On a warm July afternoon, Father Tom Burkes and Galway would meet once again in the Boston Senior Hurling championship in what was lined up to be a highly intense and close game. In the last encounter, Galway were the victors with a 2-16 to 1-12 win. Galway were looking to increase their so far dominant record of 2-0-1 to get closer to a championship final, while Father Tom’s were once again in another must win game with a 1-0-2 record. Today’s game was also the Boston Championship debut of All Ireland Winner and Galway County Player Conor Whelan who arrived right on the cusp of the sanction deadline after Galway’s (County) shocking knockout from the Leinster Championship.
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| It was a tight one between Tom's and Galway. |
Galway started out the gate strong, with multiple points to give them a 3 point lead, which could have been much higher were it not for a mishit point attempt, and a free that Mal Walsh attempted to stick into the net, and only for a save from keeper Mark Fahy, Galway may have started with a 7 point lead before Tom’s even registered a score.
After the blitz from the Galway forward line, Father Tom’s regrouped, and started to put over scores of their own. Two points from Conor Whelan helped steady the team before Jack Coyne scored a point to level the game. The game stayed close as Galway would score a number of points, courtesy of Lorcan McGloughlin, before Jack Coyne would score a goal off a Galway error, when Johnny Buckley would catch the puck out and pass it on to Coyne, who slotted it past the Galway keeper. Galway would keep the pressure on though as they continued to slot points over the bar from play, including a majestic play from Galway’s full back Brian Kennedy, who would run from his own 65 to extend Galway’s lead. They then would get a goal of their own as Kenny slotted the puck past the Toms Keeper to build on their lead. Further points from McGloughlin and Brian Kennedy would extend Galway’s lead, but a number of points from Ali Dooey (From frees) and Paul Cannon would keep Father Tom’s in the running at half time when the score was Father Toms 1-8 Galway 1-11
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| Brian Kennedy clears for Galway. |
The 2nd half would start with Father Tom’s trying to close the gap with a free and a point from Play from Ali Dooey. However, Galway wouldn’t stand down, and would score 4 subsequent points from Ronan Burke, Adam Kenny, Lorcan McGloughlin, and Mal Walsh. Father Tom’s would have a number of frees go wide in this scoring period for Galway, which made it look like it would be Galway’s day. This feeling was multiplied further when Conor Whelan was taken down in the box and given the penalty. This seemed like a great opportunity for the All-Star Corner Forward to make some impact on the match, however, while the height of the Sliotar was good, it was a bit too close to the Galway shot stopper John Colman, who saved the shot.
Galway would subsequently go down the field and Sean Morrissey would have a shot on goal to attempt to kill off the game, and only for a great save once again from Tom’s keeper, who would deflect the shot over the bar for a point, the game would have been out of sight.
The pace and feel of the game made it seem like Galway would hold on for victory with their 7 point lead, however Father Toms would dig into their bench, and the addition of substitutes Vincent ‘Vinny’ Doyle, who didn’t start the match due to an injury, and Kevin Flynn, would help turn the tide, as they immediately had an impact on the game, controlling the midfield region, and assisting with attacking the deficit as Doyle would get a point from play on his first handling of the sliotar. Tom’s would subsequently close the gap and gather a victory thanks to 2 goals from Conor Whelan, one which went in after a high ball came in to the edge of the square and was flicked in, and the other when fellow county man Vincent Doyle would pass the ball to Whelan who would score the decider through traffic to give the victory to Father Tom’s by a score of 3-15 to 1-20.
This victory would now leave Father Toms, as well as Galway and Tipperary on a 2-0-2 record in the championship. With the end of the championship coming closer, there are sure some amazing and competitive games to go in such a tight race for the Championship. Father Tom’s play Tipperary in their next match on July 21st at 3:45, while Galway have to wait a little longer for their next match against on July 28th against Tipperary as well.
Father Tom’s – Mark Fahy, Ian O’Shea, Damien O’Loughlin, Brian Flynn, Eamon Egan, Matt Kenny, Aaron Moore, Paul Cannon, Jack Coyne, Johnny Buckley, Conor Whelan, Jason Costello, Ali Dooley
Galway – John Coleman, David Howney, Brian Kennedy, Mark Bermingham, Mickey Mahoney, Ronan Burke, Aidano Sullivan, Tom Molloney, Sean Morrissey, Danny Burke, Lorcan McGloughlan, Adam Kenny, Mal Walsh
Written By: Evan McDonagh
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