Aidan McAnespies Junior Bs defeated by Pittsburgh in Semi-Final.

Semi-Final: Aidan McAnespies 2-4 Pittsburgh Celtics 1-9


Macs had a five point win over local side, Sons of Boru in the quarter final on Friday and headed into Saturday’s game with every expectation of making the final but it was not to be. The Boston representatives lost out by a score of 2-4 to 1-9. McAnespies played well in the first half. Willie Carroll and Jimmy Corrigan did well in the forward line as did old reliable, Peadar Nugent. At the end of the first half McAnespies led by a score of 1-3 to 0-4. Willie Carroll opened the scoring after 10 minutes with a pointed free. After Niall Mullen leveled for Pittsburgh, Peadar Nugent put the Macs into a four point lead with a point that was followed by a goal from close range. McAnespies played the ball well and held the Pittsburgh forwards to the single point for most of the first half, and things looked promising for the Boston side. The writing was on the wall as the game wore on however and fitness became a factor. Nate Mavrer in the middle of the field proved to be problematic for McAnespies. At the tallest man on the field, Mavrer won plenty of ball for the youngsters and gradually the possession battle swung to Pittsburgh. Late in the half the Celtics landed three points to close the gap to two points at the break.

Action from McAnespies v Celtics in Semi-Final.

Pittsburgh opened the second half with three quick points, and as McAnespies tired the Pennsylvania side took over. With plenty of running and a short passing game the Celtics opened up McAnespies back line with increasing frequency and points came from Niall Mullen, Ryan Dowd, and Niall Hawking. McAnespies looked to get the ball into corner forwards Benny McGettigan and Peadar Nugent at every opportunity, and McGettigan goaled to put Macs back on top for a brief period. As the game reached the later stages options coming out of defence were limited as tired legs got the better of the McAnespies players. When Pittsburgh goaled to take a one point lead with 10 minutes to go they looked to be in control. Another point followed and with time running out McAnespies needed a goal to pull off an unlikely victory. In injury time the Boston side almost did just that. The ball bobbled around the penalty area but a McAnespies boot could not connect for a decent shot and with that the final whistle sounded. Disappointing for McAnespies, though in truth a win would have amounted to stealing the game.


In the final Pittsburgh secured an easy win over their mid-west rivals Detroit, which makes you wonder what might have been.

Macs: E. McKenna, O. Guirke, P. McCusker, C. Traynor, G. Hennessey, M. Bogue, P. Nugent, E. McCusker, S. McGettigan, W. Carroll, J. Corrigan, R. McCrystal, E. Daly, P. Ryan, P. Nolan. Pitsburgh: C. Heaney, D. Kelly, F. Finnan, D. Coyne, R. McAleenan, D. Ruben, N. Mavrer, K. Hathaway, R. Macel, R. Dowd, D. Kennedy, N. Hawking, N. Mullen.


By Rory O'Donnell

Na Fianna San Fran defeat Galway in Senior Hurling Final.

Final: Galway 1-6 Na Fianna San Francisco 3-14


Galway arrived in San Francisco with a team that was severely depleted from the one that lifted the Boston championship the week before. The Galway boys made the most of it and defeated Vancouver in the semi-final on Saturday by a score of 0-17 to 0-13. Conditions on Treasure Island were difficult given the stiff cross-field breeze. Galway led at the break by four points, 0-9 to 0-5, though it seemed the breeze favoured them in the first half. Vancouver worked their way back into the game and got within one point late in the game, but Galway stuck to the task and three points late in the game saved their bacon. It looked as if Vancouver had the momentum, but Keith Killilea put a point over on 24 minutes, and Paul Guinan pointed two late frees to give Galway the four point cushion. Vancouver had chances to win the game but on one or two occasions when it seemed as if a goal was on, could not produce the goods. Galway went on to face Na Fianna who looked very good in their semi-final defeat of their local San Francisco rivals Naomh Padraig.

The Galway Hurlers made the final but did not have enough for Na Fianna.

Galway were up against it in the final. Na Fianna were fit and sharp and Galway did not get much change from the opposing back line. By the time the first half was 20 minutes old Galway were behind by eight points and it did not get much better. Kieran Grehan pointed five times, four from frees, while wing forward Shane Maher netted two goals, the second coming with five minutes left in the half. For their part Galway got a sterling performance from Killian Murphy at corner back and Sylvie Lennane in the half back line. Galway pointed twice from Paul Guinan frees and really should have had more to show for their efforts on the scoreboard. There were several missed scoring chances that would have put some respectability on the scoreboard. At the break Na Fianna led by a score of 2-8 to 0-2. The trophy looked destined for San Francisco.


And so it was. Galway lifted their effort somewhat in the second half, but were still not a match for the local outfit. Shortly after the restart Maher had his hat trick and further points came from Grehan and Jody Brennan. Galway managed scores from Fintan O’Leary, Killilea and Guinan. It became a matter of waiting for the final whistle as the outcome was in no doubt. Paul Guinan netted from a 21 yard free to make things look respectable but Galway just did not have the horses, while for Na Fianna it must have seemed too easy. It must be noted that Turloughmore native and Galway HC veteran, Josie Fahy, togged and made an appearance in the final minutes of the game. The last time the finals were held in the Bay Area a decade ago Galway also faced Na Fianna in the senior hurling final. Back then it was Galway who had the facile win with a team that contained names such as Budddy Curley, David Franks, Jeffrey Lynskey, and Martin Cullinane. It seems however as if the Galway Hurling Club is back on the rise after 10 years in the doldrums.


Galway: D. Kilmartin, A. Murphy, K. Murphy, D. McMahon, S. Lennane, L. Byrne, D. Murray, G. McNamara, P. Guinan, F. O’Leary, J. Byrne, K. Killilea, J. Kinsella, S. Corbett, J. Fahy. Na Fianna: M. Bagery, L. Gormley, A. Cuddihy, J. Walsh, G. Wheelock, A. Cunnane, J. Hayes, S. Burrows, J. Molloy, S. Maher, K. Grehan, J. Brennan, M. Doyle.


By Rory O'Donnell