Spa pictured in Soldier's Field in Los Angeles
Front L to R: Pat Kelleher, Donie O'Sullivan, Sean Cronin, John O'Sullivan, L.A. Mascot, Donie McSweeney, Neilly O'Doherty, John O'Leary, Paudie Doolan.
Back L to R: Donie O'Leary (Manager), Pat Casey, Sean Óg Sheehy, Denis Moynihan, Jackie Foley, Tim O'Regan, Dave Herlihy, Bernie O'Riordan, Dan O'Leary.
Having tasted the delights of the East Coast of the U.S. in 1973, a team from Spa GAA Club, headed up by two-time All Star Donie O'Sullivan, took flight once again in 1978 - this time on a three and a half week tour of the West Coast of the States and in particular to the cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Spa Players Captured at San Quentin!
Spa players Pat Kelleher and Bernie O'Riordan wound up at San Quentin - happily on the outside of America's best known jail made famous by the legendary Johnny Cash.
Apart from visiting all the tourist hot spots such as Universal Studios, Disneyland, Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and many more, the team played four matches.
The first was against an L.A. selection that included dual All Ireland medallist with Offaly Fr. Nicholas Clavin and a week later they took on their host club in San Francisco Shannon Rangers in Balboa Stadium.
Spa and Rangers then headed for Reno where they played each other in Minogue Stadium in what was the first Gaelic Football game played in the state of Nevada.
On the homeward journey Spa played New York Minors in Gaelic Park. A most enjoyable trip was all the more satisfying given that Spa won all of their matches.
The team that played, which included All Ireland winning captain Sean Óg Sheehy as a guest and managed by the affable Donie O'Leary, was as follows:
Jackie Foley, John O'Sullivan, Pat Kelleher, Bernie O'Riordan, John O'Leary, Donie O'Sullivan, Sean Cronin, Pat Casey, Paudie Doolan (Kilcummin), Donie McSweeney, Tim O'Regan, Neilie O'Doherty, Sean Óg Sheehy (John Mitchels), Dave Herlihy, Denis Moynihan (Glenflesk).
The Spa touring party pictured at Shannon Airport prior to departure for L.A.
Front L to R: John O'Sullivan, Sean Cronin, Bernie O'Riordan, Donie O'Sullivan, Donie McSweeney, Neil O'Doherty.
Back L to R: Denis Moynihan, Paudie Doolan, Pat Kelleher, John O'Leary, Tim O'Regan, Pat Casey, Dan O'Leary, Donie O'Leary, Sean Óg Sheehy, Dave Herlihy.
