Senior Football: Aidan McAnespies v Christopher's

Christopher’s 1-13 Aidan McAnespies 3-13

Aidan McAnespies continued their hundred percent record with a comprehensive victory over Christopher’s.  A good all round display and some timely scores, a goal on the stroke of half time and another late in the second half, put the game away for the Macs men.

Christopher’s got off to a flying start with four unanswered points Sean White, Aherlow man Tom Fahy, and two frees from Cathal Vaughan opened an early lead.  It did not take McAnespies long to settle, a few wayward passes early on were corrected and the scores started to come.  Danny Tallon who was deployed at center forward looked a natural, bursting through at the right times, and combined well with Chris Healy for a score.  Tallon also had 3 more to his name before the half was done.

Johnny Brickland in possession for McAnespies with Eanna O'Connchuir in attendance..

The introduction of Johnny Brickland, who interestingly did not start the game, helped McAnespies fortunes on the field, but not before Christopher’s had restored their lead.  A soccer style goal from Eoghan Buckely put Christopher’s four points ahead, a lead they managed to maintain right up to the final minute of injury time.  A goal was on the cards for McAnespies however.  Having pointed three on the trot from Healy, Tallon, and Tony Donnelly, a goal came from the boot of Kildare man Healy right on the half time whistle to make it a 1-8 to 1-6 McAnespies half time lead.

Collie Donnelly got McAnespies off to a fine start to the second period with a goal.  The sides sputtered somewhat after the fast pace of the opening period had sapped much energy from the legs of players on each side.  Christopher’s generated plenty of chances to score, however the shooting was not as sharp as was needed, perhaps fatigue taking its toll.  Fahy and Mark Delaney eventually found the mark to narrow the gap to two points, however, it did not look as though a knockout punch would be coming from Christopher’s. 

Tony Donnelly points as Paudie Kenneally attempts a block.

It did come from McAnespies.  Christopher’s keeper Eoghan Keogh had just made a brilliant save from Donnelly who shot from inside the penalty area.  After the 45 drifted wide the next goal chance came from the kickout.  Donnelly had the ball in a similar position as a minute before, but this time made the extra pass to Healy who crashed the ball into the roof of the open net.  It was now a two goal McAnespies lead and there was less than 10 minutes to go.  Christopher’s pushed for a goal, but McAnespies had victory in sight and closed off the routes to goal.  Just over half way through the senior football championship and it is McAnespies setting the pace. 

Christopher’s:  E. Keogh, K. Fulignati, L. Ketterick, E. O’Neill, S. White, P. Kenneally, M. Delaney, R. Harkin, T. Fahy, E. O’Connochuir, D. Flannery, E. Buckely, C. Vaughan.  Macs:  M. McMahon, R. Kennedy, E. Kerins, M. Boyle, B. Greenan, M. Bogue, M. Day, C. Donnelly, J. Cox, D. Tallon, F. McGeough, T. Donnelly, C. Healy.

By Rory O'Donnell

Senior Hurling: Fr. Tom Burke's v Galway

Fr. Tom Burke’s 2-21 Galway 1-18

Fr. Tom’s put rivals Galway to the sword with a six point win.  The teams were neck and neck entering the final quarter, and it was Tom’s who had the kick in the final stretch to come away with both points in a very entertaining game.  Dylan Costello netted at a critical time, and the goal was followed by two excellent points from Paul Winters and David O’Mahoney to propel Tom’s to victory.

Barrry Whelan on his way to earning a penalty for Galway.

Tom’s had the two point cushion at the break.  Galway had the better of things early on and led by four with 15 minutes played.  Galway had netted early on through Barry Whelan, and with the sides level at 1-2 to five points Galway went on a five points to one tear.  John Moylan accounted for 3, Jack McDowell and Robert O’Hanrahan the balance.  It could have been a larger gap, however a Moylan penalty was saved by Alan Keating to give Tom’s a lifeline that they grasped with both hands. 

It was their turn now to tally the scores.  A David O’Mahoney goal brought Tom’s into it.  The Portlaoise man was found sitting on the 21 with space, and having made a clean fetch, turned and fired into the roof of the net to put Tom’s up by a point.  Moylan and Winters traded frees, and O’Mahoney got the odd score to edge Tom’s into a two point half time lead.

John Moylan in possession. 

The game went to and fro in the second half, with Galway edging into a lead after 20 minutes.  O’Mahoney and Shane Howley added to Tom’s lead with a point apiece to get things going for the second half.  Galway worked their way back into the game.  Moylan (3) and Stephen Roche pointed to bring Galway level, before Darragh Murray put the tribesmen ahead.  Things got heated as the game was in the balance and tensions rose – each side wanted this one badly.  Toms’ Kevin Dunne and Galway’s Kieran Mahon were shown yellows by referee Ger Hoey. 

After wasting two good chances to draw level, Tom’s jumped into the lead with a goal after the alert Dylan Costello pounced on a rebound to pull on the ball and drive it into the net.  While Galway tried to shuffle the deck and revitalize their efforts for the final 10 minutes, Tom’s were roused and finished with four points on the trot.  One in particular was the product of excellent teamwork.  The fearless Shane Howley fetched in traffic and handpassed to O’Mahoney, who with his back to goal neatly turned the ball over his left shoulder and over the bar.  Dubliner Paul Winters followed with a great effort from out on the wing and the game was firmly in hand.  Tom’s join Tipperary in the top spot, though Tipp can regain sole position with a win against Wexford next Sunday.

Tom’s:  A. Keating, S. Og Lyon, C. Burgin, S. McClennard, K. Kennedy, S. Dolan, D. Costello, L. O’Neill, C. Burke, S. Howley, P. Winters, D. O’Mahoney, K. Dunne.  Galway:  K. Hammersley, M. Lennon, O. Teagle, O. Keevers, S. O’Neill, JJ Doyle, S. Roche, R. O’Hanrahan, C. Wafer, B. Whelan, D. Murray, J. Moylan, J. MacDowell.

By Rory O'Donnell

Junior Hurling: Worcester v Tipperary

Tipperary 1-15 Worcester 2-7

Worcester made their foray into the higher levels of junior hurling for the first time Sunday afternoon.  In an unusual start, a clash of colours meant that the visitors had to don red bibs for the duration of the game, and Tipperary started the game a handful of players short of the 13.  Worcester led at the break, and in spite of battling hard in the second half, the Worcester men ended up on the losing end as Tipperary pulled away to end up five point winners.

Tipperary Corner Back, Craig Gillis breaks away to clear the ball.

Worcester held a one point lead at the break, in large part thanks to 2 goals from PJ Heffernan.  Both goals came in the latter part of the half.  Tipp keeper, Sean Delaney had made a good stop from Liam Kelly’s shot and Heffernan was on hand to clean up the rebound for the first.  Heffernan was again on hand at the edge of the box to poach another away just before the break. 

Tipp had got off to a good start although the Premier men started the game with just 10 players.  Simon Sinnott, Pat Moriarty pointed before Skippy O’Donnell netted from outside the 14.  Johnny McGrath was playing well in the Tipp half back line, however, the Worcester men gradually worked their way into the game and Dan Swetland’s striking from the dead ball was on the mark.  Brendan Greene added a point from play to keep the scoreboard ticking over for Worcester.  It was Moriarty putting them over for Tipp who had eventually filled out their ranks to the full 13 by the time half time came.

The pace of the game picked up in the second half with the teams at parity in terms of personnel.  Tipperary put the first 3 points over the bar with Liam Butler the man on the mark.  Worcester had several chances to add to their tally, but some wayward shooting saw a yield of just 2 points for their efforts.  Moriarty tallied three in a row to put Tipperary into a five point lead with the last 10 minutes to go.  

Worcester worked hard to generate a goal chance that would give them a lifeline, but Tipp had the game sewn up at that stage and a goal looked a remote possibility.  The teams traded points to finish out the game.  A first taste of the higher level of junior hurling for Worcester who acquitted themselves well against an opposition of seasoned veterans and skilled young players.

Tipp:  S. Delaney, C. Gillis, D. O’Brien, J. McGrath, M. Moriarty, S. Sinnott, P. Moriarty, B. Crowley, L. Butler, S. Kennedy, K. O’Donnell, B. O’Regan, J. McGrath. Worcester:   J. Grimes, M. Dufresne, M. O’Connor, J. Donahue, D. Swetland, D. Smith, Sean O’Shaughnessy, J. , B. Greene, Seamus O’Shaughnessy, M. Dufault, L. Kelly, PJ Heffernan.

By Rory O'Donnell

Another Sunday Rained out

By Rory O’Donnell

Another weekend of rain resulted in postponements of games, this time around the entire Sunday schedule.  Games will be rescheduled, times and dates will be posted on the Boston GAA web site, www.bostongaa.com.

Thankfully Saturday’s games went ahead.  Wolfe Tones and Donegal ended up all square at 3-6 to 1-12.  At the break Donegal were ahead by a score of 1-7 to 1-3 and looked like the better team.  The Tones banged in an early second half goal and brought in some experienced horses in Edmund Carr and Kevin Gorham.  Donegal looked to Christy McLaughlin for the scores to maintain parity, and after the Tones kicked a third goal it took an injury time equalizer from McLaughlin to rescue the point for Donegal.  Aidan McAnespies continue to do well in the junior A competition with an eight point win over Galway on Field B.

The Junior hurlers of Tipperary and Fr. Tom Burke’s met with Tom’s coming out with a 2-12 to 1-12 win.  Tipp had the better of it early on as Tom’s were slow to get out of the gates.  Once they got going however, Tom’s did well all over the field.  Terry Doran, Larry Guinan, and James Dooley did well in the back line to hold Tipp out and keep the play headed in the other direction.  Two Tom’s goals in the final 15 minutes put some distance between the teams in what was an otherwise close game.  Tipp’s John Roche and Mark Jordan tried to life the side late in game, and a goal from a Roche free brought Tipp within a score Tom’s, but time was up at that stage.

Senior Football: Shannon Blues v Kerry

Shannon Blues 2-15 Kerry 4-9

Kerry finally came away with a reward for their efforts after a tremendously exciting game of football.  Conditions were poor following a night and morning of heavy rain, however the teams coped well and there was some great football and scores, with the lead changing hands and momentum swinging from one side to the other over the course of the 60 minutes.  Kerry could have won it with some chances for an insurance score in injury time, however the Blues took advantage of the opportunity and Denis McElligott put the leveling point over the bar with the final kick of the game.

Dennis McElligott had the final say with the equalizing point on Sunday.

Kerry, as they have done in their games so far this season, took the break with a lead.  It was a five point cushion that they started the second half with.  Three goals, one each from Robbie Croft, Shane O’Callaghan, and Phil O’Sullivan, put Kerry in the driver’s seat after the Blues had rattled off two quick points to open the game.

The Blues took the opportunity of a penalty to close what was a seven point gap.  Trevor Wallace did the honors from the spot, and was soon followed by Darrage Roche with a second Blues goal.  Kerry settled after being hit with the second goal to put some points over the bar, the pick of which was a Maurice Fitzgeraldesque effort from Croft from the sideline.  O’Sullivan’s goal, Kerry’s third, restored the Kerry advantage to see them into half time on top by five points.

The Blues picked up a head of steam in the second half.  Greg Horan was the key in the middle of the field.  Kerry were unable to cope with the Austin Stacks man and the Blues enjoyed the vast majority of the possession.  The Blues forwards made hay with the bounty of possession that came their way and outscored Kerry by 10 points to one over the first 17 minutes of the second period.  Roche put a couple of beautiful efforts over the bar, Denis McElligott two from the wing, and Padraig O’Shea from wing back also got his name on the scoresheet.

The Kerry corner backs were under pressure for much of the second half.

Kerry were struggling to move the ball and resorted to the short kickouts to try and find a way past what was like a solid Blues wall.  The Kingdom eventually had some success, a Croft free and a point from play following a botched short kickout brought Kerry within two points.  A fourth goal for Kerry from O’Callaghan gave Kerry a one point advantage heading into the last 5 minutes as fortune favoured the men in green and gold once again.  The sides traded points, Dwyer leveled for the Blues before Croft got Kerry back up by one.  Again the Blues leveled and Kerry got back ahead, this time it was Sean O’Driscoll.  After Kerry failed to take advantage of two great chances for an insurance point the Blues salvaged the point with a Denis McElligott score to finish the game and on the balance of things, a fair result.  The draw with the Blues will provide Kerry with some belief heading into four critical championship games where a couple of wins will be needed, and might not do the Blues any harm either.

Kerry:  S. Enright, J. Barry, D. Larkin, R. O’Driscoll, L. Healy, J. O’Shea, D. Foley, E. Mullan, P. O’Sullivan, S. O’Driscoll, J. O’Keefe, R. Croft, S. O’Callaghan.  Blues:  D. O’Brien, T. Wallace, C. Jordan, P. O’Shea, L. O’Connell, D. Clifford, W. Guthrie, G. Horan, D. McElligott, K. Hurley, D. Wallace, D. Roche, B. O’Dwyer.

By Rory O'Donnell

Senior Hurling: Fr. Tom Burke's v Tipperary

Fr. Tom Burke’s 0-14 Tipperary 1-13

Tipperary stole the points at the very end of this closely contested senior hurling match with a point in injury time from none other than Colm Galvin.  Tom’s had overturned a half time deficit and turned it into a lead in the final minutes only to see Tipp, who had been largely out of the game in the run up to the final whistle, steal the show with late points from Andy McRedmond and Galvin.

Cronin Dempsey keeps things going Tipp's way.

A late flurry of scores for Tom’s meant that they would enter the second half just a goal in arrears after Tipperary had seven point lead.  Colm Galvin was on the mark from the dead ball, and a goal from Michael Ryan at corner forward had Tipp in the driver’s seat after 15 minutes.  Ryan’s initial shot was well saved by Alan Keating, however, Ryan persistence saw the ball over the line.  Tom’s struggled to find the target, the absence of David O’Mahoney to a hamstring injury no doubt did not help.  Paul Winters took the free taking duties and as the half wore on started to find his range putting three on the trot over.  Rob O’Sullivan and Ryan also got on the scoreboard for each side, and at the half it was a 1-7 to 0-7 Tipperary advantage.

Waiting for the break - very little separated Tipp and Tom's on Sunday.

Tom’s had drawn level with the second half 15 minutes old.  Determined play from corner backs Sean Og Lyons and Conor Burgin canceled out an attacking  option for Tipp, while Winters continued to hit the mark from the frees.  After the sides traded 3 points a piece, Galvin missed his first free of the day which looked like it was a bad omen.  Tom’s tallied three unanswered points afterwards to level the scores.  Tom’s were on top in their own back line as Tipp sent searching balls into the full forward line that were returned with interest or allowed to hop over the endline with nobody to in a blue and gold shirt to pick it up as it looked like the door was shut for Tipp.

With the game in the balance Tipp made a change, introducing Andy McRedmond into the full forward line for Oisin Hickey in the hopes of getting some change in that department.  Tom’s had Ronan O’Driscoll and Kevin Rice off the bench and on the field.  Rice won a free on the 21 that Winters duly converted to provide Tom’s with the lead, however, after missing two more frees Galvin leveled the scores with a fantastic effort from the 50 yards out on the wing.  Soon afterwards McRedmond found himself in acres of space to put the leading point over the bar with 3 minutes left on the clock.  Galving added an insurance in injury time and the early spoils go to the Premier county.

Tom’s:  A. Keating, S. Og Lyons, C. Burgin, S. Dolan, K. Kennedy, S. McLeonard, L. O’Neill, D. Costello, P. Winters, C. Joyce-Power, R. O’Sullivan, K. Dunne, S. Howley.  Tipp:  C. Hennessy, S. McGarr, D. Moloney, J. Rigney, W. Egan, T. Rigney, B. O’Leary, C. Dempsey, C. Galvin, R. Sludds, M. O’Leary, M. Ryan, O. Hickey.

By Rory O'Donnell

Senior Football: Aidan McAnespies v Wolfe Tones

Wolfe Tones 1-11 Aidan McAnespies 4-11

A minutes silence was observed before the throw-in in memory of the victims of the Berkeley tragedy. 

By the end of the opening period McAnespies had built up a healthy eleven point lead thanks to three goals and some solid defending.  Wolfe Tones struggled throughout, and the goals had an obvious dispiriting effect on the side.  Having had a chance to regroup at the break the Tones put in a far better performance in the second half, and had McAnespies supporters shifting uncomfortably in their seats for a bit.  However, with the large lead and the ability to spring a score when the Tones crept too close, McAnespies came out with a third win from three games.

McAnespies' Danny Tallon and Tones' Pauric Faulkner tangle.

A blistering first half performance saw McAnespies into an 11 point lead at the break.  Michael Day was the leader in the middle of the field this week, and up front Chris Healy was in good form netting a fine goal on the stroke of half time having just missed an easier opportunity a minute beforehand.  The defence too was on top, working hard to close the spaces and force the Tones into overplaying the ball. 

Day opened the scoring with a point, and the Headford man was in for a goal 15 minutes later.  McAnespies first goal had an air of good fortune about it.  Healy’s free from the 21 hit the post and Danny Tallon was first on it to fire home from close range.  The Tones labored to make any inroads, there were two fine scores from Neil Flynn and Dan McCabe, however, when faced with a McAnespies attack the Tones had the look of a side that was resigned to its fate.

Wolfe Tones Mike O'Brien and keeper Pauric Miskell couldn't prevent the out of picture
Michael Day from fisting home McAnespies' second goal.

The Tones found belief in the second half and played with much more urgency and purpose. Marty Farrell provided the finishing touch after the Tones capitalized on a turnover in McAnespies own half.  Four points on the trot followed and the Tones play had some spark to it throughout the field.  Ciaran Hurley and Farrell converted and although a comeback was still a long shot, the turn in fortunes had some observers concerned.  Chris Healy eventually broke the duck and pointed, the Kildare man found some room after an early ball into his corner to make it a clean 2 goal lead with 15 minutes left.

The sides traded scores to enter the final stretch and a goal was badly needed if the Tones were going to set up an exciting finale.  In spite of some slick passing moves out of defence, the Tones could not find a route to goal as McAnespies back line played it tight.  Healy pointed with 5 minutes to go to make it a three score game, and the points now looked safe for McAnespies.  An injury time goal embellished the result, and McAnespies must be feeling good with a 3 for 3 start to the championship.

Tones:  P. Miskell, P. Faulkner, E. Powderly, M. O’Brien, G. Brilly, D. McGuire, A. Molloy, T. O’Connor, M. Farrell, D. McCabe, G. Troy, C. Hurley, N. Flynn.  Macs:  M. McMahon, M. Bogue, E. Kerins, R. Kennedy, B. Greenan, F. McGeough, J. Brickland, M. Day, G. O’Neill, C. Donnelly, R. Dougan, C. Healy, D. Tallon.

By Rory O'Donnell

Donegal 1-11 Christopher’s 1-11

Donegal and Christopher’s played out an unusual 60 minutes of football.  For long stretches it looked as though Christopher’s had the upper hand in the game, however, they will have been happy to exit the gate with their first point of the season in the pocket thanks to a Cathal Vaughan injury time equalizer.

Donegal's Emlyn Mulligan fends off the challenge of Liam Kitterick.

Christopher’s may have been a little disappointed to have gone into the break with just a four point lead.  Having enjoyed most of the possession Christopher’s struggled to break down the Donegal back line, and probably did themselves no favours with stray passes and a handful of missed chances. Donegal hung in with some well taken scores from Emlyn Mulligan who lined out at corner forward and took advantage of the chances that came his way via the free or from play to keep the sides on level pegging coming up to half time.  

Eventually Christopher’s broke through with a goal from Mark Delaney with about 5 minutes to go in the half, Delaney’s finish a trademark blast into the roof of the net.  The goal provided a three point cushion and Christopher’s added another point before the whistle. 

Christopher's center back Sean White gets away from Brian Kelly in this encounter.

The second half saw Donegal enjoy a slight advantage in possession as Christopher’s tired with the half wearing on.  Nicky Kelly at corner forward was a major threat in the second stanza and tallied three points, one chance could have ended up in the back of the net but flew over the crossbar, while Kelly also had 2 chances at a major saved as Donegal carved open the Christopher’s defence on two occasions.  

Coming into the final minutes Christopher’s still held a 2 point edge.  Tom Fahy, Eoghan Keogh, Ryan Harkin, and Vaughan with a fine solo effort, had pointed to keep them ahead.  The goal was on the cards however.  Vaughan lost the ball just inside the Donegal half and the turnover finally ended in the hands of Rory Dunleavy who did the honors and it looked like the northerners had made the breakthrough for the spoils.  Not ill the fat lady sings as they say, Vaughan came to the rescue with a point to salvage a point with no time left for the kickout. 

Donegal:  J. Byrne, M. Canny, S. Doherty, T. McCleneghan, D. Green, G. Gallagher, M. Smyth, M. Dunphy, R. Dunleavy, B. Kelly, E. McFadden, N. Kelly, E. Mulligan.  Christopher’s:  E. Keogh, K. Fulignati, L. Kitterick, E. O’Neill, S. White, P. Kenneally, R. Harkin, C. Murphy, M. Delaney, J. Horgan, T. Fahy, E. Keogh, C. Vaughan.

By Rory O'Donnell