Pat O'Brien Cup: Aidan McAnespies defeat Donegal, Tones over Cork

Aidan McAnespie's got their season off to a winning start over Donegal with two late goals as Gaelic football action returned to the fields of Canton on Sunday.

 

The two senior clubs were pitted against each other in the first round of the Pat O'Brien Cup, and Macs' strong finish saw them progress on a 2-3 to 0-5 scoreline.

 

Gareth O'Neill, who had also been in action the night before, boxing at the Battle at the Bay #2, was to the fore for the Macs.  Playing at full forward, O'Neill pointed twice, and Paul Boyce answered with one for Donegal, who faced a strong wind, into a 0-3 to 0-01 half-time lead.

 

There was little between the teams for most of the second half, and two converted frees from Boyce had Donegal leading by 0-05 to 0-3 heading into the closing stages.

 

But that's when Macs struck as a long-range effort from O'Neill dipped just over the despairing hands of Donegal goalkeeper Gareth Ruddy and into the net.

 

Within 60 seconds the winners were at it again, as Timmy McKenna collected another long ball into the danger area before applying a clinical finish. With cup games being played over 40 rather than 60 minutes, there was no time for Donegal to recover before the final whistle was blown.

 

Earlier, Wolfe Tones recorded a 2-10 to 3-2 win over Cork in a challenge game after the latter side were unable to field a full complement of 13 players. John Crowley (2) and Michael Moynihan from the penalty spot were among the goals for Cork.

 

Wolf Tones' superior fitness told in the end, however, and they were greatly helped by the personal tally of 2-4 racked up by full-forward Danny Egan.

 

Thanks to Seamus Leonard for the reports.

 

Anybody reading from near and far will also, I'm sure, be aware of and have seen on television the events that took place on Monday at the Boston Marathon.  It truly caught us all by surprise.  Boston has become very much a home away from home for people like myself who came from Ireland almost 20 years ago and more recent arrivals to the Boston area.  Many friends, some who were involved with the GAA and some who were not, were in the area when the bombs went off.  Our hearts go out to the victims and their families, those who died and who were injured.  The marathon is very much a day for families and people who run the race for causes that save or improve lives, these are the ones who were there and crossing the line at the time. Boston is a great city and will come out of this tragedy even stronger than before.