Junior B Hurling - The Cup Stays in Milwaukee!
NACB 2008 Recap
The annual North American County Board Finals took place over Labor Day weekend in Canton, MA at the Irish Cultural Centre. Here is a recap of the weekend.
** JUNIOR C **
Milwaukee's Junior C team kicked off the Milwaukee schedule Friday morning and played very well against Robert Emmets from the Twin Cities. Although Minneapolis was undermanned, they put up a strong fight. Milwaukee was able to create and capitalize on many opportunities and they were able to move on to Friday afternoon with a win. Congratulations to our Junior C team for their 1st NACB tournament victory! Many more surely await us in the future.
Advancing from Friday morning, Milwaukee's Junior C played a newcomer to the tournament at 3:00 pm, the New Hampshire Barley House Wolves. Milwaukee was able to use its experience to overcome a spirited Barley Wolves team and was able to advance to a match with Indianapolis on Saturday. Keep your eye on the Barley Wolves as they are certain to be around for quite a while with their enthusiasm for the game.
On Saturday, the Junior C team went up against a very talented and eventual tournament champion Indy Hurling team. Although Milwaukee fought hard and played very well in the second half, Indy had established a lead that it would not relinquish and was victorious by a score of 6-13 to 1-7.
Well done to our Junior C team - the team jelled very well this year and big strides were made and we look forward to the opportunities that the future offers.
** JUNIOR B **
Friday evening at 6:00 pm, Milwaukee's Junior B hurling team lined up against Robert Emmets from the Twin Cities. This was a rematch from last year's Junior B championship match and it was sure to be an exciting one. Milwaukee was able to jump out to a lead that they wouldn't give up thanks to some wonderful ball movement and teamwork. Milwaukee advanced with a 2-15 to 1-4 victory.
Next up was a date with Seattle, a team that Milwaukee first faced in last year's tournament. Seattle was quite the opponent, giving up no free 50/50 balls, playing hearty defense and scoring at the right time. Milwaukee was able to fight off a late rush by Seattle and was victorious by a slim margin of 5 (1-15 to 2-7).
Milwaukee would face Washington DC in the Junior B final by virtue of DC's victory over Denver on Friday. Milwaukee found themselves on the short end of the stick early on as DC was able to find the back of the net twice within the first 10 minutes and Milwaukee couldn't quite find their stride. Soon though, Milwaukee woke up and started moving the ball well themselves and capitalized on some nice movement and teamwork. After the halftime whistle, Milwaukee was able to take control of the flow of the game and started putting points on the board without response from DC. The teams traded goals and DC scored a late one, but it wasn't enough as Milwaukee came out on top at fulltime by a score of 3-16 to 3-6, thus claiming the Junior B Champions title for a second year in a row.
Congratulations to both Milwaukee teams and all its supporters that traveled to Boston for the weekend - a grand time was had by all. And a hearty "cheers" to all the teams and individuals that continue to make the NAGAA the organization it is.


Photos courtesy of Paula Gilson. |