Senior Football Championship - Aidan McAnespies v Donegal

Round 1 of the senior men’s championship took to the fields in Canton this Sunday the 6th of

Paul Mannion Shoots for Donegal
Photo by Rachel O'Driscoll

June. Action took to the field at 1:30 with Donegal Boston taking on Aidan McAnespie’s for the third time this season in what was guaranteed to be an exciting match.

An early point from Robbie Croft got Aidan McAnespies got the game off to a quick start but Donegal were quick to respond with scores coming in from Paul Mannion and Shane Carthy to put Donegal into an early lead. Mc Anespies full back line of Cian Sharky, Niall Murphy & Ronan Buckley made things tough on the Donegal forward line but Jack O’ Brien continued to plough through popping them over the bar to keep the gap growing.

Robbie Crofts free from the edge of the square resulted in a nice point to pull Aidan Mc Anespies back into the game but Donegal were quick off the mark with a good kick out from Hugh Boyle resulting in yet another score from Paul Mannion.

Rory Brolly took a quick spring from Rory McElroys brilliant kick out resulting in a nice point to pull Aidan McAnespies back into the game. The joy was short lived,  as a heavy tackle on Eoin Gormley resulted in him going off with a hamstring injury shortly before the end of the first half. Robbie Croft kicked a nice point from this free leaving the half time score as Aidan McEnespies: 0-4 to Donegal Boston: 1-9

Key Players in the first half: Cian Sharkey proved instrumental in the first half for Aidan MCs in keeping the score tipping over. Ryan Brolly also showed his worth on the field for the MacAnaespies. Donegal’s recent recruit of Paul Mannion alongside Jack Boyle performed well in the first half, as did Hugh Boyle, goalkeeper who made some terrific saves and who’s kick out rarely went astray.

Aidan McAnespies took to the field a completely different team in the second half – it was clear from the get go that they we’re coming out all guns blazing and ready to give it their all. A strong win on the throw in by No.8 Darragh Lyne, followed by a solo run straight up the middle resulted in an early point from Robbie Croft, setting the tone for the start of this half.

Rory Brolly got his name on the score sheet early in the 2^nd half with a lovely point from play. Never a quiet game between these two teams, the adrenaline got too much for Sean Winston who took a run straight into the sideline fence, resulting in a kick off the crossbar by Shane Carthy.

The tension didn’t stop here, when Donegal’s Colm Gallagher took down Aidan Mc Anespies Conan McCusker on a clear run in for goal. This resulted in a free which was popped over the bar with ease by Robbie Croft.  Hugh Boyle blocked a brilliant shot on goal by Rory Brolly. A number of points drifted over in favour of Donegal and the game tied to a close with a score of Aidan Mc Anespies 0-12 to Donegal 1-14.

Peter ‘Ace’ O Connell was by far the stand-out player for Aidan Mc Anespies Side keeping the scoreboard ticking over and keeping the Mc Anespies in the game. Hugh O Boyle stood out in goals for the Donegal side, as did corner forward Paul Mannion. 

Man of the Match: Peter O’Connell

By Aoife Griffin