A QUIET WAVE OF optimism rose slowly between the towering skyline of New York this past month following the announcement of the city’s squad to face Sligo in the opening game of the 2017 Championship.
Familiar faces were plentiful, with Dublin hurler and All-Star winner in 2013 Danny Sutcliffe and Mayo full-back Tom Cunniffe among the established pedigree which littered manager Justin O’Halloran’s side for the preliminary round of the Connacht senior football championship.
A potential upset looked to be on the cards on Sunday when New York took the lead with 19 minutes remaining. Niall Carew’s side battled on however, with Kyle Cawley’s decisive goal after 65 minutes ensuring a nervy victory, the fairytale of New York postponed for another year at least.
Wicklow forward Conor McGraynor managed 0-2 in Sunday’s curtain-raiser, with both scores coming at decisive periods when New York were mounting a challenge which would see them take the lead on two occasions.
“The whole squad was bitterly disappointed with the result,” he told The42 via email this week.
“The game was there for the taking at one stage but Sligo had the experience and cuteness to take them over the line.
“The advantage of playing league games and learning to battle out these situations together in competitive games is also a massive help. Overall though man for man we didn’t play up to our potential and that was the biggest disappointment for us.”
New York’s record remained winless heading into Sunday’s clash against Sligo at Gaelic Park. Having entered the Connacht Championship eighteen years ago in 1999 they have endured four defeats to Mayo, Roscommon and Galway on top of three losses to both Leitrim and Sligo.
McGraynor has moved to New York with his girlfriend Lisa and snapped at the opportunity to lineout with familiar faces in the Championship again. It was this time last year the Avondale player featured in a Wicklow side which was defeated 3-16 to 0-18 against Laois in the preliminary round of the Leinster Senior Championship.
“I was honoured to be part of the New York squad and get to play with so many guys with backgrounds from different counties. It has that same feel as a college team and that’s something that makes the challenge all the more enjoyable as everybody has to adapt from what they know and what they are used to and buy into the New York game plan.
“It does make it feel like being at home. The lads have the same passion if not more. I haven’t been feeling too homesick, just some days I would miss my parents and four younger brothers. I’m lucky to have my girlfriend out here in New York with me so that helps big time in that regard.”
Following five years in Dublin City University which brought with it a momentous Sigerson Cup title in 2015, the forward moved Stateside with a degree in biotechnology and aspirations to establish a career in the brewing industry.
Though it was difficult to leave friends and family behind in Avondale, he admits that the chance to pursue opportunities in his career simply are not available to him in Wicklow and that the allure of America was too much to resist.
“Initially it was difficult to leave Ireland but now that I am settled out here, it is definitely one of the best decisions I have made. The only thing I miss at home would be my family and friends but plenty have been out to visit too so it makes it that bit easier,” he says, referring to his parents who made the trip to Gaelic Park for Sunday’s game.
“I played in Boston for a summer in 2013 and it was definitely one of the best summers in my life. I was 20 years old and living away from home for the first time and it actually allowed me to mature greatly. This time around myself and my girlfriend travelled here on a work J1 Graduate Visa for a year to pursue work opportunities and experience a different culture.
“It makes it easier to leave football in Wicklow as we are not competitive and unfortunately don’t look like being for years to come. It is a lot more difficult I imagine for guys from stronger counties who would find it a lot more difficult to move over here. They obviously would get supported with regards to job opportunities to entice them to stay around. This luxury isn’t available in Wicklow.”
McGraynor says that teams will not take New York lightly following close calls against Roscommon and Sligo over the last two years. He admits that when the side lines out against Leitrim this time next year he hopes to be pulling on the red, blue and white once again.
“Traditionally teams come out to New York and treat it like a free holiday and a social event. Sligo certainly didn’t do that and it shows the level of respect that has grown for what is happening in New York GAA. We trained three times per week in all kinds of weather conditions all for one game which shows the level of commitment all the boys had. Teams out to play New York in the future won’t take the game lightly.
“I plan to stay here for another year and then hopefully do a couple of months travel of South America. It takes a couple of months to get settled so a year just flies by in New York. Hopefully when we entertain Leitrim next year we can be getting a first New York win as the hype and pressure won’t be as much as it was this year.”
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