Senior Football - Connemara Gaels v Galway

 Connemara Gaels 3-7 Galway 1-5

Matt Sullivan Shoots

After last week’s championship opener between 2 teams with northern connections, it was the turn of the westerners to take the field Saturday evening.  Although Galway were never far behind, it was a game where the Gaels always seemed to have the edge and in the end three late goals put the result beyond doubt.

The first half was a quiet enough affair.  Seanie Conneeley and James Garrity posted 3 points between them for the Gaels before Galway got off the mark through a John Duane point.  It was not exactly a display of marksmanship from either team in the early going as several chances fell the wrong side of the posts, and the Gaels will have had the most of those.  With Matt Sullivan and Ger Davoran in the middle of the field the Gaels held the advantage in size and in possession, but converting it from the field to the scoreboard was a struggle.

James Garrity at corner forward proved to be a spark in the game.  The Trillick native’s quickness was an issue for the Galway back line and he added another point to the Gael’s tally before the break.  John Moylan put Galway’s second over before the break and it was a 0-4 to 0-2 Gaels advantage after 30 minutes.

Ciaran Potter on the ball for Galway

Galway opened the second half the brighter of the teams and moved the ball well into dangerous areas, at times forcing the Gaels defenders into fouls.  This time it was Galway who failed to make the most of their chances, and add to their 2 point tally.  In the meantime, the Gaels started to find a groove going forward.  Garrity finished a good move for a point and shortly afterwards Michael Kerr and Garrity were involved in the best score of the day and the Gaels found the gaps in the Galway defence.

Garrity added another from a free before Aidan Nolan responded for Galway with their first score of the second half.   The score, however, was a precursor to a flurry of goals from the Gaels to finish the game as the football began to flow more freely from the Connemara side.  Callum Holland fired the ball into the net following a good move, again Garrity was involved.  Paraic Pee Wee McDonagh added another with 5 minutes to go, and before the full time whistle sounded, McDonagh added a third, rubbing a bit of salt into Galway’s wounds.  Galway found some consolation with a late Tim Prenter goal, and it finished an 8 point Gaels win.  The Gaels are sure to face a tougher test next Sunday when it is Paul Mannion and Donegal that they face in the last game of the day.  Galway also have a week to get back to the drawing board to see how they can conjure up a result against Aidan McAnespies.   

Galway:  Blaine Sheridan, Eoin Dunne, Stuart Cullen, Liam Boyle, Ciaran Potter, Pat Moylan, Danny Burke, John Duane, John Moylan, Michael Kinsella, Paddy Mullins, Mike Moylan, Greg Lundy.  Gaels:  Sean Fox, Jack Coyne, Aaron Duffy, Callum Holland, Jack Lynch, Michael Coyne, Matt Sullivan, Ger Davoran, Seanie Conneeley, Colman Mulkerrin, Mikey Kerr, AJ McGuire, James Garrity.

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

Junior A Hurling - Offaly Hold Sean Og's at Bay

Eoin Morrissey on the Run for Sean Og's

The junior A hurling championship commenced on sunny Saturday afternoon with a slight breeze making conditions quite pleasant.  There were goals aplenty, and after falling behind and chasing for the rest of the game, Sean Og’s almost got themselves back into it in the second half with 2 Matty Duane goals as the tempo picked up pace in the final quarter.  Offaly had the marksmanship of Jack Murray and Evan Campbell to thank, as well as a late flurry of Mike Lennon scores, for keeping their noses ahead as Sean Og’s made their late run.

The biggest difference between the teams in the opening 30 minutes was accuracy.  Offaly made more of their chances, and while Sean Og’s linked up quite well at times along with some solid running from Eoin Morissey down the middle, but the final effort was off the mark more frequently than they would have liked.  Mike Lennon got an early goal for Offaly, and the sturdy number 12 at corner forward was always a danger when the ball was in his hand.  Sean Og’s answered with the powerful Matty Duane answering in kind, and we had a game on.

Jack Murray was the man who kept the scoreboard moving for Offaly through frees or open play.  Sean O’Shaughnessy in midfield also kept the ball moving for Offaly, and with scores from Lennon and O’Shaughnessy there was a 5 point gap at the break, 1-8 to 1-3 in favor of the faithful.   Ciaran Flanagan, Dylan Coyne and Duane had pointed to keep the youngsters in touch.

Simon Sinnott Clears for Offaly

The second half saw Offaly threaten to pull away, but Duane’s powerful finishes kept them reined in.  Three points on the trot, 2 from Murray and one from Campbell, after play restarted were pulled back in one whip of the stick from Duane.  After Coyne narrowed the gap to 4 points with a well taken effort, Offaly again stretched the lead through Pat Murray and Campbell points.  Again, the scores were canceled out but a Duane rocket into the back of the net.   Sean Og’s were starting to look like they could pull it out of the hat in the last 15 minutes.

With the game on the line coming into the final quarter the intensity ratcheted up a bit, and with Offaly having two players hobbled, one at either end of the field, there was a chance for Sean Og’s to turn the lead.  Keeper Daragh Kealy and corner forward Ciaran Lynch each lame with injuries, but played on out of necessity.  After Jack Murray scored a point worthy of the highest level of the game from distance, two Aidan O’Malley frees again reduced the gap to a goal.  It was corner forward Lennon who was key for Offaly in the late stages with a point followed by a goal.  Lennon was first to the rebound off a Jack Murray shot to net and seemingly secure the points.  Sean Og’s did not down tools and continued to keep up the pressure, and scored a late goal from Ciaran Flanagan, but it was just too late to turn the tables and first points of the 2022 season go to the Offaly men.    

Offaly 2-16 Sean Og’s 4-7

Sean Og’s:  Aidan Joyce, Aidan Flanagan, Colm O’Malley, John O’Doherty, Eoin Morissey, Eamon Kelly, Aidan O’Malley, Matty Duane, Ciaran Flanagan, Dylan Coyne, Michael Winston, Brendan Smith, Brian Cahill, Conor Smith, Niall O’Malley.  Offaly:  Darragh Kealy, Jack Lynch, Simon Sinnott, Jack Murray, Cathal Hayes, Tom Lind, Ciaran Lynch, Sean O’Shaughnessy, Marty Gallagher, Evan Campbell, Pat Murray, Kevin Larkin, Mike Lennon, Ciaran Lynch.

By Rory O'Donnell

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

Plans in Place for 2022 Season

Paddy McGee fires Past Hugh Boyle is last year's clash
between Donegal and the Connemara Gaels.

2022 will see the GAA in Boston make a return to normality with games set to begin April 30.  There will be a total of 23 clubs entering 35 teams into 8 competitions.  The formats were agreed upon Thursday evening at a meeting of the board and the clubs.  

Galway, Connemara Gaels, Donegal and Aidan McAnespies will enter the Men’s senior football championship and Fr. Tom Burkes and Galway in the Men’s senior hurling.  Ladies teams will play a junior competition between Boston Shamrocks, Sean Og’s Ladies, and Connacht Ladies.   The schedule will be decided in the coming weeks and posted at www.gaaboston.com.

The draw for the Pat O’Brien Cup took place with teams drawn in groups of teams.  Group 1 is Kerry, Gaels, Worcester and Wolfe Tones/Christopher’s and Group 2 is McAnespies, Shannon Blues, Galway and Donegal.  Games will begin April 30 with the winner of each group contesting the final.

Also on the calendar is the Wolves Hurling Club 7’s in Merrimack NH on April 30 and Aidan McAnespies are hosting a football 7s on April 23 at the ICC in Canton.

Lots to look forward to!

Boston Northeast GAA AGM

Boston Northeast GAA

2022 AGM

The year got kicked off last Saturday evening at the Irish Cultural Centre with a very successful Annual General Meeting.

Delegates from all 24 clubs were in attendance as well as current and former divisional and USGAA chairpersons, Joe Lydon, John McDevitt, John Farrell, Bernie Reilly, and Bernie Connaughton.

The board officer’s reports were well received and reflected on what was a very successful return to action in 2021 following the COVID related layoff in 2020.  An all home based championship season went well was a great way to get the ball rolling heading into 2022.  Chairperson, Peter Murray’s address was full of thanks to all of the volunteers who helped with organizing and staging the games over the course of the season.   The USGAA finals in August were also a major success and the organizing committee were thanked for the work that went into hosting a great weekend of Gaelic sports.

There were a handful of motions to discuss and vote upon.  One to do away with floating players for men’s football did not pass, while several motions to update the bye laws for the division were passed.

The committee for the 2022 season was elected, although no voting was required as most officers returned to their positions unopposed.   Evan McDonagh (Assistant Secretary) and Dave “Fly” Power (Trustee) stepped down and in their places came Eoin Casey and Frankie Maloney.  John McDevitt was nominated as honorary President and accepted.   The Board for 2022 is:

Honorary President:  John McDevitt

Chair:  Peter Murray

Vice Chair:  Greg Lundy

Secretary:  David Joyce

Asst Secretary:  Eoin Casey

Treasurer:  Olivia Rabbitte

Asst Treasurer:  Mark McKee

Registrar:  Shane McKenna

PRO:  Rory O’Donnell

Youth Officer:  Martin Kerr

Trustees:  Eileen Kerin; Frankie Maloney, Paul Martin McDaid

Upcoming for 2022

The Feile Committee is organizing a Nite at the Races at the Cottage Bar in Weymouth on March 26.  Adult clubs are asked to support the event which is so important to support the U15 boys and girls teams traveling to Ireland in June.  Contact Karen Nugent to sponsor a race or a horse. 

April 30 the Wolves Hurling Club are organizing a 7-a-side in Merrimac NH.  Please contact the Wolves for additional information.  The club also has plans for a tournament at the end of October that will be open to clubs across the USGAA, and the clubs has the lofty goal of opening a full size GAA field in Merrimac!  It would be a first for the Granite state and great development. 

There were other items for discussion such as games development, organizing a First Aid/CPR course for clubs to attend, and advertising and promoting the games.

We look forward to the coming season and a bigger and better one in 2022.

By Rory O'Donnell

2 Hurling Championship Deciders and Finals Places Decided

On a glorious Saturday afternoon at the Irish Cultural Centre in Canton, Mass the first championship titles were decided.  There were 2 firsts, Providence and Sean Og’s each won their first hurling championships, defeating Hartford and Worcester to capture the Junior C and Junior B championship titles.

For Providence the win was 6 years in the making.  The club was started in 2015 and up until this season had never even contested a final.  This season the Rhode Island Club took some serious strides with their only defeat of the season to their final opponents, Hartford.  The game was a close run affair with Providence just about holding their opponents at bay.  At the scoring end it required 4 goals, one in each half from James Glendenning and 2 in the second from Brendan McGinn to secure the win.  However, it was goalkeeper, Mike Baressi, who won the man of the match for his performance between the posts for Providence.  Baressi, along with 3 other starters in the team, is a first year player who only took up the sport this season and has taken to the game like a fish to water.

Club Chairperson, Mike Kenneally, talked about the numbers coming to training during the season.  Also, Mike credited Cathal Hardiman, a Galwayman who found himself in Providence and joined the club, with raising the bar for everyone, and the players responded.  As for their first championship, “It is still sinking in”, said Mike.  “No words can describe what it means for the club.”  Best of luck to Providence in the USGAA finals.  Although there will be 3 starting players missed due to injury the Providence club are sure to give it a go.

Providence:  Michael Barressi, Conor O’Rourke, Mike Kenneally, John Feeney, Matthew Parks, James Crocker, Austin Clark, Nick Bruz, Adrian Conley, Jack Douglass, Jack Condon, James Glendenning, Brendan McGinn;

John "Boxcar" O'Driscoll Gives the Final
Talk to Sean Og's.  (Photo Rachel O'Driscoll).

In another first, Sean Og’s hurlers took their first piece of silverware.  It was a huge victory for the youngsters who have come through the underage ranks over the last 10-12 years to defeat the reigning USGAA Junior B Hurling title holders, Worcester Fenians.  Sean Og’s were formed in 2019 with the aim of providing a team for young home grown players to transition to adult competition.  For many years this step has proven to be a roadblock to the development of American footballers and hurlers.

The first half belonged to the reigning champions from Worcester who held a 1-8 to 0-6 half time lead.   Sean Og’s turned it around in the second half.  The teams were all square coming into the final 10 minutes with Worcester on 2-8 and Sean Og’s 1-11.  With the reigning holders fighting hard to retain the title, the young American’s came through with some great scores down the stretch to take the win, Mike Moylan tallying 3 of the final six points, and Aidan O’Malley 2.  It is another milestone on what is proving to be a season of transition to the home grown players coming through the ranks and the future of the games in the states.

Said manager John O’Driscoll, “It was important, with nothing last year and the lads getting older.  Lads are filling the void for a lot of teams this year and are getting more games which brings them along a lot more.”  O’Driscoll also noted that this year many clubs are relying on the home grown players who have come through the age groups.  It is certain that this season will stand to these kids and set them up for future games.

The Sean Og’s Junior B footballers also have a chance to take some silverware we they will face defending champions, Donegal, in the final this weekend, and the ladies footballers meet the Boston Shamrocks.

Sean Og’s:  Aidan Joyce, Peter Bannon, Mikey Kerr, Eoin Faherty, Patrick Moylan, John O’Riordan, Jack Martyn, Aidan O’Malley, Dylan Coyne, Dan Murphy, Eoin Morissey, Mike Moylan, John O’Doherty; Jack Kelly, Stephen Joyce, Colm O’Malley, Niall O’Malley, Matty Duane, Brendan Smith, Aidan Flanagan.

 

Happy Faces:  James Flaherty and Ryan Caffrey .
(Photo by Rachel O'Driscoll)

The senior football semi-final also provide to be an hour of excitement as Aidan McAnespies surprisingly pulled ahead of the favoured Connemara Gaels in the first half, and caused some worried looks on the Connemara supporters side of the field.   With the Gaels 1-3 to 0-2 ahead thanks to an early goal from Paddy Cunningham, McAnespies hit with 3 goals in quick succession to stun the crowd.  A Stephen Ward goal, followed by points from Eoin Morissey and Robert Croft.  Croft then struck a penalty home after Eoin Gormley was pulled down in the box, and netted McAnespies third came thanks to a brilliant finish from Croft to the far side of the net.

The Gaels gathered themselves, however, and finished the half with points from Jack Bambrick and Cunningham, and a late Cunningham goal left the score at 3-5 to 2-5 in the Macs favor to start the second half.  The second period saw the Gaels pull away, their dominance underlined by a superb finish from Michael Kerr.  Kerr started a run from his own 14 yard line down the right side and was last to receive the ball on the opposite 14, and from a somewhat tight angle crashed the ball into the roof of the net.  Sean Conneeley added another goal from the spot after Kerr was pulled down, and things seemed done and dusted.  With the Gaels sitting on a 9 point cushion and McAnespies with just the one point to account for their second half efforts, the game suddenly tightened up again.  Croft banged home a late penalty, which was followed by a crafty James Rigney goal.  Three point game now and Macs had one last chance at the death, but the final ball into the Gaels box sailed over the endline.  A scare for Gaels heading into the final next Sunday at 5:00, while McAnespies will meet the Shannon Blues in the Intermediate final at 1:00.

Finals Schedule

Saturday August 14

1:30 Junior C Football Final:  Portland v Hartford

3:30 Junior B Football Final:  Donegal v Sean Og’s

5:30 Junior A Football Final:  Wolfe Tones v Galway

Sunday August 15

12:00 Ladies Senior Football Final;  Boston Shamrocks v Sean Og’s

1:00 Intermediate Football Final:  Aidan McAnespies v Shannon Blues

3:00 Senior Hurling Final:  Fr. Tom Burke’s v Galway

5:00 Senior Football Final:  Donegal v Connemara Gaels

Playoffs Still to be Decided as Gaels and Donegal Serve Up a Cracker

Donegal and the Connemara Gaels served up the best game of the season so far in front a good crowd of supporters.  It was an exciting contest that ended all square thanks to a goal in the final minutes from Mikey Kerr for the Gaels.  The result leaves a slim opening for the Gaels to get the bye into the senior football final should Aidan McAnespies defeat Donegal in the final game of the league portion on Wednesday night.

Paddy McGee Fires Home for the Gaels
Late in the First half.

There was not much between the teams all game long.  The Gaels relied on the running of Jack Bambrick and Colman Mulkerrin at times, each player produced some wonderful points.  Donegal played well through the lines and a goal from Darren Grant in the first half gave the northerers a slight edge.  Lee Carr was lively up front and tagged a couple of good points.   Tom Duignan suffered a game ending injury after a foray forward, twisting his knee, which was a blow to the Gaels efforts.   A goal late in the half from Paddy McGee meant that it was a 1-6 to 1-5 Donegal lead at the break.

The second half saw Donegal edge in to a 3 point lead, with Ryan Caffrey frees keeping the Gaels in touch.  It started to look like Donegal were wrapping up another win with Shane Carthy providing the scores when needed.  The Gaels made a big push towards the end, and were rewarded with the goal from Kerr who latched on to a rebound and put the ball into the far bottom corner.   A fair result in the end that keeps the door slightly open for the Gaels to get the bye into the final.

Sean Kelly Showed some Flashes of old Form
with a couple of great scores on Sunday.

Wolfe Tones added another win in the junior A football championship to finish top and make the final.  The Tones held Galway scoreless in the first half, while at the other end got some great scores from Sean Kelly, and steady free taking of Gavin Walsh added 3 more points.  The missed opportunities were adding up for Galway, and just before the break Walsh netted to put the Tones into a 1-5 lead. 

Enter JJ Doyle in the second half for Galway and the wily veteran’s shooting from frees and play chipped away at the Tones lead until there was just the goal in it 10 minutes into the second half.  Galway and Doyle were unable to keep up the momentum, the water break may not have done them any favours as the Tones retook the field with renewed purpose and netted a second goal from Dan Kenneally to take the wind out of the westerner’s sails.  The Tones nursed the 2 goal cushion and ended up 2-9 to 0-7 winners.  The win puts the Tones straight into the final awaiting the winners of Cork and Galway next weekend. 

McAnespie's Peter O'Connell Drives Forward.

Aidan McAnespies had a comfortable win against the Shannon Blues, netting two penalty kicks in the first half.  The first was for a foot block and Robbie Croft slotted home to the keeper’s right.  The second soon after came after Eoin Gormley was held in the box after being played though by a superb Peter O’Connell pass.  Croft stepped up and the put this one to the left of the keeper.  The Blues battled gamely and were rewarded with points from Darren Wallace, Maurice Young and Mike Moylan, but McAnespies were just too strong.  The second half saw another 2 goals for the Macs who will now play a Wednesday night game against Donegal to round out the league portion of the competition.

The Junior B Football championship ended with a playoff required between Kerry and the Connemara Gaels.  Christopher’s defeated the Gaels in a close run affair.  The Gaels led by 9 points to 2 at the break but Christopher’s stormed back with a 4 goal second half and ended up 4 point victors to secure a semi-final place against Sean Og’s next week.  The winners of Kerry and the Gaels will meet Donegal in the other semi-final on Saturday.

Mark Delaney Rises High for Christopher's.

Junior B Hurling sees Worcester into the final after defeating the Wolves of New Hampshire on Saturday in Canton.  Portland Junior C Footballers went 4 for 4 with a win over Sean Og’s Sunday and have the automatic place in the final. 

Some teams to be decided for next weekend’s games, the schedule is at www.gaaboston.com and will be updated as soon as the results are in.

By Rory O'Donnell

Photos by Rachel O'Driscoll

Rachel Marie Creative

Playoffs in Sight as Season Reaches Climax

 Boston GAA

By Rory O’Donnell

Finally the season picked back up following what seemed like a lengthy break between the July 4 holiday and weather related postponements.  Championships are reaching the business end of things and the next week will sort out a lot.

There were interesting developments in the Junior B football championship with some make-up games in mid-week.  Kerry had to play a Tuesday and Friday night games against Christopher’s and Sean Og’s respectively, and in each went down narrowly; a 4-11 to 3-10 loss to Christopher’s was followed by a 2-12 to 3-8 defeat to Sean Og’s.  The results put Kerry hoping that Christopher’s can defeat the Connemara Gaels next Sunday, or that Trinity can turn Sean Og’s Tuesday night to keep the Kingdom in the picture with a playoff for a semi-final place.  Donegal and Christopher’s are in, and if the Gaels and Sean Og’s also win their games, these are the 4 semi-finalists.

Shane Carthy Shoots for Donegal.
(Photo by Rachel O'Driscoll.)

The Senior Football championship saw Donegal and Aidan McAnespies face off in an ill-tempered affair that saw a 25 minute delay after McAnespies goalkeeper Jack Lake carted off in an ambulance after he fell awkwardly on his back and could not get up.  Latest news was that Jack was up and walking and we wish Jack all the best for a full recovery.  The game took a long time to pick up any kind of head of steam, with injury delays and the 4 weeks layoff clearly having affected both teams.  The first score of the game was a Nicky Kelly goal with the assist from Sean Winston.  Winston added a point for Donegal late in the disjointed half, and Peter O’Connell saved McAnespies blushes with a pointed ’65 before the break to make it 1-1 to 0-1 in Donegal’s favour.

The second half was much improved with both sides more cohesive.  Donegal opened a 7 point lead with a string of scores from Lee Carr, Kelly and Shane Carthy.   Robbie Croft provided hope for the Macs, scoring 4 points, 3 frees and nice point from play and with 4 points between the sides, McAnespies pushed Donegal for the last 10 minutes and applied some pressure to the northerners defence.  Donegal kept the door closed, and finished the game with a Shane Carthy goal and point to put the game to bed.  Donegal still to lose, and will face the Connemara Gaels next Sunday. 

Dan O'Regan Tries to Stop Mike O'Brien.
(Photo by Rachel O'Driscoll.)

The Junior A football championship also had a mid-week victory for Galway over Cork to keep that competition open heading in the decisive last few games.  Sunday also featured an interesting match where the Wolfe Tones pulled out a 1-10 to 0-10 victory against Cork, all in spite of having to keep a trio of injured players on the field.  Pa Collins turned in a warriors performance, in spite of having one leg for balance only, Collins was involved in much of the play down the stretch.  In first half it was Shane Hayes the hero with 3 great saves to deny Cork goals, and there were some well taken point from both sides.   The second half was also neck and neck and Thomas Beckett’s goal late in the game proved to be the decisive score.

Fran Keenan Lines up a Shot.
(Photo by Rachel O'Driscoll.)

On the hurling front, the Junior C final will be contested between Hartford and Providence in 2 weeks time with both teams seeking their first title in the grade.  Junior B hurling is wide open, while a Tom’s v Galway senior hurling final is on the cards after Tom’s won easily over Offaly on Sunday afternoon.

Lot’s to looks forward to in this novel all home-based season, and the USGAA finals coming up the weekend of August 20.

Boston GAA Schedule – Irish Cultural Centre, Canton

Tue July 27

Games Resume as Wet Weather Plays Havoc with Schedule

Play resumed at the Irish Cultural Centre a week later than planned due to the heavy wet weather that the Northeast has been experiencing in the last couple of weeks.  Unfortunately, the main field was out of action and the rain stayed away long enough to get some games in on the back field.

Maurice Young and Ryan Caffrey Duel for the
High Ball (Credit Rachel O'Driscoll).

The main event this week was the senior football match between Connemara Gaels and Shannon Blues which had to be played in the tight confines of Field B.  The Gaels got off to a great start with an AJ Maguire goal after he was fed by PT Cunningham.  The game was end to end in the early going, but it was the Gaels who converted in the scoreboard.  Cunningham and Paddy McGee, both men perhaps on a high following Tyrone’s Ulster championship win earlier in the day, were on the mark with points and Blues first score of the came from Maurice Young came mid-way through the half.   The Gaels were in control with Jack Bambrick very much in charge in the middle of the field.  McGee netted just before half time, to put the Gaels beyond reach.  The score of the game was a great second half goal where Colman Mulkerrin exquisitely found Cunningham who drilled his shot to the far side of the net.  The Blues battled gamely and scored a consolation goal from Young late in the game, final score, Gaels 4-19 Blues 1-4.  Next up are Donegal and Aidan McAnespies in a makeup game Tuesday evening at 6:30pm.

Declan Scott in action for Donegal. 
(Credit Rachel O'Driscoll.)

In Junior B football action Donegal put themselves back on top of the table with a handsome 3-14 to 0-8 win over Christopher’s, with Ashley Carr helping himself to 2-8 in the process.  Kerry got back to winning ways with a 1-16 to 1-6 win versus the Connemara Gaels.

High flying Providence suffered their first defeat of the season falling on the road to Hartford by a score of 3-16 to 3-12 but still sit on top of the table with 3 wins from 4, while the newly formed Worcester football team scored a win over Portland on Saturday after narrowly falling to Sean Og’s during the week in a makeup game.

Hopefully the weather holds up during the week to allow for make-up games and a return to regularly scheduled times.  If there is a silver lining in all of this – the main field looks in immaculate condition.

A word from Mike Caodgan.  Mike broke his ankle recently and is having a rough time with the recovery which requires another surgery.  Mike will be off his feet for quite a while it seems.  A long time and dedicated servant to the Cork Boston GAA Club, a fund raiser was held recently and here are Mike’s words of thanks:  

“I’d like to thank everybody who bought or sold a square for the Munster final fundraiser. This is what makes the Gaelic athletic association the greatest organization in the world because why the passion and the rivalry is intense there is also the very generous side of people and in time of need we all come together. Best of luck to everybody in the drawer thank you the Cadogan family.”

Results

Senior Football:  Connemara Gaels 4-19 Shannon Blues 1-4

Junior B Football:  Kerry 1-16 Connemara Gaels 1-6; Donegal 4-12 Christopher’s 0-8

Junior B Hurling:  NH Wolves 6-18 Sean Og’s 3-12

Junior C Hurling:  Providence 3-12 Hartford 3-16

Junior C Football:  Sean Og’s 3-12 Worcester 2-11; Worcester 4-8 Portland 3-6

Results and schedules at www.gaaboston.com

Refreshing to be Back into the Swing of Things in 2021

By Rory O’Donnell

It was a quieter weekend than usual on the field of play and next weekend sees a break in the action for the Independence Day holiday.  Action last weekend saw Fr. Tom Burke’s continue their superiority at Senior Hurling with a comfortable win over Galway.  It was close at the end of the first half with Tom’s holding a 2-9 to 1-9 lead, Liam Moore and Dylan Costello with the goals for Tom’s and John Moylan with Galway’s major.  It was enough to cause a brief period of concern on the Tom’s line, but they stamped their authority on the game throughout the second half.  Earlier in the week Galway had registered a win versus Offaly in a Wednesday night clash.

Sean Og's Ladies in action v Boston Shamrocks

Football saw the Wolfe Tones with a win in their first outing at Junior A football.  Gavin Walsh and Inchy O’Brien putting 1-4 on the scoreboard between them for the Tones.  Friday evening saw Sean Og’s register their first win of the season at Junior B against Donegal.  Eoin Gormley tallied an impressive 3-4 as the Og’s ran out 5-12 to 1-11 winners.  Sunday saw the Connemara Gaels defeat Trinity Milton in a well contested affair, final score 1-15 to 1-9 for the Gaels.  Portland, Maine saw a double victory with the hurling team coming out on top against the Wolves of New Hampshire in Junior C and on the football side of the ledger it was the footballers with a win against Hartford.  The Boston Shamrocks added another win to their record at Ladies football by defeating the new Sean Og’s ladies team made up of Home Grown players who came through the underage ranks

Galway kept it close for 30 minutes on Sunday.

While the schedule is not as choc-a-bloc as in “normal” seasons, there is still quite a robust tableau of games each week, whether they be played at the central location of the Irish Cultural Centre in Canton, Mass. or at any of the other venues around New England.  The decision by the clubs to go all home based this season is proving to be a great way to restart, refresh, and rebuild following more than a year of inactivity on the field due to the Coronavirus.  I’m not sure when the last time a full season was played entirely with home based and home grown players in the region, but it must be 30 or 40 years or more.  It also seems to be having the effect of accelerating the transition at adult level from a base of players made up of immigrants from Ireland to the Home Grown, or American Born, players.  Junior levels of the sports feature a clear majority of players born and bred in the area, while at the higher levels locally developed talent is refreshingly a regular feature. 

This year has also seen new football clubs with Trinity Milton adding an adult team in Junior B football after starting 12 years ago at underage level.  Worcester Fenians also took the leap by starting a Junior C Football team.  Also, after long period with no camogie in the region, a new club has formed with the New England Fenians.  

When games resume after the holiday there will be 6 weeks of regular season and playoff games.  Senior football sees Donegal as clear favourites, with the Connemara Gaels looking like the nearest challenger.  Junior A is yet to play out with Cork or the Wolfe Tones looking like the contenders.  Junior B football is shaping up to be very interesting.  Any 5 of the 6 teams look capable of winning it out, while Junior C football has the Portland Fomorians from Maine on top.

Fr. Tom’s are in pole position at senior hurling, and it looks like the gap might get closer as the Home Grown players with Galway and Offaly gain more experience.  Junior B hurling is looking like Sean Og’s and Worcester will be battling it out for the title, while Providence is looking strong at junior C hurling.   The Boston Shamrocks have full points after 2 games as they look to reclaim the Ladies football championship.

Overall it is refreshing to see clubs making the effort to recruit new players, bring back older players and see familiar faces at the Irish Cultural Center on game days.   The USGAA finals are being hosted by the Boston Northeast GAA at the ICC in August this year, and should cap off a great second half of the season.

Results, tables and schedule of games are at www.gaaboston.com. 

Boston Northeast GAA Results

Wed June 23:  Senior Hurling - Galway 2-19 Offaly 2-11

Weekend Results

Senior Hurling – Fr. Tom Burke’s 3-20 Galway 1-14

Ladies Senior Football – Boston Shamrocks 3-12 Sean Og’s 0-8

Junior A Football – Wolfe Tones 2-14 Galway 2-6

Junior B Football – Sean Og’s 5-12 Donegal 1-11; Connemara Gaels 1-15 Trinity Milton 1-9

Junior C Hurling – Portland 2-20 NH Wolves 0-9

Junior C Football – Hartford 2-6 Portland 1-13

Weekend Round Up

There was a plethora of football and hurling action around the region this weekend.  Games Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the ICC in Canton, Mass. as we as Hartford Ct., Portland Me., and Merrimack, Nh. 

Donegal looked good on Sunday.

On Sunday the men’s and Ladies senior footballers battled it out at HQ.  Donegal added another win to their championship campaign.  The Shannon Blues held it close in the first half, with just one score between the teams.  Donegal 0-6 and the Blues 0-3 at the break.  In the second half, however, Donegal ran rampant and banged in two early goals from star players, Shane Carthy and Corey Gallagher.  The point also flowed with regularity.  Carthy, Lee Carr, and Gallagher adding to the tally.  The Blues pulled a couple of late scores back from Mike Moylan and Dylan Walsh, but it ended up an impressive 2-17 to 0-5 win for the notherners.

The Gaels' Colman Mulkerrin 

Aidan McAnespies and the Gaels were the second senior football match on the docket for the day and served up a competitive and close run affair.  It was a cagey opening with never more than 2 points between the teams.  Peter O’Connell was the main marksman for the Macs, and scores for the Gaels came from Jack Bambrick, Patrick Cunningham, and Colman Mulkerrin.  The Gaels went in 2 points to the good at the half with Paddy McGee and Ryan Caffrey pointing late.  The second half saw the Macs pull ahead, Robbie Croft found his range and Philly McCusker proved a handful at corner forward.  The difference maker, however, was a goal from Matty Duane for the Gaels mid-way through the half. The Gaels stretched the lead to 5 before a late penalty saw Croft pull it back to two with the spot kick.  The Gaels held on for the win, 1-11 to 1-9. 

Also on Sunday, The Ladies senior footballers played out a close game with the Boston Shamrocks coming out on top by a score of 2-12 to 2-9.  Friday night saw Christopher’s gather second win in the Junior B Football championship with a 4-8 to 1-6 win over newcomers, Trinity Milton.  Saturday saw more junior B action, Donegal came out winners over Kerry by a score of 2-11 to 0-13, while the Connemara Gaels defeated Sean Og’s 4-9 to 1-7. Donegal and Christopher’s on top of the junior B table there in the early going. 

Hartford squeaked by Worcester in the
Junior C Football Championship.

Three other states in the region saw GAA action at the weekend.  In Connecticut it was the Hartford junior C footballers with a victory by the narrowest of margins over new team, Worcester, 2-11 to 2-10.  Further north in Merrimack NH the Worcester junior C hurlers had a 4-19 to 2-18 win over hosts, the Wolves of New Hampshire.  In Portland Maine Providence junior C hurlers continued their winning ways with a win against Portland Hurling Club, 7-17 to 3-3.      

Next Wednesday, June 23, at 6:00, Offaly and Galway meet in the senior hurling championship.

By Rory O'Donnell

Hartford v Worcester Photo by Hartford GAA

Opening Championship Weekend

The weekend opened with a maiden voyage for Trinity Milton who fielded a team in the junior B football championship after starting the club 12 years ago with a small group of 6 and 7 year-olds.  The youngsters faced an experienced Kerry team that taught them a lesson or two and ran out 3-17 to 0-4 winners.  Lessons learned for the young Americans, whereas Kerry have been knocking on the door of the junior B championship title.  Over the last few years the Kingdom has built a solid base to launch a challenge.  For Trinity it was a big night with a large support, and getting a team on the field was a victory for the club in itself.  It was the first championship game played on the main field, which was in immaculate condition, since August 2019. Full match report is available on the Kerry Boston Website (https://kerrybostongfc.com/2021/06/07/726/).

Boston Shamrocks won the Orla Benson Cup on
Sunday v a combined Connacht Ladies/Sean Og's.

Saturday saw Canton stuck in dead 90 degree heat and there were 4 games on.  Two hurling matches were played on the main field.  The first saw another team of Home Grown players, Sean Og’s, take on the Worcester Fenians.  The Fenians held the lead for most of the game with old hands Liam Kelly, Tom Lind and Conor Greene keeping them just about in the lead.  Sean Og’s struck late, however, and a couple of excellent points from Aidan O’Malley were followed with a goal at the final whistle by Mike Moylan that propelled Sean Og’s to a 2-13 to 1-13 win.

Junior C Hurling action followed with Portland traveling from Maine and Hartford from Connecticut to meet in a game that Portland always looked like the side that would claim the spoils.  A couple of first half goals put Portland in the driver’s seat to lead by 2-8 to 0-6 at the break. Hartford managed to put some respectability on the scoreboard with some late scores, final score 4-14 to 2-9 for the boys from Maine.

Football action on the back field saw the Sean Og’s footballers in another close game with a solid looking Christopher’s team.  With the game in the balance throughout it was Christopher’s who edged it by a score of 3-8 to 3-7.  Junior C football saw Worcester field for the first time in the big ball game against the Portland Fomorian footballers.  It was another victory for the Mainers as they defeated the newcomers by a score of 3-7 to 2-4.     

Sunday

We then had the start of the Senior Championship, where we saw 2019 Senior Champions Donegal take on Galway. In what started out as an evenly balanced match, with Galway being unlucky with a number of wides, while Donegal chipped away at the score. 2 great saves from the Galway shot stopper further aided their survival ambitions, however, as the match went on, Donegal’s Shane Carthy and Cory Gallagher slotted away a number of goals and points to run away with the match. Galway managed to score a few consolation points but conceded the match 4-20 to 0-05. 

In the next match of the Senior Football Championship, we saw Shannon Blues face Cork, in what was a repeat of the 2019 Intermediate final. Both teams started strong, scoring a point each from play, however, as the match went on, the Shannon Blues kept racking up the scores, eventually winning 5-18 to 0-05.

Next to come was the start of the Senior Hurling Championship, with once again, the finalists from 2019 facing each other, as Fr Toms faced Galway. The game started off even, with both teams starting strong and going point for point, with John Moylan doing the weight of the scoring for Galway, and Jason Costello doing likewise for the Toms. The deadlock was eventually broken by Chris O’Donoghue who scored the first goal of the game. As the game went on, it got very heated, and tempers started to flare as a skirmish ensued which saw Danny Burke for Galway and Jack Martin for Toms get their marching orders. With a game full of action the start of the 2nd half saw Galway save a penalty, and a highly attacking game as each team added to their tallies in a closely contested battle, in which the Toms prevailed with a 3-18 to 2-17 victory.

By Evan McDonagh and Rory O’Donnell

Photos by Rachel O'Driscoll

Back in Action in Canton

Referee Barney Curran with Captains,
Robbie Croft (Macs) and Ryan Caffrey (Gaels).

Saturday afternoon blessed the Irish Cultural Centre in Canton Mass with perfect football weather for the start of the 2021 GAA season.  It was the first time in 20 months that games were played at the venue following the Pandemic that completely nixed the 2020 season.  Clubs agreed that for the 2021 season there would not be any sanction players involved, so, unlike previous seasons, team panels were all finalized by April 30.  The season stared Saturday with the Pat O’Brien Cup, and championship action begins the first weekend in June.

There were 4 Pat O’Brien Cup games played, with some good football involved and the day ended with a very entertaining game between McAnespies and the Connemara Gaels.  The competition format consists of 2 groups with the winners of each meeting in the final.  The first encounter saw a Group B contest between Donegal “B” and Galway.  The Donegal team had the measure of their opponents and ran out winners by a score of 3-8 to 1-4.  Next up was another Group B contest between a combined Wolfe Tones/Christopher’s team and Kerry.  The combined side got off well and built up a lead in the first half, but Kerry got their act together for the second and tallied some good scores, but were always chasing a lost cause.  It ended 3-12 to 2-8 for the Tones/Christopher’s.

Group A saw the Donegal “A” team take on the Shannon Blues.  Donegal put in a good team performance in their first outing and coasted to a 2-12 to 1-3 win to get their season off to a start.  They will face sterner tests in the games to follow judging from the bruising, goal laden, encounter between the Gaels and McAnespies.  The Gaels got out of the blocks to a 0-8 to 0-1 lead, but McAnespies hit for a major with less than 10 minutes to half time and the floodgates opened with another 7 scores in the goals column for the 2019 senior finalists.  The final score was 8-4 to 1-11 for McAnespies.  So, Group A has Donegal “A” and McAnespies each with a win, and in Group B it is Donegal “B” and Tones/Christopher’s in pole position.

We look forward to the next weekend’s games.

2:30 Grp B - Kerry v Donegal “B”

3:30 Grp B - Wolfe Tones/Christopher’s v Galway

4:30 Grp A - Shannon Blues v Connemara Gaels

5:30 Grp A – Aidan McAnespies v Donegal “A”

Rory O'Donnell