Sat Aug 20 - Junior A Football S/F: Wolfe Tones v Aidan McAnespies

Aidan McAnespies 1-11 Wolfe Tones 1-12

Old rivals, Aidan McAnespies and Wolfe Tones met in the first of the Junior A Football semi-finals over the weekend. The Tones looked comfortably in charge for most of the game, especially after Ger Molloy goaled early in the second half. McAnespies launched a late charge to draw level with minutes left and the sides fought for the breakthrough to get the winning score. In the end it was Tones substitute Dara Bonfil who put the final point over the bar in the final minute.

Wolfe Tones Junior A's will face Donegal next week.

A goal from Neil Donaghy kept McAnespies in touch with their free-flowing opponents in the first half. The Tones tallied nine points, some of them well taken efforts from difficult angles. Joey Farrell and Kevin Gorham got the pick of the scores from the Tones. Declan Kinahan played a lovely ball to Farrell on the run and Farrell curled over from 30 yards. Gorham pointed on the run from a tight angle towards the end of the half – another lovely effort. When in possession the Tones moved the ball well, especially through Kinahan in the middle of the field. McAnespies also notched some great efforts. The first two came as a result of some great interlinking play, Steven Magill getting the first and Steven McAleer the second. With the Tones pulling away McAnespies hit with a goal that might have been a tad fortunate. Magill played a low ball across the box to Neil Donaghy and Donaghy apperared to be making an effort to curl the ball over the bar, but it ended up looping into the corner of the net. The Tones continued to pick off the points and at the break led by a score of 1-5 to 0-9.

McAnespies continued to try hitting Donaghy who was playing at full forward to generate openings while in contast, the Tones running style served them well. After Joey Farrell pointed to get the second period going, Ger Molloy picked up on a loose ball and blasted home from inside the 14. The Tones maintained their advantage over the ensuing period, but would find themselves reined in by their opponents. McAnespies put four points together without reply. It started with Steven McAleer followed by three Steven Magill frees. McAnespies were on top now and were urged on by their supporters to go for the win and join their junior B’s in a final next weekend. However, the Tones gathered themselves to make one last effort. Molloy found Shane O’Brien who in turn passed to subsitiute Dara Bonfil coming down the middle, and Bonfil put a perfect shot over the bar. As McAnespies tried to come back again for the equalizer, the Tones shut up shop and kept them at bay until the final whistle. A narrow win on the scoreboard, but a deserved win for the Tones. Donegal await in next Saturday’s final.

Macs: N. Duffy, J. Harkin, N. Gallen, C. Traynor, C. Dempsey, N. Hassey, S. Lynn, G. Hennessey, S. McAleer, P. Stones, S. Magill, O. McCusker, N. Donaghy. Tones: W. O’Dowd, C. O’Callaghan, A. Rooney, C. Malone, D. Maguire, K. Gorham (0-1), P. Collins, D. Kinahan (0-1), J. Farrell (0-2), G. Molloy (1-2), A. McGeough (0-1), M. Sammon (0-1), M. McGeough (0-3). Sub: D. Bonfil (0-1).


By Rory O'Donnell