CJ Molloy cherishes historic New York All-Ireland JFC winning feat

CJ Molloy admits that he thought his days of attempting to help guide New York to football success were long behind him. 

Molloy - nephew of 1992 All-Ireland winning Donegal captain Anthony Molloy - left the Empire City behind him back in 2014 to realise a boyhood dream of representing Ardara at senior level. It was only ever meant to be a short-term thing. 

But fast forward nearly a decade and Molloy has long since made Ireland his permanent home. He made his senior intercounty bow with New York back in 2008 as a raw 18-year-old. But those days always ended in similar fashion - with the Satesiders inevitably coming up short. 

However, back in April, the side finally made it over the line, creating their own small bit of history when, 24 years after playing their first ever game in the Connacht Championship, New York enjoyed their maiden victory against Leitrim at Gaelic Park in the Bronx.

The fact that the win was secured by way of a penalty shootout only made the feat feel that little bit more dramatic. 

At the time Molloy was still watching on from the outside in and, at 34-years-old, believed his chance had long since passed.

“I mean I never thought that the chance to play for New York at Croke Park would ever come about. When I came home to Ardara back in 2014 I only intended to hang about for a year or two. 

“I always intended to come back and play for New York but life takes you off in different directions. They had great success this year, I always felt I’d be part of the side that would finally win a championship game. 

“And the truth is it was bitter sweet looking on at the time. I was so happy for the guys but a huge part of me would have loved to have been smack bang in the middle of it all. So to have been a part of Sunday was really a dream come true”.

Having got that second bite at the Big Apple’s shot at glory, Molloy admits it was just a lovely moment to see what it meant to the New York contingent present in Croke Park on Sunday - including Association president Larry McCarthy who has such strong ties to the city. 

“It was lovely - just amazing. It was nice to be a part of it. But I certainly feel every bit of 34 today. Those other guys were all 25 or 26 and are fresh as daisies.  I’m indebted to those lads. 

“Every single one of them are born and bred New Yorkers. The entire side, you have to be American to represent the team”.

Of course not all Donegal people inside Jones Road went home happy with the result at the weekend. Kilkenny had Gaoth Dobhair’s James Carroll in their ranks while former senior star and Gaeil Fhánada native, Paddy McConigley, was a part of the Cats management team.  

“I was speaking to James there after, he’s the same vintage as myself. I also know Paddy McConigley. When I was younger, I remember Paddy being sanctioned for Donegal/New York, himself and JP Boyle. My dad tells the story how both were just out of minor the previous year under Anthony. 

“That pair won a New York title in 2000 and Paddy was Play of the Year under dad. So I obviously felt for those guys at the weekend - two really good lads”. 

And while the magnitude of his famous uncle’s achievement over 30 years ago remains the pinnacle achievement in the extended Molloy household, what New York and CJ accomplished on Sunday in lifting an All-Ireland JFC title is, in its own way, also historic.  

“Yeah - listen it’s not quite on that scale or level but it’s still something I’m really proud of because it’s New York. Myself and Anthony would be really close. I lived with him when I first came over. 

“He has that big photo, pride of place in the house. I might put my little one up beside it in the next few weeks now!” Seriously though, I was really grateful for all the Ardara lads and the others that actually came along to Croke Park at the weekend and cheered us on”.