6/2/2024 - Men's Senior Football - Connemara Gaels v Donegal

By Neil McEnaney 

Connemara Gaels vs Donegal Boston 

It was a repeat of last years final to kick off the senior championship for these two Boston heavyweights. The crowd in attendance were hoping for similar match in terms of entertainment and it definitely didn’t disappoint! 

It was Donegal who started the brighter with Shane Carthy setting up Jordan Morrissey for the opening score. A quick ball kicked inside from James O’Grady to Sean Lowry ended with Lowry being fouled and Carthy converted the resulting free. 

Connemara then responded with some great link up play between Adam Waddick and Mark Nolan leading to Waddick being wide open in front of the goals to smash the ball into the roof of the net. Connemara stayed on top then with well taken points from Ryan Fadden and Oran Cunningham from the top of the D. 

A high ball in from Mark Nolan was well gathered by Cian Folan who laid it off to the onrushing Ryan Fadden. Ryan was one on one with the Donegal keeper Hugh Boyle and made no mistake from close range. 

Donegal were 6 down at this point and started slowly coming back into the game. Some quick fist passing up the field led to a goal chance for Ben McCarron which was well saved by Bryan O’Flaherty in goals for Connemara, tipping it over the bar for a point. 

Sean Lowry for Donegal started causing Connemara all sorts of trouble. Boyle picked him out from a kickout and some strong running led Coleman Mulkerrins to trip him resulting in a black card. Ben McCarron kicked the resulting free kick from a tough angle and close to the 45. 

Donegal really put the pressure on with the extra man. McCarron made a strong run through the middle to fist a point before Ciaran McDevitt was brought to the ground for a penalty. Carthy stepped up to take the peno, but O’Flaherty guessed the right way and pulled off a great save! 

Both teams traded scores to finish off the half with the goals and O’Flaherty’s goalkeeping being the difference at half time. 

Half Time Score:

Donegal Boston 0-8 Connemara Gaels 2-6 

Donegal won the throw up in the second half and were patient in their build up. A great turnover by Gaels captain Mulkerrins resulted in Sean Kenneddy breaking up the field to set up a well taken score from Oran Cunningham. Donegal responded with a very well taken score from McCarron from a tough angle on the left. 

An off the ball tussle between Jack Lynch and Jordan Morrissey led to two yellows for the pair. Donegal slowly clawed the Gaels back to 3 points in the difference with well taken points by O’Grady and McCarron. The Gaels then worked some very quick hand passing to Oran Cunningham who found himself right in front of goals and couldn’t miss. 

Michael Kerr for the Gaels picked up a great kickout down the right wing and took the ball inside and scored a beautiful point off his left. This left 8 points between the teams with Donegal with everything to do! 

Cory Gallagher was sprung from the bench for Donegal and started making his presence known around the middle winning breaking ball and switching the play when needed. Donegal slowly started to claw their way back with points from Sean Maloney, McCarron and Gallagher. 

Some sloppy play by both sides led to a few turnovers as the Gaels tried to wrestle back control of the game. 

McCarron won a high ball on the 20 yard line and turned his man to kick a point. A series of missed chances for Donegal eventually broke to Carthy who kicked a nice point off his left. Lowry turned provider for Maloney who was fouled on his way through. McCarron took the resulting free kicking the point. 

Donegal brought it back to 2 points before Oran Cunningham took on his man and scored with his left. The Donegal defenders started to get out on top making turnovers and breaking at speed. Carthy and Maloney added points to narrow the gap once more. One point between the sides. 

Waddick added a point for the Gaels before Ryan McMahon and McCarron leveled the proceedings. Ross Keogh for Connemara put scored another leave a point between the sides going into extra time. Ryan Fadden for the Gaels then got a black card for a deliberate foul around the middle of the field. Morrissey moved the ball quickly to Carthy who kicked a great score from the right hand side. 

Both teams had a chance to win it at the end with Fionn O’Hehir hitting the post for the Gaels and Sean Lowry dropping a shot short. 

Full Time Score:

Donegal Boston: 0-22 

Connemara Gaels: 3-13 

Man of the Match: Ben McCarron

 Teams and Scorers:

Donegal Boston:

Hugh Boyle, Neil Mulcahy, Anthony Diver, Sean Winston, Sean Moloney (0-2), Sean Doherty, Ben McGowan, Jordan Morrissey (0-1), Ben McCarron (0-9), Jimmy O’Grady (0-1), Shane Carthy (0-7), Sean Lowry, Ciaran McDevitt 

Connemara Gaels:

Bryan O’Flaherty, Sean Kennedy, Fionn O’Hehir, Michael Kerr (0-1), Colman Mulkerrin, Zaak Mahon, Adam Waddick (0-2), Oran Cunningham (1-3), Ryan Fadden (1-1), Dylan Murtagh (1-0), Mark Nolan (0-1), Cian Folan, Ross Keogh (0-4)

Sun June 11 - Mens' Senior Football - Connemara Gaels v Donegal

 By Alana Loftus

There may not have been a victor in the battle between Connemara Gaels and Donegal senior championship game last Sunday, but there was surely a great display of football in Canton on the fine sunny day. The teams fought hard to combat the ever-present level-score throughout the game but finished with a draw.

Donegal number 13, David Garland scored the first point of the game. Gaels number 11, James Darcy, followed with a point for their side. Donegal goalie, Hugh Boyle (1) made a good save after the Gaels attempted a goal. Scoring went back and forth between the two sides, possession seemed shared evenly. Gaels number 9, Matthias Barrett made a dart for the Galway goal and was not confronted by any defenders. His attempt at a goal was unsuccessful.

Donegal’s 11, Cian O’Grady and 12, Ciaran McDevitt, secured points for their side. Gaels number 4, Coleman Mulkerin, drove a shot at the goal that was narrowly saved by the Donegal keeper. Play continued with two fouls in the space of a few minutes, and both frees were taken by Donegal’s 13, Garland. One attempt was successful, the other was put wide.

Gaels number 13, Simon Garrity was relentless with attempts at a goal. Though the Gaels goalie did his best, Garrity (13) scored a goal, putting them back in the running. Garrity (13) and James Darcy (11) banked two more scores from frees. A foul by Gaels number 5, Jack Lynch resulted in a free for Donegal (13) and another point between them.

The score levelled out just before the end of the first half. Gaels dominated play in the remainder of the first half, but scoring did not seem to be going their way. The halftime score was Connemara Gaels 1-05 to Donegal 0-8.

Play resumed with scoring from both sides. Gaels number 12, Sean Conneely, secured a fantastic goal, followed by a point from Barrett (9), that put them back in the lead. Points bounced back and forth between the two sides, constantly widening and narrowing the gap. A tremendous run from Gaels number 11, Darcy, resulted in a goal that was much deliberated both on the field and off. The ball hit the post but somehow made it’s way inside the net. The referee and umpire made the decision to award the goal, putting the Gaels ahead by three points.

With tensions high, a penalty was scored by Donegal’s number 11 (name), which once again levelled the score. Donegal (13) came back with a point that put Donegal in the lead for the first time since the first half.

A penalty for the Gaels saw Jack Lundy (10) secure a one-point lead. After a point from Donegal’s substitute number 21, the teams found themselves neck-in-neck again. With minutes left, a foul against Gaels number 14 Daniel Kerr, led to a free that saw Darcy (11) put his team back in the lead.

Frustrated and feeling helpless, the Donegal goalie, Hugh Boyle, made a powerful run and scored the equalizer with seconds left to go. With nails bitten down to nothing, the referee blew the whistle and signaled the game had ended in a draw.

The final score was Connemara Gaels 4-10 to Donegal 1-19.

 

Connemara Gaels:

1.      James Keoghan

2.      Tommy Gill

3.      Eoighain Murray

4.      Colman Mulkerin

5.      Jack Lynch

6.      Mikey Kerr

7.      Ryan Caffrey

8.      Nathan Donnelly

9.      Maithias Barrett

10.  Jack Lundy

11.  James Darcy

12.  Sean Conneely

13.  Simon Garrity

 

Donegal:

1.      Hugh Boyle

2.      Cillian Gilligan

3.      Anthony Diver

4.      Jason Nochton

5.      Jack O’Brien

6.      Sean Doherty

7.      Donal McBride

8.      Tomas Galligan

9.      Sean Winston

10.  Shane O’Donnell

11.  Cian O’Grady

12.  Ciaran McDevitt

13.  David Garland

 

Men's Senior Football - Connemara Gaels v Donegal

 By Alana Loftus

The game began with a minute's silence for Brian Connolly, a Connemara native and former coach of Connemara Gaels who passed away earlier this year.

The throw in was won by McAnespie's, number 8 Ruairí Gormely, who wasted no time in securing them the first score of the game.

Captains Owen Ward and Colman Mulkerrin with
Maurice Condon

The Gaels retaliated with number 9, Jack Lundy stealing the ball from a McAnespie's defender but putting the ball slightly wide. Another attempt at a point was put wide. A third attempt was finally successful, from number 10, Dan Lynam.

A free for McAnespie's taken by number 13, Robbie Croft, won them another point. Croft (13) took a penalty shortly after, which was saved by the goalie.

Gaels made a substitution, sending on number 14 for Dan Lynam (10). Scoring was minimal in the remainder of the first half. A point from McAnespie's number 10, Shane Pettit, was matched by one from Gaels’ James Darcy (11). As the first half drew to a close, Gaels’ Simon Garrity (13) made a last-ditch effort to defend their advantage, passing four defenders to then hit the post and finish the first half with a two-point advantage.

There was a huge increase in scoring in the second half. The teams went point for point, staying close in score. McAnespie's Shane Pettit (10) took a penalty that secured them an advantage for the first time in the game. McAnespie's made a substitution sending in number 18 for top scorer, Croft (13). 

However, their advantage was short lived, as James Darcy, (11) bagged two consecutive points for the Gaels. Moments after his second score, he received a black card. After completing his sin-bin, Darcy (11) returned for the last 5 minutes of the game, to take a free securing another point for the Gaels. The point was followed by a goal from Garrity (13) and another from Darcy (11), to put the final nail in the coffin. 

Despite a free awarded to McAnespie's in the final minutes, there was little they could do to bridge the gap the Gael’s had created. The game finished up with a score of Connemara Gaels 2-16 to McAnespie’s 2-05.  

Connemara Gaels”

1.      James Keoghan

2.      Tommy Gill

3.      Eoin Murray

4.      Colman Mulkerin

5.      Jack Lynch

6.      Mikey Kerr

7.      Ryan Caffery

8.      Nathan Donnelly

9.      Jack Lundy

10.  Dan Lynam

11.  James Darcy

12.  Maithis Barrett

13.  Simon Garrity

 

Aidan MacAnespie’s

1.      Mark Kelliher

2.      Tiernan Mc Skean

3.      Conor Beady

4.      Owen Ward

5.      Ruairi Scott

6.      Cadan Harvey

7.      Steven Ward

8.      Ruairi Gormelly

9.      Ben McDonnell

10.  Shane Pettit

11.  Rory Brolly

12.  Eoin Gormelly

13.  Robbie Croft

 

Junior A Football - Connemara Gaels v Donegal

Connemara Gaels 0-13 Donegal 0-16

Ruairi Rafferty tried to get around
Colm Faherty

It was a game the Gaels needed to win to keep their hopes alive in the junior A championship and force a possible playoff against Cork.  Donegal on the other hand were already into next week’s semi-final and just waiting to see whether it would be Cork, or another meeting with the Gaels next week.  It turned out to be a tight game all the way though until Donegal pulled away in the run up to the final whistle to knock their opponents out of the championship, and it is Cork who the northerners will meet in the semi-final next weekend.

The Gaels started the brighter of the teams and looked to be playing with a bit more intensity both in the tackle on defence and up front when in possession.  Gaels defenders were tight on their men and got the better of the early exchanges.  Tadgh O’Siorchru and Steven Murray had early points on the board, followed by Paddy McGee and Paraic McDonagh.  McDonagh could have had a goal after the ball came off the post from Steven Murray’s shot, but the Carna man’s foot got under the ball and over the bar it went.  Hugh Devine had pointed Donegal’s only score of the early exchanges, and the Gaels were looking good.

Donegal settled and had got themselves back into the game and were on level terms just after the mid-way point.  Darragh Lawlor and Ruairi Rafferty put three over between them, and the Gaels were lucky not to have lost a player to a black card after Muiris Carton was pulled down on his way through towards goal.  Carton at center forward and Rafferty at corner forward started to play a prominent role in Donegals’ efforts as the game wore on.  A few stray passes crept into the Gaels game, but the sides traded scores to maintain parity up to the half time break at 0-7 each.

Tadgh O'Siorchru on the attack for the Gaels

The second half started as the first ended with each team canceling each other out on the scoreboard.  There was never more than a point between them and the lead switched hands on a couple of occasions as the teams vied for the advantage.  Declan McBride put Donegal one to the good before Paddy McGee and Bradley Fox had the Gaels up by a score.  Rafferty leveled it again before Fox put a lovely effort over to put the Gaels up again. It was equaled by Darren Grant who sailed through the Gaels defence and ith no passing options, simply slotted the ball over himself.  Soon afterwards a similar effort from the same player had Donegal up again.   The Gaels answered through Tadgh O’Siorchru whose point had the Gaels level heading into the final 15 minutes with a nicely taken free.

After Gavin Reilly and O’Siorchru exchanged scores again the advantage swung to Donegal for the final 10 minutes.  Donegal emptied the bench as all the subs got a run and the fresh legs made a difference.  The last 10 minutes saw the northerners finish with 5 points to 2 for the Gaels.  There could have also been a goal for Donegal as Rafferty was through on a breakaway, but James O’Donnell got down well to save the low shot.  As the tiredness crept in it was Donegal who had the extra legs to seem them home in the final stretch.  Gavin Reilly popped up for two late points as he had moved into a more advanced position from his starting wing back role.  Hugh Devine, Grant and Carton all swung points over the bar to put an end to the Gaels challenge.  So, Donegal meet Cork next Sunday in the semi-final with the winners playing Aidan McAnespies in the final the following week.

Gaels:  James O’Donnell, Joe O’Shea, Ciaran Killeen, Colman Conroy, Ben Conway, Nessan O’Donnell, Bradley Fox, Tadgh O’Siorchru, Steve Murray, Cian Carr, Donal Reany, Paddy McGee, Paraic McDonagh. 

Donegal:  Padraig McLaughlin, Paul McNulty, Mark Canny, Hugh Devine, Declan McBride, Gavin Reilly, Ronan Gallagher, Darragh Lawlor, Darren Grant, Morris Carton, Chris O’Neill, Eamonn Kelly, Ruairi Rafferty.

By Rory O'Donnell

Senior Football - Connemara Gaels v Galway

Connemara Gaels 2-19 Galway 2-6

Jack Lynch Rises High for the Gaels

After a tightly contested first half the Connemara Gaels put in an impressive second period to establish their championship credentials.  With Armagh men Conor Turbitt and Ben Crealy beefing up the team sheet, it was James Garrity who lit up the second half with a 10 minute period where he went into overdrive, and it seemed that neither man, woman, nor beast would have stopped him.  The game was still in the balance as the Gaels lead of two points ballooned to a yawning 10 after Garrity scored an impressive 1-5 on the trot as the Trillick man ran riot over the Galway defence.

The Gaels opened with 3 points on the trot with 2 from Garrity and Ben Crealy with a lovely effort.  Galway were not long getting into the swing of things.  A couple of frees were converted by Ben Dunne, and then a double goal strike looked to put the Tribesmen in the driver’s seat. Daire Keenan shot the first and Dunne the second, both great finishes from inside the 14 yard line.  Galway hopes must have been high of adding to last week’s victory over Donegal. 

The Gaels tried to reestablish themselves on the game and gradually found their way back into it and chipped away at the deficit.  With most of the possession, Turbitt, Mikey Kerr, and Jack Mahon converted for the Gaels while Galway’s supply to the full forward line slowed and a Danny Burke point was the sole reward coming up to the break.  Garrity’s late score made it a one point game at the break, Gaels 0-9 to Galway’s 2-4.

James Garrity and Ciaran Potter Challenge
for the Ball

The Gaels took control in the second half with some great movement and passing as they raised the tempo and Galway could not match it.  The teams traded scores to reopen affairs, Colman Mulkerrin for the Gaels and Mike Moynihan for Galway.  It was then pretty much one way traffic after that with the Gaels going on a blistering run of scores.  Conor Turbitt’s effort leveled the scores, and Michael Coyne scored an unlikely looping point from a tough angle to put the Gaels ahead.

The aforementioned Garrity then came into his own and the quick corner forward from Trillick County Tyrone tallied a goal and five points in a quick fire period.  Jack Mahon had added to the Gaels lead from centre forward after finishing a good move with a fisted point over the bar, then it was the James Garrity show.  Speed and quickness, combined with deadly accuracy from Garrity pushed the Gaels lead wider and wider.  The goal was a well finished effort, and that was really the score that put the dagger into Galway hearts.  Following a quick exchange of passes, Garrity fired the ball to the top corner from a range of about 21 yards, and that made the difference.  Six points in it, The Gaels on fire and there was no way back for Galway. 

The Gaels continued enjoy the upper hand as Galway had the wind knocked out of them.  Justin Kieran who came on as a sub added a second goal for the Gaels.  Next week for Galway is the Macs, and for the Gaels it is Donegal. 

Gaels:  Sean Fox, Jack Coyne, Callum Holland, Sean Conneely, Ryan Caffrey, Michael Coyne, Jack Lynch, Ben Crealy, Colman Mulkerrin, Jack Mahon, Mike Kerr, Conor Turbitt, Jack Garrity.  Galway:  Jamie Kelly, Stuart Cullen, Ricky Johnston, Eoin Dunne, Ciaran Potter, Aidan Flanagan, Paddy Mullins, Eoin Morrissey, Pat Moylan, Danny Burke, Michael Moylan, John Dunne, Daire Keenan.

By Rory O'Donnell

Senior Football - Connemara Gaels v Donegal

Donegal 1-16 Connemara Gaels 1-9

Paul Mannion is pursued by Mikey Kerr

Donegal made it two wins out of two with a fairly comprehensive win against a Connemara Gaels side that kept going till the end.  At the break the leg work was done by the Donegal man, and even though the Gaels put up a much better showing in the second 30 minutes, turning the tables would be a long shot.  Paul Mannion and Ciaran McFaul in the forward line for Donegal showed their class with some great scores, and the back line kept the door closed and did not allow the Gaels the opportunity to put a string of scores together.

Donegal enjoyed the upper hand for the first half.  With the outlet of Paul Mannion lined out at corner forward, and Ciaran McFaul on the 45, there were plenty of scoring options for the Donegal men.  Three points opened the game for Donegal before the Gaels got on the board with a James Garrity effort.   Donegal answered with another 3 points before the Gaels got their second, with Mannion and McFaul on the mark, and the signs were ominous for the Connemara men.  Sean Lambe attacked with purpose from wing back for Donegal and when needed, the Donegal defence were in front of their men to put a stop to anything remotely promising.  The Gaels did manage to engineer a goal chance, but Hugh Boyle was equal to the task and saved well from Sullivan.

Matt Sullivan watched by Jason Noctor

Donegal struck with a goal before half time.  Another Gaels attack was broken up and Mannion showed great patience to wait for the incoming Shane Carthy who had the simplest of finishes to palm into the open net.  The Gaels had started Matt Sullivan at corner forward, and it was not till the end of the half that the move paid any dividends.  Sullivan struck two points before half time and Ger Davoran another to make it a seven point game at the half, Donegal 1-9 Gaels 0-5.

The second half saw the teams cancel each other out in the opening exchanges.  Garrity and Sullivan pointed for the Gaels and Mannion and Carthy for Donegal.  Another goal chance fell for the Gaels, and again, Boyle was equal to the task with a fine save from Garrity.  The Gaels fared much better in the defensive stakes and forced a number of turnovers, but converting them into scores to make a dent in the Donegal lead was the challenge.  Donegal had done the legwork already.

With less than 10 minutes to go Sean Conneeley saw a second yellow following a tired challenge, and the Gaels were down a man to see out the game.  With 7 points between the teams, and the affair more or less decided, the westerners continued to try and find the openings, while Donegal just needed to see it out.  The Gaels won a penalty after Matt Sullivan was brought down by Boyle as he tried to side step the Donegal keeper with a few minutes to go, but in the process also lost Sullivan to a second yellow as the Kerry man’s retaliation was penalized.  Garrity dispatched the penalty well, however with the 2 man advantage, Donegal made it up three points on the trot to see out the game.  A second win for Donegal and Gaels and McAnespies will battle for second spot in the table next week.

Gaels:  Sean Fox, Aaron Duffy, Jack Coyne, Michael Coyne, Jack Lynch, Callum Holland, Mikey Kerr, Ger Davoran, Colman Mulkerrin, Ryan Caffrey, Sean Conneely, Matt Sullivan, James Garrity.  Donegal:  Hugh Boyle, Jason Noctor, Kieran Tobin, Sean Lambe, Jack O’Brien, Aidan O’Sullivan, Cory Gallagher, Shane Carthy, Sean Winston, Ciaran McFaul, Jack Boyle, Paul Mannion, Ciaran McDevitt.

By Rory O'Donnell

Junior A Football - Aidan McAnespies V Connemara Gaels

For a time it looked like it would be a close run affair between the Macs and Gaels as the teams were tied about 5 minutes into the second half.  McAnespies, however, ran away with it in the last 20 minutes as Paddy O’Neill proved instrumental in the middle of the field, and Jimmy Rigney, who came on as a sub, fired in three goals to put the game beyond the Gaels.

Aidan McAnespies Junior A Team

McAnespies dominated the opening quarter with some good link up play from the back line all the way to Paraic Dillon at corner forward.  Dillon threatened when in possession and within 5 minutes had a goal for himself with a smashing finish from 14 yards.  It was mostly one way traffic.  The Gaels looked sluggish and in possession were short on ideas going forward.  McAnespies on the other had always had an option and well worked moves were finished by Fergus Byrne and Ciaran Wallace. 

The Gaels eventually found some traction and came firing back before half time.  With McAnespies holding a 1-4 to 0-1 lead, Bradley Fox started the revival with a point from distance, followed by Padraic McDonagh immediately afterwards.  An opportunist goal from Stephen Murray, who made his way upfield from corner back, pulled the Gaels within two points and it was game on again.  The teams traded scores before the break and it was McAnespies carrying a 2 point lead into the second half.

Jack Mahon tries to find an opening.

The Gaels looked like their late first half revival was carrying into the second half as the opening exchanges were in their favor.  Fox and Jack Mahon were winning their battles around the middle of the field.  After Wayne Flaherty pulled the Gaels to within a point Mahon hit with a goal and the Gaels led by two.  For the Gaels, however, that was the high water mark.   

McAnespies started to dominate possession once again and the middle of the field proved to be a fertile feeding ground.  Paddy O’Neill was involved in many of the good things happening for McAnespies, and the introduction of Jimmy Rigney proved to be a game changer.  Dillon pointed, and was followed by a score from Ciaran Wallace that leveled it.  McAnespies then opened a 6 point lead before the Gaels could respond.  After O’Neill put his side one to the good, Rigney showed great anticipation to get his hand in front for the following kick out, and carried the ball to the 21 before finishing with a great shot that hit the back of the net.  Daithi Higgins and Conan McCusker followed with points.  With 15 minutes left the Gaels had a mountain to climb, and it only became steeper.  Rigney added two more goals to his tally, while in response the Gaels could only muster points from Mahon and Tadgh O’Siochran.  A good win for McAnespies, while the Gaels are looking at still finding their first win in the competition.  Final score, McAnespies 5-12 Connemara Gaels 2-9.

Connemara Gaels:  James O’Donnell, Tom Conroy, Steve Murray, Colman Conroy, Ciaran Killeen, Tadgh O’Siochran, Bradley Fox, Ben Conway, Nessan O’Donnell, Jack Mahon, Donal Reany, Wayne Flaherty, Paraic McDonagh.  McAnespies:  Paddy Coakley, Ger Dillon, Darren Maher, Conan McCusker, Adam Doyle, Sean Clifford, Paddy O’Neill, Mark Coughlan,  Aidan O’Malley, Feargus Byrne, Colm O’Malley, Padraic Dillon, Ciaran Wallace.

By Rory O'Donnell

Junior A Football - Cork v Connemara Gaels

Cork Boston GFC and Connemara Gaels had a very entertaining game in Canton in both teams first outing in the Junior A Championship. The game ebbed and flowed throughout with both teams having dominance in different sectors. Overall Cork Boston just shaded it and were a little more accurate up front but, there was nothing between the teams.

The Victorious Cork Team

At half time Cork Boston led by 9 points to 5. While Connemara Gaels had the better of midfield in the 1st half, Cork Boston’s defense was on top and pressurized the Connemara Gaels forwards in to shooting from distance.  Tom Keane was responsible for most of the Cork scores while Kieran McEnery whipped over a great point off his left.

The second half saw the momentum swing wildly several times. Connemara Gaels dominated the 1st fifteen minutes and clawed their way back to level the game at 12 points apiece, with Mayo's Jack Mahon leading the scoring charge.  Ryan Caffrey was dominating the midfield exchanges and it looked like Gaels were going to make a winning push.

However the Rebels shot back and had 3 quick points in succession to lead by 3 again with the crucial score coming from 18-year-old American born John O’ Riordon, kicking from 40 yards on the right-hand side. In the final stages the Cork rearguard held firm while the Gaels prioritized goals over points and eventually reduced the deficit to 1 when a last-minute goal attempt went over the bar.

Report Courtesy of Sean Kelly

Pat O'Brien Cup Final: McAnespie's strike early to take the cup

Champions:  A Great Start to 2022 for Aidan McAnespies

Aidan McAnespies captured the 2022 Pat O’Brien Cup in fairly convincing fashion over the challenge of the Connemara Gaels on an unseasonably hot Saturday evening.  The game was pretty much decided by the time the whistle went for the half time break, though in the second half, had the Gaels snatched an early goal from the chances they had, the run in to full time may have held a little more excitement.  Three first half goals sealed the deal for the Macs, and a much improved second half from the Gaels was not going to be enough to turn the tables.   

Eoin Gormley at corner forward was the early story for McAnespies.  The local youngster had the Gaels defence twisted in knots for much of the first half.  The direct ball in to the full forward line paid enormous dividends for the McAnespies with Gormley well able to win it and create problems.  The first goal came from a lovely long ball from Peter O’Connell to Gormley who found the incoming Tiernan Saul to finish into the net from 14 yards.  Gormley netted the second himself as the Gaels back line was opened up again soon afterwards.

A third goal followed from the boot of Niall Murphy after a lung busting run down the middle by wing back Cian Sharkey, who had an excellent overall first half.  It could have been 4 after Robbie Croft was taken down in the box.  Croft’s placed shot came off the crossbar, however, and it saved the Gaels from a complete shellacking.  The Gaels managed 3 first half points from Mikey Kerr, Jack Keady and Mark McKenzie, and missed a handful of decent chances, but struggled to find any traction going forward as the McAnespie’s back line had all avenues forward well covered.  O’Connell swung over a fantastic point from distance to underline the McAnespies dominance in the opening period, and with a 10 point lead heading into the second half the game appeared all but over.

Connemara Gaels: Early Blows Hurt the Gaels Challenge

The Gaels made a much better fist of it in the second half but could not put a dent in the gap on the scoreboard.  There were a couple of goal chances early, Rory McIlroy saved the first well and the second went into the side netting from an angle.  The Gaels enjoyed most of the possession and points went over from McKenzie, Colman Mulkerrin, Ryan Caffrey, Keady, Bradley Fox and Ger Davoran.   McAnespies, however, responded in kind each time, one from O’Connell was another fantastic strike from out on the wing, and the lead remained largely intact.  Conan McCusker and Croft rounded off the scoring as the Gaels continued to rue some missed late opportunities.  Final score Aidan McAnespies 3-10 Connemara Gaels 0-9.  Next up - championship action begins the weekend of June 5.

Scorers – Macs: Robbie Croft (0-2), Peter O’Connell (0-4), Tiernan Saul (1-2), Eoin Gormley (1-1), Niall Murphy (1-0) Conan McCusker (0-1) Gaels:  Mikey Kerr (0-1), Jack Keady (0-2), Mark McKenzie (0-1), Colman Mulkerrin (0-1), Ryan Caffrey (0-1), Dylan Murtagh (0-1), Bradley Fox (0-1), Ger Davoran (0-1).

By Rory O’Donnell

Senior Football - Connemara Gaels v Donegal

Donegal 0-12 Connemara Gaels 0-7

First points of the new senior football championship went to Donegal following a very entertaining game against the Connemara Gaels.  Donegal were by far the more clinical of the teams and converted their chances, while the Gaels wastefulness will be something they will look at correcting before the next outing.  Donegal took an early lead and held on to it, but may have considered themselves to be fortunate to be ahead at the break.  In the second half as legs tired it was Donegal who took their scores when it counted and ended up 5 point winners.

Kieran McDevitt is Watched my Michael Coyne.

Donegal had the better of the early exchanges and went into a 3 points to one lead.  After Patrick Cunningham opened the scoring for the Gaels, Donegal fired off points from Shane Carthy, and 2 from Corey Gallagher with his nice easy style.  The Gaels were on the defensive as Donegal had most of the possession and worked the ball through the lines well.  The Gaels got a foothold in the game and had the lion’s share of the possession for the second quarter of the game, but could not find the range to convert chances into scores.  As the misses piled up for the Gaels so did the frustration, and Donegal’s lead remained intact.

Cunningham eventually converted for the Gaels, and the score was answered by Carthy for Donegal, who made more of their opportunities.  Paddy McGee and Cunningham pointed to draw the scores level, before Lee Carr curled one over to make it a 0-5 to 0-4 Donegal lead at the break.

Ryan Caffrey Burst Forward for the Gaels.

Early in the second half it looked like Donegal suffered a blow as Corey Gallagher pulled up with what looked like a serious leg injury and had to leave the fray.  Donegal lifted their game thereafter with Shane Carthy pointing three times to extend the northerners lead.  The Gaels started to look tired and when in possession supporting options were few for the man with the ball.  An AJ Maguire point gave the Gaels a lift, and after Carthy restored the lead it could have been a goal for the Gaels as Colman Mulkerrins burst through and chipped just over the bar from an angle. 

A one score game heading into the final quarter.  The sides exchanged points, a lovely Darren Green score for Donegal was answered by a Paddy McGee point that sneaked over the bar.  Lazarus rose from the dead and Corey Gallagher sensationally re-entered play.  Gallagher was involved in a sweeping move that led to the insurance point for Donegal.  Colman Mulkerrins had a goal chance blocked, and with the following move, Donegal swept downfield with Gallagher finding Carthy to pop the ball over.  Carthy added a final point to put a cap on Donegal’s win.  The Gaels will look back and rue the missed scoring chances, and for Donegal, well, another win in the bag for the northerners.

Donegal:  H. Boyle, M. Canny, A. O’Sullivan, J. Newall, J. O’Brien, S. Doherty, S. Carthy, C. Gallagher, G. Reilly, N. Egan, L. Carr, D. Green, C. McDevitt.  Subs:  Diarmuid Moyne, Liam McCrea.

Gaels:  E. Connolly, M. Coyne, C. Kileen, P. McGee, T. Duignan, J. Flaherty, R. Caffrey, J. Bambrick, S. Murray, S. Conneeley, AJ McGuire, P. Cunningham, C. Mulkerrins.

By Rory O'Donnell