Wolfe Tones Juniors March On

Aidan McAnespies 0-6 Wolfe Tones 3-9

The Wolfe Tones got their day off to a great start with a convincing won over Aidan McAnespies in the junior football championship.  The Tones came away with another 2 points and looked like they could be considered to be there or thereabouts at the end of August in defence of their junior A title.

Gary McAlinden in Possession for McAnespies

The Tones had things in hand by half time with a lead of 11 points, and heading into the second half with an extra man there was little chance of the outcome changing.  Own McCosker and Joey Farrell got into a tangle and McCosker was adjudged to have struck the Wolfe Tones player after the referee had already sounded the whistle for a free.  Not only that, but Eugene McKenna had to leave the field with an ankle injury, so scoring options were at a premium for the Macs.  Corner forward Dan McCabe netted 2 first half goal for the Tones, while Sean Kelly pointed a couple of exquisitely taken points.  Ger Molloy added to the Tones first half tally with some well taken scores, and McAnespies found themselves behind the 8 ball early.  Gavin Walsh and Farrell enjoyed a wealth of possession in the middle of the field, and the forwards capitalized.

McAnespies made a much better fight of it in the second half.  Tones keeper, Brendan Murray, was called on to make a good save from Joe O’Shea early in the half and on a couple of occasions the Tones back line had to step in to make last minute blocks on goalbound shots.  Gary McAlinden, Aaron McLoughlin, and Maurice O’Scanlon each popped scores over the bar.  The Tones struck with a third goal, this time from Sean Kelly who was found with a great pass by Michael Duffy.  Kelly added another well taken point to his tally to keep the Tones comfortably ahead.  Repeat for the junior championship?

Referee:  Jimmy Trimble (Co. Donegal)

Man of the Match:  Sean Kelly (Tones)

Macs:  R. McCrystal, M. Bogue, P. McCusker, G. McAlinden, G. Hennessy, M. Slane, S. Lynn, M. O’Scanlon, J. O’Shea, P. Nugent, N. Donaghy, E. McKenna, O. McCosker.  Tones:  B. Murray, A. Rooney, K. Gill, E. Carr, A. Curry, M. O’Brien, J. Farrell, G. Walsh, S. Kelly, G. Molloy, J. Carroll, D. McCabe, S. O’Brien.

By Rory O'Donnell

Junior A Football: Donegal Top Gaels

Connemara Gaels 0-7 Donegal 3-14

Donegal and the Gaels raised the curtain on Sunday afternoon, with Donegal very much the favoured side.  Featuring four American Born players in the team, the Gaels made a game of it for three quarters but in the final 15 minutes Donegal found more space in which to operate and put paid to the Gaels challenge.

A Donegal hand finds the ball as Brian Joyce
tries to burst the tackle. 

Donegal looked the more dangerous side over the first 30 minutes, though the Gaels battled hard.  On at least two occasions Donegal were through for a goal, however, Bosco O’Halloran did well to tip the ball over the bar for the first, and Rocky Ivers shot narrowly wide for the second.  Donegal did clock up some points, Christy McLoughlin accounted for three in the first half, Niall McConnell two, and Kevin Curran the sixth.  The Gaels back line worked hard to prevent Donegal from getting away from them and with Brian Joyce playing well in midfield and Joe Casey making forward runs, the forward line depended on Tom Sally McDonagh and Kevin Owens for scores.  McDonagh delivered three times and Owens once and at the break it was 0-6 to 0-4 in favour of the northerners.

Christy Bell in Full Flight.

Donegal converted a major to begin the second period.  Darren Green finished a move in which Christy Bell and Rocky Ivers combined to open up the Gaels back line.  The Clonmany man made no mistake from 14 yards.  Donegal enjoyed most of the possession but missed some good scoring chances, and Gaels managed to keep themselves in the game for the first 15 minutes of the second period.  Casey, Conor Lohan, and Owens wiped out the goal with three points on the trot, but as the half wore on Donegal got stronger and Gaels faded.  Niall McConnell and Christy Bell put three points over the bar between them, and Bell then delivered the hammer blow with a goal of his own creation.  Bell beat his defender and buried the ball from close range.  After McConnell and Green added to the ever extending Donegal lead, substitute Barney Friel netted the third for Donegal.  A convincing win for the Tir Chonaill men and the Gaels still looking for a point in the junior A championship.

Gaels: B. O’Halloran, B. O’Connell, C. Conroy, J. Casey, M. McDonagh, S. Murray, B. Joyce, C. Lafferty, J. Geoghan, T. McDonagh, PJ Kelly, K. Owens.  Donegal:  B. Farrelly, P. McNulty, D. Renath, D. McBride, E. Doonan, D. Doherty, M. McGinty, C. Bell, C. McLoughlin, K. Curran, R. Ivers, D. Green, N. McConnell

By Rory O'Donnell

Junior A Football Final: High Drama as McCrudden Rescues Macs

Aiden McAnespies 1-12 Donegal 1-11



There was more than a twist in the tail of this junior football final. McAnespies held sway for most of the game only for Donegal to make a late comeback and almost snatch victory with a Paul Boyce goal as time was running out. McAnespies remained focused for the last few minutes and Dermot McCrudden leveled the scores, and then put the winning point over the bar with virtually no time left on the clock to claim the first of the trophies on offer Sunday.

Niall Gallen challenges Donegal's Darren Green

Donegal got off the mark first with two early points but McAnespies eventually settled and proceeded to put their stamp on the game. Mark Brady’s running and Dermot McCrudden ‘s finishing, combined with some well taken frees from McAnespies veteran Nigel Regan had McAnespies very much on top. With Donegal chasing the game McCrudden and Regan combined for three points from frees before Mark Brady finished a sweeping move to give McAnespies a 1-3 to 0-3 advantage. The threat from the Donegal forward line was largely neutralized. Gary Clarke and Niall Gallen were doing well in the corner back positions and Tom O’Hagen at center back had things well in control. Donegal pointed twice late in the half through Darren Green and Pauric McLaughlin as McAnespies started breaking down in the final third of the field. At the half it was McAnespies by three points, 1-6 to 0-6.

Donegal's Rob Porter comes
away with the ball.

Donegal came to grips with the game in the second half, though the northerners still were playing from behind. After McAnespies had opened up a five point lead through Drumm and McCrudden scores, Donegal strung together four unanswered points. Three Paul Boyce frees and fine point from substitute Felix Grenaghan brought them within a point. There were bookings issued as the tension mounted towards the grand finale. Paddy McLaughlin and Nigel Regan each received yellows for an off the ball episode. However, McAnespies looked to be regaining control of the game in the latter stages. Paddy McCusker pointed after being singled out by Mark Brady and Regan finished a point that resulted from some good supporting play. More bookings came, this time for Benny McGettigan and Pauric McLaughlin. With McAnespies leading by two points Donegal hit with a great goal from Paul Boyce. Paddy McLaughlin hit Boyce with a pass and the Donegal center forward pumped the ball into the far corner from 14 yards. Would Donegal snatch victory from the jaws of defeat? The answer was a resounding no as there was enough time left for McCrudden to point to bring the sides level. Eugene McKenna dropped a free into the Donegal penalty area and McCrudden popped the breaking ball over. A minute later Mark Brady found McCrudden with a pass, the composed wing forward’s shot sailed over the bar and with that, McAnespies won their second junior championship in a row impressive fashion.


Macs: P. Stones, N. Gallen, G. Clarke, S. Magill, T. O’Hagen, F. McPhillips, M. Drumm (0-1), P. McCusker (0-1), S. McGettigan, M. Brady (1-0), D. McCrudden (0-5), R. Murphy, N. Regan (0-5). Donegal: C. Mcloughlin, K. Coyle, H. Devine, P. McNulty, R. Porter, Paddy. McLoughlin, P. O’Connor, E. Doonan, K. McGee, P. Boyce (1-7), Pauric. McLoughlin (0-1), E. McCarney, D. Green (0-2). Sub: F. Greneghan (0-1).


By Rory O'Donnell

Sat August 21 - Junior Football semi-final: Shannon Blues v Donegal

Shannon Blues 0-8 Donegal 1-10


Donegal overcame the challenge of Shannon Blues in the first of the Junior A football semi-finals on Saturday. The northerners got some great performances from Paddy McLoughlin at wing back, Christy McLoughlin at center forward, and Eamonn McCarney at corner forward to keep an edge on their opponents through the second half. The Blues gave it a go and could have leveled affairs late in the game, having won a penalty, but the shot went wide and Donegal went on to march into next Sunday’s final.

Paddy McLoughlin bursting forward for Donegal.

The opening stages of the first half were dominated by the Blues. With the defence on top of Donegal, the Blues enjoyed most of the possession. Brendan Driscoll at center back directed play out of defence, and with Pat Murray motoring in midfield, Ulick Leonard, Nick Murray, and wing back Conor Fitzgerald pointed. Eamonn McCarney had opened the scoring with a point for Donegal, and trailing by three points to one, the Donegal men found their stride mid-way into the second period. Paddy McLaughlin, and his namesake Christy, each pointed to level matters, and Christy then almost goaled. Having made his own opening, McLaughlin tried to place the shot to the far post and the ball came back off the foot of the post. Soon afterwards, Donegal had their goal. Jonathan Byrne was found with a ball over the top and the Malin man beautifully placed his shot into the far corner. The sides traded points to bring us to half time with the Blues leading by a goal, 1-4 to 0-4.

The Blues tried everything to swing affairs to their advantage in a scrappy second half that had several stoppages. Wing back, Conor Fitzgerald, put in a fine performance in the second period, while Nick Murray and Mark Green made every effort to claw back the deficit. With Paddy McLaughlin making darting forward runs, Donegal stretched their lead to five points after the restart. Donegal had an early goal chance, but Kieran McGee’s close range shot was saved by Gary Henry. Paddy McLaughlin pointed and was followed by Christy with another. With 20 minutes to go the Blues launched a comeback effort. Nick Murray pointed, and Mark Green added another. Christy McLaughlin and Green then traded points and the difference between the sides stood at a goal. The Blues had a chance to level the game after Alan Garry, who had come on as a substitute was dragged down in the square. Mark Green faced the imposing figure of Colin Murphy in goal for Donegal, and Green tried to place the shot high to Murphy’s left, but missed the mark. Following the let off, Donegal pressed home the advantage. Emmet Doonan extended the lead to four, and Christy McLaughlin made it six with a points from frees, one followed the sending off of Brendan Driscoll for Shannon Blues. A good win for the Donegal, and the northerners await the winners of Sunday’s semi-final between New England Celtics and Aiden McAnespies in the final.

Blues: G. Henry, P. Moriarty, G. Jones, C. Fitzgerald (0-1), B. Driscoll, M. Keegan, P. Murray, N. Murray (0-3), D. Simms, M. Green (0-2), S. Griffin, U. Leonard (0-2), B. Dowdell. Donegal: C. Murphy, H. Devine, K. Coyle, P. McNulty, R. Porter, P. McLaughlin (0-2), E. Doonan (0-1), P. O’Connor, K. McGee, C. McLaughlin (0-5), B. Friel, J. Byrne (1-0), E. McCarney (0-2).


By Rory O'Donnell

Junior Football: Connemara Gaels v Armagh-Notre Dame

Connemara Gaels 2-11 Armagh-Notre Dame 0-6

The Connemara Gaels tallied their second win the junior B divison with a comprehensive win over Brighton based Armagh-Notre Dame. Two first half goals, one each from Kevin Feeney and Mikey McDonagh, along with some smothering defence were the keys to a well earned win.

The Gaels Gary O'Malley and Armagh-Notre Dame's Paddy McGoldrick contest a kickout.

Kevin Feeney showed in the early going at corner forward with a goal and two points, while Mike McDonagh added a second goal as he surged forward from wing back. The Gaels worked the ball well from the back line, and the forwards put the possession to good use. Adrian Murphy was pivotal at center back for the Gaels and used the ball well. Murphy also popped up from the half back line to float one over the bar. Armagh-Notre Dame threatened on occasion. Gavin Hall pointed and Colin Bradley almost volleyed into the net just before half time, but the corner forward’s show shaved the top of the crossbar. The Gaels led by a score of 2-5 to 0-3 at the half.

Kevin Owens looks for a way though the Armagh-Notre Dame defence.

The Gaels continued to press home their advantage in the second half. Gary O’Malley and Darren O’Meara worked hard in the middle of the field and points came from the boot of Kieran Cox, Vinny O’Malley, Simon Hickey and Kevin Owens. In spite of some good performances from Cormac O’Toole, Hall, and Bradley, try as they may the Brighton side could not turn the tide. A good second win for the Gaels juniors while the northerners still in search of their first.

Gaels: B. O’Halloran, C. Conroy, K. Lowe, C. Lafferty, A. Murphy, M. McDonagh, D. O’Meara, G. O’Malley, M. Conroy, K. Cox, V. O’Malley, K. Owens, K. Feeney. Armagh-ND: E. Murphy, S. McKenna, D. Gallagher, P. Tanney, V. Fitzpatrick, S. Butler, C. O’Toole, P. McGoldrick, G. Hall, P. Curran, M. Kirby, C. Bradley, J. Hickey.

By Rory O'Donnell