Sun June 9 - Junior A Football: Aidan McAnespies v Connemara Gaels

Gaels 3-9 McAnespies 4-15

The first junior A outing of the season saw Aidan McAnespies comprehensively defeat the Connemara Gaels.  Niall Toner in the half forward line looked impressive, and there were great performances from local youngsters, Eoin Gormley and Colm O’Malley for the winning side.  A late surge by the Gaels put some respectability on the scoreboard, and there could have been a bigger difference between the teams were it not for a couple of point blank saves by Eoin Connolly in goals for the Gaels.

Steven Murray on the ball for the Gaels.

McAnespies opened the lead early.  Leading by 2 points to one a well worked goal came from the boot of Colm O’Malley.   Jimmy Rigney played the ball into space where the hard working Toner gathered and found Gormley, who in turn passed to O’Malley and the youth system graduate finished well to put McAnespies in the driver’s seat.  Toner and Conor Bogue added two more points and the Gaels faced a hill to climb already, and had to call on Connolly to make some point blank saves to avoid it becoming steeper yet.

The Gaels put back to back scores together and looked like they might be able to put some sustained pressure on their opponents, however McAnespies finished the half with 5 points on the trot.  Bogue, O’Malley and Toner were among the scorers.

McAnespies opened the second half with a goal and three points to really put an end to the game as a contest.  The goal came from midfielder, Cian Sharkey.  The Gaels managed a couple of points, Tom McDonagh entered the fray and popped over a couple of well taken scores.  After McAnespies added a third goal, the Gaels had a mini revival, but the result was pretty much decided at that point.

Niall Toner shoots for McAnespies

Pauric McDonagh netted for the Gaels, and Paddy McGee pointed before AJ McGuire added a second goal for the Gaels.  The last 10 minutes saw the Gaels restore some respectability to the scoreline, with a Craig Oliver goal for McAnespies to make sure a comeback did not happen.  A good win for McAnespies to open their junior campaign.

Gaels: Eoin Connolly, Chris Lafferty, Mike Coyne, Kevin Walsh, AJ McGuire, Colman Conroy, Colin Hehir, Dean Cahill, Tom Conroy, Paddy McGee, Padraig McDonagh, Steven Murray, Kevin Owens.

Macs:  Paddy Coakley, Sean Clifford, Cathal McAnespie, Marty Bogue, Jimmy Rigney, Shane McKenna, Cian Sharkey, Eoin Ward, Eoin Gormley, Niall Toner, Conor Bogue, Colm O’Malley, Craig Oliver.

By Rory O'Donnell