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

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

By Neil McEnaney

 

Full Time Score:

Donegal Boston: 1-19

Connemara Gaels: 0-11

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Half Time Score

Donegal Boston: 1-9

Connemara Gaels: 0-5

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

Subs: Cathal Hynds, Jack Lundy

 

Man of the Match: Jason Noctor

 

Referee: Eoin Moriarty

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

By Neil McEnaney

 

Full Time Score

Connemara Gaels: 2-14

Galway Boston: 2-7

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Half Time Score

Connemara Gaels: 1-5

Galway Boston: 0-4

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Teams and Scorers:

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

Subs: Ryan McQuillan (0-1)

 

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

 

Man of the Match: Adam Waddick

 

Referee: Diarmuid Boylan

7/21/2024 - Senior Football – Connemara Gaels vs Galway Boston

 7/21/2024

 

Senior Football – Connemara Gaels vs Galway Boston

 

By Neil McEnaney

 

Full Time Score:

Connemara Gaels: 4-14

Galway Boston: 1-13

 

Connemara came into this game knowing a win would seal their spot in the senior semi final. Galway, having already secured their semi final place, knew they needed a win to push for a straight path into the final.

 

An early point for Nolan for the Gaels was equally matched by Lawlor for Galway. A high press by Connemara led to a great turnover by Murtagh, who set up Nolan for a goal chance. Nolan made no mistake, finishing his goal brilliantly into the side netting with his left foot.

 

The Gaels kept the pressure on with a well taken point from Cunningham. Carey responded for Galway with a free before Mulkerrins won a 50/50 ball in the middle of the field for Connemara before finishing with a well taken point on the run. Okunbar won the resulting kickout for the Gaels and worked the ball to Fadden who tapped it over from close range.

 

Connemara were starting to win the middle third and moved the ball quickly into the full forward line whenever they got the chance. Mulkerrins followed up with his second point of the day from a breaking ball.

 

The free taking of Carey kept Galway in touching distance. However, Gaels struck another goal through a Ryan Fadden turnover. Fadden slipped it quickly to Nolan who had the width of the goal to aim at and finished coolly from close range.

 

A quick ball into Lawlor on the Galway left wing broke well for him. Lawlor took the ball in his stride and finished neatly to the near post for Galway’s first goal. A trading of points between Eoin Colleran for Galway and Jack Lundy for the Gaels finished the half.

 

 

Half Time Score:

Connemara Gaels: 3-6

Galway Boston: 1-6

 

Galway started the scoring in the first half with two well taken scores from Carey and Grainger respectively. Cunningham responded for the Gaels with a point from distance off his right foot. A long kickout broke kindly for Lundy who tipped it over the bar. Paudi Behan responded in kind for Galway with a great point after some good build up play.

 

There wasn’t much between the sides throughout the second half. Both teams had their defences on top and forced turnovers. Points came from the free taking of Carey for Galway and Fadden for Connemara.

 

A point blank save from James Egan kept Galway in the game but Connemara had the damage done in the first half and Connemara were able to see out the victory.

 

Man of the Match: Mark Nolan

 

Referee: Neil McEnaney

 

Team and Scorers:

Connemara Gaels: Bryan O’Flaherty (0-1), Sean Kennedy, Keelan Beirne, Stefan Okunbar, Sean Brady, Colman Mulkerrin (0-2), Adam Waddick (1-1), Dylan Murtagh, Michael Kerr, Jack Lundy (0-2), Oran Cunningham (0-3), Mark Nolan (2-1), Ryan Fadden (1-3)

 

Galway Boston: James Egan, Tom Creon (0-1), Paudi Behan (0-1), Michael Moylan, Ciaran Potter, Sean Forde, Stephen White, Eoin Morrissey, Eoin Colleran (0-1), Daire Keenan, Nathan Grainger (0-3), Conor Lawlor (1-1), Paul Carey (0-6)

Photo Credit: E Grealish Photography

7/6/2024 - Senior Football - Connemara Gaels vs Donegal Boston

By Neil McEnaney

 

Full Time Score:

Donegal Boston: 3-15

Connemara Gaels: 1-11

 

A comprehensive victory for Donegal kept their seniors undefeated in this years championship. Donegal raced to a 9 point lead early on in this game which the Gaels were never able to recover from.

 

Donal O’Sullivan opened the scoring for Donegal with a well taken free from the top of the D. Jordan Morrissey added another from play after some quick build up play between Cian O’Grady and Donal O’Sullivan.

 

From the resulting kickout, Cory Gallagher and Ciaran McDevitt forced the turnover with McDevitt unselfishly squaring it to O’Grady for a simple palm into the net. O’Sullivan added another point from a well taken free close to the 45.

 

A beautiful sideline point from Oran Cunningham opened the scoring for Connemara. Stefan Okunbar broke a ball through to Jack Lynch who was denied by a sprawling save by Hugh Boyle in nets for Donegal. From the turn over, Neil Mulcahy made a strong run up the field to set up O’Sullivan who was denied well by Bryan O’Flaherty in the Gaels nets.

 

Sean Lowry picked up a kickout in his own half before using his speed to devasting effect running the length of the field before finishing into the bottom corner. McCarron added a point to extend the lead to 9.

 

Connemara battled back before half time to narrow the gap with some well taken scores from Cunningham and a beautiful outside of the boot point from corner back Jack Lundy. It was Lundy who turned provider for Connemara’s goal, with a brilliant through ball finding Cunningham who slotted the ball under the outrushing Boyle’s legs.

 

 

Half Time Score:

Donegal Boston: 2-6

Connemara Gaels: 1-5

 

While Connemara did well to narrow the gap to 4 points, they weren’t able to keep that momentum going into the second half. Points from McCarron and O’Grady kept the scoreboard ticking over for Donegal.

Ciaran Murtagh came off the bench for Donegal and made his presence known immediately, taking on his man and scoring a nice point. It was Murtagh who turned provider for Donegal’s last goal of the game. He found O’Sullivan inside with a great kick pass who made no mistake from close range.

 

Connemara, to their credit never gave up and battled back with a flurry of points from Waddick and Keogh to finish the game strongly.

 

Man of the Match: Donal O’Sulliivan

 

Referee: Niall Malone

 

Team and Scorers:

Donegal: Hugh Boyle, Cian Lynch, Neil Mulcahy, Cory Gallagher, Jason Noctor, Ethan McDevitt, Shane Carthy (0-1), Jordan Morrissey (0-2), Sean Lowry (1-0), Ben McCarron (0-3), Ciaran McDevitt, Donal O’Sullivan (1-6), Cian O’Grady (1-1)

 

Connemara Gaels: Bryan O’Flaherty, Sean Kennedy, Jack Lundy (0-1), Colman Mulkerrin, Stefan Okunbar, Keelan Beirne, Jack Lynch, Adam Waddick (0-1), Bryan Fadden, Dylan Murtagh, Oran Cunningham (1-4), Ross Keogh (0-2), Mark Nolan

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)

 

6/16/2024 - 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

Sat June 10 - Intermediate Football - Shannon Blues v Connemara Gaels

 By Alana Loftus 

The game kicked off with a point from the Shannon Blues number 9, Gavin Duffy, a summer transfer from Sligo. His score was matched by teammate Lee Deignan (11), who secured a point and attempted another which fell short and was saved by the Gaels goalie James Keoghan.

Cian Fagan and Derek O'Brien take the toss from
referee Frankie Maloney.

Connemara Gaels number 11, Keelan Beirne, scored their first point of the game. Beirne, a new home-based player, is a former Roscommon U21 star, and key senior player for from Strokestown GAA in County Roscommon. A handpass over the bar secured another point for Shannon Blues Conor Fitzgerald (10). Scoring alternated between the teams for a period until an incredible run from Blues number 11, resulted in a goal scored by Gearoid Hassett (13). Hasset was fouled shortly after and the free was taken by Deignan (11) who was unsuccessful in the conversion.

Gaels dominated the next few minutes of the game, with a burst of scores that put them into the lead. A goal was scored by Michael McDonagh (13), followed by points from Keelan Beirne (11), Liam Toye (7), and Jack Donnelly (8). A free kick taken by Beirne (11) from the 45 line was unsuccessful, but he redeemed himself with a point from play shortly afterwards.

The first half finished up with a point from Gaels number 10, Enda Kelly, bringing the half time score to Connemara Gaels 1-07 to Shannon Blues 1-05.

 

The Gaels dominated the opening minutes of the second half once again with points from Beirne (11), Enda Kelly (10), and Stalwart player Michael Coyne (4). The Gaels scores crept up gradually widening the gap between the teams. After a prolonged period without a score, the Blues came back with a point from number 16, a sub that came on in the second half. Back in the swing of things once again, Lee Deignan (11) punched a goal into the net, restoring the Blues’ confidence. A substitution for the Gaels saw Keelan Beirne (11) replaced by substitute number 15. At this point, the Blues are one point behind their rivals and working hard to pass them. An incredible run from Gaels number 8, Jack Donnelly put them on par with the Blues. Donnelly, now on a roll, secured another point, putting his team back in the lead. His energy was matched by Gaels Gavin Duffy (9) whose point put the teams back on an even score, with minutes to go.

 

The game finished in a draw with a final score of Connemara Gaels 1-16 to Shannon Blues 3-10.

 

Shannon Blues:

1.    Nick Albarran

2.    Derek O’Brien

3.    Owen-Roe McGowan

4.    Brian Fannon

5.    Eoin Clifford

6.    Patrick Moriarty

7.    Jack Young

8.    Patrick Murray

9.    Gavin Duffy

10. Conor Fitzgerald

11. Lee Deignan

12. James Feeney

13. Gearoid Hasset

 

Connemara Gaels:

1.    James O’Donnell

2.    Cian Fagan

3.    James Flaherty

4.    Michael Coyne

5.    Sean Seoighe

6.    Eoin Faherty

7.    Liam Toye

8.    Jack Donnelly

9.    Nessan O’Donnell

10. Enda Kelly

11. Keelan Beirne

12. Padraic McDonagh

13. Michael McDonagh