Sau July 2 - Senior Football: Shannon Blues v Connemara Gaels

Shannon Blues 1-11 Connemara Gaels 1-10

The last game of the day proved to be the most exciting with the Shannon Blues pulling though with a point in injury time against 12-man Connemara Gaels.  The Gaels will feel hard done by, having come away from the game with nothing despite their valiant second half efforts, however, there were plenty of chances there for them to get a result.  For their part, the Blues survived the Gaels throwing everything at them and came up with the winning score from the boot of Limerick man, Josh Ryan, in injury time.

Brian Fanning is closely watched by Matt Sullivan.

The Blues held a one goal lead at the break, and in contrast to their last outing also would be heading into the second half with a man advantage on the field rather than a man down.  Matt Sullivan was shown a second yellow card late in the half after a rash challenge.  An early goal got the Blues off the great start, midfielder Josh Ryan barreled down the middle with only the keeper to beat, slid the ball home. 

Apart from the goal, things broke fairly even on the field, with the Gaels back line, Niall McGinn in particular, working hard to hold the Blues forwards at bay.   The Blues might have had a handful more in the missed opportunity column, and played the tall Limerick man, Ryan, on the edge of the box.  The Gaels had their chances, with searching balls into Tiernan Cox at corner forward. Points from Kieran Hurley and Darren Wallace for the Blues were matched by Cox, Ryan Caffrey, and Dan O’Donoghue for the Gaels, to make it a 1-4 to 0-4 Blues advantage at the break.

The second half saw the Gaels try to make up the difference and on with 30 minutes up had the scores level.  A couple of fantastic saves from Eoin Connolly kept them in it.  Connolly saved well to his left from a Hurley close range effort to put the ball out for ’65.  Soon afterwards the Leitir Móir man was facing down a penalty after having just saved a shot, but was adjudged to have made a foot block.  This time Connolly got down to his right to save the shot and the Gaels still had life. It was always going to require a goal to bridge the gap, and it was Cox who netted following a lovely cross field ball from Tony Brosnan into the Killyclogher man’s path.  Cox dispatched the shot into the far corner.  The goal came with about 15 minutes to go, and brought the Gaels to within a point, and lifted the efforts of the Connemara men.

Tiernan Cox headed toward goal with Kevin Coffee in pursuit.

Dan O’Donoghue was under every kickout, with men in green and white shirts cleaning up the breaks.  The Blues, however, were not about to squander their advantage and kept ahead through well taken points from Austin Stacks duo, Guthrie and Horan.  The Gaels went for it and brought on Dan Lowe to add speed to the attack, they were rewarded with points from Ryan Caffrey and Cox, and a huge O’Driscoll effort.   There were a couple of chances for the Gaels to take the lead, however the final effort let them down.  With the game on the line it was the new man for the Blues who raised the cheers of the faithful with a well taken point from distance to win the game. Ryan won his own ball in the middle of the field, and from 50 yards put a point worthy of winning a great game over the bar.  The Blues bounce back, for the Gaels still a loss, but one that might have said something about the character in the team.

Gaels:  Eoin Connolly, David Black, Don Donoghue, Niall McGinn, Ryan Caffrey, Cillian Fahy, Dan O’Driscoll, Matt Sullivan, Sean Conneeley, Ferghal Meenaugh, Coleman Mulkerrin, Kevin McGrath, Tiernan Cox.

Blues:  Darragh O’Shea, Fionn O’Herlihey, Cormac Coffee, Denis McElligott, Barry Hartnett, Trevor Wallace, Wayne Guthrie, Josh Ryan, Lee O’Donoghue, Greg Horan, Brian Fanning, Kieran Hurley, Darren Wallace.

By Rory O'Donnell

Sun July 2 - Senior Football: Wolfe Tones v Christopher's

Wolfe Tones 6-18 Christopher’s 0-9

Wolfe Tones handed Christopher’s a severe defeat to put them on the brink with two tough games remaining against Donegal and the Connemara Gaels.  Three first half goals, followed by a fourth just after the restart, effectively killed off the game.  The Tones forward line looked impressive and the game got to the point where it was almost scoring at will.

Wolfe Tones had too much firepower for Christopher's on Sunday.

Three first half goals propelled the Tones into a comfortable first half lead.  Just after Christopher’s had made it 3 points to 2 with a ’65 from Eddie Goggin, the Tones struck with their first goal.  It was Shane McGuinness who started at corner forward who netted following a good run from Sean Hurley.  The Tones forward line was incisive and when on the run cut through the Christopher’s defence with ease.  Three more points were followed by a second goal, Garvin Jones finished off a nice hand-passing move and it was 2-5 to 0-4.

A third goal came after Mark Delaney made a fine save, only for the ball to find its way to Jarlath Boyce on the edge of the square, and the Kildare man netted from close range.  Christopher’s tried to bridge the gap, and with three points on the trot, there might have been some hope.  The Tones, however, extinguished any semblance of that with points from McWalter and Hurley.

Jack Smith moves the ball out of defence.

The second half began as the first ended, with the Tones adding to their lead.  Cormac McWalter made it a fourth goal and at that stage it was curtains for Christopher’s.  The Tones continued to add to their lead and introduced the players from the bench.  Shane O’Rourke added a couple after coming into the game, with Boyce and Jones also hitting the mark.  Probably the best performance from the Tones so far this year.

Tones:  Darren McDonnell, Jack Smith, James Reilly, Ferghal O’Brien, Tom Quinn, Darren Maguire, Jarlath Boyce, Sean Hurley, Michael O’Brien, Cormac Joyce-Power, Garvin Jones, Shane McGuinness, Cormac McWalter.

Christopher’s:  Mark Delaney, Mark Killeen, Martin Coppinger, Shane Dooey, Sam Ryan, James Horgan, Sean O’Leary, Daniel Grehan, Ryan Kennedy, Coleman Kennedy, Greg Henry, Conor Horgan, Eddie Goggin.

By Rory O'Donnell

Sat July 1 - Junior A Hurling: Galway v Fr. Tom Burke's

Fr. Tom Burke’s 1-17 Galway 2-8

On Saturday evening Tom’s came through a tough encounter against a Galway team that stuck to their task and kept it interesting to the end.  It took a late goal from Ciaran Moore for Tom’s nerves to settle and secure the points.

Fr. Tom's came through against a battling Galway side. 

Most of the first half scoring came from Tom’s.  Seamus Higgins and James Dooley did well manning the rearguard for Tom’s, while at the other end of the field it was Jack Goulding, Niall McCarthy, and Fran Keenan adding to the tally on the scoreboard.   Galway got some hope with a goal that Shane Jordan doubled on to drive into the net, and points from Enda Feeney made it a 1-2 to 0-9 Tom’s half time advantage.

The teams traded points to open the second half, Ciaran Morrissey hitting the mark for Galway and Goulding, along with Niall McCarthy, for Tom’s.  After Sean Og Somers pointed, a second Galway goal came courtesy of James Terrell.  The game took on a whole new complexion following the goal as there was a heightened sense of urgency on each side, and the Galway efforts picked up.

Galway juniors came up just a little short of a result on Saturday.

Morrissey hit a massive point for Galway, and shortly afterwards could have had a goal, driving the ball over rather than under the bar.  With the difference between the teams narrowed to a single point, Goulding hit a fine score, and a much needed one for Tom’s at the time.  Tom’s opened their lead to four points with a handful of minutes left, and after James Terrell reduced the gap to a single score, Moore’s injury time goal put Tom’s nerves at ease.

Tom’s:  Chris O’Donoghue, James Dooley, Paddy Flynn, Kevin Burke, Seamus Higgins, Sean Og Somers, Niall McCarthy, Cian Moore, Fran Keenan, Gary Kelly, Liam Moore, Jack Martin, Jack Goulding.

Galway:  Ray Grealish, Seamus Loftus, David Lynch, James Terrell, Trevor Lee, Mike Lennon, Dan O’Leary, Ciaran Morissey, David Laurden, Paul Dwyer, Enda Feeney, Cian Clifford, Shane Jordan.

By Rory O'Donnell

Sunday July 2 - Junior A Hurling: Offaly v Wexford

Offaly 2-22 Wexford 1-11

Offaly added another in the win column on Sunday against Wexford.  The first half was well contested as there was not much between the teams, but the second half was a rout as Offaly picked off the points ended up winners by double scores.

Jack O'Hagen clears for Wexford.

Offaly went in at the end of a tough 30 minutes of hurling, that featured a fairly major scuffle at the end, with a 3 point lead.  Colm Kerins used his strength to break a tackle and netted just after the throw-in to get Wexford off to a great start.  Offaly then started to put the points over the bar.  Sean Dunne, Rory Sludds, Tommy Rigney, and Stephen Brown each pointed, and Offaly looked to have a decided edge in the balance of play.

Wexford came back into the game after a nice point from PJ O’Neill following a great fetch.  Peter Herlihey added another and the game was tied.  With half time approaching and the game tied, Offaly hit with a goal.  It came in similar fashion to Wexford’s.  Stephen Brown won the ball on the edge of the small square and forced the ball over the line.  Shortly afterwards came the aforementioned schmozzle,, and a red was issued to a player from each side.  Things calmed down with the half time whistle.

After the restart it was all Offaly, the additional room on the field seemed to suit them more than Wexford.  The first 15 minutes saw the Faithful county put seven points over the bar, to one for Wexford, and Offaly seemed to have an extra man available to help out at the back.  Wexford struggled to make the openings, while the scores came so much easier for Offaly.

Offaly always seemed to have the extra player.

Jimmy Rigney pointed three times on the trot, foraging forward from his center back position, while subsititutes Alan Maher and Stephen Halissey also provided fresh legs as the heat began to take its toll, and contributed on the scoreboard.  Each Offaly point was another cut to Wexford’s confidence, though the Slaneysiders did get a good contribution from Ben Cowman after he entered play from the line.  Cowman accounted for 2 well taken points.

After Maher added a second goal for Offaly it was a matter of playing out the last 10 minutes.  Offaly two for two in the championship, while Wexford are looking for their first win.

Offaly:  Gary Sherlock, Rian Dempsey, Alan Bergin, Jack Murray, James Rigney, Tommy Rigney, Rory Sludds, Adrian Cleary, Brian Hannan, Robbie Croft, Andy McRedmond, Sean Dunne, Stephen Brown.

Wexford:  Tom Moloney, Eddie Murphy, Tom Davey, John Taggert, Denis Brennan, Jack O’Hagen, Greg Lundy, Craig Burke, Peter Herlihey, Sam Lenihan, Jason Foley, PJ O’Neill, Colm Kerins.

By Rory O'Donnell

Sunday July 2 - Junior A Football: Wolfe Tones v Connemara Gaels

Connemara Gaels 1-16 Wolfe Tones 5-15

The final score belies what was a very entertaining junior championship matchup.  It was close until the final 10 minutes when the Tones banged in 2 goals and secured the points.  The Gaels will rue how easily the Tones got in for the goals, however, the corner forward pairing for the Tones of Conor Marsden and Pauric Fogerty proved to be a match winning one.

Dan McCabe on the ball for the Tones.

The Tones got off to a flying start and after 15 minutes were leading by a score of 2-5 to three points.   Pauric Fogerty and Conor Marsden at corner forward were strong for the Tones and the Gaels defenders struggled to contain the pair.  A goal each and three points between them had the Tones in the driver’s seat early.  Each time either of the two had ball in hand it was panic stations for the Gaels rearguard.  The Gaels took time to find their feet but eventually made their way back into the game.

A few missed chances presaged a run of a goal and five points to 2 points in the run in to half time.  The Gaels finally got a hold in midfield and points were converted by AJ Maguire, Pauric McDonagh, Kevin Walsh, and Gavin McCrystal.  The Gaels were right back in the game after McCrystal netted on the stroke of half time to make it a 2-7 to 1-8 Tones advantage at the break.

Tom Duignan on the run for the Gaels.

The Gaels flew out of the gates after the restart and found themselves in the lead after 10 minutes.  Tom Butler won plenty of possession in the middle for the westerners, and it was Paddy McGee, Sean Fox, Liam McDonagh, and McCrystal who converted as the scoring was spread around the forward line.  The Tones seemed to have run out of steam such was the advantage that the Gaels enjoyed, but as we were were to find out, that was not the case at all.

Another goal brought the South Boston team right back into it, and it was Fogerty with the strike as he beat the defender and slotted into the corner.  The score seemed to deflate the Gaels efforts, and with the lift the Tones reclaimed the initiative and the points started to flow.  Stephen Guing floated a couple of well taken efforts over, and then it was back to back goals from Marsden and Fogerty that put the matter to bed.  Fogerty’s was cheeky chip over the keeper from an angle rub salt into the Gaels wounds.  A good win for the Tones in their campaign to reclaim the junior championship.

Gaels:  James O’Donnell, Chris Caffrey, Tom Duignan, Sean Fox, Damien Doolan, Kevin Walsh, Liam McDonagh, Tom Butler, Pauric McDonagh, Paddy McGee, AJ Maguire, Gavin McCrystal, PJ Connelly.

Tones:  Jack O’Dolan, Keith Gill, Aaron Moore, Dan Grimes, Cathal Grimes, Bill Berberan, Dan McCabe, Gavin Walsh, Andrew Mooney, Stephen Guing, John McManus, Conor Marsden, Pauric Fogerty.

By Rory O'Donnell

Holiday Weekend Action to see Playoff Picture Take Shape

By Rory O’Donnell

If you are sticking around for the July 4 weekend, a jaunt to the Cultural Center might be well worthwhile at the weekend as there is plenty of junior and senior football and hurling on display.  Things will start to shake out over the next week or two and a couple of teams are looking for badly needed wins.

Wolfe Tones Shane McGuinness

Two senior football games are on the cards, each of which will have a strong bearing on playoff placement.  First up is Christopher’s and Wolfe Tones.  Christopher’s are under pressure to get a result in this game.  With just 3 games to play a win, or at least a draw is imperative to remain in the hunt.  Last time out Christopher’s full just short of a strong Galway team, and could have just as easily have come away with the win.  A consistent effort will be required to get anything out of the game. 

The Tones are also coming off a loss last week, to unbeaten Donegal.  In many ways consistency has been what the South Boston team need to focus on.  Periods have good football have come in spurts and that has been the downfall of the Tones in their 2 losses to the Gaels and Donegal.   The men to watch out for are Derrygonnelly native Garvin Jones and Monaghan’s Shane McGuinness for the Tones, with Skerries Harps man, Jack Smith a steady influence in the back line.  For Christopher’s it is Eddie Goggin from Carbery Rangers who is the point of the attack, however there are plenty of others who can contribute, including Bantry Blues man, Sean O’Leary, in the middle of the field and Conor Horgan up front.  A great chance for either team Sunday, and has the potential for a great game of football.

The other holiday weekend senior football duel to give the punters something to get excited about Sunday features the Connemara Gaels and Shannon Blues.  The Blues were flat in their last outing where they went down to Donegal, albeit with 12 men for half the game.  Having had two weeks to stew over it, the Blues will be looking to make amends and play the kind of aggressive, fast paced football that they are capable of.  A win is imperative in keeping their campaign on track, and with a strong side from Daragh O’Shea in goal to Kieran Hurley up front, the Blues ambitions will be higher than a quarter final spot.

Greg Horan is part of a strong Blues lineup.

The Gaels will have been satisfied with their win last week against Aidan McAnespies and the Connemara men used their bench well with the outcome of the game in the balance.  The midfield duo of Matt Sullivan (Kerry) and Dan O’Driscoll (Cork) did well, as did corner forward pairing of Killyclogher man Tiernan Cox and Portlaoise’s Kevin McGrath.  Tony Brosnan came on last week and put to crucial points over the bar, while Ferghal Meenagh also contributed from the bench down the stretch.  It will the Blues who will be eagerly looking for the win here so that they can put the last game behind them and focus on the playoffs.  A win for the Gaels will keep them in the running for a top 2 spot, all to play for on each side.

Junior hurling sees two contests at the weekend.  Offaly take on Wexford on Sunday as the Faithful county attempt to go 2 for 2.  Saturday it is Galway and Tom’s.  Tom’s fell short of a miraculous comeback last week against Offaly and will be looking to chalk up a win over their western rivals, Galway.

There is plenty of Junior football action.  Something will have to give on Saturday when Kerry and Galway meet with each side looking to stay unbeaten, while Cork will meet Donegal.  Sunday sees both of the Connemara Gaels teams in action, the Gaels junior A side take on the Wolfe Tones on Sunday, while the B side play Hartford. 

Sunday June 25 - Senior Football: Galway v Christopher's

Galway 1-18 Christopher’s 3-11

Another senior football contest that went down to the wire, though Galway may feel that had they lost this game, they would have given it away.  At one point the Tribesmen led by 6 points coming into the final quarter and were sitting pretty.  Christopher’s kept with it and drew level with 2 minutes to go after a James Horgan goal, one that followed an Eddie Goggin strike.  Galway, however, came back and slotted two points over the bar to capture the points.

Cian Darcy moves in block James Horgan's shot.

Galway finished the first half well to go into the break with a three point lead.  In the final 10 minutes, Galway outscored Christopher’s by five points to one.  Galway’s forwards were all on form, Alex Kenny, Cian McMonagle and Ryan Forde all hit the mark down the stretch. 

The early exchanges saw a goal for each side.  Eddie Goggin netted for Christopher’s following a well worked move, while for Galway it was a penalty that brought them level.  Forde was pulled back by Martin Coppinger and the spot kick was dispatched by Kenny.  Christopher’s well in the game but with work to do to rein in Galway’s strike force.

Galway started the second half the way they ended the first, with a series of rapid fire points.  Alan Egan was always available in the middle of the field, and the Galway half back line did enough to disrupt Christopher’s efforts.  Galway’s lead was extended by another 3 points, with McMonagle, Egan and Kenny doing the damage. 

It was Goggin who Christopher’s relied on for their scores, and as time wore on it was clear that it would goals that were needed.  A goal did come, from Goggin, following a high ball into the box to Dan Kenneally.  After the teams traded scores, and with full time minutes away Christopher’s leveled the scores with a second goal, this time from substitute, James Horgan. 

David Murphy on the ball for Galway.

Immediately from the kickout, however, Galway rallied with Cian Darcy winning a clean kickout to put Galway on the attack, and subsititute, Brian Reape, putting a close range free over.  Reape added a second for comfort, and Christopher’s final chance ended up over, rather than under, the bar with the players crowded into the box under a dropping ball.  Galway with their second win, and Christopher’s one step closer, but no cigar.

Galway:  Jamie Kelly, David Murphy, Ruairi Greene, Stuart Cullen, Dylan McHugh, Kieran Molloy, Cian Darcy, Alan Egan, Jamie Kehoe, Alex Kenny, Ryan Forde, Kevin Cummins, Cian McMonagle.

Christopher’s:  Mark Delaney, Martin Coppinger, Mark Killeen, Paudie Kenneally, Sam Ryan, Greg Henry, Sean O’Leary, Dan Grehan, Coleman Kennedy, Conor Horgan, Shane Dooey, Eddie Goggin, Dan Kenneally.

By Rory O'Donnell

Sunday June 25 - Senior Football: Connemara Gaels v Aidan McAnespies

Connemara Gaels 0-17 Aidan McAnespies 1-12

It was edge of the seat stuff between the Connemara Gaels and Aidan McAnespies.  There was nothing between the teams throughout the second half, and for the Gaels the introduction of fresh legs from the line provided them with the edge.  With both sides tiring, the fresh legs gave the Gaels the lift for the final minutes.

Michael Walsh pursued by Niall McGinn.

There was but a point in it at the break.  The Gaels played some good football with plenty of movement from the forward line.  Kevin McGrath, who got the start at corner forward, made the most of his chance, contributing with 3 points.  The Gaels had some early chances that went awry thanks to the intervention of the posts, but still opened an early 3 points lead, Ryan Caffrey and Coleman Mulkerrins contributed with well taken scores.

McAnespies hung with it and thanks to a run of three points to one, kept the Gaels in touching distance.  Two Croft frees and a monster score from Brian Breslin drew the sides level.  After the Gaels put four unanswered over the bar, it was a goal just before the break that kept the Macs in it.  Half back, Niall Rooney was the man who netted after an exchange of passes with Mick Walsh.  It was a 9 points to 1-5 Gaels advantage at the break.

The game remained tight as McAnespies had the better of the second half exchanges.  After the sides swapped points McAnespies went one a four points to one scoring flurry.  Brian Breslin’s running was a key factor, with Robbie Croft pointing from a free after Breslin was fouled, and the Strabane man being involved in almost every McAnespies foray forward. 

The Gaels settled and got themselves back into a lead with a Tiernan Cox free leveling the scores, and a point from substitute Fergal Meenagh the go ahead score.  The tension ratcheted up coming into the final stretch, each set of supporters urging their team on.   The scores were level again after Aidan Trainor neatly slotted over, but Tony Brosnan, a late substitute gave the Gaels the lead with a point from play and another from a free.  The final whistle was greeted applause from the Gaels supporters, and perhaps a sense of relief as it was a game that could have gone to either team.

Gaels:  Eoin Connolly, David Black, Dan Donoghue, Niall McGinn, Sean Kelly, Cillian Fahy, Dan O’Driscoll, Matt Sullivan, Sean Connelly, Ryan Caffrey, Coleman Mulkerrins, Kevin McGrath, Tiernan Cox.

Macs:  Paddy Coakley, Eoin Delmer, Paul Clifford, Niall Rooney, Tommy Brerton, Seamie Breslin, Marty Mongan, Brian Breslin, Dean Flood, Robbie Croft, Jimmy Rigney, Mick Walsh, Adan Trainor.

By Rory O'Donnell