6/23/2024 - Senior Football - Connemara Gaels vs Aiden McAnespies

Senior Football – Connemara Gaels vs Aiden McAnespies

 

By Neil McEnaney

 

Full Time Score:

Connemara Gaels: 2-16

Aiden McAnespies: 1-18

 

Last but not least today was Connemara Gaels against Aiden McAnespies in the Men’s Senior Championship. Both teams were looking to get their season back on the right track after disappointing losses in their last games.

 

There was a goal chance straight from the throw up for the Gaels as Stefan Okunbar was well picked out by Oran Cunningham, who then laid it off to Adam Waddick who was denied by a great save by Robbie Croft in goals for the Macs. It was Okunbar who got the opening point of the game after another strong run through the middle shouldering his own man out of the way at one point!

 

A well taken free by Joe Hagan levelled the game for the Macs. Captain Coleman Mulkerrins responded straight away for the Gaels. He dummy solo’d on his right foot before kicking it high and accurately over the bar with his weaker left foot.

 

We were treated to some excellent points from play on both sides with Joe Hagan, Rory Brolly and Adam Fanning kicking some great points for the Macs and Ryan Fadden, Ross Keogh and Oran Cunningham doing likewise for the Gaels.

 

The first half was as evenly matched as two sides have been in Canton this year as neither team went more than one point ahead at a time. The Macs just about edged it going into the half time break.

 

Half Time Score:

Connemara Gaels: 0-10

Aiden McAnespies: 0-11

 

Anton Tohill started the second half strong winning the throw up and continued his run down the right wing to kick a point from a tight angle. Gaels responded immediately with Ross Keogh scoring three points without reply (1 free, 1 mark and 1 from play). Keogh looked unmarkable at times and was a constant threat to the Macs full back line.

 

The two Gormleys (Rurai and Eoin) linked up brilliantly to put Rurai through on goal with a Gaels a defender and keeper still to beat. He went for control and side footed it past Bryan O’Flaherty in nets for the games first goal.

 

Aiden McAnespies kept the pressure on after their goal. Continuous running at the Gaels defence led to frees within the scoring zone which Brolly and Fanning kicked accurately.

 

A mazy solo run by Oran Cunningham opened up the Macs defence before he set up Okunbar one on one with the Macs keeper. Croft got down well to make a great save to deny the Kerry man to keep 4 points between the sides. A series of bad wides for the Macs ensued with some kickable points going astray.

 

The goal of the game came from Connemara’s captain, Colman Mulkerrins. He started the move on the right wing from a kickout, continued his run into the middle before being found by Cunningham in front of goal. Mulkerrins didn’t panic and side footed it past Croft in the Macs nets.

 

The teams traded points before disaster struck for Aiden McAnespies. A high press by the Gaels led to a turnover by Jack Lundy. Lundy released Cian Folan who took on his man and finished with a great goal to go two up. Brolly converted a free for the Macs to leave the minimum between the sides. The Macs had one last attack and launched it high into the square but to no avail as the Gaels turned it over and the full time whistle was blown.

 

Man of the Match: Colman Mulkerrins

 

Referee: Ciaran O’Donovan

 

Teams and Scorers:

Connemara Gaels: Bryan O’Flaherty, Sean Kennedy, Keelan Beirne, Colman Mulkerrin (1-1), Stefan Okunbar (0-1), Michael Kerr (0-1), Adam Waddick, Jack Lynch, Ryan Fadden (0-1), Dylan Murtagh, Jack Lundy, Ross Keogh (0-7), Oran Cunningham (0-4)

Subs: Cian Folan (1-1)

 

Aiden McAnespies: Robert Croft, Cormac McKeogh, Darran Gibney, Conall Devlin, Matthew Murnaghan, Owen Ward, Anton Tohill (0-1), Steven Ward, Joe Hagan (0-5), Eoin Gormley (0-1), Rurai Gormley (1-2), Adam Fanning (0-3), Rory Brolly (0-5)

 

6/23/2024 - Senior Hurling - Galway vs Fr Tom's

 Senior Hurling – Galway vs Fr Tom’s

 

By Neil McEnaney

 

Full Time Score:

Galway: 3-23

Fr Tom’s: 2-15

 

Galway got the win a few weeks back and were hoping to make it two from two in this best of five series. Some great hurling by Galway and a strong performance from Aaron Myers at center forward proved to be the difference for the Connacht men.

 

It was Myers who opened the scoring after a strong run and tidy finish. The game was then stopped after a tangle caused Darren Morrissey to pick up a bad shoulder injury. Darren was rushed to the ER. Sources tell me he dislocated his shoulder and we wish him a speedy recovery.

 

The bad injury did nothing to the psyche of the Galway players as they rushed to 1-2 to 0-0 scoreline. Niall Collins capitalized on a turnover to blast the ball into the roof of the Toms net. Fr Toms weren’t long responding with Darragh Flynn scoring a point from a free before Luke Kavanagh broke through from center back on a solo run to score a goal of his own to bring the sides within a point of each other. The skillful Ciarmhac Smyth followed up with a nice point to level the game.

 

Galway started to get a foothold on the game and moved the ball quickly around the middle to create space. They tackled ferociously across the pitch forcing turnovers which they capitalized on to stretch out their lead coming into half time. It could have arguably been more but for a few shots that were just wide of the target.

 

Half Time Score:

Galway: 1-13

Fr Tom’s: 1-6

 

At the start of the second half, Fr Toms started to edge their way back into the game with Darragh Flynn proving to be accurate from the frees and Zak Firman taking on his man and scoring a nice point. Just when they were starting to get a foothold in the game, a second yellow card equaled a red for Luke Kavanagh from the Toms and they were down to 12 men.

 

Galway started using the extra man to their advantage straight away moving the ball quickly and effectively across the middle third. The goal of the game came from the substitute for Galway, Liam Collins. He took on his man with a solo run, flicked it over the defender before finishing with his hurl just before the onrushing Toms keeper got to him.

 

Tom’s had their own chances at goal but an incredible top corner bound reaction save by Darach Fahy in nets denied Chris Nolan a certain goal. At times Fahy proved unbeatable in nets showing great athleticism and reflexes to keep the Toms attack out. At the other end, Billy Power found Myers in space who rounded the keeper and blasted it into the net.

 

Toms kept fighting until the end even with the man down with Cian Folan coming from the bench to kick the ball past Fahy inn nets for a goal.

 

Galway finished comfortable winners in this one and will look to finish the championship in their next outing against Fr Toms on Sunday July 7^th.

 

Man of the Match: Aaron Myers

 

Referee: Ciaran O’Donovan

 

Teams and Scorers:

Galway: Darach Fahy, Darren Morrissey, Ian Fox, Tiernan Killeen (0-3), Cianan Fahy, Eoin Morrissey (0-1), Ronan Glennon (0-3), Alex Connaire (0-1), Sean Walsh (0-2), Aaron Myers (1-8), Brian Cahill (0-1), Billy Power (0-2), Niall Collins (1-0)

Subs: Liam Collins (1-0)

 

Fr Tom’s: Kevin Flynn, Ciarmhac Smyth (0-1), Evan Conolly, Brian Troy, Eoin Lawless, Luke Kavanagh (1-0), Fiachra Fitz, John O’Riordan, Aidan O’Malley (0-2), Luke Elliot, Darragh Flynn (0-6), Chris Nolan (0-1), Zak Firman (0-3)

Subs: Cian Folan (1-0)

6/23/2024 - Intermediate Football - Christophers vs Shannon Blues

 

Intermediate Football – Christophers vs Shannon Blues

 

By Neil McEnaney

 

Full Time Score:

Christophers: 3-13

Shannon Blues: 2-7

 

Both Christopher’s and Shannon Blues came into this match aiming to get their first win of the year. There was nothing between the sides for the first half before Christophers pushed on and got some crucial scores to see out the game. Shannon Blues, to their credit, can feel hard done by as they hit a number of bad wides.

 

From the throw up, Darragh O’Leary got the ball rolling for the Blues with a well taken point from midfield. Shane McSweeney wasn’t long responding for Christophers with a well taken point off his left to level it up. The game continued in this fashion with nothing between the sides.

 

The Blues then sprung into action with Tom Murnane winning the Christophers kickout and made a strong run through to set up Aodhan O’Luasa who snuck the ball past the near post for the game’s opening goal. From the resulting kickout, Shane McSweeney for Christophers set up John Joyce who made no mistake when he was one on one with the keeper.  Christophers then pushed on with the corner forwards Shane McSweeney and Colm Joyce adding points from play to take the lead coming into half time.

 

 

Half Time Score:

Christophers: 1-5

Shannon Blues: 1-3

 

Whatever was said at half time definitely got the Blues fired up as right from the throw up, Jack Young fisted it through to O’Leary who went on a solo run and blasted it into the Christophers net to go a point ahead.

 

Eoin Sawyer used his speed to respond immediately with a solo run down the right wing and finished with a fisted point. A breaking ball dropped to McSweeney then who hit it soccer style on the half volley but it was well saved by Nik Albarran in the Blues net. Patrick McDonnell kicked a lovely point from the resulting 45.

 

From here on, it was all Christophers as they hit their purple patch. Sawyer continued to use his pace from wing back causing trouble and creating openings in the Blues defence. Dara O’Callaghan proved accurate from the frees while McSweeney and Joyce inside scored a few well taken points.

 

Blues created chances but were unable to convert with Wallace shooting just left of the post on one occasion. Christophers finished with a penalty which O’Callaghan converted into the bottom corner.

 

Man of the Match: Eoin Sawyer

 

Referee: Kieran Cox

 

Teams and Scorers:

Christophers:  Patrick Kenneally, Jake Kelley, Seth Thornton, Barra Ryan, Patrick McDonnell (0-1), Eoin Sawyer (0-1), Gavin Cronin, Dara O’Callaghan (1-4), James Cron
in, John Joyce (1-0), Cuan Tobin (0-1), Colm Joyce (0-2), Shane McSweeney (0-4)

 

Shannon Blues: Nik Albarran, Derek O’Brien, Teddy Shay, Patrick Moylan, Tommy Cronin, Conor Fitzgerald, Jack Young, Darragh O’Leary (1-2), Michael Moylan, Tom Murnane (0-1), Mark McDaniel (0-1), Darren Wallace, Aodhan O’Luasa (1-3)

6/16/2024 - Senior Championship - Connemara Gaels vs Galway Boston

 

By Neil McEnaney

 

Full Time Score:

Connemara Gaels: 3-7

Galway Boston: 4-15

 

Galway came into this game with an impressive win over the Macs while the Gaels had secured a draw against Donegal in both teams previous outings. The lively Conor Lawlor led the way up front for Galway and was at times unmarkable.

 

Connemara raced to a two point lead after some patient play while they waited for their openings. A high tackle on a Galway defender caused a 5 minute delay as he was treated for concussion protocol.

 

When the game restarted, Galway forced a free for overcarrying and Paul Carey scored the resulting free. A strong run down the line by Adam Waddick set up Jack Lundy for a goal chance that was well saved by James Egan, but he could only palm it into the path of Waddick who palmed it into the open net for the games first goal.

 

Lawlor started causing problems for Gaels defence, winning the ball out wide before taking his man on finishing with a nice point. A period of play with both defenses on top ensued before Paul Carey broke the deadlock with a goal. Lawlor found Carey inside the 21 who took on his man before his close range shot dribbled past the goalkeeper.

 

Galway’s second goal was similar to the first, this time Lawlor getting in behind the defense. A great save by O’Flaherty dropped back to Lawlor who tapped it in.

 

A strong run down the line by Kerry man Stefan Okunbar resulted in a free which Oran Cunningham kicked over easily. Right on the stroke of half time, some good play from Galway left Eoin Colleran with a great chance from close range and he made no mistake blasting it past the keeper.

 

Half Time Score:

Connemara Gaels: 1-4

Galway Boston: 3-4

 

Gaels started the second half brightly with Jack Lundy kicking a great score with the outside of his right boot. Daire Keenan responded with a nice point off his right on the loop followed by a long range free by Carey. Galway continued to add on the points, hitting Connemara on the break when they got the turnovers.  

 

A great switch of play by Connemara found Waddick in space on the right wing, who took his chance and scored a great point from a tight angle. Lawlor responded almost immediately for Galway with a well taken point aftyer he found half a yard of space.

 

With 15 minutes to go, Galway were up by 9 points. A foul on a Galway defender was followed by a bit of afters, which resulted in a red card for Mark Nolan for the Gaels.

 

The pass of the day came from Jack Lundy of the Gaels who crossed it soccer style to Oran Cunningham who rounded the keeper before burying it into the net. Any thoughts of a late Gaels comeback though were quickly put to bed with Galway responding immediately with Eoin Colleran finishing neatly into the bottom left corner of the Gaels net.

 

Galway finished the game strongly kicking some nice points when the chances arose. A late penalty for the Gaels for a foot block was expertly converted by Jack Lundy into the bottom corner.

 

Man of the Match: Conor Lawlor

 

Teams and Scorers:

Connemara Gaels: Bryan O’Flaherty, Sean Kennedy, Zach Mahon, Jack Lynch, Colman Mulkerrin, Jack Lundy (1-2), Adam Waddick (1-1), Stefan Okunbor, Ryan Fadden (0-1), Oran Cunningham (1-1), Mark Nolan (0-1), Dylan Murtagh, Ross Keogh

 

Galway Boston: James Egan, Tom Crean, Ciaran Potter, Aidan Flanagan, Stephen White, Paudi Behan, Michael Moylan, Declan Doyle, Maidhc MacGearaillt (0-1), Daire Keenan (0-1), Eoin Colleran (2-3), Conor Lawlor (1-4), Paul Carey (1-6)

Subs: Gary Higgins (0-1)

 

Referee: Neil McEnaney

 

6/16/2024 - Intermediate Championship – Aidan McAnespies vs Cork Boston

 

By Neil McEnaney

Full Time Score:

Aidan McAnespies: 0-16

Cork: 1-16

 

Cork and Aidan McAnespies both came into this game after winning their first round in previous weeks against Shannon Blues and Connemara Gaels respectively. Cork took the lead early and were able to keep the Macs at arms length for the game.

 

With just 2minutes on the clock, Sean McCarthy got the better of his man before he was pulled to the ground by Peter O’Flaherty. The referee judged it to be deliberate as he was through on goal and issued the Macs man an early black card. Eoin Walsh opened the scoring for Cork with the resulting free.

 

With the man down, McAnespies wisely chose to sit in and play defensively and attack Cork on the break. It nearly worked to perfection with Tiernan Saul getting a goal chance that was well saved by Kieran McEvoy. Cork created chances, but will feel their shooting and decisions in the scoring zone let them down.

 

By the time the black card time was up, the Macs had kept themselves in touching distance of Cork, only down by 3 points. When the Macs got equal men on the field, they started to chip away at the Cork lead. The long range kicking of Peter O’Connell brought the Macs within a point just before half time.

 

Cork weren’t done though, and a great move left McCarthy one on one with his man who he took on and finished into the net just on the stroke of half time.

 

Half Time Score:

Aidan McAnespies: 0-8

Cork Boston: 1-9

 

McAnespies started the scoring in the second half with O’Flaherty scoring a nice point. O’Flaherty was in trouble with the ref again unfortunately as he stopped a Cork man running off the ball and picked up a second black card to end his day early.

 

Cork continued to be dangerous up front, with Fergal O’Brien, Fiedhlem Joyce and Eoin Walsh in particular causing a lot of problems in the Macs defence. Eoin Gormley was sprung from the bench and his speed and athleticism caused issues for the Corks defence. Cork dropped their spare man in front of him to shut up shop. Macs kept within touching distance but weren’t able to get the vital goal to level it up.

 

Man of the Match: Eoin Walsh

 

Teams and Scorers:

Aidan McAnespies: Jack Lake, Tom McKeon, Aidan O’Malley, Gearoid Stones, Joe Hagan (0-3), Peter O’Flaherty (0-1), Sean McGovern, Stephen Ward (0-2), Jack Lennon (0-1), Peter O’Connell (0-3), Jonathan McGourty, Tiarnan Saul (0-1), Padraig Dillon (0-1)

Subs: Eoin Gormley (0-3)

 

Cork: Kieran McEvoy, Ronan Hurley, Emmet Smith, Paddy O’Driscoll, Sean O’Riordain, Eoghan O’Neill, Shawn Sullivan, Kieran Hurley, Liam O’Driscoll, Feidhelm Joyce (0-4), Eoin Walsh (0-6), Fergal O’Brien (0-4), Sean McCarthy (1-2)

 

Referee: Neil McEnaney

6/16/2024 - Intermediate Championship - Connemara Gaels vs Wolfe Tones

By Neil McEnaney

 

Full Time Score:

Connemara Gaels: 0-13

Wolfe Tones: 2-18

 

Both teams were coming into this game on the back of losses and looking to get their first win of the season. It was the Tones who started the brighter and built up an early lead which they never really looked like losing. Gaels were able to work the ball consistently up the field but were just lacking the final ball at times to convert their chances.

 

Darragh Reilly received an early ball and set up Dylan Murtagh who opened the scoring with a goal for the Wolfe Tones. The Tones kept the foot on the gas and raced to to a 1-2 to 0-0 lead with points from Barry O’Connell and Dylan Coyne.

 

Matthew Cooley responded for the Gaels with a well taken point and looked dangerous everytime he got the ball. He broke through for a goal chance but was inches away from finding the net after it rebounded off the post. Barry O’Connell led the attack at the other end for the Tones and finished his day kicking 8 points.

 

Connemara elected to drop a sweeper to try and stop the dangerous Wolfe Tones forwards. They hit the Tones on the break, creating chances, but their final ball was unfortunately lacking at times.

 

Half Time Score:

Connemara Gaels: 0-4

Wolfe Tones: 1-9

 

Wolfe Tones started the second half with a well taken point from Murtagh. They then started going for goal at every opportunity with Mikey Kerr smashing the crossbar before it ricocheted wide. Then Darragh Reilly set up Padraig Diamond for a goal chance but it was well saved by Rory O’Brien in goals. Diamond wasn’t long getting another goal chance and this time gave O’Brien no chance to save it.

 

Connemara Gaels, to their credit, took some great points to narrow the gap through Luke Higgins, Matthew Cooley and Paddy McGee. It was too little too late for the Gaels as Wolfe Tones ran out comfortable winners to pick up their first win of the year.

 

Man of the Match: Barry O’Connell

 

Teams and Scorers:

Connemara Gaels: Rory O’Brien, Keelan Beirne, James Flaherty, AJ McGuire, Michael Coyne, Liam O’Malley, Jayson Hughes, Eoin Boyle (0-3), Jimmy Lowe, Sean Conneely, Luke Higgins (0-3), Patrick McGee (0-1), Matthew Cooley (0-5)

Subs: Eoghan Kelly (0-1)

 

Wolfe Tones: Cormac Joyce Power, Conor Farrell, Jon Foster, Barry McShea (0-1), Josh Carolan, Mikey Kerr, Padraig Diamond (1-0), Mick Quinn, Paddy Maughan, Barry O’Connell (0-8), Dylan Coyne (0-1), Darragh Reilly (0-5), Dylan Murtagh (1-3)

 

Referee: Hudi McKenna

6/16/2024 - Intermediate Football - Donegal Boston vs Kerry Boston

 By Neil McEnaney

Full Time Score:

Donegal: 3-13

Kerry: 1-16

 

Both Donegal and Kerry were coming into this game with their tails up after having convincing wins against Wolfe Tones and Christophers respectively. The pace was frantic throughout with Donegal getting the crucial goals to get over the line to take the win.

 

It was Donegal who started the brighter with Ethan McDevitt getting through on goal and taking the wise option of fisting it over the bar. Alex Doherty then found Jack O’Brien unmarked on the 21 who only had the keeper to beat and finished coolly into the bottom corner. Kerry didn’t panic and they weren’t long getting on the scoresheet thanks to the free taking of Finbar Murphy. It was Murphy who scored a goal to level it after a great move by Kerry which saw Sean Guiden finding Murphy who made no mistake from close range.

 

The midfield battle was a fascinating one with the two giants Leo Cunningham and George Kealey not giving each other an inch while Murphy and Conor O’Neill battled for the breaking ball. There really was nothing between the teams throughout the first half as when one team scored, the other was soon to level it.

 

Cunningham broke through the Kerry defence with some strong running to set up Alex Doherty for a goal which he finished into the bottom corner. Some fantastic points from the left boot of Ryan O’Grady kept the sides level at half time.

 

Half Time Score:

Donegal: 2-5

Kerry: 1-8

 

Murphy opened the scoring in the second half for Kerry before Donegal hit their stride scoring 4 points in a row from McGarvey, Doherty (x2) and O’Neill. The introduction of Cian O’Grady off the bench for Donegal made a huge difference as he used all his pace and skill to open up the Kerry defence. In the Kerry attack, Ryan O’Grady was unmarkable at times kicking some great points off his left foot.

 

It was Cian who got the goal to put Donegal 6 up. O’Neill fed Cian the ball who burst through the Kerry defence with great speed before blasting it into the net.

 

Once again, Kerry didn’t panic. They started winning the midfield battle and slowly chipped away at the Donegal lead getting it back to 3 points.

 

Donegal showed all their experience with and started holding on to the ball in their own back line to wind down the clock. The patient build up play paid off with Ryan McMahon kicking a point from the top of the D.

 

Kerry got it back to three points and had one more goal chance at the end that hit the side netting. A fantastic game of football that could have went either way.

 

Man of the Match: Jack O’Brien

 

Teams and Scorers:

Donegal Boston:

Darren Grant, James Newell, Mark McFadden, Ryan McMahon (0-1), Jack O’Brien (1-0), Sean Donnelly, Conor O’Neill (0-3), Leo Cunningham (0-1), Ethan McDevitt (0-1), Alex Doherty (1-4), Ben Bradley, Tiarnan McHugh (0-1), Blake McGarvey (0-1)

Subs: Cian O’Grady (1-1)

 

Kerry Boston:

Sean Bohan, Luke Chester, Paul Ring, Deividas Uisis, John Cooper, Gary Vaughn (0-1), George Kealey, Finbar Murphy (1-4), Darragh Curtin, Sean Guiden (0-1), Connor Stark (0-2), Ryan O’Grady (0-6), Mattie Farrell (0-1)

Subs: Number 14 (0-1)

 

Referee: Robbie Croft

6/9/2024 - Intermediate Football - Donegal Boston vs Wolfe Tones

By Neil McEnaney

Full Time Score:

Donegal 7-6

Wolfe Tones 2-10

 

It was a case of take the goals and the points will come for Donegal in the Intermediate Championship against Wolfe Tones! Donegal were just a level or two above the Tones today with the pacy Alex Doherty causing a lot of damage from center forward.

 

It was all square after 15 minutes as the game ebbed and flowed. A patient build up and some strong running by Tiernan McHugh of Donegal led to the games first goal taken by Doherty.

 

Wolfe Tones responded immediately with a long kick pass from Padraig Diamond into the two inside forwards, Dylan Murtagh and Darragh O’Reilly who combined well to set up a point for O’Reilly.

 

Doherty and McHugh moved the ball quickly in response for Donegal to set up Mark McFadden who side footed it into the net from a tough angle with his left foot. Tones responded again with a great switch of the play from Paddy Maughan to pick Barry O’Connell who took his man on one-on-one to finish with a great goal for the Tones.

 

With just three points between the sides, Murtagh had a goal chance denied by the bottom of the post as his shot just went a few inches too left to find the net. In a killer blow to the Tones just before half time, Conor O’Neill picked out Doherty on the left wing with a great kick pass. Doherty used his pace to take on his man and finished brilliantly into the bottom corner.

 

Half Time Score:

Donegal 3-4

Wolfe Tones 1-6

 

The start of the second half finished just like the first with a goal for Donegal. This time taken Matthew Smith. It wasn’t long before Doherty finished his hattrick after some strong running. Padraig Diamond for the Tones made a strong run up the wing to set up O’Reilly who was brought down for a penalty. O’Reilly made no mistake from the penalty spot cooly finishing to the bottom corner.

 

Tones could have had a few more goals themselves but for some last ditch defending by Donegal. Eoghan Rocks dived for a block and was down in discomfort and had to be subbed off. Sources tell me he dislocated his elbow so we wish him a speedy recovery.

 

Conor O’Neill finished with a goal himself after another assist from McHugh.

 

 

Man of the Match: Alex Doherty

 

Team and Scorers:

Donegal Boston:

Darren Grant, James Newell, Eoighan Rocks, Mark McFadden (1-0), Jack O’Brien, Ethan McDevitt, Ryan McMahon, Conor O’Neill(1-1), Ben Bradley (0-1), Alex Doherty (3-0), Matthew Smith (0-2), Tiernan McHugh (0-2), Michael Winston

Subs: Mikey Whelan (0-1), Conor Coyle (1-1)

 

Wolfe Tones:

Cormac Joyce Power, Thomas McGuinness, Conor Farrell, Ross Carolan, Mikey Kerr, Jon Foster, Padraig Diamond (0-1), Mikey Quinn, Barry McShea, Barry O’Connell (1-6), Paddy Maughan, Dylan Murtagh, Darragh O’Reilly (1-3)

6/9/2024 - Senior Hurling Championship - Galway vs Fr Toms

 

By Neil McEnaney

Full Time Score:

Galway: 4-20

Fr Toms: 1-16

The Senior Hurling Championship started with all the fire and excitement that we can expect from these two Boston rivals. The old cliché of ‘it was a game of two halves’ came into fruition in this game, with only a point separating the teams at half time, but Galway really kicked on in the 2^nd half to win convincingly in the end up.

 

Chris Nolan  started the brightest for Toms with Luke Kavanagh setting him up for the game’s first point. A puck out from Kevin Flynn found Nolan again who burst through the middle and finished brilliantly for the first goal of the game.

 

The referee had his work cut out in the first half with the two sides breaking into a lot of pushing and shoving (best described as handbags on multiple occasions). Galway started to edge their way back into the game with some great points taken by Aaron Myers and Alex Connaire.

 

A great switch of the play by Galway’s Alex Connaire found Niall Collins in space who carried it in and finished superbly into the net to put Galway a point to the good.

 

Galway started getting on top with Myers playing at center forward being unmarkable at times. Tom’s kept themselves in touching distance with Darragh Flynn and Chris Nolan doing most of the damage at the other end of the field.

 

Galway struck for a 2^nd goal before half time with a great pass from Collins to set up Myers.

 

Half Time Score:

Galway: 2-10

Fr Toms: 1-12

 

Whatever was said at half time in the Galway camp definitely got their men going as they started to get on top all over the field. Sam Walsh was sprung from the bench and his impact was immediate scoring a point off his left side with his first possession of the sliotar.

 

The goal of the game came from Niall Collins, who collected the ball on the wing, got around his man and the keeper to rifle it into an empty net. Toms continued to battle hard and had a few goal chances themselves but some great goalkeeping by Darach Fahy kept them out.

 

A final goal by Galway substitute Liam Collins after a strong run by Tiernan Killeen at center back ended this thoroughly entertaining game.

 

Galway now lead this 5 game series 1-0 with the next match being on Sunday 23^rd June at 3:30pm.

 

Man of the Match: Aaron Myers

 

Team and Scorers:

Galway Boston:

Darach Fahy, Darren Morrissey, Gavin Fives, Michael Moylan, Tiernan Killeen, Ian Fox, Ronan Glennon, Eoin Morrissey, Alex Connaire (0-2), Aaron Myers (1-9), Ciaran Fahy, Niall Collins (2-1), Billy Power

Subs: Billy Power (1-0), Sam Walsh (0-4)

 

Fr Toms:

Kevin Flynn, Ciarmhac Smith, Eoin Lawless, Brian Troy, Cian Mulqueen, Fiachra Fitzpatrick, John O’Riordan, Luke Kavanagh, Chris Nolan (1-6), Luke Elliot (0-2), Darragh Flynn (0-9), Aidan O’Malley, Cian Folan

6/9/2024 - Senior Football - Donegal Boston vs Aidan McAnespies

By Neil McEnaney

Full Time:

Donegal Boston 3-20

Aidan McAnespies 1-6

 

The dreary rain that started the day had stopped by the time the ball was thrown in for these two Boston Senior Football rivals. The match started quite evenly with both teams trading early scores before Donegal started pulling ahead and running out comfortable winners.

 

Donegal started the brighter with Carthy winning the breaking ball from the throw up and moving it quickly into Donal O’Sullivan who was fouled as he took on his man. O’Sullivan stepped up and converted the free to get the scoring underway. He added a second point from a free when a Macs player was blown for overcarrying.

 

Conall Devlin for McAnespies did brilliantly to catch Croft’s kickout on the right wing under pressure before taking it himself on a solo run and a brilliant point too with the outside of his boot. Macs kept the pressure up and leveled with Donegal with a well taken score by Adam Fanning with his left foot.

 

Donegal started getting into their groove, with strong running from Morissey setting up Jimmy O’Grady for a point and Donal O’Sullivan adding another point from play. A holding the jersey off the ball led to a converted point by Brolly for the Macs leaving them within one point of Donegal (0-4 to 0-3).

 

From here to the rest of the game, it was all one way traffic in favor of Donegal. Ruari Gormley picked up a yellow for pulling Morissey to the ground. Corey Gallagher made a strong run from wing back to set up O’Grady for an easy point.

 

Donegal started moving the ball very well with Carthy assisting Lowry and O’Dwyer for points before adding himself to the scoresheet with a well taken score from the left wing. Ruari Gormley broke through the Donegal defence at one stage but hit his shot wide, just trailing left of the post.

 

Half Time Score:

Donegal Boston: 0-12

Aidan McAnespies 0-4

 

The second half started with a bang and any chances of a Macs comeback were dealt a huge blow right from the throw in. A high tackle by Gormley in midfield led to him picking up a second yellow and was sent off.

 

Donegal weren’t long making their man advantage count extending the lead with points from Morissey, O’Sullivan and O’Grady. The killer blow for the Macs came from Lowry who used all his speed to take on his man and set O’Sullivan up for the first goal of the game. O’Sullivan wasn’t long getting another goal after he rounded the goalkeeper to put it into an empty net.

 

The McAnespies, to their credit, kept on battling to the end with Fanning looking dangerous in the full forward line and picking up a goal after a long pass from Croft.

 

Man of the Match: Shane Carthy

Team and Scorers:

Donegal Boston:

Darren Grant, Anthony Diver, Neil Mulcahy, Sean Winston, Ben McCarron (0-1), Cory Gallagher, Shane Carthy (0-2), Jordan Morissey (0-2), Ciaran McDevitt (0-1), Jimmy O’Grady (0-3), Sean Lowry (1-2), Donal O’Sullivan (2-4), Ryan O’Dwyer (0-4)

 

Aidan McAnespies:

Robbie Croft, Darren Gibney, Cormac McKeogh, Conall Devlin (0-1), Owen Ward, Cian Quinn, Ruari, Gormley, Steven Ward, Cian Grime (0-1), Eoin Gormley, Rurai Scott, Adam Fanning (1-3), Rory Brolly (0-1)

6/9/2024 - Junior B Hurling - Sean Ogs vs Worcester Fenians

By Neil McEnaney

Full Time Score: 

Sean Ogs 1-11 

Worcester 2-3

A miserable rainy day didn’t get in the way of a great game of hurling between Sean Ogs and Worcester today. The last time these sides met, Worcester ran out comfortable winners. Today it went the other way, with Sean Ogs having a full squad of men and playing some great hurling. Worcester were down a few men, most notably Jimmy Rigney, who’s wife recently had a baby girl! Congrats, but in the words of Roy Keane: ‘It wasn’t him who had the baby!’

 

Sean Ogs started the strongest and quickly raced to a 6 point lead with Brian Cahill taking a couple of nice points. Worcester had a number of goal chances that they just couldn’t get over the line. It was a first half played in tough conditions that led to both defences being on top. Simon Sinnot led the way for the Worcester defence while Michael Scully did likewise for Sean Ogs.

 

Worcester got into their scoring rhythm before half time, putting 3 points on the board to shorten the gap.

 

Half Time Score: Sean Ogs 0-7 Worcester 0-3

 

The second half started with a great point from a free taken by Daithi Howard from a tight angle on the right. A long ball into the Sean Ogs goal mouth found its way to Sean Sullivan who made no mistake from close range burying the goal. Sean Ogs responded immediately with a well taken free from Howard before they were denied a goal of their own by the post!

 

A long ball pucked in by Sinnot found it’s way to the full forward Tom Laul who scored a great goal from close range! All square! Sean Ogs 0-9 Worcester 2-3.

 

With 15minutes to go, Sean Ogs couldn’t have had a better response. A long ball pucked into Daithi Howard who buried it into the bottom corner of the net. Sean Ogs then went on to add a few insurance points from Brian Cahill and Declan Shea to see out the game.

 

Full Time Score: Sean Ogs 1-11 Worcester 2-3

 

Man of the Match: Brian Cahill

 

Teams:

Sean Ogs: Colm O’Malley, Aidan Flanagan, John O’Riordan, Jack Kelly, John Longworth, Michael Scully, Brian Cahill, Niall O’Malley, Sean McCarthy, Declan Shea, Liam O’Driscoll, Daithi Howard, Ciaran Flanagan

Subs: Conor Kelly, Robert Murphy, Conor Smith, Eoin Faherty, Brendan Smith

 

Worcester: Dan Smith, Dan Williams, Mark Leporte, Zach Podedworng, Simon Sinnot, Jack Green, Patrick Heffernan, Patrick Sullivan, Sean Sullivan, Sean O’Shaughnessy, Joe Wall, Tom Laul, Brendan Reed

Subs: Dylan Walsh, Brendan Hehir, Pat Murray, Matt Dufrane