Aug 4 - Senior Football: Christopher's v Shannon Blues

Christopher's 3-11 Shannon Blues 1-17

Christopher's and the Blues played out a draw in a bizarre and exciting finish to the game.  For three quarters of the game a win looked likely for Christopher's who rode two first half goals well into the second half.  But the Blues kept chipping away as Christopher's seemed content to sit on their lead.  The Blues closed the gap until Kieran Hurley put his side a point to the good with full time approaching.  Christopher's then looked to have pulled out a win after a Gary O'Leary goal, only for Cathal McHugh to level it with a goal in the final action of the game.

Quinlivan Scores for Christopher's

Shannon Blues started the game minus 2 key players.  Barry Hartnett suffered a season ending injury last week, and Barry John Keane pulled a hamstring during the week.  Christopher's started off at a blistering pace and pulled into an early 5 point lead.  Gary O'Leary and Kevin McAllister in the forward line looked dangerous, and at corner forward Michael Quinlivan was an ever looming threat.  O'Leary, Quinlivan, and McAllister accounted for points, and O'Leary a goal.  After the Blues pulled back a point another goal came from Quinlivan who acrobatically fielded a high ball and after faking the keeper, shot low and the ball made it across the line.  It was  now a 7 point Christopher's lead and the champions had it all to do.  The Blues found a rhythm eventually.  Darragh Treacy was his usual hard working self, while Hurley a proven scorer started to heat up.  Treacy, Hurley, and Cathal Moriarty combined for 4 points between them before the break to keep their side in touch at the break, 2-4 to 0-7.

Treacy Shoots for the Blues.

The Blues came storming back in the second half after Christopher's had opened a 5 point lead.  At one stage Hurley pointed five times in a row, 2 from frees to draw the Blues within a point of their opponents.  Christopher's had stretched their lead to 5 points.  Scores from Brady, Quinlivan, and O'Leary had Christopher's looking comfortable, but then came the Blues.  Hurley's string of points brought his side within a point before a burst forward from David Culhane, as if to try and waken his side up, resulted in a point by O'Leary.  The Blues restored parity with points from Cathal McHugh and Hurley as Christopher's continued to concede possession in the middle of the field.  Substitute Conor Fitzgerald did well for the Blues after coming on and won a free that Hurley pointed to put the Blues one to the good.  It looked like a famous comeback was going to go down in Shannon Blues lore, but then came a final burst from Christopher's.  A great move that involved McAllister opening the Blues back line with a run resulted in a goal from O'Leary.  After it was followed by a Quinlivan point and the clock in injury time, Christopher's looked like they had snatched that famous win away from the Blues.  Not to be as the Blues drove forward once more and won a free inside the 14.  Christopher's defenders failed to line the goal and an inital shot was well saved by Paudie Kenneally, but McHugh was alert to the rebound to net.  A crazy end to a very entertaining game.  The Blues finished the season in top spot with the draw.  Christopher's won second place and both teams get the bye into the semi-final. 

Christopher's:  P. Kenneally, D. Culhane, C. Murphy, M. Delaney, D. O'Sullivan, M. Hunt, M. Mennis, D. Kenneally, K. McAllister (0-2), G. O'Leary (2-3), P. Quirke, M. Quinlivan (1-2), C. Brady (0-3).  Blues:  D. O'Brien, S. Kelly, G. Ryan, K. Hartnett, P. Domican, G. Cunniffe, S. Brosnan, M. Butler, S. Moriarty, D. Treacy (0-1), C. Moriarty (0-1), C. McHugh (1-2), K. Hurley (0-13). 

By Rory O'Donnell 

Sunday Aug 4 - Ladies Senior Football: Tír na nÓg v Boston Shamrocks

Tír na nÓg 3-7 Boston Shamrocks 4-10

The Shamrocks booked a place in the Ladies final with what turned out to be a comfortable win over rivals, Tír na nÓg.  The Brighton side led at the break, but in the second half the Shamrocks turned it around with 3 goals to secure second place and a date in the final against Connacht Ladies in 3 weeks time.

Tir na nOg took the game to the Shamrocks
in the first half.

Tír na Óg held the edge the end of the first 30 minutes thanks to a Katie Coombes goal just before half time.  Coombes shot from distance sneaked over the head of Kathleen Rohan and broke what was a tight game up to that point.  The Brighton girls worked very hard and looked a little sharper going forward.  Points from Maggie Sayers, Katie Crozier, and Christine Kelly went over the bar.  The Shamrocks kept battling however and pointed through Kelly Mullen and Rebecca Kelly.  With the game tied, Clodagh McGovern's shot hit the underside of the crossbar and was adjudged to the crossed the line for a Shamrock's goal.  It looked like that may have been the trigger for the Shamrocks to break open the game  Tír na nÓg answered right away however.  A goal from the industrious Caroline Nee answered the Shamrocks, and then came Coombes effort just before the break.

Sharon McGovern turns upfield.

With their season on the line, Tír na nÓg battled hard to keep it alive.  Tír na nÓg saw their lead evaporate 10 minutes into the second half.  McGovern, Woods, and Mullen pointed for the Shamrocks.  Then came the first of the three goals for the green and gold.  Catriona McGinley who came on as a sub fed Woods who finished well.  A second came shortly afterwards from Mullen and the Shamrocks were 4 points to the good.  Nee and Bannon had pointed for Tír na nÓg.  Things got interesting after Maggie Sayers netted for the Brighton side, but the Shamrocks finished the game strong.  McGinley restored the lead with goal number 3, and two points from McGovern and Mullen secured the victory.  The Shamrocks get a third crack at Connacht Ladies, this time for the big one.

Tir na nOg:  F. Gohery, N. O'Neill, A. O'Leary, C. Hanley, K. Coombes (1-0), L. Brick, M. Murphy, K. Brogan, M. Sayers (1-1), C. Nee (1-1), J. Moran, S. Bannon (0-1), K. Crozier (0-1), C. Kelly (0-3), E. Kasey.  Shamrocks:  K. Rohan, B. Lockwood, L. Larkin, L. Quinn, R. McHugh, A. McDonnell, E. McGovern, S. Carroll, S. Mullen, E. King, S. McGovern, K. Mullen (1-5), C. McGovern (1-3), S. Woods (1-1), R. Kelly (0-1).  Sub: C. McGinley (1-0).

By Rory O'Donnell

Saturday August 3 - Senior Hurling: Tipperary v Fr. Tom Burke's

Tipperary 4-16 Fr. Tom Burke's 2-12

With the final round of games left in the senior hurling championship, Tipperary are in the familiar position of table toppers, while Tom's last chance is to force a playoff by beating Wexford next week.  Driven by Kieran Morris at corner forward, 2 first half goals propelled Tipp into a half time lead.  Tom's battled to keep in touch, but with about 10 minutes to go a third goal knocked the stuffing out of their challenge.

Tom's battled hard but Tipp finished the game stronger.

It was Kieran Morris at corner forward who had an involvement in each goal in the first period.  Eanna Murray netted the first following a 30 yard run from Morris, while Morris got the second himself.  The second goal put the distance between the teams as Tipp led by a point at that stage.  Tom's looked to Mark Deegan and Joe Carroll for inspiration.  Carroll put a fine score over the bar late in the half, while Deegan pointed twice.  David O'Mahoney netted a goal for Tom's after Cormac Joyce-Power played a fine ball over the top.  However, the Tipp defence did a good job mopping up the ball played into the Tom's forward line, and with the points coming from the familiar sources of Murray, Maher, and Morris by the break it was 2-7 to 1-7 lead for Tipp.

Tom's had reduced the deficit to 2 points early in the second half after Joyce-Power, Deegan, and Joe Carroll pointed.  Shane Howley showed some lovely skill and vision to find Carroll for his score.  Tipp's points came from wing back Geoff Brennan and midfielder Kevin Kelly.  The game remained within four points between the sides until the final 10 minutes.  After Tom's missed a couple of great chances to pull closer, Tipp finished strong and tallied 2-4 to put the game away.  The third goal was a back breaker and somewhat unfortunate from a Tom's standpoint.  Eoin Fleming made a great save from the initial shot, but Morris was there to pick up the pieces after a fluffed clearance attempt, and netted easily.  Substitute Mick Brennan helped himself to a goal and a point after coming on.  With the game gone from them a consolation goal came from Joyce-Power.  So, Tom's needing a win against Wexford to stay in the competition, while a draw next week against Galway will see Tipp straight into the final.

Tipp:  J. Logue, S. Stanton, D. Buckley, A. McGrath, R. O'Donnell, G. Brennan (0-1), C. Dempsey (0-1), K. Kelly (0-1), S. McGarr, D. Maher (0-2), E. Murray (1-2), K. Morris (2-7), N. Foyle.  Subs:  S. Moriarty (0-1), M. Brennan (1-1).  Tom's:  E. Fleming, G. Joyce, R. Burke, D. Lafferty, S. Coughlan, B. Harding, S. Higgins, M. Deegan (0-2), S. Howley, J. Carroll (0-3), C. Joyce-Power (1-2), S. Quirke (0-3), D. O' Mahoney (1-1).

By Rory O'Donnell

Sunday August 4 - Junior A2 Football: Galway v Connemara Gaels

Connemara Gaels 0-13 Galway 0-7

The Gaels and Galway juniors faced off with a view to making the junior A2 final.  The Gaels played some nice football to run out 7 point winners.

The Gaels opened the first half with 3 points coming from Tom McDonagh, AJ Maguire, and Joe Geoghegan.  Galway answered with scores from corner forward Simon O'Brien and JJ Doyle.  The Gaels, however, dominated the remainder of the half.  Gary O'Malley in the middle of the field distributed the ball well, and scores came from Kieran Lowe, McDonagh, and 2 beautiful points from Geoghegan from tight angles.  At the break it was 0-8 to 0-2 for the Gaels.

Galway started off the second half well and did well to break up the early Gaels efforts.  The tribesmen capitalized with 2 JJ Doyle points, but the Gaels got their game going again.  Stephen Murray did well in the middle of the field, as did Ciaran Lee and the points began to flow again.  Lowe put a well worked score of the bar, followed by another lovely Geoghegan point.  Murray got his name on the scoresheet as the curtain began to fall for Galway.  Galway managed to engineer some late goal chances, one was excellently saved by Gaels keeper, James O'Donnell, and the other flew just wide of the near post from Doyle.  Galway with a game left to try and beat the Blues and force a playoff scenario for the final 2.

Gaels:  J. O'Donnell, J. Purcell, C. Lafferty, K. Lowe, P. McNicholas, S. Murray, T. McDonagh, G. O'Malley, P. McDonnell, C. Lee, AJ Maguire, J. Geoghegan, J. Conneeley.  Sub:  R. O'Donnell.  Galway:  M. Molloy, G. Lundy, C. Dvilly, D. Redmond, C. Neville, T. Moloney, T. Walsh, B. Bligh, A. Mallon, P. Nolan, P. Bligh, Jj Doyle, S. O'Brien.

By Rory O'Donnell

August 3 - Junior A1 Football: Cork v Wolfe Tones

Cork 2-9 Wolfe Tones 0-8 

Cork's Jack Lynch on the move.

Cork enjoyed a convincing win over the Wolfe Tones on Saturday evening.   Cork were missing four players from their draw with Donegal, but took the game to the Tones right from the off.  Cork led by 1-08 to 0-04 at half time.  The rebels played some great football.  Mick Lyons took a couple of good scores, and fellow Dubliner, Lar Barden netted a fine goal midway through the half.  Mark Cahilane also got on the scoreboard for Cork, while for the Tones the scores came from Gavin Walsh and Kenny O'Regan.  Cork suffered a blow as midfielder Lyons had to leave the game and could be missed for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. 

Shea Leonard tried to block Barry Egan's Shot.

The Tones got back into the game in the second half and narrowed the deficit to 3 points.  The Tones almost tied the game late on, but John O'Toole made a fine save to preserve the lead.  Cork then rallied following the let off and it was club stalwart, Johnny Crowley, who netted a trademark goal to ensure that both points would go to Cork.  Cork assured themselves a semi-final place in the Junior A championship two weeks from now.  

Tones:  G. Molloy, B. Egan, G. Leno, M. O'Brien, D. McGuire, C. Malone, M. Breslin, S. O'Brien, D. Bruton, K. O'Regan, L. Carr, G. Walsh, M. McGeough.  Cork:  J. O'Toole, E. O'Donovan, M. Carolan, M. Dunphy, S. McGarr, D. O'Donovan, J. Lynch, M. Lyons, J. Crowley, L. Barden, S. Leonard, G. Joyce, M. Cahilane.

July 28 - Senior Football: Aidan McAnespies v Shannon Blues

Shannon Blues 0-9 Aidan McAnespies 0-11

Aidan McAnespies ended the Blues unbeaten run this year in a hard hitting, stop start encounter in which McAnespies prevailed, and they had to in order to avoid relying on the Connemara Gaels beating Donegal next week.  Some great performances from Conor Daly at wing back, Luke Kelly in the half forward line, and Stephen Sherry in midfield was enough to carry the South Boston men over the line at the end of a bruising encounter.

Stephen Sherry getting some attention from Barry Hartnett.

It was all square at the end of the first half.  Neither side managed to get on top of the other, though for a time it looked as though the Blues had the measure of their opponents.  After McAnespies opened their account with a Luke Kelly point the Blues floated 3 over the bar, substitute Kieran Hurley putting one between the posts almost immediately after entering the fray.  McAnespies came into it as the game warmed up, and ended the half on a 4 points to 2 run.  Conor Daly, Kelly, Jamie Doolan and Declan Lally hit the mark.  Daly in the half back line worked hard, as did Stephen Sherry in midfield.  For the Blues Sean Moriarty and BJ Keane got on the scoresheet and it was all 5 each at the break.

Cathal McHugh with Eoin Delmar keeping an eye.

In the second half the Blues lost midfielder Barry Hartnett to injury.  However with about 10 minutes to go Declan Lally was sent to the line for striking out, and as he left the field McAnespies held a slender one point lead.  Lally appeared to get frustrated after having his leg held, but swung out and referee Colm Schwer had no choice.  Some great work by Luke Kelly, Lally, and Sherry led to points from Tobin, Francie Burke, Lally and a wonderful Jamie Doolan score.  Doolan showed exquisite skill to beat his man, pick it up and pop the ball over the bar.  Kelly pointed right from that kickout, and it was a 2 point McAnespie lead as the pendulum swung in their favor.  Following the loss in personnel McAnespies urgently got some fresh legs on the field in the form of Collie Donnelly and David McKenna.  The South Boston men worked hard to keep the lead and successfully did so.  It was edge of the seats stuff at the end though, as the Blues had a last chance at a goal to try and win it, but the McAnespie defence kept the door closed.  Having been in danger of missing out, McAnespies are all the way into a joint second place now, such is the tight nature of the competition.

Blues:  D. O'Brien, K. Hartnett, G. Ryan, S. Kelly, P. Domican, S. Brosnan, B. Hartnett, D. Treacy, S. Moriarty (0-1), R. Blaine, Conor McHugh, Cathal McHugh (0-1), BJ Keane (0-5).  Sub:  C. Hurley (0-2).  Macs:  P. Coakley, E. Rigney, E. Delmar, N. Gallen, C. McClean, C. Daly (0-1), S. Sherry, C. Shine (0-1), L. Kelly (0-3), D. Lally (0-2), C. Tobin, F. Burke (0-1), J. Doolan (0-2).

By Rory O'Donnell

July 28 - Senior Hurling: Galway v Wexford

Galway 1-18Wexford 2-12

Galway pulled joint top of the table with a well earned win over a battling Wexford.  Galway led from the beginning of the game, and from the middle of the first half pulled into a lead that they never looked like giving up.  With the scoring spread across the forward line Galway were well equipped to answer when Wexford looked like making a run at overtaking the lead.

John Moylan on the attack.

Galway held a 3 point lead at the end of the first 30 minutes of play as Wexford hung in thanks to a fine goal from David Drake.  Galway looked to be pulling away, but Drake's strike leveled the scores.  Galway had the aces in the deck starting with Waterford's Daragh Fives at center back, as well as a forward line that can rack up the scores.  The Tribesmen picked off the points, the first coming from a Fives '65.  John Moylan, who is having a fine season, David Collins, and Sean Curran were each on the mark.  Galway pulled ahead as the first half moved on through Moylan, Lupton and Collins scores.  At the break it was 0-10 to 1-4.

Tom Moloney with Pat Lupton in attendance.

Galway looked like they would make a formality out of the second half after David Collins drove home a goal mid way through and pulled 7 points ahead after Pat Lupton followed the score with a point.  Wexford rearranged their lineout, pulling Eoghan Kavanagh to center forward.  The Slaneysiders got the goal back after Brian Clince found Simon Aylward coming in on goal to give him the simplest of finishes from inside the 14.  A goal in it, but it was Galway who still looked in control of affairs.  The westerners got the next 3 points to restore the lead to 6.  Wexford continued to battle it to the end and pulled within a goal thanks to points from Aylward and 2 long range frees from O'Brien, but that was as close as it got.  Galway get the double win over Wexford, and are and are joint top with Tipperary.

Galway:  P. Connors, P. Ryan, C. Murphy, D. McCormack, D. Fives (0-4), D. O'Connor, R. Bergin, S. Curran (0-1), S. Brown, P. Ivors (0-3), J. Moylan (0-4), D. Collins (1-3), P. Lupton (0-3).  Wexford:  E. Spruhan, D. Redmond, M. McCaffery, T. Moloney, P. Nolan, M. Warnock, J. Kehoe (0-2), B. Clince (0-2), S. O'Brien (0-6), D. Drake (1-0), S. Aylward (1-2), J. Flynn-O'Connor, E Kavanagh.

By Rory O'Donnell

July 28 - Senior Football: Kerry v Wolfe Tones

Wolfe Tones 0-14 Kerry 1-14

Kerry pulled of a win in their final regular season game though Kingdom hearts were their mouths for the final seconds as a Tones goalbound shot beat goalkeeper, Paudi Bailey, but was saved on the line by midfielder, Stephen Cunningham.  Kerry had built an early 8 point lead and after 20 minutes looked to be well on their way, but saw the big lead shrink to one point late in the game.  A late goal from Ronan Kennedy proved to be the winner, and sitting on 7 points, Kerry are at least in with a chance of a playoff game for the quarter finals. 

Joe Fitzpatrick launches another first half attack.

Kerry came out guns ablaze in the first half.  The boys from the kingdom popped four points over the bar before the Tones got off the mark with a Danny Egan point.  Five more followed as Kerry dominated proceedings, and it looked like there was a greater sense of urgency in the green and gold shirts.  Colin Campion, Darragh O'Brien, and Shane O'Callaghan hit the mark and Kerry's lead grew to 8 points.  The Tones eventually woke up and the Kerrymen could not maintain the fast pace for much longer.  Points from Marty Farrell, Egan, and Enda O'Brien pulled the Tones within four points.  At the break it was 0-11 to 0-7 in Kerry's favour.

The second half saw the Tones enjoy most of the play and chipped away at Kerry's lead.  All of the spark and endeavor Kerry had in the first 15 minutes had evaporated.  The Tones midfield took over, while Kerry did themselves no favours on a couple of occasions.  In one instance the Kingdom were very lucky not to concede a goal.  A turnover coming out of defence resulted in the Cormac Joyce-Power bearing down in goal, but the Limerick man's shot was inches over the crossbar.  Kerry's lead shrunk to a single point with less then 10 minutes to go.  Thomas Moolick, John Comerford, and Joyce-Power accounted for scores as the Tones looked to spoil Kerry's Sunday.  There were several misses from the Tones as Kerry rode their luck, and quite frankly looked out of gas.  

Sean Driscoll lines up a shot.

A fracas broke out and resulted in 2 red cards to key players from each side.  Moolick for the Tones and O'Brien for Kerry were shown the line for their involvement and it was now a dozen against a dozen.  Kerry managed to rise enough to avoid what would have been a devastating defeat.  The big score came from substitute Ronan Kennedy who got in behind the defence and netted to put his side 4 points to the good with full time a minute away.  There were anxious moments for Kerry in the injury time minutes as almost every kickout was won by a blue shirt.  Enda Smith had moved to the middle of the field and was under every kickout.  Jason Hickson and Sean Kelly pointed, meaning a goal would tie it for the Tones - and there very nearly was one.  With the injury time minutes ticking by and Kerry agony being extended, it was almost curtains for Kingdom before Cunningham came to the rescue.  Each side on 7 points, but likely without key players coming into their first elimination games in a couple of weeks.

Tones:  C. Hynes, P. Jennings, K. Cleere, J. Hickson (0-1), B. McShea, J. Gonoud, T. Moolick (0-1), J. Comerford (0-1), S. Kelly (0-2), D. Egan (0-2), M. Farrell (0-4), C. Carr, E. Smith (0-1).  Sub:  C. Joyce-Power (0-2).  Kerry:  P. Bailey, D. Larkin, S. Driscoll, M. Godley, B. Kelliher (0-1), E. Mullan, I. Whelan, S. Cunningham, C. Campion (0-3), C. Moriarty, J. Fitzpatrick, D. O'Brien (0-7), S. O'Callaghan (0-2).  Subs:  D. Clabby (0-1), R. Kennedy (1-0).

By Rory O'Donnell