Sun July 7 - Junior A Football: Aidan McAnespies v Connemara Gaels

Aidan McAnespies 6-12 Connemara Gaels 0-8

A four goal first half had McAnespies on the front foot at the break.  It not for a near Gareth O’Neill miss and a great save from Eoin Connolly, it would have been an even bigger lead.  McAnespies had Daniel Guiness and Cian Sharkey making strong runs from half back, and Michael Lynch in the corner always a threat.   The goals came from Colm O’Malley with a finish that belied the youngsters age.  The Needham native kept his cool in front of goal to slide the ball into the back of the net.  The pick of the majors came from Gareth McAlinden who chipped the keeper from the 21 after a move involving Guinness and Jimmy Rigney.

Sal D'Amico and Sean Clifford looking very artistic.

Guinness and O’Neill were responsible for the other two finishes from close range into the opposite corner.  The Gaels Tom McDonagh was responsible for 2 scores, while Dean Cahill and Donal Reavy the other 2.  It was McAnespies though, who played the ball well and created the openings.  Points from Lynch, Rigney, and O’Neill put them in a 4-4 to 0-4 half time lead.

The second half saw the Macs add 2 more goals.  Colm O’Malley bagged a second, and Carrickmacross Co. Monaghan lad, Stephen O’Hanlon, who entered off the line, the scorers.  The result was pretty much decided, the Gaels kept plugging away and Jack Coyne, Colin Hehir, and Sal D’Amico pointed. 

Stephen Murray out foxes Shane McKenna.

At the start of the second round of games it is McAnespies looking like taking the next step in the junior A championship.  The Gaels on the other hand are looking at very difficult games versus Wolfe Tones and Donegal to try and stay in it for the playogg stages.

Macs:  Paddy Coakley,  Shane McKenna, Sean Clifford, Martin Bogue, Cian Sharkey, Daniel Guinness, Gareth O’Neill, Owen Ward, Jimmy Rigney, Gareth McAlinden, Conor Bogue, Colm O’Malley, Michael Lynch.

Gaels:  Eoin Connolly, Chris Lafferty, Michael Coyne, Pat McNicholas, Dean Cahill, Colman Conroy, Sal D’Amico, James Flaherty, Tom McDonagh, Colin Hehir, Padrigh McDonagh, Steven Murray, Donal Reavey.

By Rory O'Donnell