8/11/2024 - Intermediate Football Final – Kerry Boston vs Cork Boston

8/11/2024 - Intermediate Football Final – Kerry Boston vs Cork Boston

 

By Neil McEnaney

 

Full Time Score:

Kerry Boston: 2-14

Cork Boston: 2-12

 

We were treated to an excellent intermediate final that could have went either way right up until the last kick of the ball as it bounced off nearly everything in the Kerry square except for over the line for a goal. Congratulations to Kerry Boston and commiserations to Cork Boston who will no doubt be back again next year.

 

It was the late change to the line up Sean McCarthy who opened the scoring for Cork after Eoin Walsh found him in the full forward line. McCarthy took on his man and blasted it over from close range. Cork kept the pressure on, turning over the Kerry kick out and doubling their lead with O’Riordan kicking a nice point from the top of the D.

 

Sean Guidan opened the scoring for Kerry from a free kick from the deck from outside the 45 which sailed over with plenty to spare. Cork worked the ball up the field quickly with Joe Boyle finding Hugh McDonald with a half yard of space which he kicked over the bar.

 

Cork were on top in the middle third in the opening quarter and were turning over a lot of Kerry’s kick outs. Jack Lynch won one of these kick outs and moved it quickly to Niall O’Connor. O’Connor had space and fisted it through to Eoin Walsh. Walsh dived fist first to the ball to finish into the bottom corner for the game’s first goal.

 

Kerry needed to change something and Deividas started taking the Kerry kickouts which added distance from the set balls. Gary Vaughan broke through the tackle for Kerry to kick a nice point off his right to bring them back into the game. Kerry started finding space in the Cork defence with Ryan O’Grady turning his man to kick a nice point before Guidan added another from the right wing off his trusty left boot.

 

A high ball into McCarthy in the full forward line for Cork caused havoc in the Kerry defence as he was fouled as he turned gifting Cork the penalty. Eoin Walsh steeped up to take the penalty but it was well saved by Davidas in the Kerry net. Walsh hit the resulting 45 but was denied by the post.

 

After the penalty save, Kerry started getting back into the game through the free taking of Guidan. Finbarr Murphy found space in the Cork defence and slipped it through to O’Grady. O’Grady went straight for goal and finished low and hard for Kerry into the net to give the Kingdom a two point lead.

 

Cork responded immediately with a beautiful point from Lynch off his left foot while under pressure. Kerry then worked the ball through the hands of Jim Lynch to Ryan O’Grady. O’Grady had nearly a carbon copy of his first goal burying it into the bottom corner.

 

A point from Walsh from a free finished the scoring of the first half as Kerry went into the break 3 points up.

 

Half Time Score:

Kerry Boston: 2-5

Cork Boston: 1-5

 

Finbarr Murphy opened the scoring for Kerry in the second half with a point from a free on top of the D. Cork came up the other end with the referee hopping the ball for the Kerry keeper, Padraig Doyle, taking too long on a kickout. From the hop ball, the ball broke out to Walsh who fisted it over the bar.

 

Sean O’Riordan made a great run through the center and fisted through to Feidhelm Joyce who kicked a great point on the run. A long ball into Fergal O’Brien was collected well. O’Brien worked it through to John O’Riordan who scored a great point to leave just one between the sides.

 

Kerry worked the ball well up the field and were well denied for the goal by Kieran McEnery in the Cork nets. Cork worked the ball quickly up the field to McCarthy who took on his man and fisted it over from a tight angle to bring the sides level. The target man McCarthy got on the end of high ball into him again and fisted it over to bring Cork ahead.

 

Kerry needed a spark to get their second half going and it was the dangerous O’Grady who provided it kicking a lovely score from a tight angle. A turnover for Kerry was moved quickly to O’Riordan who kicked a point with plenty of space. O’Grady added another with the help of the post after a great solo run.

 

Gary Vaughan showed great speed and fitness coming into the final stretch first setting up O’Grady and then Cooper for points. Cork were going for route one football into the danger man Sean McCarthy, but Kerry started getting on top in their own full back line forcing turnovers on the big man.

 

Coming into the final stretch, Cork were chasing the game. Lynch scored a great point from his left foot under pressure. Cork will be disappointed with some wayward kicking in front of the posts in the final quarter.  

 

Kerry were 4 up into injury time when a high ball into the square broke kindly for the Cork sub who finished low into the bottom corner to leave just a point between the sides. Kerry got the kickout out and were patient with the ball as they moved it up the field kicking what they hoped was their insurance point.

In a grandstand finish, Cork moved the ball quickly up the field and Feidhelm Joyce received the ball on the Kerry 13 meter line. Joyce turned and shot, striking the inside of the Kerry post which then bounced off Kerry keeper and out of play. The referee blew the full time whistle and Kerry are the Boston Intermediate Champions of 2024.

Please see link below to anyone who would like to watch the game back:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJP_dNSCitM&t=1s

 

Finally, a huge thank you to our commentators; John Moylan, Greg Lundy and Eoin Casey for volunteering their time and adding to the entertainment in both games. Thanks lads.

 

Kerry Boston:

Padraig Doyle, Deividas Uosis, Paul Ring, Mike Godley, John Cooper (0-1), Gary Vaughan (0-1), George Kealy, Niall O’Connor, Sean Guiden (0-3), Finbarr Murphy (0-1), Connor Stark (0-1), Ryan O’Grady (2-4), Liam Doherty

 

Cork Boston:

Kieran McEnery, Mark Dalton, Ronan Hurley, Paddy O’Driscoll, Joe Boyle, Fearghal Rooney, Jack Lynch (0-2), Sean O’Rioirdain (0-3), Shawn Sullivan, Feidhelm Joyce (0-1), Eoin Walsh (1-2), Hugh McDonald (0-1), Sean McCarthy (0-3)

 

Man of the Match: Gary Vaughan

 

Referee: Diarmuid Boylan

8/11/2024 - Senior Football Final – Donegal Boston vs Connemara Gaels

 8/11/2024 - Senior Football Final – Donegal Boston vs Connemara Gaels

By Neil McEnaney

 

Full Time Score:

Donegal Boston: 1-19

Connemara Gaels: 0-11

 

It was Donegal who came out of the blocks straight from the throw in and raced to a 10 point lead in this Boston Senior Football Final before Connemara Gaels registered a score. The Gaels did their best to fight back but left the margin too big with too little time remaining to get close enough to trouble the strong Donegal side.

 
A foul on Jordan Morrissey from the throw in was quickly taken by Cory Gallagher who kicked it into Daire Cregg. Cregg moved the ball fast to his county mate Ciaran Murtagh who fisted it to Sean Lowry who scored the opening point from a tight angle.

 

Stefan Okunbar went down for Connemara Gaels and was believed to have back spasms and couldn’t continue after just a minute into the game. We wish him all the best in his recovery. Cathal Hynes replaced his as a sub.

 

Shane Carthy got fouled on the left wing which Ciaran Murtagh dispatched well to double Donegal’s lead. Okunbar tried working through his injury but was unable to continue and proved to be a big loss to the Gaels on the day.

 

Morrissey played a quick ball into Daire Cregg who was one on one and turned his man to kick a great score off his favored left boot. The resulting kickout went over the end line and involved the Gaels sub Hynes and Ben McCarron for Donegal. Carthy took the sideline quickly into Murtagh who scored a nice point from a tight angle. McCarron ended up landing awkwardly and dislocating his shoulder. It was popped back in and he was rushed to the ER. We wish him a speedy recovery.

 

Gaels started creating a few chances and but for a few wides, great defending by Donegaland a great block by Jason Noctor, they would have been on a scoresheet earlier. The early ball into Cregg in the full forward line caused worked well for Donegal as he linked well with Murtagh to create scores.

 

The Gaels can feel hard done by for Donegal’s first goal. Donegal broke out of their defence with an early pass from substitute Cian O’Grady into Cregg. Cregg called the mark but was outside the 45. In the confusion, Cregg took the mark quickly to Sean Lowry. Lowry used his pace and skill to bring the ball in and finish well into the bottom corner off his left foot to put Donegal 9 points ahead.

 

Cregg added another for Donegal as he squeezed one over off of his right foot. Some good work from Oran Cunningham for Connemara fisted it through to Adam Nolan who kicked a nice point off his left from a tight angle for their first point of the game.

 

Donegal started playing keep ball and were patient in their attack before finding an opening for Lowry to score off his left. On the Gaels side, a quick ball in from USGAA captain Jack Lynch found Ryan McQuillan who took the mark. McQuillan steadied up and converted well off his right foot.

 

Connemara started putting good plays together before half time and kicked some great scores from distance. A brilliantly worked moved between Nolan and Cunningham finished with Cunningham scoring a monster point from distance. Cunningham converted from a free and McQuillan added another great point from 45 yards out from play.

 

This brought 6 points between the sides. Cregg converted a free for Donegal just before the half time whistle to leave seven between the sides at the break.

 

Half Time Score

Donegal Boston: 1-9

Connemara Gaels: 0-5

 

Gaels started the brighter in the second half with Hynes setting up McQuillan for a nice point after a strong run. They had it back to 6 points and could have it closer but for some bad shooting. On the Donegal end, Morrissey made a signature strong run through the middle before setting up Cregg for the goal chance. Cregg took it first time and smashed the post from close range.

 

A quick free by Murtagh found an unmarked Carthy for Donegal who tipped it over from close range. McQuillan responded from a close range free for the Gaels to leave 6 between them again.

 

Lowry burst through using his pace and was fouled for Murtagh to convert the free. O’Grady found Cregg again who was one on one, soloing off the right and kicked a point off the left. Cregg added a point from a free and was unmarkable.

 

Jack Lynch found McQuillan for the Gaels on the loop who kicked a great point from the top of the D. Cunningham added a point shortly after off a dead ball from the top of the D to bring 7 between the sides.

 

Donegal were happy to play at their own pace and work the ball in and take their frees which the Roscommon men Cregg and Murtagh converted. O’Grady kicked a nice point from the right wing before Cregg converted another mark.

 

Gaels to their credit, kept fighting to the end with Cunningham adding some nice points but the damage was done in the first half after a blitz of a start to the game by Donegal Boston.

 

Congratulations to Donegal Boston on winning the Boston Senior Championship 2024 and best of luck in San Francisco.

Please see link below to anyone who would like to watch the game back:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D0pPTbCyw8

 

Finally, a huge thank you to our commentators; John Moylan, Greg Lundy and Eoin Casey for volunteering their time and adding to the entertainment in both games. Thanks lads.

Donegal Boston: Hugh Boyle, Cian Lynch, Neil Mulcahy, Sean Winston, Jason Noctor, Cory Gallagher, Shane Carthy (0-1), Jordan Morrissey (0-1), Ciaran McDevitt, Ciaran Murtagh (0-4), Ben McCarron, Sean Lowry (1-2), Daire Cregg (0-10)

Subs: Cian O’Grady (0-1), James O’Grady, Ethan McDevitt, Alex Doherty

 

Connemara Gaels: Bryan O’Flaherty, Sean Kennedy, Keelan Beirne, Stefan Okunbar, Sean Brady, Colman Mulkerrin, Adam Waddick, Jack Lynch, Michael Kerr, Dylan Murtagh, Oran Cunningham (0-4), Ryan McQuillan (0-6), Mark Nolan (0-1)

Subs: Cathal Hynds, Jack Lundy

 

Man of the Match: Jason Noctor

 

Referee: Eoin Moriarty

8/11/2024 - Ladies Football – Boston Shamrocks vs St Brendan’s

8/11/2024 - Ladies Football – Boston Shamrocks vs St Brendan’s

 

By Neil McEnaney

 

Full Time Score:

Boston Shamrocks: 2-13

St Brendan’s: 2-15

 

We were treated to an exceptional game of ladies football between St Brendan’s and Boston Shamrocks on Sunday. Both teams refused to give an inch in a game that could have went either way.

 

It was the Shamrocks who started the brighter as straight from the throw up, Roisin Lee broke through and kicked a high ball into the square which landed in the back of the net. St Brendan’s didn’t panic, and the accurate free taking of Kaitlyn Nugent as well as a well taken point by Nancy Gelina brought them back into the game.

 

The ball broke kindly for Nugent who had a rocket of a shot on goal saved expertly by Nadine Mullery in the Shamrocks nets. Two excellent scores from Catriona O’Hagan and Erin Murphy for the Boston Shamrocks extended their lead to 3 points again.

 

Nugent responded with a free and another from play. O’Hagan broke through for the Shamrocks before getting fouled which she herself converted. Nugent responded with another free before setting up her teammate Nancy Gelina for a well taken point from the top of the D to level it up. Nugent brought the Brendan’s ahead with a free.

 

O’Hagan scored a point after some good build up play. A high ball into the Shamrocks goal fell kindly for Ciara Delaney, who made no mistake from close range and buried it into the net. From here, St Brendan’s kept the pressure on until half time, extended their lead to 5 points with some great work being done around the middle of the field.

 

Half Time Score:

Boston Shamrocks: 1-5 

St Brendan’s: 1-10 

 

Nugent broke through the Shamrocks defence shortly into the second half and fist passed it through to Ciara Delaney who finished with a great goal to extend their lead to 8. Shamrocks responded immediately with a few points in quick succession.

 

The game continued with both teams going point for point in a free flowing game. Boston Shamrocks battled back hard from their 8 point deficit with some great long range points by Roisin Lee helping them claw their way back into the game.

 

O’Hagan picked the ball up on the 45 and made a blistering run through the Brendan’s defence. She dummied and dipped until she was through on goal and finished her great solo run with a goal to bring the Shamrocks within 4 of the Brendan’s. The Shamrocks were unlucky not to make it 2 goals in quick succession as a high ball landed kindly for O’Hagen again in the full forward line but she was denied by the post.

 

A full press by Boston Shamrocks on the Brendan’s kickouts put the pressure on and they brought the game back to within 3 points. St Brendan’s needed to win a kickout and Nugent stepped up to not only win it, but bring it up the field and score a great point from a free.

 

Some great goalkeeping by Clodagh Horan and an excellent block by Bevin Doherty denied some last minute Shamrocks attacks as they pushed hard to get the goal to get back into the game.

 

Best of luck to both teams as they travel to San Francisco to represent Boston Northeast GAA!

 

Thank you to Andrew Gelina who streamed the game live on YouTube. I would highly recommend you watch the game back via the link below to see what Ladies Football in Boston is all about!

 

https://www.youtube.com/live/y_NFOoDpNp0

 

Boston Shamrocks: Nadine Mullery, Niamh Doherty, Sarah Newell, Oonagh Shields, Bridget Carroll, Maire Slaine, Caitriona O’Hagen, Erin Murphy, Claire Noughton, Roisin Lee, Hailey McKeever, Aoife Gillespie

Subs: Allison Hunter, Caoibhne McSweeney, Annie McKenna, Caitriona McGinley, Silvana Doherty, Cara Segal, Aishling McGrane, Maire Kelly

 

St Brendan’s: Clodagh Horan, Sarah McKenna, Stephanie Connelly, Victoria Barry, Bevin Doherty, Ava O’Donnell, Maureen Howard, Kiara O’Sullivan, Ella Lynch, Caitlyn Nugent, Molly Duignan, Ciara Delaney, Nancy Gelina

Subs: Megan Fahy, Kerrie O’Sullivan, Kate Green, Aisling Hough, Aishling Kelly, Laura Donahue

 

Player of the Match: Caitlyn Nugent

Referee: Michael Moylan

 

8/4/2024 – Senior Football Semi Final – Connemara Gaels vs Galway Boston

By Neil McEnaney

 

Full Time Score

Connemara Gaels: 2-14

Galway Boston: 2-7

 

Connemara Gaels booked their place in the senior championship final with a seven point win over Galway Boston. A cagey first half opened up as the game went on. A downpour of rain towards the end of the first half continued for the rest of the game and made for sloppy play from both sides in the second half.

 

Galway were the first off the mark and raced to a 2 point lead with well taken scores from Paul Carery on the right wing and he followed up from a free just outside the D. Connemara responded in kind with Waddick swinging it over from the left wing from play and Murtagh kicking a nice point while under pressure from the Galway defenders.

 

Okunbar used his pace to take on his man and was fouled in front of the Galway posts. 11 tipped it over from the resulting free. Okunbar turned provider then as he broke through the middle and set up Oran Cunningham for the simplest of points.

 

Galway weren’t long leveling it with Conor Lawlor kicking a nice point off his left before Carey added another point from a free. A handling error in the Galway back line led to a turnover for Oran Cunningham. Cunningham ran through on goals playing a one - two with Waddick before palming it into the empty net for the game’s first goal.

 

Another goal chance for Connemara fell to Murtagh who dragged his shot just wide of the post. Cunnigham finished the scoring from a free in what was a low scoring first half. Gaels went into half time 4 points to the good.

 

Half Time Score

Connemara Gaels: 1-5

Galway Boston: 0-4

 

Conor Lawlor brought Galway straight back into it with a mazy solo run before he buried into the net off his left foot. Galway were in for a second goal chance in quick succession as Keenan played a ball into Carey. Carey turned his man but was denied by the post from a tight angle.

 

Connemara Gaels responded and started to hit their purple patch. Cunningham kicked two in quick succession, while Waddick forced a turnover to set Nolan up for a point. A well taken mark by Ryan McQuillan left 6 between the sides.

 

Conor Lawlor found space in the Gaels defence to kick a beautiful point from the outside of his right boot. From the resulting kickout, Connemara moved the ball up the field. Waddick found Mulkerrins who slipped a fist pass through to Mikey Kerr. Kerr took it around the keeper to finish low into the Galway net.

 

Kerr got in one on one with the keeper again but he was well denied by Egan in the Galway nets. Galway weren’t done fighting despite the 8 point defecit. They worked the ball up the field for Keenan to kick a nice score before they got a goal of their own through Eoin Colleran. An excellent cross field pass from the sideline by Keenan found Colleran unmarked who rounded the keeper to finish.

 

McQuillan set Cunningham up for a goal chance at the other end but blasted it over. McQuillan followed up with a well taken point of his own. The final point came from Ryan Caffrey on the loop as Connemara ran out convincing winners.

 

Connemara Gaels booked their place in the 2024 Boston Senior Championship Final where they will take on Donegal Boston in a repeat of last years final. Throw in is at 5pm Eastern on Sunday.

 

Teams and Scorers:

Connemara Gaels: Bryan O’Flaherty, Sean Kennedy, Keelan Beirne, Stefan Okunbar, Sean Brady, Ryan Caffrey (0-1), Adam Waddick (0-1), Jack Lynch, Michael Kerr (1-0), Dylan Murtagh (0-1), Oran Cunningham (1-6), Jack Lundy, Mark Nolan (0-1)

Subs: Ryan McQuillan (0-1)

 

Galway Boston: James Egan, Ciaran Potter, Paudi Behan, Michael Moylan, Sean Forde, Maidhc MacGearitt, Eoin Morrissey, Declan Doyle, Gary Higgins, Daire Keenan (0-1), Eoin Colleran (1-0), Conor Lawlor (1-2), Paul Carey (0-4)

 

Man of the Match: Adam Waddick

 

Referee: Diarmuid Boylan

8/3/2024 – Junior C Football Final – Trinity Milton vs Worcester Fenians

 

By Neil McEnaney

 

Full Time Score

Trinity Milton: 3-21

Worcester Fenians: 1-8

 

A solid display of football from the young Trinity Milton side saw them as comfortable winners in the Junior C football final. Worcester, to their credit kept fighting but ran out of steam with a lot of their players togging out for the Junior C Hurling Final earlier in the day.

 

It was Worcester who started the brighter with a lovely point from Mike Begley. Trinity weren’t long responding when Liam Faherty forced a turnover leading to a Patrick Heffernan point. The opening quarter continued in this fashion with both teams going point for point. A torn hamstring ended the day early for Eoin Faherty of Trinity. We wish him a speedy recovery.

 

An excellent free kick from the deck from Begley from outside the 45 sailed over the bar to put Worcester ahead by a point. From the resulting kickout, Trinity moved the ball quickly up the field with some excellent play involving Colm Faherty who fisted it through to Declan Walsh who buried it from close range for the games first goal.

 

From here, the momentum started to shift in Trinity’s favor. Brian Kelly rolled back the years with a bomb of a point off his favored left while Liam Faherty and Aidan Rowley started winning ball around the middle third for Trinity.

 

Worcester were able to move the ball quickly up the field through the kick passing of Gareth McAlindon and strong, consistant running of Dylan Walsh. Unfortunately for Worcester, when they got into the final third, Joe Pender was on hand to turn over close to every ball that was near him. A second goal for Walsh before the stroke of half time gave Trinity a sizeable lead.

 

Half Time Score

Trinity Milton: 2-9

Worcester Fenians: 0-5

 

Trinity started the second half as they finished the first with Aidan Rowley going on a mazy run before finishing with a nice point. Begley and Heffernan added points for Worcester which kept their hopes alive but the fitness and running power of Trinity Milton saw them get a stranglehold on the game.  

 

Gareth McAlindon found Cormac Hughes with a long ball who turned and buried it in the Trinity net for a Worcester goal. Rowley was accurate from the frees and from play for Trinity while Colm Faherty wasn’t long adding another goal after a great solo run.

 

Congratulations to Trinity who saw out the game as deserved winners of the 2024 Boston Junior C Championship. Commiserations to Worcester Fenians who will no doubt be back again stronger next year.

 

Teams

Trinity Milton: Charlie Thomlinson, Matty McDevitt, Joe Pender, Kelly McKenzie, Aidan Skillen, Luke Sammon, Liam Faherty, Eoin Faherty, Aidan Rowley, Colm Faherty, Daragh Jordan, Declan Walsh, Brian Walsh

 

Worcester Fenians: Larry Carthy, Gareth McAlinden, Zack Podedworney, Andrew Engel, Dylan Walsh, Patrick Sullivan, Shane Sullivan, Kevin McKane, Mike Begley, Patrick Hefferman, Ryan Hayman, Eoghan Gallagher, Vincent Prendergast

 

Man of the Match: Joe Pender

 

Referee: Diarmuid Boylan

8/3/2024 - Junior C Hurling Final - Worcester Fenians vs Providence Hurling Club

By Neil McEnaney

 

Full Time Score

Worcester: 2-10

Providence: 1-12

 

An exciting and neck and neck final that could have went either way was won by the Worcester Fenians thanks to a strong second half performance against a talented Providence team.

 

It was Providence who started the brighter as they raced to a 1-2 to 0-0 lead with Matt Parks leading the attack for Providence. A great solo run by Providence found the back of the Worcester net with the Rhode Island club setting the pace in the early stages.

 

Worcester weren’t long coming back with Conor Greene leading the attack for the Massachusetts side. A rocket of a shot from Greene found the bottom corner of the Providence net to open the scoring for Worcester. Greene added another two points before half time to give them the slightest of leads.

 

Both teams would go into the half possibly disappointed with chances missed as they did everything but put the ball over the bar at times.

 

Half Time Score

Worcester: 1-3

Providence: 1-2

 

A great point from a tight angle from Matthew Haynes started the scoring for Providence in the second half bringing the sides level. The Fenians weren’t long responding with Greene going for goal from a 21 yard free and finding the back of the net with his effort.

 

The second half turned into a shootout between Greene and Parks with both forwards showing great ball winning skills and putting the ball over the bar at every chance. Ethan Tuitchell worked savagely around the middle for Providence winning a lot of breaking ball and moving it quickly. Dylan Walsh did similar for Worcester, with his solo runs causing problems for the Providence defence.

 

It was the point taking of Parks from frees and play that stretched Providence’s lead to 3 points coming into the water break in the second half. Worcester soon responded, with long balls into the danger man Greene causing trouble who repeatedly collected, turned and put the ball over the bar.

 

Coming into the final stretch, Worcester were 2 points ahead. Providence dropped a high ball into the square looking for the goal but it was deflected over the bar leaving the minimum between the sides. The referee blew the full time whistle and Worcester won the championship by the slightest of margins.

 

Teams:

Worcester Fenians: Dan Smith, Jack Green, Mark Lapointe, Zach Pododognog, Andrew Engel, Joe Nett, Patrick Heffernan, Pat Sullivan, Chris Johnson, Tom Lind, Dylan Walsh, Conor Greene, Neil Doherty

 

Providence Hurling Club: Zac Belanger, Brendan Byrne, Chris McBreen, Michael Kennelly, Travis Crocker, Ethan Tuitchell, Austin Clark, Matthew Haynes, Tim Shea, Barry O’Leary, Matt Parks, James Gladinning, Michael Baressi

 

Man of the Match: Conor Greene

 

Referee: Michael Moylan

8/4/2024 – Junior A Hurling – Fr Toms vs Galway

By Neil McEnaney

 

Full Time Score

Fr Toms: 3-7

Galway: 0-1

 

Fr Toms were 2-1 up coming into this best of 5 series knowing that a win today would secure the Boston Junior A Championship. Torrential rain made for some very difficult conditions to hurl in but Toms were able to cope well with the rain to secure the Championship. The rain eventually turned to thunder and lightning which caused the game to be abandoned. Galway conceded the championship and Fr Toms were the winners.

 

Fr Toms started the brighter with 13 collecting the ball on the left wing and turning to swing it over the bar. John Cooper found space in midfield to double the scores with a well taken long range point.

 

The forwards for Fr Toms were relentless when they got the ball with a strong solo run by Dylan O’Neill setting up Conor Kelly who took a nice point from play. A long clearance by Fran Keenan in nets broke through to O’Neill who lobbed it coolly over the onrushing Kevin O’Grady in the Galway nets for the games first goal.

 

Fr Toms had a free on the 21, which was taken short by O’Neill to his other corner forward Sean Joyce. Joyce made no mistake and buried from close range into the Galway net.

 

The full forward duo of O’Neill and Joyce were dangerous whenever the ball was let into them with Joyce taking on his man and finishing into the net once more. Galway, to their credit, kept fighting and John Moylan scored a nice point from a free from midfield, and but for a few wides would have brought the scores closer.

 

Fr Toms were well ahead when the game was called off due to thunder and lightning in the interest of everyone’s safety.

 

Team and Scorers:

Fr Toms: Fran Keenan, Niall Murphy, Aidan Doyle, Dylan Costello, John Cooper (0-1), Paul Cannon, John O’Riordan, Fiach O’Toole (0-1), Fergus Byrne, Conor Kelly (0-1), Aidan O’Malley, Dylan O’Neill (1-2), Sean Joyce (2-2)

 

Galway: Kevin O’Grady, Mark Bermingham, Aidan Flanagan, Patrick Moylan, Stephen White, Eoin Morrisey, Seanie Whelan, Darragh Lawlor, Brian Conroy, John Moylan (0-1), Brian Cahill, Cormac Kelly, Sean O’Shaughnessy

 

Man of the Match: Dylan O’Neill

 

Referee: Tiernan McHugh

7/28/2024 - Senior Hurling – Galway vs Fr Toms

 Senior Hurling – Galway vs Fr Toms

 

By Neil McEnaney

 

Full Time Score:

Galway: 5-18

Fr Toms: 3-12

 

A comprehensive victory for the Galway Boston hurlers in Game 4 of this best of 5 series saw them clinch the senior championship against Fr Tom’s.

 

A point straight from the throw in by Alex Connaire got the ball rolling for Galway. A long clearance by Cianan Fahy found Niall Collins who turned and struck over his right shoulder to extend Galway’s lead to 2 in the early stages. Fr Tom’s pulled one back through a great turnover by Cian Folan who set up Matthew Power for a well taken point from the right wing.

 

From here, Galway upped their game and started to extend their lead. Niall Collins was dangerous in the Galway full forward line, with lovely stick work to control the ball and stick it over the bar. He turned provider then, setting up Liam Collins for a goal into the open net. Sean Collins for Galway hit two beautiful points in quick succession to extend their lead.

 

A high ball floated into the square by Brian Troy for Fr Tom’s was caught well by Cian Folan who turned on to his left and balsted it into the roof of the net for Toms leaving just 4 points between the sides. Folan was soon in on goal again and was expertly denied by Darach Fahy in goals.

 

Cianan Fahy at center back for Galway started cleaning up a lot of loose ball and his strong solo running and quick release of the ball to the inside forwards helped over straight over the bar himself helped tilt the game in Galway’s favor. The accurate free taking of Matthew Power for Fr Toms kept them ticking over and keeping them in touching distance. Galway went into the half time 12 points up after a very impressive opening 30minutes.

 

Half Time Score:

Galway: 3-12

Fr Toms: 1-6

 

Fr Toms showed some grit and determination in the second half to bring the fight to Galway. Kevin Flynn in goals made a great save from a Galway penalty, diving low to his right and hitting it behind for a 65. Zac Firman converted the 65. Folan replied for Toms with a lovely score from the right wing, before doubling it a minute later from the left wing.

 

A high ball into the square by Toms broke kindly for Firman who pulled on the ball to finish it into the net. This left 9 between the sides. Galway responded immediately, when a sideline cut from Fahy was overhit and received by Flynn in goals. Diaras O’Halloran forced the turnover and finished into the empty net to leave 12 between the sides again.

 

An expertly finished penalty by Ciarmhac Smyth into the bottom corner for Fr Toms gave them some hope but Galway responded well Liam Collins collecting the ball on the endline, taking on his man finishing with a flick over Kevin Flynn in the Toms goal.

 

Toms tried a few high balls into the square as the clock was winding down but were unable to get the goals they needed. The referee blew the full time whistle and Galway were crowned the Boston Senior Hurling Champions of 2024.

 

Man of the Match: Cianan Fahy

 

Galway: Darach Fahy, Ian Fox, Donal Mannion, Michael Moylan, Cianan Fahy, Ronan Glennon, Eoin Morrissey, Alex Connaire, Aidan O’Sullivan, Diaras O’Halloran, Sean Walsh, Liam Collins, Niall Collins

 

Fr Toms: Kevin Flynn, Ciarmhac Smyth, Evan Connolly, Cian Mulqueen, Eoin Lawless, Luke Kavanagh, John Riordan, Matthew Power, Aidan O’Malley, Brian Troy, Zac Firman, Cathal Handiman, Cian Folan,