The NACB retained the CYC Inter-county boy's minor (U18) football championship following wins over New York and London at the annual O'Neill's Continental Youth Championships held in New York last week. In an epic final the NAB won their second consecutive title defeating 2007/8 champions London by one point, 2-7 to 0-12 in extra time. The NAB tied the game in the final moment of regular time by converting a penalty and in a 10 minute extra time period they scored 1 point while keeping London scoreless. Excluding London, who only entered a boy's minor football team, five other inter-county (premier) championships were contested between New York and the North American Board with the NAB winning 3 titles and two won by New York. 
This year's tournament which was hosted by the New York County Youth Board and organized by the CYC Steering Committee was staged at Eisenhower Park, Long Island in Nassau County New York. Reflecting the continuous growth and popularity of the tournament, the 2010 event was the biggest in its 7 year history with a total of 269 games being played during the 4 day weekend. A record number of teams, 140 in all, representing 8 cities across the US and Canada a well as the minor football team from London, England, competed.  An added attraction this year was the participation of the Cuchulainn boy's under 16 football team from Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh.  The visiting squad drew special attention since its team and mentors represented a cross section of the Enniskillen community. The team played exceptionally well and was a credit to their entire community. In addition to London and Ennisgillen, the following cities were represented at the tournament, Boston, Chicago, New Haven, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Francisco and Toronto.
Thirty championships were competed for at this year's CYC, eight more than in last years tournament in San Francisco. The addition of camogie for the first time along with two new divisions in hurling and the introduction of the premier divisions for inter-county competition between New York and the NACB contributed to the increase. There were 13 competitions in boys football with games being played in A and B divisions in under 8, 10, 12, 14 16, and 18, while there were 8 girls competitions in age groups under 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18. There were five hurling competitions in age groups under 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16. Four championships were played for in camogie, U8, U10, U12, and U12 Premier.
New York teams captured 15 of the 30 championships competed for. Five titles went to San Francisco teams, two were captured by Chicago while Boston, Philadelphia and New Haven clubs each brought home one title, with the remaining titles being in the premier grades (inter-county).   
During a function at the conclusion of the tournament, GAA president Christy Cooney spoke of his delight of being present to witness the fruits of the tremendous work being done by the various youth boards around the country. He was loud in his praise of the the local Youth Committee and the CYC Steering Committee for a great job in organizing the tournament.
Other dignitaries who traveled from Ireland to be present at the CYC were Joe McDonagh, former GAA President and current International Committee Chairman, Gene Duffy, former Overseas Chairman and current GAA Finance Committee member, Aine Gibney (Overseas  Committee Secretary), Joan O'Flynn (Comagie Association President), Pat Quill (Ladies Football Association President). 
As the CYC moves on to Boston for the 2011 the NACB congratulates the CYC Steering and the New York Youth Committees for a great job that contributed to a most successful event.
 
Following are the winners of the 2010 CYC Championships:
BOY'S  FOOTBALL:
U8 A - Rockland NY
U8 B - Celtics NY
U 10 A - Rockland NY
U10 B - San Francisco
U 12 A - Rockland New York
U 12 B - Delco Philadelphia
U 14 A - Rockland NY
U 14 B - St. Josephs
U 16 A - St. Barnabus NY
U 16 B - Chicago
U16 Premier - NY
U 18 A - San Francisco
U 18 B - Boston
Under 18 Premier  - NACB
 
 
Hurling:
U8 - San Francisco
U 10 - San Francisco
U 12 - New York
U14 - Chicago
U16 Premier  - NACB
 
Girls Football:
U8  - Rockland Hibernians NY
U10 - Rockland Hibernians NY
U12 - Rockland NY
U14 - St. Brigids NY
U16 - St. Brigids NY
U18 - St. Brigid's NY
U18 Premier - NY
 
Camogie
U8 - New Haven
U10 - Rockland
U12 - San Francisco
U12 Premier - NACB
 
Eamonn Kelly
PRO - NACB Tweet

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