Playoff update

Connemara Gaels 5-9 Galway 3-14

With Galway out of it either way, since Armagh-Notre Dame defeated Mayo the night before, the outcome of this game would just determine the semi-final matches for the intermediate playoffs. Galway had nothing to play for, but put on a commendable display even though the tempo of the game was not exactly of the high octane type. After 30 minutes of play the teams were level at 2-7 each. Mark Dougan and Michael Magill netted for the Gaels, while Donal Redmond and Peter Nolan accounted for Galway’s goals.

Mark Dougan hit home with a second half penalty.

The Gaels opened up a 7 point lead in the opening stages of the second half. John O’Brien and Dougan each pointed. Dougan then won a penalty which he slotted home himself, and Colin Harkin then added a fourth goal for the Gaels, finishing a move that began with a save from Pat O’Malley. Galway fought their way back however. The tribesmen lifted their game in all areas of the field. An easy win for the Gaels would not be allowed. Kieran Lillis goaled and a minute later was through the middle of the Gaels defence again,only to be denied by a great Pat O’Malley save. O’Malley tipped the ball over for a point. Greg Rogan made it a two point game with a well taken free. Mark Dougan established some room again for the Gaels after palming home a ball played across the face of goal. Galway still kept coming at the Gaels. Three points on the trot from Pauric Howard, Nolan, and Rogan pulled Galway to within 2 points again, with 5 minutes to go. Rogan pointed again with time running out, and Galway had one last chance to equalize that sailed wide of the post.

Gaels: P. O’Malley C. Conroy, C. Flanagan, C. Arkinson, A. Flanagan, K. Owens, C. Harkin, M. Magill, S. Murray, M. Dougan, T. McDonagh, J. O’Brien, B. Joyce. Galway: B. Calvey, A. Glynn, S. Melia, J. Kehoe, R. O’Dwyer, JJ O’Neill, T. Walsh, K. Lillis, P. Cummins, P. Nolan, G. Rogan, D. Redmond, S. Gallagher.

Donegal did not have much to do to win their final game of the regular season as Cork fielded a token side to fulfill the fixture. With McAnespies winning over Kerry, Donegal and Christopher's finished on 14 points and McAnespies and Shannon Blues finished with 12 points each. The pairings for the senior semi-finals are Christopher's and McAnespies at 2:30 and Donegal v Shannon Blues at 5:00 - both next Sunday.

Intermediate football semi finals are Kerry v Connemara Gaels and Wolfe Tones v Armagh-Notre Dame.

Tuesday night the Galway hurlers and Fr. Tom's meet again, with the winners to face Wexford in Sunday's semi-final.

By Rory O'Donnell

Senior Hurling Final - Wexford Come Through in Tremendous Battle

Wexford 1-20 Tipperary 2-16

Wexford just made it over the line ahead of Tipperary in a photo finish in the senior hurling final. It was a game that had the punters going from muttering about being too one sided at half time, to talking about how it was the best game of hurling every seen by the time the final whistle sounded. The Slaneysiders won the game with literally the last ball stuck in the Boston hurling championships. Wexford looked like they would walk it after the first 30 minutes, but Tipperary pulled themselves back into it and brought the game into extra time. It was back and forth for the 20 minutes of the extra period with the lead changing hands 5 times, the final time in Wexford’s favour with a Mark Walsh point from play as there was not even time left for the puckout.

In spite of losing Shane Hennessey for a period early in the first half, Wexford put their stamp on the game. By the end of the first period the Wexfordmen held a comfortable seven point lead. Mark Walsh took the free taking duties and put three over the bar. Hennessey had accounted for three points before exiting the fray. Wexford got a goal courtesy of Joe Clarke, who Peter Ryan fed and Clarke smashed the ball home. Walsh rounded off the scoring with a free before half time. Tipperary did not manage to find room to shoot. Dominc McGill was on form at center back and Wexford won most of the possession from puck outs. Frances Devanney, Thomas Waters, and Alan McCrabbe each pointed for Tipp, who trailed by seven points going into the break.

Tipperary took the field for the second half with a changed lineup, and notably Owen McCormack came in as a substitute. Wexford got the first score of the second half, another Mark Walsh free, but Tipp got some hope from a goal right from the puckout. After Dominic McGill put one over for Wexford, Tipperary scored 6 points in a row to narrow the deficit to a single point. Then came another penalty. Alan McCrabbe took it and this time shot low and put Tipp a goal to the good. Wexford answered with three points on the trot to level the scores, and with the game on the line Tipp missed two great chances to take the lead, the shots drifting wide. Mark Walsh then put Wexford ahead on the stroke of 30 minutes, but Tipp answered immediately with a point from Gareth Sinnott to send the game into extra time.

Tipp took the lead in extra time with a point from Owen McCormack, but lost it, won it back and then lost it again for the last time. There were wonderful catching, hard hitting, and great scores in a game that had the spectators glued to their seats. It looked like Austin Murphy’s point would win it but Frances Devanney equaled it with as good a score. With 30 minutes up Mark Walsh had the final shot of the game and made it over the bar for Wexford to win their third hurling championship in a row. It was a game worthy of a championship final, and fittingly the final game of the Boston championships.

Wexford: E. Sprune, D. Brennan, D. Redmond, P. Holden, Dominic McGill (0-1), Richie Kehoe (0-2), B. Dalton, Joe Clarke (1-0), Mark Walsh (0-10), Shane Hennessey (0-5), Austin Murphy (0-2), P. Ryan, C. O’Connor. Tipp: J. Howard, R. Hennessey, J. O’Sullivan, M. Jordan, C. Dempsey, J. Coughlan, S. Power, G. Barry, Thomas Waters (0-1), Frances Devanney (0-3), Alan McCrabbe (1-5), John McGrath (0-1), Gareth Sinnott (0-2). Sub: Owen McCormack (1-3),O. Mahoney (0-1).

by Rory O'Donnell

Ladies Senior Football Final - Roscommon Steal the Show

Tir na nOg 1-7 Roscommon 1-8

Roscommon pulled the rug from under Tir na nOg at the very last minute with a late goal to steal the Ladies senior football championship. With Tir na nOg leading by two points everything changed as Roscommon scored two minutes into injury time to claim the Ladies Junior Title.

Tir na nOg enjoyed a healthier dose of possession than their opponents in the first half and held a four point lead at the break. The forward line displayed some great passing and registered some fine scores. A goal from Lisa McAleer mid way though the half put Tir na nOg in the drivers seat. With Roscommon leading by three points to two, McAleer put an excellently placed shot inside the foot of the far post to put Tir na nOg ahead. Tir na nOg put the Roscommon back line under pressure and registered three more points before half time through Grainne McClean and McAleer. Karen Maloney got one back for Roscommon before the half time whistle to make it a Tir na nOg four point lead at the break.

The Tir na nOg back line shone in the early going as Roscommon endeavored to turn the tables. Winning high balls, blocking kicks, and competing well, Tir na nOg frustrated Roscommon’s forwards. There were a couple of stoppages for heavy challenges that required the intervention of the physio as neither side was willing to give an inch. Colleen Barrett put the Brighton side five to the good, and Claffey cancelled her point. After 17 minutes of play in the second half the difference between the sides was still four points until Karen Maloney put a fine free kick over the bar from 45 yards for Roscommon.

Maloney followed with a great point from play to reduce the deficit to two points with 10 minutes to go. It was Roscommon’s turn to show some steel at the back, Laura Burns made some timely interventions. Maloney further reduced the gap to a point with a free with just one minute to go. Right after Grainne McClean put Tir na nOg two points to the good with a free Roscommon delivered a hammer blow. Roscommon swept up the field and full forward Fiona Claffey rounded her marker to shoot into the back of the net. Tir na nOg had one final chance to equalize but Maria Keane’s long range free drifted wide of the far post. When the final whistle blew Tir na nOg could hardly believe what had transpired, while Roscommon celebrated.

Tir na nOg: F. Gohery, N. Daly, C. O’Higgins, S. Bourke, D. Murtagh, D. O’Sullivan, A. Molloy, J. Moran, A. McDaid, Colleen Barrett (0-1), K. Murphy, Grainne McClean (0-4), Lisa McAleer (1-1), M. Keane, Angie Monaghan (0-1). Roscommon: N. Kavanagh, L. Burns, J. O’Connell, P. Bourke, K. McManus, J. Rogers, J. Mulligan, E. McGirr, I. McNulty, Karen Maloney (0-7), C. Benson, S. McGovern, M. Fox, Fiona Claffey (1-1), L. Harte.

By Rory O'Donnell

Junior A Football Final - Donegal Take the Junior Crown

McAnespies' Paul Meegan Looks for help.

Donegal 1-9 Aiden McAnespies 0-10

Donegal captured the junior A football championship in a very exciting, bruising, and tense encounter with Aiden McAnespies. Donegal played some great football, and forwards Paul Boyce and Aiden O’Hagen proved huge factors in their victory. Donegal led from the start but McAnespies made it close at the end, almost pulling off a late victory as Gary Hennessey’s shot flew over rather than under in bar during injury time.

Donegal got off to a great start in the first meeting of the day between the two clubs, and got into a five points to two lead after 15 minutes. McAnespies then had the better of things for the remainder of the first half, but missed several good chances to score. In contrast, Donegal’s only foray forward resulted in a Paul Boyce point that lifted the siege. McAnespies’ Shane Lynn made it six points to three at the half with the game very much open.

Possession was keenly contested around the middle of the field, and each side fought hard to gain an advantage. Jonathan Byrne and Simon McDonagh for Donegal and Thomas Tuite and Shane Lynn for McAnespies contested everything as if their lives depended on it. McAnespies made inroads early in the half and reduced the deficit to a point with scores from Eugene McKenna and Tuite. However, Donegal came back with a score from a Paul Boyce free. Boyce then won a penalty that was taken by former Tyrone minor, Aiden O’Hagen. O’Hagen’s well directed shot found the back of the net and Donegal were five points to the good. McAnespies made a huge effort to cut into the lead. Barry Brogan ran from corner back to point, and Shane Lynn, McKenna and Nigel Regan each pointed to make it a two point game with less then 3 minutes left.

Donegal's Paul Boyce on the attack.

Ricky Rush pointed to put Donegal three to the good again, but Gary Hennessey rushed through from midfield immediately from the ensuing kickout and his shot from the 21-yard line flew over the bar – a goal would have tied it. McAnespies put the pressure on Donegal in the final minutes in an effort to get the goal that would win the game, but Donegal held out and took the first of the games between the teams.

Donegal: E. McLaughlin, D. Harkin, R. Grant, K. McGee, D. McNulty, F. Granaghan, S. McDonagh, J. Byrne, Paul Friel (0-1), Adrian O’Hagen (1-3), Paul Boyce (0-4), M. Corr, S. Kelly. Ricky Rushe (0-1). Macs: B. Arkinson, Barry Brogan (0-2), B. McMenamin, N. Clancy, C. Dempsey, Thomas Tuite (0-1), Shane Lynn (0-2), G. Hennessey, Nigel Regan (0-2), M. Doherty, E. Daly, P. Nugent, Eugene McKenna (0-4).

By Rory O'Donnell

Sundays Results

Senior Football: McAnespies 4-6 Donegal 1-7
Senior Hurling: Wexford 1-20 Tipp 2-16 (Extra Time)
Ladies Senior Football: Roscommon 1-8 Tir na nOg 1-7
Junior A Football: McAnespies 0-10 Donegal 1-9

Reports will follow...

Finals Previews

Sunday August 24, 1:30
Ladies Senior Football Final - Tir na nOg v Roscommon

Tir na nOg have looked like contenders for the championship all year. The Brighton side suffered only one defeat during the season to the Boston Shamrocks. Tir na nOg are a strong side and have some excellent forwards. Maria Keane would be the first name that comes to mind when mentioning the Tir na nOg forwards, but there are others that can make hay for Tir na nOg. Angela Monaghan at full forward, Colleen Barrett on the wing, and Katie Murphy at center forward. Roscommon won their first game of the season last week, and have reached the final by virtue of a fine overall performance against the Boston Shamrocks. Roscommon have some powerful weapons in their arsenal in Fiona Claffey, Karen Maloney and Caroline Benson, not to mention a solid keeper in Niamh Kavanagh - which can keep them in it even if the team is not playing well. Given Roscommon's record up to last weekend, the Shamrocks may have taken them a little lightly and fell into a big hole, however, when the Shamrocks dug in Roscommon found it difficult to keep up their momentum and escaped with a one-point win. The pressure will be on Tir na nOg since they carry the weight of expectation on their shoulders, not to mention that this would be the first senior championship for the club - the first one is the hardest to win. If the Brighton side start off in top gear Roscommon could find it tough going. I'd have to favour Tir na nOg to win their first senior football championship.

Sunday August 24, 4:30
Senior Hurling Final - Wexford v Tipperary
Referee: Alan Kelly (Galway)

Wexford are going for three-in-a-row for Boston championships on Sunday afternoon. The Slaneysiders have been a mixed bag this year, starting off well, going off the boil for a couple of games, and then putting in a great performance against Brighton rivals, Galway. Wexford have some players to turn a game. Shane Hennessy in the forward line, Austin Murphy in the middle, and Joe Clarke in the half back line will be key. One name that featured prominently early on was Richie Kehoe, the Wexford county hurler who decided to spend a year in Boston, started off the season well, and even last week his performance seemed to be lacking some spark. Tipp have grown into the season and made the final with their last game of year. Some may argue that Tipp should start games a man down since twice this year they have lifted their performance following a sending off of one of their own. Tipp have some solid players in Richie Hennessy, John Coughlin, and Cronan Dempsey. Then there is the Dublin county hurler who decided to came to Boston this year, Alan McCrabbe. Like the team as a whole McCrabbe has looked more comfortable as the season has progressed and a good performance from him will be vital to Tipp's cause. With last weekend off, Tipp could get off to a slow start, and falling behind in the early going could prove fatal. Wexford would seem to have the horses to claim their third Boston championship in a row, and I'd have to say I'd expect to see the Slaneysiders ahead when the final whistle blows.

Sunday August 24 3:00
Senior Football Final - Donegal v Aiden McAnespies
Referee: Paddy Russell (Tipperary).

A contrast in styles. McAnespies have been the pace-setters this year, and at times have looked far ahead of any of their nearest rivals. In their last couple of games McAnespies have looked mortal. The return to Ireland of players of the caliber of Mark Goettsche, David Conway, and Johnny Laverty has brought the side down a peg or two, while Donegal have seen Dualtach Molloy return after a hand injury. McAnespies are the more physical of the two sides, their back line played the Shannon Blues tough and did a good job keeping the Blues forwards in check. Colm McCrory seems to have found himself in the forward line again, and last week Benny McGettigan probably had his best outing in at least 2 years. Of course there are also Declan Lally and Conor McGourty. The St. Bridgets, Dublin, clubman who is spending the summer in Boston has been an important cog in the McAnespies machine, while McGourty is a forward of the highest class. Keeping the Dublin and Antrim county players in check will be important for Donegal's chances. Donegal are a finesse team and are capable of playing some lovely football. The northerners have a good midfield pairing in Donal McNulty and Ronan McNeilis. The side's fortunes have revolved around these two and they will need to be on form for Donegal to have a chance. The question is whether Donegal's forwards will be able to cope with the McAnespies backs. Molloy, Gareth Concar, and Eamonn Murphy have been to the fore in that area of the field but may be at a physical disadvantage. The Donegal backs will also have to cope with the likes of Lally, McCrory and McGourty - a tough assignment. Donegal will need to control posession from kickouts and make McAnespies chase them in order to win. McAnespies are the safe bet if the game becomes a grind it our affair, and I'd have to go with them to make it four in a row.