Inside Track: Boston boys and girls shout for Louth
Inside Track with Joe Carroll
There were American voices to be heard every time Louth scored on Sunday. They belonged to a contingent from Boston, over here for the Féile, which took place in Derry the day before.
Included in the travelling party were boys’ and girls’ under-15 teams, their mentors and some parents. Upwards on 100 made the trans-Atlantic trip, having arrived in Ireland the previous Tuesday.
And why were they shouting for Louth?
Well, on the Thursday evening the two teams had challenges with St Patrick’s in the Ravensdale Community grounds, and by winning both put themselves in form for the Féile.
They had earlier in the week played teams from Mayobridge and had training sessions in Newry’s Pairc Esler.
After the Ravensdale games, they were addressed by Louth senior team manager, Gavin Devlin, and County Board chairman, Seán McClean. When he heard they would be heading for Croke Park, Devlin told them to make sure they cheered for the team in red.
There’s a strong Dundalk connection with Boston GAA. Kevin Gorham, a former Na Piarsaigh player, has been living over there for over 20 years.
He’s attached to Wolfe Tones GFC, the club with which All-Star Paddy Keenan and a St Patrick’s colleague of his, Shane Finnegan, played on a trip to America a few years ago.
The company with which Keenan is associated, Protection & Prosperity Financial Services, Crowe St, Dundalk, sponsored the after-match entertainment in the nearby Lumpers last Thursday, and Croke Park tickets for the travelling party were arranged by former Louth County Board chairman, Paddy Oliver.