Saturday, August 31, 2013

NACB Finals Cleveland - Saturday

Barley House Wolves 1-9 Cusacks Chicago 2-15

Barley House Wolves from Concord, NH, acquitted
themselves well in the junior B hurling semi final.
The Barley House Wolves bowed out of the North American Finals at the semi-final stage to a very good Cusacks of Chicago.  After having moved up a level to the B division, the Wolves had no other competition at that level in the local area and played just one scrimmage game against Fr. Tom Burke's.  With a team that did not contain a single Irish born player, the New Hampshire lads acquitted themselves well and displayed some excellent hurling skills.  There was a goal in it at the break, and in the second half Cusacks pulled away to advance to the final.

The difference at the break was down to a goal from Martin Killane for the Chicago side.  Chicago had held a slight lead at the time and staring into a 5 point hole the Wolves came back.  Sean Naughton in the middle of the field put a couple of fantastic points over the bar from distance, and Dennis Trainor made a at least 3 fine saves to prevent a second.  Alec Foley at wing back and Will Mullen at center forward also helped right the New Hampshire ship to the point where there was just the goal in it.

Chicago opened up a considerable gap in the second half, in large part down to the prowess of Joe McLaughlin from the 65.  McLaughlin put 3 in a row over the bar, and another was added by Michael Igoe.  After Shay McShane netted for the Cusacks the New Hampshire boys rediscovered their scoring touch.  Naughton accounted for two points and a goal close to the end.  It was a first foray at the higher level for the National Guardsmen from the Granite State.  With a little more help from the Boston based junior A clubs next year maybe we will see them go one step farther for the national finals.

BHW:  D. Trainor, S. McCarty, W. Perry, A. Foley, D. Pawlowski, M. Gregoire, S. Naughton, M. Barricklow, D. Williams, W. Mullen, P. Naughton, L. Ford, M. Reynolds.

Ladies Senior Football

Connacht Ladies get ready.
Connacht Ladies came through their first test with flying colours.  The Boston girls were pitted against Notre Dames from Philadelphia, and after conceding an early first half goal settled down and went on to win the game with plenty to spare.  Arlene Fox got the scoring off and was followed by Amy ring, then came a goal and a point for the Philly girls.  Connacht Ladies then got their act together and goals from Grainne Field, Ciara Donnelly, and Jane Ward before half time, along with some well taken points had the Boston side in a 19 point half time lead.  The Philly side made a better fist of things in the second half, but there was too much catching up to do.  Final score was 4-17 to 3-9 and the Connacht Ladies have a final to look forward to.

Men's Senior Football

All focus as Sean Conneely tries to stop his mark.
The Connemara Gaels had plenty to do to dispose of a scrappy Young Irelands from Philadelphia in the semi-final.  At the break Philly were ahead by 5 points after a goal from a penalty.  The Gaels tried to contain the lively Philly forwards but the outlets that were available in the Boston final were not longer there.  Noel Graham accounted for the goal, which was the first score for the Gaels.  Both points also came from the boot of the Offaly man as the Gaels struggled.  The Boston side came good in the second half however.  With 10 minutes to go the sides were on level terms.  Graham, Coleman Mulkerrin, Pat McNicholas, Kevin McGrath all got on the scoreboard.  Lee Cullen moved to the middle of the field and the Gaels fortunes improved there.  A Sean Conneeley goal capped off a fine comeback, and the Gaels find themselves in tomorrow's final facing a fancied Ulster side from San Francisco.  Final score, Gaels 2-14 Philly 1-12.

Junior A Hurling

Wexford Juniors went out at the first stage.
The Boston interest in the junior A hurling competition ended before it began as Wexford had some registration issues with players and were forced to play a challenge match against Vancouver on Saturday. 

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