations manager Joe Buckley, the team stopped to visit with a local hurley maker, Paddy O'Deas, to see firsthand the process of hurley making. After gaining a new appreciation for the crafting of the ash, the Wolves were given a tour of the pitches in Athenry, as well as the new clubhouse of St Mary's GAA club.
"This is truly a humbling experience and I only wish our hurling skills warranted such exceptional treatment," Wolves captain Ray Valas quipped to members of the St. Mary's Club, including chairman Leo Coffey and assistant treasurer Tom Carr.
Also present for the official meet and greet were former president of the Gaelic Athletic Association and current Overseas Committee Chairman Joe McDonagh and Galway County Hurling Chairman Joe Byrne.
"Without Leo's commitment and Tom's dedication this trip, realistically, would not have happened," Valas said. The club officers presented Valas and Wolves' halfback Eddie Clements a bronze statue of two hurlers battling for the sliotar to commemorate the Wolves' visit.
Following the exchanges, the team suited up and took to the field to face the club's junior C team.
"We had a training session with instruction from the Athenry coaches beforehand, so I think we got most of the jitters out," said Clements prior to the match.
The hurlers from Athenry were showing some restraint and the game was lacking physical contact until Wolves forward James "Pappy" Pappaioanou laid a solid shoulder on his opponent. The hit put the St. Mary's cornerback on the grass and brought the Athenry crowd to their feet in a cheer. The niceties were now in the past, and the game took on a more intense pace, with the Wolves getting a strong lesson in hurling's tempo and skill.
With help from their Irish substitutes and a very generous host, the Wolves kept up the pace and finished the match in a respectable fashion.
"We were treated with the most gracious and kind hospitality, until we got onto the pitch," joked Wolves forward Lore Ford.
The teams retired to a local bar for some good-natured ribbing and traditional Irish music. Late in the evening the Yanks brought a western flavor to the session with Ben Hyman on the bodhran, Mikhael Gregoire picking up the accordion and Valas playing guitar and singing a couple of songs. A highlight of the evening was provided by Mr. Joe McDonagh when the entire establishment fell to hush as he sang "The West's Awake", reminiscent of his performance following the 1980 McCarthy Cup.
The next morning, Galway hurling selector and manager Jarlath Cloonan joined the team for a tour of Croke Park, providing his personal insights and experience of competition in the historical venue.
"The sheer size and history of both the stadium and the sport was overwhelming. You could really feel the energy," Wolves halfback Luke Koladish said.
The team gathered around the new Club Crest Wall at the entrance to the GAA Museum at Croke Park, in disbelief that their crest was actually represented at that venue.
"It speaks to the inclusiveness of the GAA that they would have the crest of a newly formed hurling club from New Hampshire displayed in the same location as clubs over a century old. It's inspiring as a new team," Valas remarked.
On Saturday the team squared off against Lt. Brian Connolly and the soldiers from the Irish Army's 1st Infantry Battalion of the 4th Brigade. The players competed on a pitch overlooking Galway Bay at Renmore Barracks.
Whether having adjusted to playing in Ireland or the nature of playing fellow soldiers, it was evident the Wolves and the men of Renmore Barracks were out to play a more physical game.
Despite being down at the half and out-played initially, the Wolves came back and took the lead in the final 15 minutes of the match.
"I think we settled in and played far better in the second half of that match," Clements recalled. "After we got the initial 'oh my god we are playing against Irish guys we're going to get killed' feeling out of our systems, we settled in and played our game and we played fairly well."
A last second goal by the Irish Army brought the game to a draw. The men from 4th Brigade lined the entry way to the locker room to clap in their American opponents.
"The Irish Army game was great because those guys were giving us tips and advice as we were playing, which helped us to focus on our basic fundamentals, so we could ultimately play a more competitive match," Clements said.
"We will forever be fans of St. Mary's GAA Club, Athenry, Galway and the 1st Infantry Battalion team," remarked Wolves' half forward Lore Ford, "this experience has made us a better club all around."
On Sunday the team attended a match between Cork and Tipperary during the first round of the Senior Munster Championship at a packed Páirc Uí Chaoimh, rounding out the whirlwind tour with the excitement and intensity of inter-county play.
"It was the experience of a lifetime for a young, American hurling team," Pappaioanou said. Tweet
