THE NOSE

“What we pick we print”

NATIONAL TITLE HOPES WASHED AWAY

For the second year in a row, Old Gaelic was denied a berth in the national championships by virtue of a loss in the Mid-Atlantic Division III final.  One day after dispatching host Harrisburg at Cibort Park in the semi’s, 40-11, the Griffins found their match in a determined and vastly improved Jersey Shore squad.  With their 24-15 win, the Sharks advanced to the final eight, to be held

In Austin, Tx.

Saturday’s action, played in summer-like conditions, pitted Old Gaelic against its nemesis, Team Blue.  Harrisburg took the opening kick and parlayed a seven-minute possession into points on a penalty kick to take a 3-0 lead. The Barons continued their methodical marching and doubled their lead on a second trey.  The Griffins finally got their act together and surged in front, 7-6, on a try by James Oliverio (from Chris Botto) and the ensuing Dan Roth conversion.

The second half was all Black & Gold. Rugged prop Tony Dambro plowed in, followed in short order by Brian Clements (Botto again), Oliverio on a second visit to try-land, Brian Ogle on a pick-and-go and Curtis Brillhart (from Alex Diegel) as Old Gaelic took a commanding 40-6 lead. Harrisburg scored on a penalty plunge on the final play.

Sunday there was a drastic change in the weather and, unfortunately, the result.  The match was delayed nearly one-half hour by thunder and was played in monsoon-like conditions.  Yet when Brian Clements scored on a nifty dish from Scott Lindsey to finish off a nice back movement and give Old Gaelic and 8-3 lead, it looked like the Griffins were on their way to Texas.  Alas, it wasn’t to be.

Jersey Shore scored two converted tries in a matter of minutes to take a 17-8 lead.  The suddenness of the strikes – both the result of botched plays by the Black & Gold, shocked the crowd.  John Kroesen found the zone (from Dan Roth) as the half ended and Roth’s two-pointer trimmed the deficit to 17-15 at intermission.

The Sharks, in existence only a few years, scored early in the second stanza and held on, repelling several Gaelic threats, to complete their meteoric rise to the top.

Old Gaelic 40 – Harrisburg 11

T: James Oliverio 2, Tony Dambro, Brian Clements, Brian Ogle, Curtis Brillhart.  A: Chris Botto 2, Dan Roth, Alex Diegel.

C: Roth 5.

Jersey Shore 24 – Old Gaelic 15

T: Brian Clements, John Kroesen.

A: Scott Lindsey.  C: Dan Roth. P: Roth.

PHOENIX RISES FROM ASHES

Old Gaelic shook off the disappointment of its finals loss with a one-sided win over the Turtleheads of Chambersburg on Saturday at Williams Grove. The ref lost track, but a post-game analysis revealed a 95-19 tally.  Brian Ogle had a feast with four tries, two assists and eight conversions.  Matt Hart had two tries, two assists and – on his fourth attempt – a conversion.

Fifteen tries were scored by the hosts and a good time was had by all.

Billy Med scored his first two tries as a Griffin and Frank Lentz got his “A” side maidenhead. Adam Blood, Chris Botto (in his final Gaelic match),  Jerry Gould, Mark Cooley, Ray Hollowell and Frank Tunis all found the hallowed zone.

Special thanks to all the guys who played for Chambersburg (especially Ambassador and Bomber, who wore red the whole time).  A warm welcome to James and Dan, who both played well in their Old Gaelic debuts.

It was great to have support from so many club members.  John Lyons was at every home game and legends of the past filled the sidelines at MARFU’s.  Kudos to the field crew (Tim Stefanon and co.) who did such a great job all year.  Don’t forget Saturday’s match at Hibernia.

Old Gaelic 95 – Chambersburg 19

T: Ogle 4, Hart 2, Billy 2, Lentz, Botto, Blood, Gould, Cooley, Hollowell, Tunis. A: Ogle 2, Hart 2, Hollowell 2, Botto, Billy, J Stefanon, Blood.

C: Ogle 8, Hart, Tunis.