June 2 - Senior Football: Aidan McAnespies v Donegal

Aidan McAnespies 2-12 Donegal 2-5

Aidan McAnespies took the third of the three games played between the clubs at the Irish Cultural Center in Canton on Sunday afternoon.  A solid performance along with a great display from Aidan Lynch in the half forward line saw McAnespies through against rivals, Donegal.

Aidan McAnespies got off the mark in the senior football championship on Sunday.
(Not in photo:  Captain Niall Gallen was taking the toss).  

It was a rough first 30 minutes for Donegal as they struggled against an opponent that seemed to have a much better idea about their mission on Sunday afternoon.  McAnespies played with a purpose.  An early goal from Aidan Lynch set the tone, and points from Tobin, Lynch, Mark Treanor, and Barry Smith had McAnespies looking very comfortable.  Treanor, a new arrival to the side, got his name in the goal column with a high ball dropping on top of the keeper, and as it turned out, into the back of the net.  Donegal continued to struggle going forward as the McAnespies back line won ball after ball and set up the moves for the forwards.  A goal did come for Donegal from Niall McConnell who batted a Gary Maguire high ball into the net from the edge of the small square, but it was a rare occasion that Paddy Coakley was called on to be alert in the McAnespie goal.  At the break McAnespies led by  seven points, 2-5 to 1-1.

Donegal battled hard but found their opponents on Sunday a tough nut to crack.

McAnespies added to the lead in the second half with Aidan Lynch the catalyst for much of the good things happening for them.  The Urney man was an example in intelligent play and effective use of energy on a hot afternoon.  Continuing to build from the back the South Boston based side added points from Lynch, Cian McEnroe, and substitute, Aaron Fearson.  Donegal battled through and tried to salvage something from the game.  Gary Maguire and Pauric McLaughlin pointed.  Donegal managed a second goal.  Maguire finished well after the ball broke from McLaughlin, but at that stage it was just a consolation.  Cian Tobin had the final say with a point, and after last week's disappointment, McAnespies have two points on the board.

Macs:  P. Coakley, M. Bogue, E. Delmar, N. Gallen, C. McClean, A. Lynch (1-5), C. Dempsey, G. O'Neill, B. Smith (0-1), C. Tobin (0-2), D. Brolly, M. Treanor (1-1), C. McEnroe (0-1).  Sub: A. Fearson (0-1).  Donegal:  S. Connolly, M. Canning, C. Murray, S. Tim, P. Moynagh, P. McNulty (0-1), C. Bell, T. Gallagher, P. Quigg, G. Maguire (1-1), R. Reilly, C. Geraghty, N. McConnell (1-0).  Sub: P. McLaughlin (0-2).

By Rory O'Donnell