The finalists for the Pat O’Brien Cup were decided over the
weekend. Shannon Blues and Donegal
enjoyed the spaces of the main field to record impressive victories over
Christopher’s and Aidan McAnespies respectively.
Friday night Christopher’s and Shannon Blues met in the first
semi-final, the first game of 2015 on the main field, and the Blues secured a 10
point victory on a score of 2-13 to 1-6.
Saturday evening saw the second semi-final between Aidan
McAnespies and Donegal. Following a
tight first half, 3 second half goals, one each from Christy Bell, Emlyn
Mullingan, and Gavin Gallagher, saw Donegal through to the final next weekend.
In addition to the cup final, next weekend also sees the
hurlers get into the swing of things at the ICC with first round games of the
Sheehan Cup. Barley House Wolves and Worcester
will enter the competition and meet Galway and Fr. Tom Burke’s before the Pat
O’Brien Cup Final at 5:30.
Finally, congratulations to the Tipperary hurlers who, along
with Fr. Tom’s, traveled to New York to play in the seven-a-side hurling. The Premier men got their season off to a
great start by winning the tournament and taking the cup back up I-95 to
Boston.
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| Emlyn Mulligan was a key part of Donegal's forward line. |
Donegal 3-9 Aidan McAnespies 1-6
Donegal made it to the final of the Pat O’Brien Cup thanks
to a second half salvo of goals. Looking
very fit, the speedy Donegalmen created the openings for Christy Bell and Gavin
Gallagher to score the majors and see their side past the challenge of Aidan
McAnespies.
The first half was closely contested. The sides took the break all square at five
points each, which was a fair reflection of the balance of play.
Nicky Kelly and Emlyn Mulligan got Donegal
off the mark, while it was Sean McConville who got the ball rolling on the
scoreboard for McAnespies. Both sides
moved the ball well and at speed to set up opportunities. Collie Donnelly finished off a great move
with some running off the ball to put his side a point to the good just before
the break, and Mulligan, who was very much the central cog in the forward line,
leveled matters just before the short whistle.
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| Johnny Brickland highest for this kickout. |
The second half started with McAnespies looking like a very
good bet to push on and claim victory. A
Donnelly point provided his side a slight advantage, and the balance of play
seemed to be leaning in their favour in the period following the restart. There was little to trouble the defending 5,
while most possession seemed to be in the hands of Macs men.
As quick as a flash, Donegal sprang to life and launched a
surprise attack, catching the Macs rearguard napping. Christy Bell finished a move that involved
great running and speed from Ephraim McFadden and Gavin Gallagher. Next was Mulligan with the finish and
Gallagher again was key part of the build up.
McAnespies pulled one back, but hope of coming back was extinguished right
away with Gallagher providing the final touch himself.
Donegal went on to finish with four
unanswered points to run out 9 point winners, and set up an exciting final with
Shannon Blues next weekend.
Macs: P. Coakley, M.
Bogue, R. Kennedy, P.Daly, S. McConville, G. O’Neill, J. McGourty, J.
Brickland, M. Boyle, C. Donnelly, D. Spratt, C. Comiskey, D. Kennedy. Donegal:
J. Byrne, C. McCarron, S. Doherty, T. McCleneghan, D. Greene, M. Dunphy,
M. Smyth, G. Gallagher, E. McFadden, E. Mulligan, C. Bell, N. Kelly, C.
Hughes.
By Rory O'Donnell
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