Boston Senior Football Championship Begins

By Rory O'Donnell 

The Boston senior football championship kicks off next Sunday, May 26.   The 2013 championship will feature eight teams, all of which will be in action on Sunday.  The playoff format remains the same as previous years with the top two teams into the semi-finals, and the next four in quarter final playoffs. 

First up are Aidan McAnespies  and the Connemara Gaels.  McAnespies, who won this year’s Pat O’Brien Cup, last won the championship in 2011, going unbeaten all season long.  Last season  McAnespies appeared dead and buried late in the year, but made a run to the semi-final where they lost out to the eventual winners, Shannon Blues.  The Gaels missed out on the playoffs in 2012 but will be hoping will be hoping for a good year, especially with some good additions to the home based ranks.  The Connemara men will be looking to go one better than they did in 2011 when McAnespies beat them in the championship final.  

The second game features Galway and Kerry, Boston’s two oldest clubs.  It has been a while since these clubs have seen Glory.  Kerry last won the championship in 1999 amid some controversy, and have struggled to emulate the glory days of the 1990s since then.  For Galway it has been even longer, Galway’s last senior football championship victory was in 1989.  Galway have knocked at the door the last two seasons, reaching the semi-finals.  This is an important game for both teams to get some early championship points. 

Shannon Blues: The 2012 Champions begin the defense next Sunday

Champions, Shannon Blues, start their defence of the championship against the Wolfe Tones.  After a couple of years of putting in a big effort, the Blues finally tasted glory last year and beat a highly fancied Donegal side in an epic final.   The Tones on the other hand have never contested a senior football final, though the Blue and Navy side have fielded teams full promise.  The Tones will be looking for a much improved performance since the disappointing outing in the Pat O’Brien Cup Final last weekend.   

The final game of the day involves Donegal and Christopher’s.   Donegal’s season ended in bitter disappointment last year, and the northerners will be looking to regroup.  Donegal pride themselves on being one of the signature clubs in town and an early win will settle the ship.   Since bursting on the scene at senior level in 2009 with an unexpected championship win, Christopher’s have the look of a club hungry to repeat that success.  Christopher's home based ranks have also been added to this year and they will be hoping for big things this season. 

While we are only getting off the mark, early season points are important and where the early season work pays off.  Lots of questions to be answered.  Will the Tones finally make the breakthrough?   Can Christopher’s taste glory once again?  Will it be Aidan McAnespies winning the championship for the seventh time in their eighteen year history?  Can Galway or Kerry restore the glory of past years?  Will Donegal make up for last year's disappointment?  The answers will begin to emerge on  Sunday!