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)

Men's Intermediate Football - Kerry v Christopher's

 By Alana Loftus

Kerry dominated the first half, maintaining possession and racking up a goal and 4 points before Christophers had a chance to score at all. A free in for Kerry was taken by Sean Guiden (10) securing them another point and further increasing their lead.

Gavin Cronin (13) came back with a point for Christophers. Scoring increased slightly in the remainder of the first half. A penalty for Christophers was taken by Arthur Coakley (12) which lifted spirits enough to complete the first half with optimism for a comeback. The score at halftime was Kerry 2-06 to Christophers 1-04.

Kerry showed up in the second half with the same determination as the first, securing two points within minutes. An incredible run by Christophers’ Joe Burke (11) resulted in a point for the team. Arthur Coakley (12) proved to be the top scorer for the team. He and Burke (11) took turns taking shots at the goal.

Coakley (12) scored a penalty in the last few minutes, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough to catch up. Two points from Kerry’s number 8, Tadgh Brown and 9, Cillian Gilligan, put them further ahead. Though they refused to give in until the final whistle, the final point from Christopher’s Coakley (12) was not enough to put them back in the race.

The game finished with a final score of Kerry 2-14 to Christophers 2-09.

 

Kerry:

1.      Padraig Doyle

2.      Alex Clarke

3.      Paudie White

4.      Connor Stark

5.      John Cooper

6.      Noel Kennedy

7.      Kieran O’ Donnell

8.      Tadgh Brown

9.      Cillian Gilligan

10.  Sean Guiden

11.  Cian Warren

12.  Darragh O’Sullivan

13.  Rhian O’Sullivan

 

Christophers:

1.      James Crowley

2.      Jake Kelley

3.      Martin Coppinger

4.      Gerry Bannon

5.      Eoghan O’Shea

6.      Andrew Inman

7.      Cian O’Donoghue

8.      James Cronin

9.      James Casey

10.  Patrick Kenneally

11.  Joe Burke

12.  Arthur Coakley

13.  Gavin Cronin 

Intermediate Football Semi-Final - Shannon Blues v Christopher's

Christopher’s 0-17 Shannon Blues 1-15

Referee PJ Rabbitte, Blues captain Niall Walsh
and Christopher's captain Paudie Kenneally.

It was a very exciting Intermediate semi-final between Christopher’s and the Shannon Blues.  With rarely more than a score between the teams it went all the way to the wire and while the game had all the hallmarks of requiring extra time, it was decided within the hour by a Conor Fitzgerald point in the 30^th minute.

Christopher’s settled right into the game and in the early going racked up four points to a pointed free from Maurice Young.  The ball was moving well into the Christopher’s forwards and Alan Kennedy and Killian Kilkelly were on the mark.  The Blues first good move of game ended in a well taken Tom Murnane point.  The score was soon followed by a goal for the Blues.  Following a move down the left side of the field, the ball was played across goal and Mike Moylan was on hand to side foot into the net.  The Blues then started to motor. 

A flurry of four unanswered points saw the Blues into a four point lead.  Tom Murnane at corner forward was seeing much more of the ball and making good use of it, and Conall Ryan chipped in with a point from wing forward.  Blues captain and center forward, Niall Walsh, had to leave the field of play with a knee injury but a few adjustments kept the Blues momentum going.  Christopher’s tried to work their way back into the game and converted from Jerry Kenneally and Kennedy, however, Ryan answered for the Blues.  Rian Baily who had moved into a more advanced position took the score of the game with a point from an almost impossibly tight angle to make it a 0-8 to 1-8 Blues advantage at the half.

The second half continued to see the teams trade jabs with neither side finding a decisive blow.  The Blues pried the gap open a little with a Bailey score, followed by another from Murnane.  Murnane was involved in the next as he provided the assist to Cian Surliss.   With a Kennedy score the sole reward for Christopher’s after the restart, it was starting to look like the Blues would take control.   Derek O’Brien was doing tremendous work in the Blues rearguard and carrying the ball into the teeth of the Christopher’s defence.

Shannon Blues Look Forward to next week's final

It was Christopher’s turn to up the ante though, and close the gap back to a single score.  The Kilkelly – Kennedy axis started to work again, and points were added by Dave McSweeney and Conor McGuinness after Christopher’s forced the Blues into a turnover.  Christopher’s got a lift after a great block from Paudie Kenneally saved a certain Blues score.  Pat Moylan did convert a ’45 but then it was a run of 5 points on the trot that saw Christopher’s into a one point lead following the second half water break.  Alan Kennedy turned it up a notch and the Westport man showed some great skill and marksmanship as he was found in dangerous positions time and again.  Now it was Christopher’s looking like they might be the team to take the spoils at the death with only minutes remaining. 

The final sequence of events saw the Blues take the game by the narrowest of margins, and Christopher’s will look back at a couple of late chances that could have delivered it.  A miskicked free from the Blues was followed by a mishandled ball from Christopher’s that resulted in conceding a sideline kick, and then a close range shot that came high off the post ended up with a free to the Blues that Murnane converted to level the scores.  The Blues won the critical kick out and Conor Fitzgerald showed a cool head to point and put the blues one to the good.  There were a couple of late chances for Christopher’s that did not pan out, and at the final whistle it was the Blues celebrating a final appearance against none other than Kerry next Sunday.

Blues:  Nik Albarran, Tom Armstrong, Teddy Shay, Derek O’Brien, Cian Surliss, Pat Moylan, Jack Young, Maurice Young, Rian Bailey, Niall Walsh, Conall Ryan, Tom Murnane, Mike Moylan. 

Christopher’s:  Bill Crookston, Pat Kenneally, Martin Coppinger, Andrew Inman, Luke Tunney, Diarmuid Baker, Conor McGuinness, Jerry Kenneally, Sean Igoe, Killian Kilkelly, Denis Dempsey, Mark McSweeney, Alan Kennedy.

By Rory O'Donnell

Intermediate Football - Kerry v Christopher's

Kerry  0-17 Christopher’s 1-12

Kevin Kilkelly sees a chance at a goal

Kerry joy in Ireland today and in Canton the Kerry men will also have been happy with their day’s work.  The kingdom shook off a persistent Christopher’s challenge to secure a 3 point win and the top placing in the Intermediate championship.  It was not until after the first water break that Kerry started to motor and with the teams level at half time, Kerry played some nice football to pick off the points and open up a lead that they maintained throughout the remainder of the second half.  Christopher’s struggled to get any kind of rhythm going and will be playing the Blues in a semi-final in a couple of weeks time not matter the results for the final round of games.

Christopher’s got off to the better start with a goal and 2 points to a single Kerry point after 10 minutes.  The penalty came after Rian O’Sullivan had got Kerry off the mark with a first point for the Kingdom to make it a 2 points to one score line.  Mark McSweeney at corner forward was fouled in the penalty area as the ball was played quickly downfield from the kick out, and Kevin Kilkelly dispatched the kick into the bottom corner.  It was Kilkelly and Alan Kennedy who accounted for Christopher’s scores, Kilkelly with a point to add to the goal, and Kennedy with three points.  Kerry took some time to gain a foothold in the game and there were some well taken scores once they did, with plenty of interpassing from the half forward line.  There could have been a goal when Rian O’Sullivan was sent through, however, Bill Crookston was equal to the shot and kept the ball out.  Kerry’s scores came from O’Sullivan, Jack Casey and Gearoid DIllane.

Padraig Doyle and Bill Crookston Challenge
for the Ball.

Kerry came out strong following the water break.  The forward line started to motor and some quick exchanges saw the scores go over the bar.  Dillane, O’Sullivan, Farrell, and Casey each pointed before Kilkelly and Kennedy provided some relief for Christopher’s.  At the break it was level thanks to 2 O’Sullivan points, Kerry 0-9 Christopher’s 1-6 at the half.

Kerry held an advantage following the restart.  O’Sullivan at half forward had found his groove and popped over 2 nice points before Kilkelly answered for Christopher’s.  Then it was Declan O’Sullivan finding the space between the posts, and Jack Farrell as Kerry opened up a 3 point lead that they would maintain for the remainder of the game.  Christopher’s made some changes looking to reignite the forward line but still struggled to change the tone of the game and overcome the gap between the sides.  Luke Tunney and Kennedy pointed, while it was Jack Farrell for Kerry to make it a 2 point game heading into the final 15 minutes. 

Farrell and O’Sullivan points were answered by Tunny and Kennedy, but with the clock running down a goal was what was really required by Christopher’s.  In the Canton heat, with energy levels sapped from both teams, it looked increasingly unlikely that we would be in for an explosive finish.  The teams traded points to see it out, and it is Kerry the top seed and straight into the final.

Kerry:  Sean Bohan, Alex Clark, Noel Hatton, Shane O’Connor, James Farrell, Connor Stark, Declan O’Sullivan, Darragh , Jack Casey, Jack Farrell, Rian O’Sullivan, Gearoid Dillane, Padraig Doyle.  Christopher’s:  William Crookston, Jake Kelly, Martin Coppinger, Andrew Inmon, Patrick Kelly, Luke Tunney, Diarmaid Baker, Conor McGuinness, Denis Dempsey, Killian Kilkelly, James Horgan, Mark McSweeney, Alan Kennedy.

By Rory O'Donnell

Intermediate Football - Christopher's v Shannon Blues

Christopher’s 2-14 Shannon Blues 0-15

Christopher's emerged victorious Saturday v the Blues

Goals win games they say, and it proved to be a true statement on Saturday afternoon as Christopher’s netted twice in the second half to win the points in a tight encounter with the Shannon Blues.  It was Alan Kennedy who was the main protagonist on the scoreboard for Christopher’s, and Tom Murnane for the Blues.  With the scores tied at 10 points each early on the second half Kennedy hit with a goal for Christopher’s.  Late in the half the Blues had pulled the deficit back to a point, but again a goal set them back.  The second came from the boot of Paudie Kenneally, and more or less secured both points.

The first half ebbed and flowed.  Neither side could gain a sustained period on top.  Rian Baily and Murnane’s points were canceled out by two scores from Kennedy for Christopher’s.  Christopher’s sought out Kennedy at every opportunity, and the Westport native was assured on the ball, whether it was a shot or a pass.  Bailey and Murnane were the main danger points for the Blues, and had another two points on the board, along with a free from Niall Walsh and the Blues looked more clinical and led by 3 after15 minutes.

The game turned in Christopher’s favor in the second quarter.  Luke Tunney began making dangerous runs up the wing to support the pay, and Conor McGuinness started to find his feet and dominate in the middle of the field.  Christopher’s scored 6 unanswered, 4 from Kennedy with Tunny and McGuinness chipping in with one each, before the Blues mustered another score, this one from Walsh at center forward.  Before the break Kennedy scored a peach of a point, dummying with one side and putting over with the other, while Walsh slotted over a free to make it a 0-9 to 0-6 half time advantage for Christopher’s.

Despite the loss, the Blues will fancy their chances for the Intermediate title

The Blues opened the second half intent on making amends and within 10 minutes the scores were level.  Conall Ryan, Murnane (2 points) scored for the Blues and for Christopher’s, well, it was Kennedy with right footed score.  0-10 each before Christopher’s hit with their first goal.  The warning signs were there when Sean Igoe snatched at a goal chance and sent it wide earlier, but the second time around for Christopher’s Kennedy finished low after a turnover and the Blues had to play catch-up all over again.  A free from Kennedy made it a 4 point difference heading into the final quarter.

The Blues remained patient and made a push to salvage something from the game.  A great score from Murnane was answered with 2 from Christopher’s, James Horgan and McGuinness.  The Blues however pulled within a point following 4 unanswered scores.  Mike Moylan pushed the Blues with his running, and points from Walsh, Bailey and 2 from Murnane had the game in the balance with minutes left.  A pointed Kennedy free for Christopher’s was followed by a great goal from Paudie Kenneally.  Kenneally intercepted a loose pass well inside his own half as the Blues were pushing late in the game, and continued his run till he got the final pass before finishing with aplomb to secure the points for Christopher’s.  Tis intermediate championship is really up for grabs, with these two teams along with Kerry fancying their chances at a trophy in 2022.

Blues:  Conor Fitzgerald, Tom Armstrong, Teddy Shay, Derek O’Brien, Pat Moylan, Mike Moylan, Jack Young, Pat Murray, Rian Bailey, Niall Walsh, Tom Murnane, Paul McManus, Conall Ryan.  Christopher’s:  Pat Delaney, Jake Kelly, Conor Murphy, Andrew Inman, Paudy Kenneally, Luke Tunney, Diarmuid Baker, Conor McGuinness, Jerry Kenneally, James Horgan, Sean Igoe, Mark McSweeney, Alan Kennedy.

By Rory O'Donnell

Intermediate Football - Christopher's v Wolfe Tones

Christopher’s and the Wolfe Tones met on a cooler than usual mid-June afternoon with each team looking for their first points of the Intermediate Championship.  It was Christopher’s who played the more efficient, flowing football throughout while the Tones showed spurts of what they could do.  The forward line axis of Westport men, Alan Kelly and Killian Kilkelly, were instrumental in the Christopher’s success with some smart interplay and efficient scoring.  The Tones had a couple of first half goal chances that might have lifted their efforts but by the time the second half was not long started, the points were more or less in the bag for Christopher’s.

Killian Kilkelly nets from the Spot

Christopher’s quickly went into a 3 point lead with 2 points from Kennedy at corner forward and one from Kilkelly at centre forward.  Wolfe Tones answered with a Gavin Walsh point, however, struggled to get any traction going forward.  Kilkelly and Kennedy were key to Christopher’s forward line and their understanding produced a number of good moves.  One resulted in a penalty.   Luke Tunney made a run from the half back line, Kilkelly was involved and Kennedy eventually was fouled from behind in the box, and Kilkelly’s spot kick was well taken to put Christopher’s 1-4 to 0-1 ahead.

Tones had a couple of goal chances for themselves.  Rian Moylan did well to turn his man on the win and found a wide open path to goal only to put the shot the far side of the post.  Moylan was involved in the second opportunity for the Tones as he fed Oran McCarney whose shot was well saved by Bill Crookston in goal for Christopher’s.  Chances were few and far between for the Tones, however, while Christopher’s ability to find the space and hit the man resulted in 6 additional points before the break.  The Tones efforts were rewarded with points from Gavin Walsh, Cormac Joyce-Power, and Dylan Coyne, but the Christopher’s finishing was efficient and accurate whose lead continued to open wider as time wore on.  At the break it was a 1-11 to 0-5 Christopher’s advantage.

The Tones stepped up their efforts following the restart with much more purpose going forward, and were rewarded with an early goal from Moylan.  Christopher’s, however, started to get other players in on the act with Diarmuid Baker pointing following a run from centre back, Sean Igoe getting his name on the scoresheet, and Pat Delaney netting four goals from his corner forward berth.  The Tones kept plugging away, Moylan netted a second goal and Cian McGovern a point, but the play seemed to flow easier in favor of Christopher’s.   Christopher’s with a 5-22 to 2-10 win and the Blues and Kerry will need to pay attention.

Tones:  Ben Savage, Caolan Slevin, Dylan Hand, Mike Kerr, Oran McCarney, Pa Collins, Cathal Walsh, Dylan Coyne, Cian McGovern, Cormac Joyce-Power, Joey Doyle, Gavin Walsh, Rian Moylan.  Christopher’s:  Bill Crookston, Martin Coppinger, Mark McSweeney, Andrew Inman, Diarmaid Baker, Luke Tunney, Paudie Kenneally, Dylan Furling, Jerry Kenneally, Killian Kilkelly, Sean Igoe, Alan Kennedy, Pat Delaney.

By Rory O'Donnell

Intermediate Football: Christopher's v Kerry

Kerry 2-19 Christopher’s 2-16

Noel Kennedy lines up his goal shot

Kerry added another win to their tally in the Intermediate football championship with a 5 point win over Christopher’s.  For Christopher’s it was a much improved performance from last week’s outing, however, the game slowly slipped away from them as the Kerry forwards picked off the points in the second half.  Christopher’s did make Kerry sweat a little with a late goal that reduced the gap to a score and a chance that rattled the crossbar, but the Kingdom held on for the last couple of minutes to take both points.

The teams were back and forth for the opening quarter with each side taking some nice points.  For Christopher’s it was corner forward Alan. Kennedy who showed well for the ball, and also showed that he could make the space for himself to finish picking off several points in the early going.  Kerry had contributions from several quarters, Jack Farrell at corner forward showed well and Ryan O’ Súilleabháin at wing forward also was also lively for the Kingdom. 

Kerry gained an upper hand with two back to back goals after 20 minutes.  Noel Kennedy stole forward from the back line to finish the first, and the second came from Gearoid Dillane, and Christopher’s were hit with a one-two punch.   Christopher’s got some neat play from Killian Kilkelly, and struck back with a much needed goal before the break to keep themselves in the game.  At the break it was a 2-10 to 1-8 Kerry advantage.

The second half saw Kerry stretch their lead.  Dillane pointed, and then Ryan O’ Súilleabháin put a lovely score over the bar following a dummy solo and finish to match.   Jack Farrell added two more and there was a lot of work for Christopher’s to do to lift the siege.  Alan Kennedy and Kilkelly linked well for Christopher’s at times, but the Kerry defence was hard to penetrate.  Eventually Kennedy pointed, and that score was followed by two wonderful strikes from Jeremiah Kenneally who powered though the Kerry rearguard to bring his side back into the game.

Six points in it coming into the final 15 minutes and a goal was imperative for Christopher’s, but with much searching for the gaps in Kerry’s rearguard, there was none to be found.  The two goal deficit remained as Kerry continued to pick off the points and Christopher’s could only respond in kind.  Eventually a goal did come for Christopher’s, but with little time remaining.  It was Kenneally made another thundering run to latch on to a pass from brother, Danny who had taken a spot on the edge of the square, and Jeremiah billowed the back of the net with the shot.  Tensions rose in the final few minutes, and Kerry hearts were in mouths as a final Christopher’s chance to steal something from the game rattled the crossbar.  Kerry did just about enough to take both points, and it will be Christopher’s and Tones next as each tries to take their first points of the season next Sunday.   

Shannon Blues defeated the Wolfe Tones in the final game of the day with a  4-17 to 3-6 final score, and will renew and old rivalry with Kerry a week from Saturday to establish who will be top dog for the championship.

Kerry:  Kevin Flynn, Noel Kennedy, John Doherty, Conor Stack, Shane O’Connor, Sean O’Cathasaigh, James Farrell, Declan O’Sullivan, Gearoid Dillane, Sean Ó Buadhacháin, Padraig Doyle, Jack Farrell, Ryan Ó Súilleabháin,.  Christopher’s:  W. Crookston, J. Kelley, M. McSweeney, A. Inman, P. Kenneally, L. Tunney, J. Horgan, J. Kenneally, S. Igoe, K. Kilkelly, D. Furlong, G. Barr, A. Kennedy.

Intermediate Football - Shannon Blues v Christopher's

Shannon Blues vs Christopher’s

Pat Moylan Seeks an Option for the Blues
Photo by Rachel O'Driscoll

The final game of the day at the Irish Cultural Centre in Canton was yet another intermediate battle between Christopher’s and Shannon Blues. The game took off to a quick start with a fast point from Christopher’s, however the Shannon blues were not far behind, shooting 3 points from play in the first five minutes. Christopher’s kick outs managed to find themselves in the hands of Maurice young for the Shannon Blues more often than not, with some good teamwork play between Pat Murray and Young in the middle of the field dominating the first half of the game,

After a quick water break the Shannon Blues got right to business with Rian Bailey taking a mighty shot on goal. A few more handy points were tipped over the bar by both Michael Moylan and Maurice young – both players showing great potential in the front of the field. Christopher's bounced back with points from James Horgan and Killian Kilkelly.  Christopher’s keeper Bill Crookston made a number of good saves throughout the game.  Michael Moylan took a run at goal in the final minutes unfortunately missing narrowly and putting the shot over the bar

Overall it was a strong game of football with plenty of good hand passing and shots on goal!  Final score, Shannon Blues 1-22 Christopher's 0-10.

Man of the Match: Michael Moylan

Sun Aug 4 - Senior Hurling; Inter Football

In what is a preview of the Senior Hurling Championship final Father Toms faced Galway in the final league game. Both teams held their cards close to their chest as they played alternative teams. The last time the teams met, Tom’s were the victors, would they be able to once again be victorious and overcome a strong Galway side.

The game started out evenly as Dunloy native Ali Dooey got two quick frees to open the scoring. The two teams would go back and forth as Niall Walsh and John Moylan for Galway, and Darragn McGrath for the Toms would score for their sides. Galway started to push on for a bit and managed to get a two point lead. However, this would be the start of a scoring drought for Galway,as Tom’s would score a few points. It would go from bad to worse as Cian Salmon former Galway Minor would score a great goal, He received a pass from a sideline cut, and ran in to the square/ His initial shot was saved, then Salmon struck in off the ground. Tom’s would continue to score a number of unanswered points from Ian O’Shea, Darragh Mcgrath, Cian Salmon and Rory Purcell. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t kick into gear for Galway as the Tom’s would power on and shoot for fun as they went on to win the match 4-32 to 1-14.

In what was expected to be a non event, lead to a shockingly dominant victory for the Tom’s as they build the momentum for the Senior Hurling Final in two weeks time. Will Galway be able to work on this loss and push on to turn the tables against the Tom’s? Only time will tell.

Father Tom’s - Kevin Flynn, Brian Flynn, Ian O’Shea, Jason Costello, Eamon Egan, Matt Kenny, Rory Purcell, Saen Downey, Conor Costello, Darragh McGrath, Johnny Buckley, Cian Salmon, Ali Dooey

Galway - John Coleman, Mark Bermingham, Ronan Burke, Niall Walsh, Andrew Casey, Michael Moylan, Danny Burke, Kenneth O’Callaghan, Adam Kenny, John Moylan, Greg Lundy, Cormac Kelly, Aidan Joyce

Intermediate Football

Shannon Blues and Christophers met up in their final league match. Shannon Blues had already qualified for the Finals where they will face Cork.

Christophers started the game strongly, scoring a number of unanswered scores with points from Kenny O’Reilly, Mark Delaney, Fionnan O’Shea and Gerry Bannon. Blues Would get a point from Paddy O’Connor, and then Joe McHugh would get a goal to level the game early on. The game would remain close , with scores from both sides, until the Blues went on a scoring spree, scoring a number of goals and points. The Christophers would respond with scores of their own, however, the damage was too much, and the Shannon Blues were victorious.

With this result, the Christophers end their season on a low, having only won one game in the season. However I’m sure that they’ll regroup, work on what they learned and push on once again in next years Intermediate Championship. The Shannon Blues will face Cork in the Intermediate final in two weeks time.

Shannon Blues: Michael Moriarty, Shane Kelly, Brian Fannon, Conor Mullen, Tom Hannon, Eamon Kilgallon, Pat Murray, Paddy O’Connor, Joe McHugh, Darren Wallace, Conor Fitzgerald, Ger Comer, Michael Moylan

Christophers : Mark Molloy, Gerry Bannon, Martin Coppinger, Gareth Barr, Shane Power, Tom Kinsley, Ian O’Callaghan, Jerry Kenneally, Kenny O’Reilly, Mark Delaney, Bryan Herirly, Fionnan O’Shea, Dan Kenneally

By Evan McDonagh

Sat Jul 27 - Inter Football: Cork v Christopher's

In another meeting between these two teams, Cork and Christophers faced off in the Cultural Center in Canton, MA on a fine July evening. In a match of high importance, Cork were looking to gain retribution for their loss against the same team in their previous meeting to seal their place in the Intermediate Football Final, while Christophers were looking to turn their fate around after a slow start to the season, and keep their championship hopes alive.

Christophers would start the scoring with a point from Aengus Carmady. But it would be Tiernan Rushe who would make an impact by scoring 4 unanswered points in response. Christophers would make multiple attempts to break into the Cork defence, however, they stood strong and blocked most of Christopher’s attempts at scoring, including a well blocked set play, and a stopped goal chance from shot stopper Kieran McAenery. Christophers broke their scoring deadlock in the 15th minute with a point from Fionnan O’Shea and would go on to score a few more alongside the Cork scores to finish the half Cork 0-9 Christopher’s 0-4

Cork would score the 2nd half as they started, with Ballyholland and Down u21 player Tiernan Rushe once again running riot and scoring points, and assisting with a goal, as he ran the ball from the wing, and passed the ball across the square to Darragh Murphy who fisted the ball in the back of the net. Christopher’s got a chance to attempt a comeback as they got a penalty. However the chance was kicked wide and Cork would run away with the game, as a number of points from Rushe and a well worked goal as he turned his man in the square to add to his 1-10 tally. Christophers would get a consolation goal from Ian O’Callaghan, but it would be Cork who would be victorious with a score of 2-17 to 1-7.

With this victory, Cork have sealed their place in the Intermediate Football Championship final, where they will face the Shannon Blues. They will also face them in the final league game of the Championship on August 10th in what now will be a preview of the final,

Cork : Kiaran McAEnery, Frank Dillon, Paddy Clark, Jack Lacey, Adam Kenny, Emmett Smith, Mark Dalton, Jack Lucy, Jack Barrett, Darragh Murphy, Nick Mullane, Tiernan Rushe, Conor Greene

Christopher’s : Mark Molloy, Corey Buckley, Martin Coppiger, Denis Dempsey, James Higgins, Aengus Carmachy, Ian O’Callaghan, James Kergar, Jerry Kenneally, Mark Delaney, Kenneth O’Reilly, Fionnan O’Shea, Dan Kenneally

Written By: Evan McDonagh

Sun June 14 - Inter Football: Christopher's v Cork

Christopher’s 2-12 Cork 1-8

Having come up empty in their first two games, Christopher’s scored an impressive win against Cork Sunday afternoon.  Christopher’s enjoyed more or less total dominance in the first half, and in the second did enough to hold a resurgent Cork effort at bay.  Fionnan O’Shea at corner forward did well in the first, and tallied a goal and 3 points while in the second James Horgan kicked a couple of wonderful points when Christopher’s needed a measure of relief from the Cork pressure as the rebels tried to close the gap.

Fionnan O'Shea finds his spot with a first half goal for Christopher's.

Christopher’s dominated the first half and had a stranglehold on Cork for the 30 minutes.  The sides were level early on with a point each, but for the remainder of the half it was Christopher’s in total charge.  The midfield of Ian O’Callaghan and James Horgan helped keep the flow of play headed towards the Cork goal, while the defence were ready for any attack that Cork mounted and did well to intercept threatening moves.

Mike Carolan beats O'Shea to this ball.

After Fionnan O’Shea put Christopher’s into a one point lead, Dan Kenneally finished a well worked move to slot the ball under the keeper and into the net.  More points came from the corner forwards, O’Shea and Ken O’Reilly, before goal number two was delivered from O’Shea.  Christopher’s showed patience in working the ball into a scoring position and O’Shea hit the far corner from inside the 21.  The difference might have been greater if not for some wayward shooting by Christopher’s, but they had the comfort of a healthy lead and could afford it.  At the half it was a 2-5 to 0-1 advantage for Christopher’s.

Cork lifted their game immediately after the restart.  Tiernan Rushe entered the fray at corner forward and was impactful.  The County Down native had two points on the board for the rebels within 5 minutes, and Nick Mullane a third.  The second half was a mirror image of the first with Cork enjoying the lion’s share of possession and now we wondered would Christopher’s rue those missed first half chances.  Christopher’s, however, were able to keep the points column ticking over to maintain some distance between the sides and slow to Cork comeback.

Rushe added another fine score for Cork, and a goal eventually come from Darragh Murphy to take a big bite out of the Christopher’s lead.  Christopher’s needed something to reestablish themselves at this stage, and James Horgan put two massive points over with the left foot to rouse his side.  Cork kept up the pressure however, and almost had another goal but Mark Molloy did well to parry a Murphy pile driver over the bar.  With the clock running out on Cork Tom Kinsley and Ian O’Callaghan put the finishing touches on a very well deserved first win for Christopher’s in the intermediate championship. 

Christopher’s: Mark Molloy, Gerry Bannon, Martin Coppinger, James Higgins, Shane Power, Tom Kinsely, Ian O’Callaghan, James Horgan, Paudie Kenneally, Mark Delaney, Jerry Kenneally, Ken O’Reilly, Fionnan O’Shea.

Cork: Kieran McEnrey, Mike Carolan, Paddy Clarke, Frank Dillon, Mark Dalton, Jack Lacey, Jack Lynch, William Finnegan, Emmet Smith, Darragh Murphy, Nick Mullane, Ian Caffrey, Jack Barrett.

By Rory O'Donnell