In its inaugural match Central Penn U-23 Academy, an Old Gaelic Joint, traveled to Doylestown to take on OG’s former foe at the hosts’ 50th Anniversary celebration. 

The first try of the match was scored by Young Gaelic Center Tyler Johnson, who converted the first of four critical conversions. After that, it looked like the home team would be celebrating its anniversary well, with three unanswered tries. But the young bucks found that Central PA grit and fought back from there. 

The second Central Penn try was scored by Nate Kozlovac, the big Shippensburg second row. The visitors continued to fight back with Young Gaelic #10 Jonah Roth’s chip kick was chased down by eight man and Academy organizer JT Hammond and the Junior Roth. Roth earned the penalty, Hammond passed wide to Johnson, who made the pass to Jacob Stelluti (Berks High School and Kutztown) who finished the try. 

Now in striking distance to play spoiler in front of the home crowd, CP got it wide to wing Kellan Walker (Wesleyan University), who took it 70 meters to tie the match. From there, Johnson finished the job with a long kick from the sideline to secure the Academy’s first win! 

Next up, Central Penn will take on the New England Free Jacks’ Academy side on June 15 in Boston. 

MOTM: Kellan

Viking Hard Hat: Lucas Schneider, who played his first match above the high school level made chase down tackles at hooker and wing, and brought down a lot of grizzled Men’s Club vets despite a significant size disadvantage.