season with a solid 2-12 to 2-8 football victory over the Kevin Barrys in the opening game of the doubleheader at Cardinal Dougherty High School. In the nightcap, the Shamrock hurlers topped the Brian Borus 2-12 to 2-6 in a matchup between two defending NAGAA champions.

In the opener, the Young Irelands rallied from an early deficit to take a 1-8 to 1-3 lead at the intermission. The Upper Darby-based side tallied 1-4 after the break to capture the victory.

In the hurling match, the Shamrocks, the 2005 North American Junior “B” champions, took an early lead again the Brian Borus, last year’s Junior “A” titlists, and were up 0-5 to 1-0 at the interval. The Brian Borus cut the lead to two points in the second half, but goals from Frank O’Meara and Joe Kenny clinched the win for the Shamrocks.