NACB Finals - Sunday

The Boston Northeast Board had 7 teams representing the division at the NACB finals in the Cleveland suburb of North Ohlmstead.  The layout and organization was a credit to the Cleveland clubs who did a great job hosting the event.  It was something new for much of the attendees, telling by the fold out chairs on the sidelines and chatting to some of the punters, it was a new thing for them to see live games of gaelic football and hurling.  Of the Boston teams, the Wolfe Tones pulled off a win at junior A football, while the Connemara Gaels went down in a gallant display against Ulster from San Francisco, While Tipperary and Connacht Ladies lost out in their respective finals.

Junior A Football

Wolfe Tones 2-11 Patriots Chicago 1-8

NACB Junior A Football Champions - Wolfe Tones

Having got a bye straight into the final, Wolfe Tones captured the men's junior A football trophy with a great display against the Patriots from Chicago.  Leading by a goal at half time, the Tones made sure with a second goal in the second half and brought the NACB junior A football championship trophy back to Boston for the first time since Aidan McAnespies in 2009 when the finals were last held in Canton*. 

With the game close in the first half, Lee Carr fired the ball home to provide the lead to the Tones.  With Ger Molloy his usual industrious self at center forward, and Carr motoring in the corner the scores came from Carr, Gary Leonard and Collie Carr stepped up from center back to float one over the bar.  Aodhan McEnerney, still on a high following Dublin's win over Kerry earlier in the day put in a lot of work in the middle of the field, as did Kilcock man Gavin Walsh.  The Philly side, made up of a lot of American Born players, though proved to be a tough nut to crack and hung on, matching the Tones for points.

The Tones stepped it up in the second half to drive on to the finish.  Sean Kelly on the wing created havoc for the Philly back line, and though he did not make the score sheet the wee man from County Down earned his keep.  Collie Carr's second goal came with about 15 minutes left and having seen the Philly side chip a point or two off the Tones lead it was a breath of fresh air.  Further points from Carr (Collie), Carr (Lee), and Leonard gave the Tones a nice cushion coming into the last 5 minutes.  Try as they might to break the Tones defence for a much needed goal, the Philly side could not and there will be an extra passenger on the bus on the 14 hour journey back to Boston!

Tones:  C. Hynes, K. Gill, P. Collins, M. Farrell, C. Carr, C. Malone, G. Walsh, A. McEnerney, S. Kelly, G. Molloy, D. Egan, G. Leonard, L. Carr.

Ladies Senior Football

Connacht Ladies 1-9 Fog City Harps (SF) 4-15

Connacht Ladies get ready for the big game.

Connacht Ladies came through their first test with flying colours.  The Boston girls were pitted against Notre Dames from Philadelphia, and after conceding an early first half goal settled down and went on to win the game with plenty to spare.  Arlene Fox got the scoring off and was followed by Amy ring, then came a goal and a point for the Philly girls.  Connacht Ladies then got their act together and goals from Grainne Field, Ciara Donnelly, and Jane Ward before half time, along with some well taken points had the Boston side in a 19 point half time lead.  The Philly side made a better fist of things in the second half, but there was too much catching up to do.  Final score was 4-17 to 3-9 and the Connacht Ladies have a final to look forward to.

Captain Joanne O'Connell in action in the semi-final.

The final was a different story as there was some controversy regarding the numbers of players.  Connacht had come prepared to play 13-a-side and played the semi-final with 13, with one player togged out on the line.  The powers that be decided that the game should be 15-a side and the services of Ciara Burns had to be called upon to make the 15th player.  San Francisco were unwilling to compromise and insisted on the 15 a side game.  Connacht were up against it from the beginning against a physically strong San Francisco team.  The Boston team managed a goal from Ciara Donnelly, and Amy Ring put several frees over the bar, but by the time the break came the gap was 8 points.  San Francisco piled it on the second half and rattled the net 3 more times.  It was a tough end to the season for the Connacht girls, and maybe a lesson learned that the playing rules need clarification before teams make the journey to the finals.

Connacht Ladies:  C. Heraty, L. Burns, S. McAleer, G. Fields, M. Breen, J. O'Connell, A. Kerr, S. Brady, E. Byrne, A. McCloskey, A. Ring, F. Fallon, J. Ward, C. Donnelly, C. Burns, S. Mulkerin.

Men's Senior Football

Connemara Gaels 2-9 Ulster San Fran 1-14

Connemara Gaels Senior Footballers

The Connemara Gaels had plenty to do to dispose of a scrappy Young Irelands from Philadelphia in the semi-final.  At the break Philly were ahead by 5 points after a goal from a penalty.  The Gaels tried to contain the lively Philly forwards but the outlets that were available in the Boston final were not longer there.  Noel Graham accounted for the goal, which was the first score for the Gaels.  Both points also came from the boot of the Offaly man as the Gaels struggled.  The Boston side came good in the second half however.  With 10 minutes to go the sides were on level terms.  Graham, Coleman Mulkerrin, Pat McNicholas, Kevin McGrath all got on the scoreboard.  Lee Cullen moved to the middle of the field and the Gaels fortunes improved there.  A Sean Conneeley goal capped off a fine comeback, and the Gaels find themselves in tomorrow's final facing a fancied Ulster side from San Francisco.  Final score, Gaels 2-14 Philly 1-12.

The final was a heartbreaker for the Gaels, though it has to go down as one of the most exciting NACB football finals in the last few years.  The Connemara men, who fielded 9 home based players for the game, ended up on the wrong side of a two point game, though they gave it their all.  Players were moved around the field to get the get the maximum out of the team at different stages of the game.  The Gaels ran their legs off and almost pulled it off, but it was not to be for the Boston side in the end.  Having trailed at half time by 5 points the Gaels clawed their way back into the game and in the final minutes needed a goal to win it, but their exhausted legs could not breach the Ulster rearguard one more time.

The first half started with the Gaels netting early after Robbie Kiely made a tremendus run down the middle of the field and buried the ball.  Ulster had notched a point from star midfielder Caolan Daly.  Daly proved to be the main man for Ulster in the middle of the field.  The Tyrone man would remind you of Dublin's Michael Darragh McCauley the way he fielded and ran with the ball.  Ulster pulled away late in the half.  With the Gaels in a 1-3 to 0-4 lead, points coming from Noel Graham, Coleman Mulkerrin, and Graham again, Ulster scored the last 6 points on the trot.  Center forward James Austin was involved in many of the Ulster moves and they moved the ball well.  The Gaels had it all to do in the last 30 minutes.

Ulster tallied the first score after the restart, but the Gaels lifted themselves to the full extent of their abilities.  Tommy Sally pointed, as did Damien Doolan but then that man Daly netted for Ulster.  The score put Ulster up by 7 points.  The Gaels got it back within 3 minutes, a great move involving Kevin McGrath, Tom Sally, and a finish from Graham.  Ulster's lead was back to 3 points, and Austin added another before Ulster got a penalty with less than 10 minutes to go.  Eoghan Connolly pulled off a fantastic save to keep his side in the game and the momentum swung to the Gaels.  Three points on the trot from McGrath (2) and Doolan reined Ulster in to a single point, but after the San Francisco side extended their lead to 2 with minutes left the Gaels needed a goal.  The tired Gaels managed to get into the danger zone a couple of times but did not find the opening for a shot.  Ulster were jubilant at the final whistle, the Gaels totally gutted. 

Gaels:  E. Connolly, L. Cullen, C. Cullen, P. McNicholas, R. Kiely, D. Doolan, R. Hyde, T. McDonagh, S. Conneely, N. Graham, K. Owens, C. Mulkerrin, K. McGrath.  Subs used:  J. Purcell.

Senior Hurling

Na Fianna (San Fran) 0-25 Tipperary 1-9

Action from the Senior Hurling Final

Tipperary arrived in Cleveland with a bye into the final, and without many of their players from the Boston final, and also without their jerseys.  Tipp had to borrow the Wexford club's jerseys for the game.  As it turned out the Boston champions fell to Na Fianna by 13 points, though it must be said that Tipp hurled well at times, even though they were 2 men down for most of the second half, and a man down for most of the first.

Sean Moriarty netted early in the game, but soon after wards was shown a red card.  Still 50 minutes of the game to go.  Na Fianna got some great scores from free taker Sean Dowds, as well as Noel Kirby at center forward.  The San Francisco lead was gradually built up but Tipp hung in there with additional points from Kevin Kelly, James Pender, and Neil Foyle.  At the break it was 1-6 to 0-13 in favour of the western club.  Not a huge lead to overturn, but with a man down the job would all the harder.

The second half saw the second sending off, this time Pat Moriarty.  Now with 2 men down it would be nearly impossible for Tipp to pull off the win.  San Francisco kept the scoreboard ticking over, mainly from Kirby and Dowds.  Tipp did the best they could with the 11 men and at times had the San Fran back line under pressure.  Scores came from O'Donnell who had moved further forward, Pender and Foyle.  Into the fray came Danny Egan, Cliff Malone and Kevin Hartnett and at that stage the result was in little doubt.  Na Fianna have won 3 in a row now, having beaten Galway, Wexford, and now Tipp in the last 3 NACB finals.

Tipp: J. Logue, D. Buckley, R. O'Donnell, S. McGarr, A. McRedmond, P. Moriarty, C. Dempsey, M. Jordan, K. Kelly, J. Pender, M. Moriarty, S. Moriarty, N. Foyle.

By Rory O'Donnell
*Corrected from previous report.

North American Finals - Day 1

Landed in good time on Friday afternoon and got to the hotel around noon.  Made my way by shuttle bus too the fields - which actually took a good 40 minutes as the bus did the rounds of other hotels.  By the time I got there the news had come through that Worcester had been involved in a fantastic early morning game against Portland Oregon, and came though in extra time, but had gone down to the Milwaukee HC by the most slender of margins in the next game just 2 hours later!  The Donegal junior B's were involved in a game with their fellow countymen from Philly when I got there....

Junior C Hurling

Worcester 3-8 Milwaukee 2-12

The Worcester Hurling club made their first foray into the junior C competition of the North American Finals this weekend and were very unlucky to go down in the quarter final to Milwaukee on Friday afternoon.  Worcester had to overcome a strong challenge from Portland Oregon in an 8:00am game and were tied at the end of normal time 4-9 each.  The Massachusetts lads pulled it out by a score of 4-14 to 4-10 after playing the 20 minutes of extra time and went on to face Milwaukee in the quarter final just 2 hours later!  Worcester were leading at the break by a score of 2-6 to 0-5 but the extra period in the previous game took it's toll and Milwaukee went on to record a one point victory, 3-8 to 2-12.  A great season for the club, which was founded just 3 short years ago. 

Junior B Football

Donegal Boston 2-8 Donegal Philadelphia 3-21

Hugh Devine and Sean Wogan try to stop
another Philly attack.

Donegal bowed out at the first hurdle in the junior B championship against their counterparts from Philadelphia.  The Philly men had that bit of an edge over the Boston boys, who arrived a their hotel in Cleveland at 4:00 the previous morning.  Donegal also called on the services of Gareth Ruddy, John Cunningham, and John Dougan to take the field.  At the end of the first half the gap was 5 points in favour of the Philly team.  The Boston team's goal came from a penalty taken by Christy McLaughlin, who also accounted for a handful of points.

In the second half the Philly side pressed home their advantage, though at one point the Boston side looked to be making a run at it.  Philly had built up a nine point lead, but a McLaughlin point and a second penalty reduced the gap back to 5.  Philadelphia however went on to record two more goals and run out comfortable winners in the end.

Donegal Boston:  G. Ruddy, P. Doherty, M. Byrne, D. McBride, D. Doherty, S. Wogan, C. McLaughlin, H. Devine, J. Cunningham, J. Dougan, K. McDevitt, M. McDaid, M. Cutliffe.

Boston's Tadgh Lucey (Celtic Cowboys v San Fran)

Cayman Islands GAA Club - in Cleveland for the NACB Finals

NACB Senior Football Final: Christopher's v Parnells (Chi)

Christopher’s 4-15 Parnells (Chi) 0-7

Christopher’s followed their first Boston Senior Championship last week with a North American title. It was a significant moment, Christopher’s fielded a team with 5 American Born starters and ended the game with 7. In fairness the manner in which the home team ran away with the game allowed for giving everybody a run. Right from the get go it was clear that Christopher’s were the superior side by a long shot. After the first 30 minutes Christopher’s led by 9 points and it just became more one-sided in the second half.

















North American Senior Football Championship winners: Dan Cabral, Dan Kenneally, Ryan Graber, Brendan Kelly, Paudie Kenneally, Jerry Kenneally, and Paul Bannon (All American Born) - along with Donie Kenneally.

Christopher’s had to literally change their shirts inside out since there was a clash of colours and the home team are the ones to oblige. Having turned their shirts inside out, Christopher’s proceeded to turn Parnell’s inside out with some dominant performances in all over the field. Dan Kenneally impressed in midfield and Parnells had no answer for the eldest of the three Kenneally brothers on the field. Sean Kelly was on form at center forward and in the corner Finbarr (Barry) O’Driscoll put in an effortless performance. Christopher’s had seven points on the board before Parnells opened their account with a point from center forward Martin Rafter. Parnells forays into opposition territory were few and far between. Martin Hogan, Brian Lonergan, and Brendan Kelly proved a tough barrier to get around for the visitors. With Christopher’s ahead by a score of nine points to two, Barry O’Driscoll netted a fine goal. Sean Kelly worked hard to win the ball back and found O’Driscoll who planted his low shot into the bottom corner. As half time approached there was a scare as Lonegan and Dan Kenneally had to leave the field for treatment due to a clash of heads.















Christopher's celebrate their first North American Senior Football Championship.

The injured players reentered the fray to begin the second half. Parnells accounted for the first point after the restart through Brendan Doherty and for the first 15 minutes matched Christopher’s. Doherty and Rafter put a couple of points together, but this may have something to do with Dan Kenneally having to receive some additional treatment to his head injury. Scuffles began to break out and after swift warnings from the referee matters settled down again. The game was over for sure 18 minutes into the second half. Jerry Kenneally goaled from close range in the 17th minute, and O’Driscoll followed with another one minute later. Paudie Kenneally found the net with Christopher’s fourth goal two minutes later, and with the final scores of the game, Rowland and Paul Bannon put the finishing touches on an amazing season for Christopher’s.

Christopher’s: R. Graber, E. Cotter, N. Ryan, B. Lonergan, R. Hogan, B. Kelly, M. O’Meara, D. Kenneally, I. Rowland, S. Kelly, J. Kenneally, F. O’Driscoll, P. Kenneally. Parnells: J. Hanratty, P. MacFionnachada, S. Boyle, J. Rafter, B. Lynch, C. Munn, D. O’Dowd, W. Sherlock, B. Doherty, M. Rafter, C. Griffin, J. Cunningham, P. Clark.

By Rory O'Donnell

NACB Senior Hurling Final: Wexford v Tipperary

Wexford 3-15 Tipperary 2-8

It was Wexford versus Tipp Mark II for the North American Senior Hurling Final, albeit with a slightly different complexion as some of Tipp’s key players had returned to Ireland during the week. Wexford gained a measure of revenge for last weeks defeat with a handsome win. The Game was neck and neck until mid-way through the second half when Wexford raised the intensity a notch or two and pulled away with some fine scores.

The sides traded points to get things underway, and with the sides tied at three points a piece Ryan O’Dwyer goaled from close range. O’Dwyer looked more comfortable on his injured knee than a week ago, and was back to his up tempo running style. After Stephen White put Wexford four points to the good with a point Tipp came back at their opponents. Daithi O’Mahoney put two frees over the bar and then Tipp won a penalty. Pat Howard made no mistake with the shot. Paul McGrath pointed before half time to put Tipp one to the good at the break, 1-6 to 1-5.

The first fifteen minutes of the half saw the sides unable to separate from each other. Mike Heffernan and McGrath points were matched by Paddy Breen and Tony Murphy for Wexford. Wexford then raised the tempo a little and the challenges began to adopt a little bit a heavier air about them. Wexford started to work the ball well into the forward line, and captain Dominic Magill started to get control of the half back line. Jim Howard was called on to make a great save in the Tipp goal, but Wexford started to pick off several unanswered points. Jamie Kehoe and John Walsh put three over the bar between them before O’Dwyer goaled for the second time. With Tipp looking like they were fading the outcome began to appear inevitable. Murphy, O’Dwyer, and Walsh pointed to put Wexford eight points ahead and White then delivered the coup de gras with a superbly taken goal. White went on a solo run and cleverly tipped the ball over the defender before whipping home a shot that Howard had no chance of stopping.

With the clock ticking down, Paul McGrath’s frustration got the better of him as he saw red for an incident while play was stopped, and a consolation goal came from Daithi O’Mahoney. A reversal in outcomes from last week, but a split of the trophies seemed an appropriate end to the year since there was very little between the sides all season.



Wexford Captain Dominic Magill accepts the North American Trophy from former GAA President, Joe McDonagh, a great advocate for the GAA abroad. The first few lines of Dominic's speech is included.

Wexford: G. Griffey, P. Nolan, E. O’Shea, B. Dalton, D. Magill, J. Walsh, S. White, D. Redmond, P. Breen, K. O’Rourke, R. O’Dwyer, P. Ryan, T. Murphy. Tipp: J. Howard, M. Heffernan, J. McGrath, N. O’Grady, D. O’Mahoney, C. Power, C. Dempsey, B. Howley, P. Howard, C. Kavanagh, D. Kealey, P. McGrath.

By Rory O'Donnell

NACB Ladies Senior Football Final: Tir na nOg v Fog City Harps (SF)

Tir na nOg 0-7 Fog City Harps (SF) 2-14

The Fog City Harps turned it on in the second half to claim the ladies senior North American Football championship. There was a point between the sides at the end of the first half, but a goal from the throw-in at the restart followed by a flurry of points put the west coast ladies in control, with the local side playing catch-up for most of the second half.

Tir na nOg's Niamh Daly tried to put the shackles on Gemma O'Sullivan.

Sinead Bunyan opened the scoring for the San Francisco side with a well taken point. Tir na nOg answered with back to back scores from Laura Breathnach and Emma Conlan. Harps answered in kind. It was to and fro as each side put together some good passing moves. Claire Hehir pointed in fine fashion for Tir na nOg and was followed by Sheila Moran as the scoring was spread out between the home forwards. Fog City were a match however, and Sinead Bunyan at full forward was proving to be particularly effective, pointing twice more before half time. After an evenly contested half, Harps led by a point.

The second half was a different story. Jillian Joyce was introduced and the Galway county footballer proved effective in spite of being somewhat hobbled by a knee injury. The west coast side netted right from the restart through Siobhan Dolan and followed with some quick fire points as Tir na nOg were caught off guard. The visitors kept the squeeze on and did not let their opponents free from the chokehold that they held on the game. Joyce, Dolan, and Gemma O’ Sullivan added points as the game got away from the home team. Tir na nOg eventually found their feet, but by the time they managed to put some scores over the bar it was too late. Emma Conlan, Claire Hehir, and Catriona Traynor pointed, but another goal came for Harps from the boot of Joyce. Disappointment for Tir na nOg, and a well deserved victory for a good San Francisco side.

Fog City: C. Fay, J. Lynch, C. Prendergast, K. Janiak, E. Griffen, T. Lynch, R. Fox, K. Gordon, C. Burke, G. O’Sullivan, S. Edgecomb, E. Cornelan, S. Dolan, S. Bunyan, U. Creegan. Tir na nOg: F. Gohery, A. Snee, M. Moloney, C. Kelly, N. O’Neill, N. Daly, L. Brick, E. Conlon, S. Moran, L. Breathnach, C. Hehir, M. Keane, C. Treanor, S. Bannon, A. Maguire.

By Rory O'Donnell

NACB Junior Hurling Final: Fr. Tom Burke's v Naomh Padraig (SF)

Fr. Tom Burke’s 0-11 Naomh Padraig (SF) 1-5

Fr. Tom’s juniors faced a tough Naomh Padraig from San Francisco in Sunday’s final. The game was always on the line as apart from the first 10 minutes, there was never much more than a score between the teams. Na Fianna trailed by four points at the break, but made a comeback in the second half and came within a point. Tom’s survived a few scares late in the game and had David Hession to thank for some solid goalkeeping in a tremendously exciting finish.

Fr. Tom's James Brett and Stephen Noonan of Naomh Padraig contest a high ball.

Chris Cullinane pointed for Tom’s to open the scoring. Naomh Padraig hit two early wides before Kevin Mooney put Tom’s two to the good. Tom’s added a third point before Naomh Padraig got on the board through Stephen Noonan. Noonan and Timmy Buckley worked very hard in the forward line for the west coast side, Noonan pointed a second and Buckley a third before half time. Tom’s kept ahead through the free-taking of Cullinane as the balance of play broke even. At the half Tom’s led by four points.

Naomh Padraig pushed Tom’s all the way in the second half. A goal after 10 minutes brought them right back into the game and Noonan followed with a point. Tom’s had to fight hard to keep themselves in front. Aidan Staunton worked hard in the half back line, and on a number of occasions David Hession made some great stops as Na Fianna threatened to add another goal to their first. Robbie Croft put Tom’s two points to the good with an unusual point that came off the top of his helmet, and Keenan put a score between the teams with another. Tom’s had to resort to some desperate defending in the final minutes and managed to hold on to win their first junior championship since 2003.

Aidan Staunton was awarded the MVP for the game, and throughout the season Mike Moore, Larry Giunan and Sean O’Brien made significant contributions.

Toms: D. Hession, M. Moore, L. Guinan, A. Staunton, S. O’Brien, J. Brett, J. Moore, S. Scullane, C. Cullinane, N. Lawrence, R. Croft, K. Mooney, D. Fox. Naomh Padraig: L. Headd, C. Collins, P. Hogan, F. Burke, S. Corban, D. Long, P. Mahon, E. O’Brien, S. Noonan, V. Flaherty, T. Buckley, B. O’Brien, D. Walsh.

By Rory O'Donnell

NACB Junior Football Final: Aiden McAnespies v Wolfe Tones (Chi)

Aiden McAnespies 4-16 Wolfe Tones (Chicago) 0-8

The junior A football championship came to Boston for the first time in eight years, Cork were the last Boston junior team to bring the trophy to Beantown in 2001. The game was close for the first 20 minutes, and once Rory Maguire goaled late in the first half, McAnespies began to pull away. McAnespies ran out easy winners as the second half was not much of a contest.

Stephen McGettigan and Jamie Kelly put McAnespies into a two point lead, which the Tones soon cancelled out as the Chicago side kept pace in the early going. Rory Mone and Anthony Corcoran pointed for the Tones. Jamie Kelly and Mone then exchanged scores, and it was tit for tat. Things got a little testy early on with a few off the ball episodes, and the referee felt the need to issue warnings to players on each side. After Peadar Nugent put a lovely point over the bar, McAnespies began to pull away. McGettigan and Kelly pointed, and Maguire netted to put the home team in command. Colm Donnelly pointed before the half time whistle to put McAnespies ahead by 1-7 to 0-4 at the break.

From a Wolfe Tones viewpoint things degenerated in the second half. McAnespies dominated the game and kept the Tones scoreless until the final five minutes. All the while the home sided piled up the scores. The Tones were unable to keep up in the middle of the field as McAnespies strolled through the Tones defence. Kelly, Nugent and Mike Allen pointed, and Donnelly goaled to put the game beyond the visiting side. The Tones put some respectability on the scoreboard with a flurry of late points, but it was all too easy for McAnespies in the end. Corkman Mike Allen collected the MVP (Man of the Match for the folks at home) as Eugene McKenna lived up to his promise made in the Sly Fox pub 5 short months ago.

Macs: N. Duffy, N. Clancy, S. Magill, G. Hennessey, K. Hudson, P. McCusker, C. Donnelly, S. Lynn, M. Allen, R. Maguire, S. McGettigan, J. Kelly, P. Nugent. Tones: M. Campbell, M. Gallagher, D. Mone, C. Delargy, S. Folan, L. Elliott, M. O’Brien, J. Kerley, R. Mone, S. Meehan, S. Keenan, A. Corcoran, P. O’Brien.

By Rory O'Donnell

NACB Senior Camogie Final: Eire Og v Shamrocks

Eire Og 4-7 Shamrocks (SF) 4-2

Eire Og regained their place as kingpins of North American Camogie with a well deserved victory over Shamrocks of San Francisco in the Final. The early morning conditions were blustery and not the most ideal, but both teams coped well with the conditions. The game was keenly contested, and after a close first half, Eire Og displayed some fine shooting and pulled away in the final 15 minutes.

DUCK! Referee and Shamrocks alike had to duck as Fiona Gohery plays the ball.

Eire Og got off to a fine start to the game. The locals established an early goal and 2 points lead before the Shamrocks opened their account through the stick of Ciara Moran. Eire Og struck right back with a goal and two points and led by 2-3 to 0-1 with 10 minutes to go in the half. Fiona Gohery converted a penalty after Riona Daly was brought down, and shortly afterwards Gohery pointed from a 65. The Shamrocks were hardly out of it however, and Sharon O’Brien was forced into making a great save. The San Francisco side kept pushing and had a goal disallowed for an infraction in the square. Eventually the visiting side were rewarded with a goal from Suzette Bradley and soon afterwards another three pointer from Moran. At the half Eire Og held a slender 2 point lead.

Shamrocks continued to fight and made the Eire Og defence work hard.

Shamrocks leveled matters two minutes into the second half. After Gohery had put Eire Og three points ahead, Rebecca Bienat netted for Shamrocks. Eire Og took advantage of the slight breeze and proceeded to put some lovely scores over the bar. Gohery pointed twice and Sarah Kelly pulled a score back for the visitors. The intensity rose as the game entered its final quarter. Every ball was eagerly contested. However after Gohery put a fantastic point over the bar from her weak side, Eire Og began to pull away. Maureen Meehan followed with a goal and holding a five point lead, Eire Og found themselves having to put some work in on the defensive end. Ann Greally moved into the back line and worked hard, as did Aodeen Snee and Sharon O’Brien was called upon to pull off some saves. When Caroline Hanley, and Riona Daly each pointed from distance and Caroline Hanley scored a late goal, it was all over. A fine overall display from the home team as the trophy remains in Boston.

Eire Og: S. O’Brien, A. Snee, N. O’Neill, C. Hanniffey, E. Dolan, M. Keane, N. Daly, M. McElroy, C. Hanley, F. Gohery, R. Daly, A. Greally, M. Meehan. Shamrocks: G. O’Sullivan, S. Bradley, D. Ryan, S. Kelly, K. Burke, C. Moran, S. Boyle, M. Keogh, R. Biernat, D. Cunningham, S. Lynch, A. Bryant, A. Morrissey.

By Rory O'Donnell

Senior Hurling Semi-Final: Tipperary (Boston) v Na Fianna (San Fran)

Tipperary 1-16 Na Fianna (San Fran) 3-9

Tipperary and Na Fianna played a tremendously exciting semi-final, and Tipp gained revenge for last year when they fell at the semi-final stage to the San Franciscoans. The last puck of the game from corner back, Daithi O’Mahoney decided it. Tipp won a free on their own 65 and the Islegate clubman put it over to put Tipp into an all Boston final against Wexford.

Na Fianna's John Fox runs at the Tipp defence.

Na Fianna got off to a flying start with two early goals. Eamonn Brennan put both away as the corner forward waltzed through the Tipp defence to finish from close range. Pat Howard and Paul McGrath had each pointed for Tipp between the goals, but Na Fianna looked the stronger side the early going. Wallace, John Fox, and Aidan O’Sullivan each pointed and Na Fianna led seven points. Tipp worked their way back into the game. Cronan Dempsey and Noel O’Grady lifted things around the middle, and the free taking of Pat Howard and O’Mahoney made the west coasters pay for defensive indiscipline. O’Grady and John McGrath scored a couple of nice points from play, and with Tipp trailing by three points, Tipp won a free about 30 yards from goal. Paul McGrath took a short one to O’Mahoney,and O’Mahoney’s shot found it’s way into the net to level the scores heading into half time.

Tipp's Paul McGrath rounds his marker to score a lovely second half point.

Tipp played some nice hurling in the opening stages of the half. Two Pat Howard frees put them in the lead for the first time in the game, but center back John Fox goaled for Na Fianna. Howard brought the sides level again with a free, and Na Fianna won a penalty which was blocked on the line. Mike Lawlor mopped up with a point and the westerners led again. Pat Howard and Conor Kavanagh brought Tipp back ahead with two points, and yet again the lead changed hands as Na Fianna pressed for the victory. Lawlor pointed twice as at times the Tipp defence was opened up, but Na Fianna failed to deliver the fatal blow. Jim Howard made showed a steady nerve on several occasions and Tipp somehow remained in contention heading into the last few minutes. Again it was fouls that proved to be the undoing of Na Fianna. Pat Howard drew Tipp level with a free and Tipp then spurned a few good chances to go ahead. Then came the deciding score from O’Mahoney and Tipp meet Wexford for the North American.

Tipp: J. Howard, M. Heffernan, D. O’Mahoney, C. Power, N. O’Grady, B. Howley, C. Dempsey, B. Lonergan, P. Howard, D. Kealy, C. Kavanagh, J. McGrath, P. McGrath. Na Fianna: M. Bargary, B. O’Hehir, M. Sheedy, G. Wheelock, J. Fox, T. Carroll, Wallace, D. Young, A. O’Sullivan, S. Byrne, M. Lawlor, B. Walsh, E. Brennan.

Boston runners up, Wexford, faced Harry Bolands of Chicago in the first semi-final and came out winners by a score of 5-10 to 1-10. The game was level early in the second half. Wexford led by three points at half time, and after Boland’s leveled the scores with a goal, Wexford pulled away. Kieran O’Rourke from the back line lifted Wexford’s performance with some forays into the Boland’s back line. After Tony Murphy put Wexford a point to the good the floodgates opened and Wexford netted three times and pointed once to run out comfortable winners in the end.

By Rory O'Donnell