Junior A Hurling: Offaly v Wexford; Worcester v Tipperary

Offaly 2-21 Wexford 4-12

Offaly held on to capture 2 championship points in a nail biting junior hurling championship game on Saturday evening at the ICC in Canton.  Offaly looked to have established a comfortable 10 point lead about 20 minutes into the game, however, Wexford hit with 2 goals late in the half  and another 2 in the second to make it a one goal game in the final minutes.  With the spectators on the edges of the benches, Offaly held on as Wexford went for the goal to tie it up.

Wexford just about couldn't catch Offaly Saturday evening.

The end of the first half saw Offaly sitting on a comfortable 6 point lead.  The Faithful men picked off their points well, and also combined well in opening up shooting angles.  James Kilmartin at wing forward was the big dangerman and the former Offaly underage player opened the scoring with a point from each side of the field.  Barry McManaman at corner forward was also a major threat, and it was he who accounted for a goal that put Offaly into an early 1-6 to a point lead.  Wexford pulled themselves back into it with 2 goals.  One Kevin Joyce at full forward and a second from John Dooley with Joyce involved.  At the break it was 1-14 to 2-5 for Offaly.

Joyce hit with a third Wexford goal shortly after the restart, however it was none other than Kilmartin who pulled it back within minutes to dampen Wexford hopes.  Offaly extened the lead to 7 points again through Barry Kealy and Kilmartin scores, but Wexford finally found the target.  Peter Ryan andPaddy Whelan pulled the side within four as the Wexford men worked very hard throughout the field to rein in their counterparts.  

Whelan put a free from outside the 21 into the net to set up a grandstand finish with one point in it, however McManaman and Kilmartin restored the lead to four.  After a Dooley point made it a one goal game Wexford had one last chance to tie it up but with Offaly back in numbers the ball never made it into the danger zone.  A very exciting win for the newcomers, and great Saturday evening entertainment for the visitors to Canton.

Tipperary 5-15 Worcester 0-10

If it weren’t for the goals Worcester were very much in this game against Tipperary in the early game.  Tipperary streaked into a a1-6 to a point lead before Worcester settled into the game.  Peter O’Keefe was the free taker and corner forward dynamo for Tipperary.  Pat Moriarty was very much involved in the half back line, while his brother Sean was another headache for Worcester opposite O’Keefe in the corner.  Between them Moriarty and O’Keefe accounted for all of Tipperary’s 3-8, Moriarty with 2 of the 3 goals.

It was goals that separated Tipperary
and Worcester at the ICC.

For their part, Worcester settled into the game in the latter part of the first half.  John Griffey, Sean O’Shaughnessy and Dan Brown accounted for Worcester’s 6 points, O’Shaughnessy putting two fine efforts over the bar.  John Donohoe did well in the half back line to return several threatening looking Tipperary attacks.  At the break it was a 3-8 to 0-6 Tipp advantage.

Two Tipp goals in the first 10 minutes after the restart put the dampers on any hope of Worcester getting into touching distance.  Again, it was Moriarty first and then O’Keefe hitting the majors.  Worcester kept at it, O’Shaughnessy with another booming point and Dan Sweatland getting his name on the scoresheet.  Tipp saw it out, but needed those goals to feel comfortable.

Offaly:  G. Sherlock, J. Murray, A. Bergin, R. Reynolds, T. Rigney, C. McMahon, D. Kealy, C. Mahon, C. Flynn, L. Kiely, J. Kilmartin, M. Markham, B. McManaman.  Wexford:  E. Spruhan, E. Goff, J. Taggert, JJ O’Neill, D. Magill, P. Bergin, G. Lundy, S. Delaney, P. Whelan, P. Ryan, P. Guinan, J. Dooley, K. Joyce.

Worcester:  T. O’Brien, D. Smith, T. Falise, P. Mann, C. Berry, J. Donohue, S. Shaughnessy, T, Gahan, D. Brown, D. Sweatland,  P. Dolan, J. Grifffey, PJ Heffernan.  Tipp:  M. McGrath, M. Moriarty, S. Sinnott, M. Jordan, P. Moriarty, D. Donovan, S. Fortune, C. Madden, M. Kavanagh, T. Hanley, S. Delaney, S. Moriarty, P. O’Keefe.

By Rory O'Donnell

Senior Hurling: Fr. Tom Burke's v Tipperary

Fr. Tom Burke’s 2-8 Tipperary 1-10

Tom’s made it 2 wins from 3 games with an exciting, albeit low scoring, win over Tipperary on a drizzly Sunday afternoon at Canton.  The teams were neck and neck all through, and a second half goal from substitute, Stephen Lorigan, edged Tom’s over the line.

It was a well contested game between Tom's and Tipp.

It was a low scoring first half with both teams struggling to put good chances between the posts.  Tom’s kept in the game thanks to a great goal from corner forward Alex Morey.  Dean Delaney drove a ball in from distance and Morey got the final tip on the ball to direct it past James Maher in the Tipp goals.  On a couple of occasions Tom’s threatened to break through, however, at the crucial moment the ball was lost and the chance went a begging.

With 20 minutes gone there were just four scores in total, 1-1 for Tom’s and 0-2 for Tipp.  

The Premier men came to grips with shooting matters with about 10 minutes to go.  Colm Rafferty took a point well from just inside his own half, and Robbie Hanley tied it up shortly afterwards.  A Michael O’Malley free put Tipp one to the good before Morey leveled the scores as half time approached.

Every score was a big score in Sunday's senior hurling contest.

Tipperary got off to a fast start in the second period.  O’Malley pointed and a fine goal followed from the corner forward.  After Tom’s missed another great chance, the westerners started to make inroads.  The ball into Morey was the key.  The Clareman converted a great score from play and two frees to bring Tom’s within a point.  After Mark Kavanagh blazed a chance at another Tipp goal wide of the far post, Morey and O’Malley exchanged fantastic points, in stark contrast to the misses from the first period.

Then came a goal from Tom’s to nudge them a point ahead.  Morey’s shot was well saved by James Maher and Lorigan, who had just come on the field, was on hand to finish into the net.  O’Malley leveled before Gary Brennan and Morey put Tom’s 2 to the good.  An O’Malley free to make it a one point game set up a tense final 4 minutes.  Tipp desperately searched for an equalizing score, but it never came as Tom’s shot down possible openings.  After one round of the championship it is Tom’s joining Galway on top of the table. 

Tom’s:  O. O’Rourke, S. Kilduff, C. Bergin, K. Kennedy, C. Joyce-Power, C. Burke, P. Whelan, G. Brennan, D. Delaney, A. Hogan, S. Riordan, A. Morey, R. Hanley.   Tipp:  J. Maher, S. McGarr, C. Neville, A. Ryan, B. Troy, J. White, E. Moriarty, C. Dempsey, L. Moloney, C. Rafferty, S. Nally, M. O’Malley, M. Kavanagh.

By Rory O'Donnell

Senior Football: Galway v Donegal

Galway 2-9 Donegal 1-5

The Galway footballers are generating quite a bit of excitement around Brighton as they followed up their convincing victory over the Connemara Gaels with another over a fancied Donegal team.  Galway played some nice possession football and a goal in either half proved to be just about the difference in the end.  With Michael Daly and Eoin Finnerty playing key roles, Galway were full value for their win.

Campbell at one end for Donegal.

Galway played some lovely passing football in the first half and there were some great scores from the Brighton based team.  Michael Daly at center forward took a handful of well kicked points, while wing back Stuart Cullen added a nice score as did Kevin Cummins with a free from outside the 45.  A goal came from a penalty after Barry McHugh was pulled down in the box following an incisive Galway move.  Eoin Finnerty took it well, low and hard to the keeper’s left.

John Campbell at corner forward was the main threat for Donegal.  Campbell accounted for 1-2 of Donegal’s 1-4.  The goal was an opportunist one, Campbell was in the right spot after a mis-hit shot came off the post.  Galway had just lost McHugh to a red card following a foul on Eoin O’Connor and although the tribesmen had a two point lead, it was going to be a tough second half if they were to pull off a win.

Finnerty at the other end for Galway.

The teams were soon level in terms of on field personnel after Eoin O’Connor was booked a second time for an incident after conceding a free.  Donegal had also lost the services of center back Darren Green who looked to have suffered a serious knee injury.  Galway struck with a second goal, Cummins showed presence of mind to calmly use the outside of his right foot after the window to shoot seemed to have closed, and the ball was adjudged to have crossed the line before being cleared by the Donegal defence.  The score was followed by a powerful point from Eoin Finnerty, the Mountbellew man put the ball over the bar from 45 yards and distance to spare.

The pace of the game slowed as fatigue took hold for both sides, Finnerty at times was the lone Galwayman in the Donegal half as the Brighton side fell back to defend Donegal’s forward forays.  Galway tried to play the possession game to run out the clock, and defended in numbers, and limited Donegal to a single second half point.  The tribesmen controlled the remainder of the game and Donegal did not cause them too much trouble in the latter stages of the game.  Galway looking good mid-way through the season.

Galway: J.Kelly, G. McCoy, J. Kennedy, S. Cullen, P. Naughton, C. Mannion, E. Stritch, E. Kavanagh, F. Ferguson, M. Daly, B. McHugh, E. Finnerty, K. Cummins.  Donegal:  C. McLaughlin, D. Monaghan, C. Russell, R. Dunleavy, D. Green, S. McMenamin, G. Gallagher, B. Donnelly, A. McLaughlin, E. O’Connor, V. Coyle, L. Carr, J. Campbell.

By Rory O'Donnell

Senior Football: Wolfe Tones v Shannon Blues

Wolfe Tones 1-13 Shannon Blues 0-7

Wolfe Tones made it four from four in the senior football championship with a win over the struggling Shannon Blues.  It was a close run first half with the Blues going in at the break a point to the good, but in the second half an early Tones goal turned the tables in their favour and the South Boston side ran out easy winners.

Gerry Troy and the Tones came through in thee end.

It was tit for tat in the first half with the Blues matching the Tones score for score.  With Brian Ryal moving well at center forward the Blues played some good running football and yielded six points.  The Tones huffed and puffed, and managed a tally of five to keep themselves positioned well entering the second.

The Tones got the second half off to a great start with a goal from corner forward Tomas O’Connor.  The positioning of the big Kildare man at the edge of the square paid dividends.  Last year’s finalists settled down and Paddy Keenan motoring in the middle of the field, and the Tones defending well, points were added from the boot of Gerry Troy, Shea Tennyson, and Keenan.  The Blues ran out of gas and managed a solitary point from Cormac Coffey, and almost had a goal but Conor Fitzgerald’s shot from close range was well blocked by Lorcan Molloy in the Tones net.

Another win for the Tones in the quest for a return to the  final in August.

Tones:  L. Molloy, M. O’Grady, B. Fotune, D. Maguire, R. Driscoll, S. Driscoll, I. Whelan, P. Keenan, G. Troy, C. Walsh, M. O’Brien, S. Tennyson, L. Galligan.  Blues:  E. Whelan, T. Wallace, P. O’Sullivan, C. Coffey, G. Cunniffe, S. Kelly, M. Young, D. Somers, G. Bastible, B. Ryal, D. McElligott, I. Parker, C. Cox.

By Rory O'Donnell

Ladies Senior Football: Boston Shamrocks v Tir na nOg

Boston Shamrocks 3-6 Tir na nOg 0-9

Boston Shamrocks are continuing from where they left off after winning the Orla Benson Cup in June and made it two wins from two games in the Ladies senior football championship last Sunday.  The Cup winners tallied three goals, and could afford to miss a penalty, to propel themselves to victory.  

The Shamrocks took another step in the quest for their first senior championship since 2010.

The first half was well contested and at the break the Shamrocks held a two point lead, though truth be told it should have been more.  The Shamrocks took some time to find their shooting touch and several chances went awry.  Points did come from Mairead O’Driscoll, Rebecca Mongan, and Sharon McGovern, and a goal from Caoimhe Murray ensured that the Shamrocks took the break with the lead.  Tir na nOg kept themselves very much in the game thanks in large part to the accurate free taking of Chloe Ryan.
  
The second half saw Tir na nOg dig in and batten down the hatches.  Maggie Sayers and Christine O’Neill did well in the half back line, and Tir na nOg pulled within a point after Niamh Crowe and Ryan had pointed.  However, with things beginning to look like there would be a close finish in store, the Shamrocks hit with a goal from Maria Bannon who came on as a sub, and the score took some of the wind out of the sails of the Brighton team.  A penalty could have provided the Shamrocks with a sure victory well before the final whistle, but Niamh Hynes was up to the shot and saved well.

The Shamrocks, however, gained in confidence and took control of affairs.  The back line did well to stop Tir na nOg attacking forays, with Brittany Maguire, Cathy McEleaney and Ciara McCormack doing particularly well.  Points were added from Aisling Cunningham and Kiernan to see the Shamrocks to the top of the table.

By Rory O'Donnell

Senior Football: Aidan McAnespies v Christopher's

Aidan McAnespies 4-15 Christopher’s 4-8

Aidan McAnespies recorded a fully deserved Christopher’s though not without some late anxiety.  Having outplayed their opponents for most of the game, McAnespies conceded four second half goals that turned what had looked like a win in the bag into some anxious second half minutes.  McAnespie nerves were calmed with a late goal from Kevin McKernan with a few minutes to go.  The fact that McAnespies could afford to concede four second half goals and still end up 7 point victors underlined their dominance over the course of the afternoon.

Kevin McKernan netted 4 goals Sunday.

McAnespies were in control for most of the first half and behind two goals from McKernan who lined out at center forward took the break eight points to the good.  Some solid defending and great running from the half back line forward were the hallmarks of McAnespies first half performance.  Christopher’s did not do themselves any favours and had a multitude of chances to score, but did not take advantage and slipped farther behind in the race.  It took an awful lot of work to tally the four first half points for Christopher’s, while for McAnespies the scores flowed a little easier and came from multiple scorers.  Shane Daly, McKernan, Paul Kingston, and Darren McElroy were all on the mark.  Sitting on a 2-7 to 0-4 half time lead, McAnespies looked well in control.

The second half continued in the same vein as the first, with McAnespies playing at a higher level of intensity.  When not in possession McAnespies worked hard to win the ball back, and when with the ball the northerners ran for each other.  Christopher’s continued to squander chances and seemed to be looking for things to happen easy.  McKernan completed a hat trick mid-way through the half, the Antrim man taking a pass from Paul Forde to finish from just outside the small box. 

Christopher's Mark Delaney knocks Barry Kerr off the ball.

Christopher’s managed a goal on their third opportunity, the first two goal attempts were saved well by Ryan McCrystal, while the third effort from the boot of Hodgins found the net.  By that stage Christopher’s were looking at a 10 point deficit.  McAnespies responded with three points, Dessie Ward, McElroy and McKernan on target.  Christopher’s made things interesting, and raised some concern among McAnespie’s supporters after Christopher’s opened up the McAnespie defence on two occasions and Conor O’Brien and Syl Byrne netted.  Cormac Collins netted a fourth goal shortly after to bring Christopher’s within five points and still 7 minutes to go, was an unlikelt comeback on the cards?  Not so said McKernan who averted a possible catastrophe from a McAnespie viewpoint, with his fourth goal.  McAnespies add a fully deserved 2 points with Christopher’s still looking for their first win of the season.

Macs:  R. McCrystal, M. Bogue, J. Allen, B. Kerr, C. Daly, JP Gallagher, S. Daly, D. Ward, P. Daly, K. McKernan, A. Forde, P. Kingston, D. McElroy.  Christopher’s:  R. Lavelle, D. Kelliher, R. Vallejo, S. Lonergan, J. Horgan, P. Allen, C. O’Brien, S. Byrne, M. Delaney, D. Neville, N. Hughes, D. Kenneally, K. Hodgins.

By Rory O'Donnell

Senior Hurling: Galway v Wexford

Galway 2-16 Wexford 0-14

Galway came away with an eight point win over Brighton rivals, Wexford in hot conditions the day before the Fourth of July Holiday.  It was a tight game for 50 of the 60 minutes, and a switch of Jamie Coughlin from the wing to corner forward paid dividends for the tribesmen as the Corkman tallied two second half goals to carry the day for the Westerners.

Jamie Coughlin launches a point from distance for Galway.

The first half was evenly contested and ended with the teams on level pegging.  It was a day for the free takers with the heat sapping energy from tired legs.  For Wexford, corner forward Shane Ryan was on the money from the dead ball and the man from the De La Salle Waterford clubman accounted for five of their seven points, with another from play.  Galway had Jamie Coughlin, Gerry Lane, and Pa White on the mark, with corner forward, White, tallying the score of the half from a tight angle to bring Galway level before the break.  It 0-7 a piece at the end of the first 30.

A Jamie Coughlin goal early in the second half put a sliver of distance between the teams.  Coughlin had moved to corner forward and just after the restart had a shot from a tight angle put behind by Darragh O’Callaghan in the Wexford goal.  It proved to be a warning as a few minutes later the Newtownshandrum man had possession from a similar angle and this time went far corner and the ball hit the inside of the net.  Galway added a couple more through Coughlin and extended their lead to five points.

Gerry Lane on the run for Galway.

Wexford made a great effort to come back and cut the Galway lead to two points as Ryan’s running caused the Galway defence to foul.  The Waterford man put three over the bar and entering the final 10 minutes it was anybody’s game.  Galway struck again with the second Coughlin goal, a ball floated into the square was batted into the net by the Corkman and Galway now had the win in their sights.  Two more points put the seal on the victory, with Galway rebounding nicely from their last outing. 

Galway:  J. Loftus, D. Quirke, R. Fitzpatrick, D. Lordan, P. O’Leary, H. Lawler, N. Mullins, C. Cooney, J. Coughlin, G. Lane, E. Feeney, L. O’Sullivan, P. White.  Wexford:  D. O’Callaghan, D. Guinan, G. Murphy, T. Moloney, B. Phelan, J. Broderick, D. Walsh, C. Sheehan, E. Kavanagh, E. Flaherty, R. Sludds, S. Ryan, P. O’Connor.

By Rory O'Donnell

Dream Come True for Boston U14 Footballers

For the first time since 2008 a team of U14 footballers represented Boston at the Feile na nOg gaelic football tournament in Ireland.  It was an experience of a lifetime for 24 young gaelic football players who were born and raised in New England, and one that will not be forgotten for a long time.  After arriving in Ireland, there were 2 days of preparation in Kerry, and 2 days of competition for the Boston kids.  At the end of it all the visitors finished second in their group and made the cup quarter final where a Hertfordshire team proved too high a hurdle.  Just as important as the football itself, and what embodies the spirit of the GAA, was the experience of the visiting players being hosted by local families.  Our hosts, Ballymacelligott, extended an incredible welcome and made us feel like honorary Ballymac club members for the time that we were there.  Friendships were forged along the way and lifelong memories were made.    

Preparation began back in the fall when a squad of players from the three metro Boston clubs, Maine, and Springfield, was assembled and practiced regularly through the spring and right up to the weekend before the tournament.  There were some valuable challenge games included versus Fairfield in Connecticut as well as New York and Philadelphia, games that were hosted by New Haven, Ct.  There was a tremendous amount of work behind the scenes making sure that flights and accommodations were booked, kids measured and kits were ordered, fundraising and sponsorship organized, and constant communications with the player’s families and with the organizers in Ireland.

The families made their way to Kerry early in the week to be ready for a challenge match with Fossa, located just outside Killarney, the Wednesday before the tournament began.  This would be the first time that most, if not all, of the Boston kids played a Gaelic football match on Irish soil against Irish kids.  There was a great welcome from the folks at Fossa and in a lovely touch the local players clapped the American visitors on to the field.  The game itself was played on a full size field, was neck and neck until the final 10 minutes when the locals pulled away, however it broke the ice for the Boston kids in getting a game under the belt.  The next morning it was off to Tralee IT where a last practice in conjunction with the Philadelphia team would be held.  Former Kerry manager Pat O’Shea provided coaching and valuable tips for the managers and players in advance of the big day.

The Boston visitors were hosted by Ballymacelligott GAA Club, just a few miles outside of Tralee.  The massive welcome extended by our hosts was beyond all expectations.  The ground was decked out with flags and bunting and clearly a huge effort was made in preparation for the games.  We were greeted not only by the folks at Ballymac, but also by a huge spread of homemade sandwiches, cakes, and buns that ran the length of two dressing rooms.  That familiar taste of the fresh Irish bread filled with chicken, ham, cheese, egg salad, or some combination thereof went down a treat as did the tea, coffee, cakes, buns, and biscuits that was enough to feed an army division.  The Boston kids were introduced to their host families, by whom they would be looked after for 2 nights, and returned in time for the first game that evening.

After a one goal loss against a solid Warwickshire team in a tentative first game, and a win against Athea from Limerick on Friday evening, the next morning’s game versus hosts Ballymac would decide who would make the second spot in the group, and a cup quarter final the next afternoon.  Ballymac had beaten Athea and lost to Warwickshire, and the Kerry youngsters played a great brand of football.  Constantly moving for the ball and playing with a lovely style and purpose, it would not be easy for the visitors from the states.  The next day, the Boston lads played their best game of the tournament and won the game with a bit to spare.  With second place in the group secured it was a coach trip to Kanturk, an hour across the border in Cork, to meet Hertfordshire – another English team - in the big quarter final game.

The lads from just north of London proved to be a little too strong for the Boston side, and after an intense contest, the English side came away with a seven point win.  The Americans were disappointed, but with Ballymac also coming out on the losing end in their shield quarter final there would be plenty of time to commiserate on the bus back to the club.  The kids were watered and fed and spent the last night with their host families before heading their separate ways, whether it be back to Boston or onwards to visit family in other parts of Ireland. 

Many thanks are in order to everyone who supported the fundraising efforts, sponsors Greenhills Bakery and Feeney Brothers, the coaches and parents who made it happen.  A special thank you to Laura Corbin who was the person doing the aforementioned heavy lifting behind the scenes, and to the Fossa GAA Club.  A special thank you to our hosts, Ballymacelligott GAA club, whose welcome blew us away and the organization that went into hosting us and the games was a credit to their club.  Hopefully this will be the first of many trips from Boston to the Feile, it really is a special experience for kids and parents alike.  

Boston Northeast 2016 Feile Team:  ISYL - Lawrence Byrne, Devin Corbin, Aidan Flanagan, Gerard Gannon, Michael Kerr, Conan McCusker, Eoin Morissey, Patrick Moylan, Dylan Murtagh, James Newell, Colm O’Malley, Aidan O’Malley, Eoin Walsh.  Wolfe Tones, Springfield - Cathal Carney, Neil O’Sullivan. Trinity Milton – Eoin Faherty, Colm Faherty, Darragh Jordan, Nessan O’Donnell, Aidan Skillen.  St. Brendan’s – Kian Hanbury, Sean Hobbs, James O’Neill.  Maine – Frank Tierney.

By Rory O'Donnell