PORTLAND, MAINE— The Portland Hurling Club played host on Saturday for an end of season hurling tournament featuring three new clubs in the Northeast. New Hampshire’s Barley House Wolves have been playing for two full seasons, and Montreal features an established Gaelic Football Club that is now expanding into hurling this year.

It was an exciting prospect for an area that a mere three years ago had no Junior C level hurling at all. This shortage of clubs seems to be ebbing at the entry level, with the Portland tournament hopefully signaling the growth of the sport among newcomers.

At one o’clock in the afternoon on a sunny coastal Saturday, referee Mike Moynihan started the first of four matches of 8-a-side hurling to take place between New Hampshire, Montreal, and two teams from the Portland club.  It was evident from the outset that all three clubs were excited to get in a day of enjoying the sport, and working to improve their level of play.  The spirit of competition was high, but the level of sportsmanship was in the forefront as the clubs worked to play a clean game and learn from the fouls that were called.

In the first match, Portland’s first side took on the Barley House Wolves.  These clubs had faced each other several times over the season, as neighboring clubs often do at the Junior C level.  Having each won a match of 13 a side earlier in the year, the teams were certainly well matched and the outcome was unpredictable.  Both sides came out quick, despite the crisp fall air, with Portland’s Larry Maher making a solid show with some key points from the sixty five.  The Wolves’ Dennis Trainor was on his game, consistently clearing the sliothar out from his full back position.  The first half ended with a close score, as Portland goalie Tim Grimason and Wolves Goalie Jim Pappaioanou both had exceptional athletic performances.  It was Pappaioanou’s first outing between the posts, but his performance reflected significant preparation.  The second half went New Hampshire’s way though, and at the last whistle the Wolves prevailed, 6-18 to 4-10.

The second match featured the first ever contest between Montreal and Portland’s second team.  This was indeed a cliffhanger of a match, and the crowd was fully engaged as the lead changed hands four times in the second half alone.  Solid hurling on the part of Portland’s Alan McGrath anchored the home club, coupled with a strong defensive effort by the fullbacks.  Donal Lacey proved to be a skilled player on the Montreal side, and was absolutely lethal from midfield, putting it over the bar whenever given half an opportunity.  Montreal held the lead going into the late stages of the game, when a late point by Portland tied the game with less than two minutes to play.  The game finished a draw, being fought intensely down to the final second.  It was an excellent match at 4-8 to 4-8, and hopefully a sign of well matched future contests and a friendly cross-border rivalry.

After a short break, the Montreal and New Hampshire hurlers took back to the pitch for the third match of the day.  Montreal got out to an early lead with a hard shot ending up in the back of the net in the first two minutes.  The Wolves answered with a four point run by Lore Ford and Darragh Madden.  The match remained intense, but the Wolves maintained the lead and held off some talented Montreal play by staying on the offensive.  The Canadian hurlers had some exceptional hurling talent and a solid group of footballers with outstanding field play skills who will no doubt be the core of a formidable Montreal Hurling team.   Jason Burpee’s speed in the midfield contributed greatly to the Wolve’s ability to transition the ball to offense, with Derek Reiss again consistently getting the sliothar and working the goalie.  Eddie Clements first outing at the fullback position proved to be productive, with his speed complementing Dennis Trainor’s power to form a highly effective barrier to the Montreal forwards.  Although the match wrapped up at 8-16 to 4-6, it served as a warning that Montreal is a new team to be taken very seriously.

In a final show of camaraderie, all four teams combined for a mixed team match of 10 a side hurling.  Random teams were set up and the day was capped off with a spirited match that allowed players to try out different positions, and gave everyone a final chance to play hurling before the snow flies.  The teams all retired to a great event hosted by the Portland Club at the Ri Ra pub in downtown Portland.  Plans are already in the works for a reciprocal trip to Montreal next season and a New Hampshire based Junior C tournament in 2010 as well.  The teams had a chance to get together to discuss techniques for growing their clubs and establishing the sport of hurling, including obtaining regulation goalposts and acquiring affordable helmets, sliothars and hurls.  Overall the event was well organized and a great opportunity for these new clubs to connect.

By Robert Madison