Shannon Blues vs Aidan McAnespies
Sunday, May 31st 2026, 2PM
Shannon Blues 2-15 | Aidan McAnespies 2-15
The Boston Northeast GAA Men's Senior Football Championship got underway with an exciting clash between Shannon Blues and Aidan McAnespies.
The Blues opened the game with a goal from Blake Murphy after a great run from the half back line by Jack Higgins. The Blues followed quickly with a point from corner back Dean Sherlock. The Macs then attacked and a shot from Eoin Gormley was blocked down by Fionn Duggan to deny the Macs. The Macs first point of the day was put over by Caolan Donnelly. They added their second point after Adam Fanning kicked a pass inside to Eoin Gormley who pointed over with his right. The Macs then leveled the game with a 2-pointer from Adam Fanning to make it 1-1 to 0-4 after 10 minutes.
The Blues got a 45 after Conor FitzGerald's shot on goal was saved well by MacAnespies keeper Cormac McCartan. The 45 was taken by Paddy Kelly who did a quick 1-2 and took a shot that went out to the left and wide. After the Mac’s kickout went out over the sideline, Paddy Kelly pointed it over to secure a 2-pointer and put the Blues up by 2.
Ronan Fox drove forward for the Macs and his shot at goal went shyly wide. The Blues pointed over again, this time from Brian FitzPatrick after Jack Higgins drove forward from the middle of the field. The scoreboard read 1-4 to 0-4 in favor of the Blues after 15 minutes.
The Blues got their second goal, coming from Blake Murphy again after they overturned possession from the Macs on their 45 line. The Macs responded quickly with a point from Adam Fanning. The Macs then found the back of the net with a goal from Darragh Lyne following a hand pass in from Luke Killian. The Macs followed quickly again with a point from Bobby Walker, leaving just one point between the sides. The scoreboard read 2-4 to 1-6 after 22 minutes.
Paddy Kelly pointed for the Blues again after a patient attack. Adam Fanning pointed from a free for the Macs to bring the difference back to one point again. The Blues pointed again, this time coming from Cian Hughes after a quick 1-2 with Ryan O’Donnell. Paddy Kelly added another point for Blues just before half-time to put his side ahead by 3 at the break.
Half-time:
Shannon Blues 2-7 | Aidan McAnespies 1-7
The Macs opened the scoring of the second half with a free pointed over by Adam Fanning. Brian Fitzpatrick then added a point for the Blues off his left foot. Cormac McCartan then added a point for the Macs from a 45, making to 2-8 to 1-9 after 37 minutes.
Brendan O’Hagan added a point for the blues to restore their 3 point lead. The Macs replied quickly with a point from Adam Fanning. Fanning followed again, this time with a 2-pointer. Scoreboard read 2-9 to 1-12.
Blake Murphy pointed from a free for the Blues to level the sides again. The Macs replied quickly after Darragh Lyne took a solo and go opportunity and kicked it into Adam Fanning who made no mistake in putting it between the posts. Blake Murphy pointed off his left to level the game again, 2-11 to 1-14.
The Macs responded with a point from Adam Fanning to nudge his side ahead by one. Brian FitzPatrick pointed for the Blues to level the sides for the fourth time, 2-12 to 1-15. Blake Murphy added two more points for the Blues to put the Blues back in front.
The Macs were awarded a penalty in the 56th minute and Darragh Lyne made no mistake in finding the back of the net for the Macs to put ahead by one. The Macs tried to add to their lead but Darragh Lyne’s shot hit off the post. The Blues then attacked and Jack Higgins was awarded a free. Cian Hughes stepped up to take it and it just went to the right and wide. The Macs remained ahead by one.
The Blues didn’t give up and Brendan O’Hagan made no mistake in pointing over for his side in the 59th minute, to level the sides for the fifth and final time.
The final whistle sounded shortly afterwards, bringing an end to a highly entertaining championship opener and ensuring the sides shared the points after a thrilling battle.
Full-time:
Shannon Blues 2-15 | Aidan McAnespies 2-15
Teams & Scorers:
Shannon Blues:
1. Eoin Blanchford 2. Fionn Duggan 3. Cian O’Donoghue 4. Dean Sherlock (0-1) 5. Ryan Nugent 6. Ryan O’Donnell 7. Brendan O’Hagan (0-2) 8. Brian FitzPatrick (0-3) 9. Cian Hughes (0-1) 10. Jack Higgins 11. Conor FitzGerald 12. Paddy Kelly (0-4, x1 2-pointer) 13. Blake Murphy (2-4)
Aidan McAnespies:
1. Cormac McCartan (0-1) 2. Conall Devlin 3. Bobby Walker (0-1) 4. Caolan Donnelly (0-1) 5. Ronan Fox 6. Nicky Sherlock 7. Jake Flynn 8. Luke Killian 9. Rory Brolly 10. Darragh Lyne (2-0) 11. Stephen Ward 12. Eoin Gormley (0-1) 13. Adam Fanning (0-10)
Referee: Conor Dourneen
Livestream can be watched back on Boston Northeast GAA YouTube.
