2nd May 2024, Gaelic Park, The Bronx, NYC, USA
An 8pm throw-in, the perfect 4G surface, superb floodlights, and the travelling Shane Ui Nèill panel of 25 players and management accompanied with a dozen officials and supporters await the whistle to begin what is a famous chapter in the clubs 121 year history.
The opposition are a New York GAA Select, with players from all over Ireland and two from Co. Antrim
From the start the Glenarm men set down a marker with points on 1, 3 and 4 minutes from Niall McGarel, Ciaran Magill and Daniel Black. This spurred the hosts into action when they replied with three of their own to level affairs on seven minutes.
Two quick fire points – Darren Hamill for Glenarm and Darren Mannion for New York, one for Dylan McLaughlin and a reply from Ger McPartland maintained level pegging, but on the quarter mark A J Willis steered the sliotar past Abram in the Glenarm net to open up a three point lead.
The second quarter saw the visitors up the pace, and coupled with stern defensive play and the outstanding Michael Abram between the posts, they gradually pulled away with points from McGarel, Magill, McLaughlin and Black left the sides level at the inverval. Shane O’Neill’s 0-12 v New York 1-9.

The second half began and continued at a very high tempo, with no sign of jet lag setting in, given that the Glensmen had touched down only thirty hours earlier.
Points from Hamill and McGarel, two from Power and Deegan maintained the level game, until on six minutes, a fast and fluent sequence of passes out from the Glenarm defence set Dylan McLaughlin on course from thirty yards out.
He dodged a few tackles before driving the ball to the New York goal, much to the pleasing of the travelling crowd.
Still under relentless attack from the hosts, the blue defence repelled the best that was thrown at them, while at the other end the Ulster side were picking up some sublime scores from tallismen Black, McLaughlin, McGarel and Hamill.
A goal from AJ Willis on twenty minutes, and points from Deegan & Power were keeping the US men in touch, but cool heads were keeping the visitors ahead.
Three late points for McGarel, and a scrambled goal for the hosts before the ‘hooter’ signalled the end and euphoric scenes for the men in blue and the ref Chris Dalton called for the ball.
It would be unfair to signal anyone out for special praise, but on this occasion the performance of Dunga between the sticks shouldn’t go past without mention.
A day off on Saturday, a game with Kevin McKay’s team Rockland GAA on Sunday, and travelling home on Monday brings to an end a really historic tour – one that will be talked about for years to come
Final Score: 3-15 v 1-23
Shane Ui Néill Panel:
Michael Abram, Matthew Black, Barry Hamill, Paul Magill, Aidan Scullion, Darren Hamill, Declan McDermott, Kieran O’Boyle, Daniel Black, Dylan McLaughlin, Ciàran Magill, Sean O’Boyle, Blain McDermott, Niall McGarel, Brendan McDermott, Aidan O’Neill, Sean O’Hare, Ryan McLaughlin, Odhran Daly, Rory Mulvenna, Kieran O’Boyle, James Black, Kevin O’Boyle, Anthony McNeill and Connor McNeill
Management:
Ciàran Matthews , Darryl McMullan and Gerard Johnston