11/08/2007
The 2007 O’Neill’s Continental Youth Championships (CYC), staged at Chicago’s Gaelic Park July 26-29th, was a tremendous success. Reflecting the continuous growth and popularity of the championship, this year’s event was the biggest in its four year history with the most participation of youth from Canada.
A total of 2O5 games were played during the 3-day tournament with over 100 participating teams representing 12 cities from the US and Canada as well as a minor football team from London, England. The following cities were represented at the tournament: Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, New Haven, New York, Ottawa, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Francisco and Toronto.
For the second consecutive year hurling joined boys and girls Gaelic football at the CYC with games being played at U8, 10, 12, 14 and 18 age levels. Games in the same age groups, plus U16, were played in girl’s football. There were 12 competitions in boy’s football with games being played in A & B divisions in U8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18.
Canadian County Board secretary, John O’Flynn, served as an allocator of referee’s along with North American County Board Youth Officer Michael O’Connor. Special thanks to the Canadian County Board’s Vice – President Jarlath Connaughton from Ottawa who has served on the CYC Steering Committee since 2004 and continues to provide invaluable service.
As for results on the field, New York teams took 10 of the 23 championships that were played with 10 other titles being split equally between Chicago and San Francisco. One championship went to Boston while a combined Detroit/Pittsburgh team took a title.
The highlight of this year’s tournament was the inaugural inter-county minor (under 18) football championship between London, New York and the North American Board. It was the first time that a county team represented the NACB in a minor inter-county football championship. London won the title with victories over New York and North America. Their game with the NACB was a thrilling encounter with very little between the teams. London led by a point at the interval and extended their lead to 3 points going into the final quarter. The home side dominated proceedings in the final ten minutes of the game but failed to score as several shot from play and frees went wide of the post, leaving the final score 1-9 to 1-6 in London’s favor.
The 2007 CYC came to a fitting conclusion with the presentation of trophies and medals to the winning teams by the President of the GAA, Nickey Brennan. The president spoke at length of his delight in being present to witness the fruits of the tremendous work being done by the various youth boards in Canada and the USA. Other GAA dignitaries that traveled from Ireland to be present at the CYC were: Sheamus Howlin, International Committee Chairman; Aine Gibney, International Committee Secretary; Christy Cooney, Games Development Committee Chairman; Gene Duffy, Finance Committee Chairman. Also in attendance as guest of the NACB was former GAA President, Sean Kelly.
Following are the results of the CYC finals:
BOYS FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT
Under 8 A: Chicago 1-7 Philadelphia 0-3
Under 8 B NY Rockland 2-5 San Francisco 1-3
Under 10 A NY Celtics 3-4 Delco Gaels 0-1
Under 10 B NY St.Raymond’s 3-0 NY Rangers 2-2
Under 12 A Chicago Youth 3-3 Chicago Celtic 1-8
Under 12 B NY Rangers 3-11 NY St. Raymond’s 2-4
Under 14 A NY St. Barnabas 5-7 San Francisco 2-13
Under 14 B NY Rangers 5-9 SF/Philly/Detroit 0-5
Under 16 A San Francisco 4-15 Boston 7-4
Under 16 B Chicago 2-9 Detroit/Phily 1-9
Under 18 A San Francisco 2-15 NY Celtics 2-5
Under 18 B Detroit/Pittsburgh 2-13 Boston 3-8
Inter County Minor London 2-14 New York 3-6
GIRLS FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT
Under 8 Boston 2-1 NY Rockland 0-1
Under 10 Chicago 4-3 Boston 0-0
Under 12 NY Ladies 0-3 NY Rockland 0-1
Under 14 NY West 2-7 Chicago 1-3
Under 16 NY Ladies 1-18 SF/Philly/Chic 2-6
Under 18 NY Ladies 3-11 San Francisco 4-8 Draw
HURLING TOURNAMENT
Under 8 San Francisco 2-2 Chicago 1-1
Under 10 San Francisco 6-1 New York 3-1
Under 12 San Francisco 2-4 Chicago 0-3
Under 14 NY Rockland 3-5 Boston 1-4
Under 18 Chicago 6-8 Indianapolis 2-3 | 
