Sun Aug 19 - Senior Football Semi-Final: Wolfe Tones v Shannon Blues

Wolfe Tones 4-17 Shannon Blues 2-9

Wolfe Tones advance to the final next week following a powerful display against the Shannon Blues on Sunday afternoon.  After an evenly contested opening quarter, the Tones netted and from that point on were very much in control.  The lead in to half time saw the Tones tally 2 goals and 6 points to no reply as they stifled the Blues around the middle of the field and sailed through second half at a canter.

The Blues Darren Wallace tries to break 

through the Tones defence.

After the teams gave as good as they got over the opening 15 minutes the Tones got a hold of the game.  With the teams on even terms on the scoreboard, center forward Thomas O’Reilly fired home a goal from 20 yards after Chris Sallier had worked the opening and found the young Meath man inside the 21 with a bit of room to shoot.  The Blues had been doing well, with Brian Fanning playing well at corner back, and Brian Egan along with Darragh Roche doing well in the forward line the Blues converted some well taken points to keep pace up to that point. 

After the goal it was the Tones well on top.  Six unanswered points put them 9 points to the good and with the forwards forcing turnovers life was difficult for the Blues.  O’Reilly at center forward was dominant for the Tones while Ronan Jones and Paddy Keenan held control of the middle of the field.  O’Reilly converted from the free and James McEntee stole forward to slot over a couple of points.  At the break the Tones were lording it at 2-10 to 0-4.

Darragh Roche on the attack for the Blues.

The Tones just needed to keep control for the second half, and so they did.  Two early points from McEntee and O’Reilly put even more distance between the teams and for the Blues it was a matter of playing for a bit of pride.  A goal from a penalty that was expertly put away by Roche and another late goal put an element of respectability on the scoreboard before the final whistle as each side emptied the bench.  So, an impressive display from the Tones and with Blues making their exit, there will be a new Boston champion in 2018.

Tones:  Shane Hayes, Paudie Kenneally, Kevin Maguire, Eoin Buggie, Jack Lynch, James McEntee, Ronan Jones, Paddy Keenan, Mike O’Brien, Thomas O’Reilly, Aaron Elliott, Thomas Beckett, Chris Sallier.

Blues:  Mike Moriarty, PJ Hand, Brian Fanning, Derek O’Brien, Mike Cotterill, Denis McElligott, Maurice Young, Steven Cahill, Dara Roche, Jerry Troy, Connell Lemon, Darren Wallace, Brian Egan.

By Rory O'Donnell