New York club scoops top prize in Tipperary GAA draw

Pictured at the cheque presentation to St Raymonds in New York were Dave Ryan (Vice President, St. Raymond's GFC), Pat Ryan (St. Raymond's, Junior Team Manager), Brendan Maher (Roscrea/Tipperary Hurling Club of New York PRO & Draw Representative), Noel Blanchfield (Ballyneil/Draw Promoter, Asst. Manager & Selector, St. Raymond's GFC & Tipperary Hurling Club member), Roger Slattery (NY & Hollyford/St. Raymond's Junior Team Selector & Youth Development Officer), and Mike Sullivan (President, St. Raymond's GFC of NY). (Photo By Nuala Purcell)
St Raymond’s, a small Gaelic Football Club founded in 1970 in the East Bronx parish of the same name in New York, claimed the first prize in May of the Tipperary County GAA club’s draw of a Skoda Octavia or cash alternative.

St Raymond’s, a small Gaelic Football Club founded in 1970 in the East Bronx parish of the same name in New York, claimed the first prize in May of the Tipperary County GAA club’s draw of a Skoda Octavia or cash alternative.

The “Saints” field teams in the New York Minor Board competitions from Under-8s right up to the Junior A side in the adult leagues.

According to assistant manager and selector of the Junior side Noel Blanchfield - “This windfall will be put to good use to help boost our club for the current season with the hope this splash of good luck will stick with us on the field this summer.”

A Tipperary native originally fr om the Ballyneale/Grangemockler Club, Noel now resides in the States for over 20 years.

He added - “Like all small clubs we work hard to survive and be self-sufficient, so this win takes some pressure off us in terms of our fundraising efforts during these tough economic times.

“Nevertheless, we have always been lucky to possess a strong core of Irish families dedicated to keeping our Irish heritage and sporting traditions alive here in the ‘Big Apple.’

“Additionally, 50% of the money raised from the draw goes directly to all affiliated clubs of Tipperary (73 in all including the Tipperary Hurling Club of New York).

The rest will be distributed to prize funds, overheads and development of our county teams and facilities”.

The monthly draw includes the two car draw sponsored by Skoda with a weekly lotto draw, 380 monthly, and 180 weekly prizes in all.

Tickets for the draw are still available for purchase in New York by contacting Tipperary Hurling Club Representatives Brendan Maher at: 1-646 361 5544, Mike Kennedy at: 1-646 208 3716, and McKeons Bar & Restaurant, 996 McLean Avenue, Yonkers, NY at: 1-914 530 2386.

“As the old Irish sweepstakes slogan said, “If you’re not in you can’t win!”

So, get yourselves a ticket and as for St. Ray’s we have a rich blend of New York and Irish born talent who we hope will use this win outside the lines to inspire a winning streak on the pitch in Gaelic Park this summer along with a nod and a wink of thanks back across the Atlantic to the Premier County.