Sun Jul 14 - Senior Football: Galway v Aidan McAnespies

Today’s game between Galway and Aidan McAnespies was a battle of contrasts, as Galway were on the hunt for their first victory of the season, and Aidan McAnespies were looking to keep their unbeaten run going. Both teams have added to their panel with McAnespies adding Down and Carryduff player Daniel Guinness to their squad, and Galway adding Monaghan and Aughnamullen player Michael Bannigan to their panel for the days encounter.

McAnespies eventually took matters under control v Galway Sunday.

(Rachel O'Driscoll)

Galway had a compelling start out the game, with a number of points from play from Michael Bannigan (one of which was a great curling point), a free in front of goal from Sean Carrabine, and a point from Sean Melville. Galway added to the Macs woes when Galway sent a great sideline kick across the field into Cian Hanley, who slotted the ball past Robbie Croft. Former Kerry player Tony Brosnan would get the first score for McAnespies to stop the cull. They would further help their cause when the Macs would work the ball up the field from the backs through Brosnan, who would kick it to Robbie Smyth on the edge of the square who would show his skill and spatial awareness, as he kicked in the goal while falling. Galway would not falter however, as the likes of Bannigan would add to his tally of scores, and the macs would keep up with a free from Smyth to tighten scoring gap, Macs in subsequent kickout won the ball in midfield and would end up scoring the last point in the half to go into half time 2 points down.

  

Macs ran away with it in the end.

The 2nd half would start with Galway trying to extend their now shortened lead, however they’d be unsuccessful, as a number of missed opportunities from the Galway front line, and a superb point from Peter O’Connell, who scored from the 45 from play,  would close the gap back to an even playing field after what was a dominant Galway lead. This would be the last time the teams would be level as the McAnespies went on to find another gear and a new ruthlessness that was missing from them in the first half. Galway would continue to try and get back into the game, but a number of wides and savvy play would put the game out of reach as a number of points from Robbie Smyth, and Peter O’Carroll and Goals from Tony Brosnan, and Seamus Higgins would seal the victory for Aidan McAnespies who continue their unbeaten run in this year’s championship.

Galway continue to look for their first victory when they face Donegal next week July 21st at 2:30, While McAnespies look to continue their strong start when they face Wolftones, also next Sunday at 5pm.

Galway – Jamie Kelly, Mark Mannion, Evan Wynne, Stuart Cullen, Danny Burke, Shairoze Akram, Billy Mannion, Cian Hanley, Sean Melville, Adam Gallagher, Sean Carrabine, Kevin Cummins, Michael Bannigan

McAnespies – Robbie Croft, Oisin McConvey, Ronan Murphy, Mickey Boyle, Barry Kerr, Daniel Guinness, Declan Hughes, Peter O’Connell, Steven O’Hanlon, Evan Cronin, Niall Toner, Tony Brosnan, Robbie Smyth

Written By: Evan McDonagh

Sun Jul 7 - Inter Football: Cork v Shannon Blues

Following a close matchup earlier in the day which resulted in a draw between the sides in the Junior B competition, the sides met once again, this time in the Intermediate Championship, where both Cork and the Shannon Blues, who had met earlier in the Intermediate championship where the Blues were victorious,  were looking to continue their winning ways after victories in their previous matches (Both over the Christophers)

Mark Dalton for Cork

(Rachel O'Driscoll)

Cork started the game strong, with a quick point from Full Forward Jack Barrett. Quickly after that, Barrett was brought down in the box with a sliding tackle from Full Back Derek O’Brien, who received a Yellow card for his foul, and conceded a penalty for the infraction. However, The Blues had a bit of luck as the Penalty was missed and went wide. Cork continued to add to their tally with points from Jack Lacey and a free from Barrett. The Blues looked to be on the back foot until a break in play and a well taken shot gave them a reprieve as Tom Hannon scored a goal to bring the game level 0-3 to 1-0. As the half continued, there was a number of wides for both sides who had numerous shots go wide of the posts. It seemed that the day would be full of missed opportunities, until Cork made a breakthrough and Barrett scored a goal to extend Cork’s lead by 5 points. The Blues with a good flow of play worked toward chipping away at the lead with a point, but a great block from Center Back Mark Dalton broke the play. A following free from Barrett and a point for the Blues from Paddy O’Connor ended the half with a score of 1-7 to 1-2.

The Shannon Blues started the second half with a point from Wing Forward Paddy O’Connor as they began to attempt to chip away at the Cork lead. However, the following play lead to Cork extending their lead with a 2nd goal for Full Forward Jack Barrett who slotted the ball low into the corner after a great pass setup Barrett 1 v 1 with the Blues Goalkeeper who made a good attempt to stop the shot. As the 2nd half went on, both teams went point for point as Paddy O’Connor for the Blues tried to shorten the gap, and Darragh Murphy for Cork would counter to keep the gap in place. It looked to be a white wash day for the Blues until a good flow of play pressured the Cork defence in the Box, and the pressure benefited the Blues as a Cork defender attempted to stop a surefire goal by intercepting a pass, he was unfortunate though to mis-handle the ball, leading to an own goal in the Blues favor. This brought the game within 3 and what seemed to be a surefire win for Cork was slowly turning into a battle against the Shannon Blues. 

Jack Lacey tracked by Adam Kenny

(Rachel O'Driscoll)

A number of frees from both teams kept the game flowing, with Barrett for Cork adding to his growing tally, as did O’Connor for the Blues. Cork was looking to be uncatchable despite the Blues best effort. However, a foul by Corolan on Joe McHugh in the Box lead to the Blues to be granted a penalty opportunity. Paddy O’Connor would step up to take the penalty at the same goal as Cork had their chance in the 1st half, and same as the 1st half attempt, the penalty would go wide, keeping the gap within 3 points. The Blues would follow up with a point from O’Connor, and a great block from Shane Kelly from the Blues would keep the score at 2 as they continued on to attempt to steer the game into a victory for the Blues. However, Cork would be the eventual victors of this battle with a final score of 2-13 to 2-9.

Both teams are in strong contention to make it to the finals of the Intermediate finals. Cork will continue their push with a game vs Christophers next Sunday July 14th @ 1pm, while the Shannon Blues will have to wait until August 4th for their next matchup in the Intermediate Championship.

Cork: Kieran McEnery, Mike Conlon, Frank Dillon, Jack Lacey, Mark Dalton, Emmet Smyth, Jack Lynch, William Finnegan, Nick Mallone, Darragh Murphy, Adam Kenny, Jack Barrett, Ian Caggney

Shannon Blues: Michael Moriarty, Shane Kelly, Derek O’Brien, Darren O’Donovan, Tom Hannon, Eamon Kilgannon, Pat Murray, Maurice Young, Kyle Higgins, Paddy O’Connor, Michael Moylan, Darren Wallace, Joe McHugh

Written By: Evan McDonagh

Sun July 7 - Senior Hurling: Galway v Tipperary

Galway 3-15 Tipperary 1-20

The senior hurling championship is looking ever more interesting with each passing game.  Tipperary looked like they had Galway put away late in the second half, but some substitutions from the Galway bench, and a never say die attitude, saw Galway steal the win with a late-late goal from Lorcan McLaughlin. 

Up for Grabs late in the game between Galway and Tipp

(Rachel O'Driscoll)

Tipp held a comfortable looking lead after one half was played.  Playing well and a 1-13 to 0-8 cushion to take into the second half seemed to have the Premier County side well in position to rebound after the previous week’s defeat to Fr. Tom Burke’s.  Early on it was Darragh Mooney and Colin Currie doing the damage at one end, while in the half back line there was some great defending from Paul Morris and Mooney.  Galway relied on Sean Morrissey to get them on the scoreboard early on, and later it was Lorcan McLaughlin finding his range. 

Tipp were the side looking more in synch, and eventually the breakthrough came with a goal from Patrick Fitzgerald.  Fitzgerald made a great run to get into range and the shot found the back of the net.  The teams swapped points to take us to the break, and at that stage one felt as though Tipp were well on course to another 2 points.

Galway kept going till the very end and 

were rewarded with a winning goal. 

(Rachel O'Driscoll)

If Tipperary were feeling a little complacency you’d have hardly blamed them, but complacency combined with a determined opponent is a bad combination.  About half way through the second period Galway had pulled within 2 points.  Thomas Douglas and McLaughlin pointed 2 a piece for Galway, with Darragh Mooney and Currie pointing for Tipp.  A much needed goal came from Danny Burke.  Burke had a few bites at the cherry, but kept at it till the ball hit the back of the net with a pull off the ground from close range.  Comeback on?  Well, Tipperary answered with three points in a row.  Two were lovely efforts from Currie from play, and Tipp were up 5 with the clock ticking.

Into the fray for Galway came Kilkenny man, Niall Walsh, and the man from Windgap made an impression.  Walsh won a penalty after being held in the box, and Douglas took it and buried the shot.  Comeback on again, but the clock was ticking.  The excitement on the Galway side of the field was palpable with watches being checked and players urged to defend, put it in, put it over, or whatever the situation called for.  A Douglas free made it a one point game, but Tipp again had it back to goal through Currie.  The grand finale came after keeper Eanna Murphy put a long ranger over, and with still time for a chance, Galway got it and took it.  Burke found McLaughlin with room to shoot and the ball billowed the net to the delight of the westerners.  Two Tipperary defeats on the trot has not been seen in Canton for a long time, and with Tom’s coming up for Galway next week this championship is very much up for grabs.

Galway:  Eanna Murphy, Tom Davey, David Lowney, Mark Bermingham, Ronan Burke, Brian Kennedy, Danny Burke, Darragh Lawler, Lorcan McLaughlin, Mikey Mahoney, Adam Kenny, Sean Morrissey, Michael Moylan.

Tipperary:  Dara Perry, Mark O’Keefe, John Hamilton, Paul Morris, Darragh Mooney, Sean McGarr, Cronan Dempsey, Patrick Fitzgerald, James Sweeney, Donal Burke, Conor Martin, Colin Currie.

By Rory O'Donnell

Connemara Gaels vs Donegal - Senior Football Championship - Sun July 7th

In what could very easily be a preview of this years Senior Final, The Connemara Gaels met Donegal in the Boston Senior Football Championship. Both teams at the start of the day had the same 2-0-1 record going in, and were both coming into this match off victories.

The Gaels Nathan Donnelly bottled up.

(Rachel O'Driscoll)

Donegal opened the scoring with their latest signing in Former Kerry Senior, and All Ireland winner Barry John Keane scoring a point. The Connemara Gaels replied however with 4 unanswered points from Colm O’Shaughsney, Cian Murphy, Sean Connelly, and Kellan Sexton. The tally should have been more as the Gaels would have a number of wides during this period, and would have similar throughout the game. Donegal would bring the game within a point again after scores from Gary Walsh and Shane Carthy. Sexton had  a great chance to extend the Gaels lead after receiving a cross field pass, and was 1 v1 with Donegal Keeper Hugh Boyle, but opted to go for a point instead of taking on the Donegal keeper. Donegal would retaliate though with their own attempt at goal, when Barry John Keane would lose his man, and stick the ball in the low corner to put Donegal in the lead for the 2nd time in the match. Donegal would add to the tally with a great run and a point from midfield from Ray Connelan. The Gaels would have an attempt to score a goal of their own, when Pauric McAnenly would be 1 on 1 with the Donegal shot stopper, who would make a brilliant save and push the Full Forwards shot out around the post to concede a 45, which was converted by Clare Senior Player Kellan Sexton, ending the half with a score of 0-8 Gaels to 1-6 Donegal.

Aidan O'Sullivan tries to play the ball for Donegal.

(Rachel O'Driscoll)

The 2nd half started out with a point from Barry John Keane to continue to add to his and Donegal’s tally. The intensity of the game was starting to show as tempers rosed between Adam Fallon and Mark Bradley, the situation was handled by referee James McGrath, who gave both players Yellow cards to dissolve the situation. The Gaels would then have an attempt to get a goal of their own as McAnenly made a great pass to Sexton, who thanks to the pressure from Boyle, shot wide to preserve Donegal’s lead. Donegal would continue to chip away at the score with points from John Bingham and Gary Walsh to give Donegal a 7 point lead. It was looking like the wides from the Gaels, as well as the heroics from keeper Boyle was going to be their downfall on the day, however, a goal from McAnenly gave them a lifeline to cut the lead to 4 points. This would be the beginning of the resurgence of the Gaels, as Sexton would score a number of points to counter the points of Connelan and Bingham to keep the Gaels within reach. The Gaels had cut the deficit down from 7 points to 2 up until former captain Sean Connelly would make a breakthrough and get a goal for the Gaels to go into the lead once again. Donegal weren’t going away though, and with points from Ciaran Murtagh, and Shane Carthy to bring Donegal into the lead once again, it looked like Donegal would walk way with another victory. However, Kellan Sexton had something to say about that, and went on to score a goal to get the Connemara Gaels a victory over their rivals with a scoreline of 3-12 to 1-16.

With a victory for the Gaels, they now improve their record to 3-0-1, and have a few weeks to recover as they prepare to face Donegal once again on July 28th. While Donegal will be in action sooner as they look to recover from this tough lost as they face Galway on July 21st.

Connemara Gaels: Sean Fox, Adam Fallon, David Larkin, Ciaran Kileen, Colm O’Shaughsney, Cian Murphy, Ryan Caffery, Nathan Donnelly, Nial Collins, Sean Connelly, Nathan O’Neil, Kellan Sexton, Pauric McAnenly

Donegal: Hugh Boyle, Aaron Deeney, Aidan O’Sullivan, John Bingham, Jack O’Brien, Sean Doherty, Ray Connellan, Shane Carthy, Ciaran Murtagh, Gary Walsh, Sean Donnelly, Barry John Keane, Mark Bradley

Written by: Evan McDonagh