THREE Huddersfield players helped Yorkshire to some unexpected success in Ireland’s biggest youth Gaelic football festival.
Brothers Pearse players Danny Ramsden, Patrick Cassidy and Kane McGowan were all in the Yorkshire Under 14 squad for the Feile Na Nog in County Cavan.
Yorkshire got off to a flying start in Division V by beating host club Mullahoran by two goals and seven points to 1-6.
A draw in the next group match against Cornafean (1-4 apiece) set up an intriguing clash with Hertfordshire.
Yorkshire won 2-9 to 1-6 to seal a semi-final place, but came unstuck against a strong South London side, who won 3-8 to 0-4.
Waterford side Dungarvan won the section by beating South London 1-5 to 0-1.
More than 3,000 youngsters, including some from the USA, took part in the three-day festival, which first took place in 1982.
It was the first time it had been held in County Cavan, who had a very strong Gaelic side in the Fifties.
Gaelic Athletics Association president Nickey Brennan was present.
“It was a great performance by Yorkshire, because few people would have expected them to reach the semis,” reported Brothers Pearse spokesman Ollie Walsh.
“Cornafean are a well known club in County Cavan, so to hold them to a draw was a good achievement.
“Our three were among a 23-strong Yorkshire squad, and the hospitality shown by Mullahoran was first class.”
Brothers Pearse Under 14s take on St Benedict’s in Leeds tomorrow.
The Huddersfield club’s Pennine League rivals John Mitchel’s, of Liverpool, and Cuchullains, of Newcastle, will contest the title play-off.
