Senior Football Championship - Wolfe Tones v Donegal

Wolfe Tones 1-10 Donegal 0-11

Wolfe Tones tallied a win to get their season off to a good start.  The game was close until substitute Sean Kelly netted shortly after entering play.  Trailing by five points coming into the final 5 minutes, Donegal almost pulled off a late comeback with a flurry of scores, but the goal that would be needed to win the game evaded them to the relief of an anxious Tones support.

Donegal's Darren Grant looks for help.

A strong first half performance from the Tones saw them into a 2 point lead at the break.  The Tones lined out with Paudie Kenneally at center back and Jack Lynch at center forward, both graduates of the underage ranks.  Dean Curran set the tone with a well taken point with the opening Tones attack, and every time the Derryman was in possession things looked promising.  There were a couple of fluffed chances, but Curran did manage 2 more as the ball went in to his corner early.  Ronan Jones also put in a good 30 minutes, and with the Tones moving the ball well the light blues tallied 7 points.  Donegal had Corofin man, Liam Silke at center back, and in the forward line Gwedoore man Michael Carroll looked strong leading the line. Lee Carr got Donegal off the mark and points were added by Carroll and Christy McLaughlin.  0-7 to 0-5 at the half in favour of the Tones.

Neil McEneaney tries to block Dean Curran's shot.

The pace of the game slowed a little in the second half, with the Tones nursing their slender lead.  Donegal pointed through Lee Carr following a good forward run by Silke, and Carroll pointed from a free, while for the Tones it was Eoin Buggie who kept the Tones noses ahead with a score.  The deadlock was broken by a goal scored by substitute Sean Kelly.  The Tones veteran netted into the far corner from a tight angle, and Jones added two, one from a free.  The score was to prove decisive.  The Tones then played keep ball, using up time and killing the game, but lost Conlaodh Deeney to an Injury.  It was not over though as Donegal made a late surge, three points in a row from Brian Donnelly, Ciaran McDevitt and Gavin Reilly drew them within a score. Deeney’s absence in the back line was felt.  There were some nervous moments on the Tones line in the final minutes as twice high balls into  the box were punched goalwards, and Shane Hayes was called on to be alert as both were on target but neither had the power to beat Hayes.  A win for the Tones to get off the mark.

Tones:  Shane Hayes, Aaron Moore, Keith Gill, Conlaodh Deeney, Paudie Kenneally, Eoin Buggle, Ian Whelan, Ronan Jones, Mike O’Brien, jack Lynch, Patrick Collins, Dean Curran, Thomas Beckett.

Donegal:  Hugh Boyle, Jason Noctor, Neil McEneaney, Gavin Reilly, Liam Silke, Darren Doherty, Brian Donnelly, Darren Grant, Sean Donnelly, Michael Carroll, Ciaran McDevitt, Christy McLaughlin, Lee Carr.

By Rory O'Donnell

Senior Football Championship - Galway v Aidan McAnespies

Aidan McAnespies 3-13 Galway 0-7

Aidan McAnespies earned two points with a win over Galway to open the senior football championship last Sunday at the ICC.  It was a close run affair in the opening 30 minutes, and Galway could have held the lead at the break but for 2 missed goal chances.  It was McAnespies who held the lead at the break, and in the second half broke the game open with 3 goals.  Philip McCusker proved a very effective target at corner forward for McAnespies, who mixed up their approach and ran the ball well when needed, however, each team will need to brush up on the finishing if they are to make a mark in the 2018 championship.

Peter Codd shoots for Galway.

The opening half saw McAnespies take a 2 point lead into the break.  Some pinpoint marksmanship from Robbie Croft, and the aforementioned McCusker at corner forward were key for McAnespies.  Galway suffered a massive blow after corner forward, Kevin Cummins, had to leave the field with an ankle injury.  Cummins is one of the best home based forwards in town and Galway will be praying for a quick return.  The westerners twice found themselves with goal chances, but on each occasion the opportunity went awry.  It was neck and neck for most of the half and with Galway matching their opponents, but towards the end it was McAnespies with 2 points on the trot to open a gap.

Jamie Keogh braces for the tackle from Marty Bogue.

After the teams traded points to open the second half McAnespies hit with a goal.  After some good work down the wing by Jake Foster the ball made its way across the goal to the waiting Croft who only had to palm it into the empty net.  Galway worked hard with Ronan Patterson and Alan Egan in midfield, but the McAnespies back line did its job and the northerners countered well.  Croft was to be found all over the field in a free roving role, a tactic that worked well for McAnespies last year.  One counter attack resulted in a pointed free as Galway were forced into fouling, and another in a penalty that Croft cheekily chipped into the net a la Andrea Pirlo.  There were turnovers at either end as play moved up and down the field, but it was McAnespies that made the most of their chances.   Keeper, Anthony Kidney, came out to take a long range free and the Corkman split the posts from 65 yards.  A third goal came from Lorcan Mallon to put the matter to rest, and the Pat O’Brien Cup champions get off to a good start to the championship with a win.

Galway:  James Kelly, Paddy Naughton, Stuart Cullen, Rom Davey, Declan Walsh, Thomas Greene, Alan Egan, Ronan Patterson, Jamie Kehoe, Ray Conneeley, Peter Codd, Kevin Cummins, Kieran Gallagher.

McAnespies:  Anthony Kidney, Eoin Delmer, Caolan Harvey, Sean Cochrane, Robert Pigott, Paul Clifford, Seamus Breslin, Declan Hughes, Jake Foster, Che O’Donnell, Lorcan Mallon, Robbie Croft, Philip McCusker.

By Rory O'Donnell

GAA Season Opens at the Irish Cultural Center

The senior football championship begins this Sunday, June 3, at the Irish Cultural Center, Canton Ma.  With the Irish Festival also taking place, Men’s and Ladies footballers will get the ball rolling for the season on the main field, while the junior hurlers of Portland and Hartford will do battle at 2:00 on Field B as part of the Junior C Hurling championship, which has already begun. 

With the Pat O’Brien Cup decided 2 weeks ago, action resumes with Aidan McAnespies and Galway.  The early season spoils went to Aidan McAnespies who triumphed over Donegal in the Pat O’Brien Cup two weeks ago with a man of the match performance from Kildare native, Eoin Delmer.  Galway will face last year’s championship finalists in the opening game at 1:15.  Wolfe Tones and Donegal meet again having drawn their cup encounter 3 weeks ago at 3:45, while the Shannon Blues and the Connemara Gaels meet at 5:00.  The Boston Shamrocks will defend the Orla Benson Cup at 2:30 versus Connacht Ladies.

Judging from the May action on Field B, it looks like there are some strong home based panels out there.  Paul Clifford, Eoin Delmer, and Robbie Croft are back for McAnespies, and the team also features Caolan Harvey who not so long ago (it seems) was cheering his father, Martin, on from the sidelines in Canton.  Wolfe Tones also feature a second generation player in Jack Lynch.  Jack’s father, Mick, was a stalwart for Cork.  Still loyal to the rebel cause, Jack represents Cork at junior level.  Dean Curran, Ronan Jones, and Conladh Deeney also look like featuring significantly for the Tones this year.  Donegal will have brothers, Brian and Sean Donnelly ready to face the Tones, Darren Grant and Sean Tim Doherty ready to face the Tones on Sunday.  Despite bowing out early in the cup, the Blues have a promising side with Darren Wallace and Dermot McElligott in the side and will face the Gaels whose long standing players include David Black, Coleman Mulkerrins and Noel Graham.  With registration still open for the summer, clubs are adding to their home based panels.

The Boston Shamrocks and Connacht Ladies will contest the Orla Benson Cup.  It will be an all home based affair with s Shamrocks team featuring Cathy McEleaney, Ciara McCormack and Ann Marie McDonnell facing Jane Ward, Aisling Kerr, and Maria Kelly for Connacht.  The annual competition carries on the memory of Orla Benson, a young student from Killarney who was brutally murdered in 1995 in Allston while in Boston for the summer. 

By Rory O'Donnell

Donegal and McAnespies into the Pat O’Brien Cup Final

By Rory O’Donnell 
Donegal and McAnespies into the Pat O’Brien Cup Final

Shannon Blues 2-7 Aidan McAnespies 3-10

A win for Aidan McAnespies put them on top of Group B and into the final of the cup next Saturday.  It was an explosive affair, and the wet conditions did not help matters in that regard.  There was plenty of good football on display from both sides, however, it was McAnespies who produced the goods when there was a point in it coming into the last 10 minutes.

The first half was dominated by the Macs and two early goals put them in the driver’s seat.  Phil McCusker and a Robbie Croft penalty was the difference between the teams about half way through the opening period.  Although the Blues had their chance from the spot early on, they struggled to get any kind of momentum going as McAnespies dominated midfield and held the half back line.  Derek O”Brien was busy in the Blues full back line marshalling Che O’Donnell, however, eventually O’Donnell got an opening and netted a third goal for McAnespies to put them 3 -2 to 0-2 ahead with half time approaching.  The Blues got a second chance for a penalty after James Feeney was fouled in the penalty area, and this time the spot kick bustled the back of the net. 

The teams started the second half down a player each following sendings off at the end of the first half, and the Blues went on a run to reduce the deficit.  A seven point gap was bridged following unanswered scores from David Wallace (Goal) and a series of points from Maurice Young and Denis McElligott.  The Blues had the momentum, and a grandstand finish looked to be on the cards but things degenerated into a series of scuffles and rucks.  The result was 2 additional players off from each side, and by the time the teams for the following game appeared from the changing rooms, it was a 10-a-side affair on the field.  Robbie Croft was on fire in the final stretch with 6 points in a row from play and frees, one was an excellent strike from the sideline.  Cup holders, McAnespies end up with 2 wins in the group and will play Saturday next in the final in defence of the title.

Donegal 2-5 Wolfe Tones 1-8 

Donegal made it to next week’s final with a surprising draw against the Wolfe Tones.  The result meant that Donegal ended Group A with 4 points to 3 for the Tones.  Tones never got going in the forward line as Donegal kept it tight at the back and allowed hardly any space to their opponents.  With the conditions not conducive to handling or speed the Tones huffed and puffed, but never got to blow Donegal’s house down as they did the Gaels last week.  Christy McLaughlin hit with a goal in each half, and Gavin Riley also popped over several scores to aid Donegal’s effort.

At the break it was a Donegal lead, 1-3 to 0-4.  The Tones started the game a man short, and eventually Shane O’Brien arrived to even up the sides.   Sean Donnelly and Ronan Diver added points to the Donegal column, while for the Tones it was Gavin Walsh, Dean Curran and Thomas Beckett.  The second half saw a dogged Donegal keep the Tones forward line at bay.  Conor Brennan and Michael McBride dug in hard, and with numbers back for Donegal the frustration was evident with their opponents as there were no openings going forward.  Lateral balls ended up going nowhere, and Donegal then took advantage of their chances after possession was turned over.  McLaughlin netted his second with a great run along the endline, firing the ball into the far corner.  Riley added two points and there was a surprise on the cards.  Eventually the Tones made the breakthrough as they trailed by four points.  Cormac Joyce-Power literally had to power his way past the Donegal defenders to get some space to fire home.  Another point evened up the scores, but there would not be another chance for a winner, and with the draw it is Donegal who face Aidan McAnespies in the final next week.

Next Saturday there is a hurling blitz at the ICC and the Pat O’Brien Cup Final.  Times are TBD.

Pat O'Brien Cup - Second Round

By Rory O'Donnell

The second round of the Pat O’Brien Cup was played at the Irish Cultural Center, Canton Mass Saturday afternoon with strong wins for Donegal and Wolfe Tones in Group A, and for Aidan McAnespies in Group B.   The situation means that it boils down to Donegal and the Tones looking for the win to secure the top spot in Group A, and in Group B it comes down to the Macs and Blues next week to see who makes the final.

Galway v Donegal

Galway got the better of this exchange on Saturday afternoon.

For Galway it was their first outing of the season and the westerners never really had a chance to settle into the game.  Donegal held a 7 point lead at the half, a goal from Sean Donnelly early on set the tone.  Donnelly and Lee Carr proved hard for the Galway defence to contain, and in the middle of the field Darren Grant was a towering presence.  Galway’s scores came from Frank McCormack, Ryan Garry and Kieran Gallagher.  Donegal maintained their hold on the game throughout the second half, and have three points from their 2games, sitting on top of the table.

Wolfe Tones v Connemara Gaels

Connollaidh Deeney Slips through a Gaels challenge.

In the other group A game the Wolfe Tones put in a very strong looking performance and left the Gaels shaking their heads at the final whistle.  Corner forwards, Dean Curran and Thomas Beckett ledd the Gaels corner backs a merry dance, while Ronan Jones in the middle of the field and Connolaoidh Deeney at center back, the Tones gave little away.  Two early goals rocked the Gaels, Curran and Cormac Joyce-Power netted.  The Gaels found a glimpse of rhythm with three points on the trot and it looked as though there could be a game on the cards.  Another Tones goal from Curran restored the Tones lead, and at the break it was a 3-4 to 0-5 score in the Tones favour.

The second half saw the Tones run away with it.  Eoin Connolly made some point blank saves from the rampant Tones forwards, but with points from Beckett and Joyce-Powerthe distance between the teams grew.  Curran netted another goal mid-way through the half shortly after Connolly had denied the Derry man.  Joe O’Shea put a consolation goal away for the Gaels, and at the back David Black toiled hard in the face of a constant pressure.  Shane O’Brien even chipped in with a point after entering the fray, as did brother Mike, and Jones capped of the goals to round off a good outing for the South Boston men.

Cork v Aidan McAnespies

Seamus Loftus on the ball for Cork.

Aidan McAnespies more or less steamrolled over Cork.  It was the first outing of the season for the Macs, and in many ways saw a second generation of players don the jersey.  Caolan Harvey featured from the start in the half back line, and Owen Gormley entered the fray in the second half.  The first half saw a deluge of goals as Robbie Croft, Paul Clifford, and Oisin McNulty combined well.  Croft was in good form on the first outing of the season, as was JP Gallagher and Philly McCusker.  The scores kept on coming for McAnespies, and late in the game the young Gormley netted twice, and Colm O’Malley also got his name on the scoresheet.  It boils down to the Macs and the Blues next week for a place in the final.

Pat O’Brien Cup Schedule

3:00 Connemara Gaels v Galway

4:15 Shannon Blues v Aidan McAnespies

5:30 Wolfe Tones v Donegal

All American Teams

Boston Northeast All American Football Team

A football and a hurling team from the Boston Northeast division traveled to New York to play a part in the Connacht Championship weekend.  The teams played New York Development Squad teams.  New York won both games, but the Boston players put up a good fight.  It was a great development to see teams made up entirely of American Born players representing the division.

Hurling:  Mike Kennelly, Michael Walsh, David O’Connor, Matthew Parks (Providence), Adam Mackie, Chris Laggis, Eric Stassen, Andrew Collins (Hartford), Dan Flanagan, Patrick Adukoni (Portland) Will Mullen, Alec Foley (Concord), Matt Dufresne, Bill Sheehan, Tim  Jackson, Jeremy Goldkuhl (Worcester), Jack Martin, Liam Moore (Fr. Tom Burke’s), Kevin Joyce (Wexford). 

Football:  Stephen Murray, Kevin Walsh, A.J. Maguire (Connemara Gaels), Declan Harrington, Jack Lynch, Denis Harrington, Emmet Smith (Cork), Shane McKenna, Oisin McNulty (Aidan McAnespies), Paudie Kenneally, Dan Kenneally, Jerry Kenneally (Christopher’s), Mark Dunphy, Ciaran McDevitt (Donegal), Maurice Young, Pat Murray, Conor Fitzgerald, Pat Moriarty (Shannon Blues), Ger Davoran, Michael Moylan (ISYL).

Pat O'Brien Cup - First Round

Donegal 0-10 Connemara Gaels 0-10

An entertaining, testy affair got Donegal and the Gaels off to their 2018 season start.  Things got a little tense in the final 15 minutes as the game was on the line, Hugh Devine was issued a black card for a challenge on Coleman Mulkerrins, and a scuffle followed.  At the time the Gaels led 0-9 to 0-8 after erasing a four point deficit.  With the game on the line it was Hugh Yank Boyle who rescued a point for Donegal after moving from goalkeeper to outfield in the second half.  



Ryan Caffrey on the attack for the Gaels

It was the Gaels who sprung out to an early lead.  Ryan Caffrey and Mulkerrins with 3 scores between them to one for Donegal.  The northerners played some quick passing, running football for the remainder of the half, however.  There was plenty of productive running from Lee Carr, Sean Donnelly, and Neil McEneaney.  Brian Donnelly was holding midfield well, and Neil McEneany surged forward on occasion, one foray resulting in a point.  Conversions also came from Carr, Darren Doherty, and the wily Christy McLaughlin.  At the break it was Donegal ahead by 2, 0-6 to 0-4.

The second half saw switches from each side, some forced due to injuries.  The Gaels’ Caffrey had to leave the foray with an ankle injury and McEneaney suffered a head wound and had to withdraw from play.  After Donegal had extended the lead by 2 more points after the restart, the Gaels replied with endeavor, and had overturned the deficit by the time we were at the mid-way point.  Noel Graham took up a forward position and proved to be an effective target for the most part.  The tension built in the run in, with McLaughlin leveling before Graham put the Gaels up one with full time almost up.  Yank Boyle saved the day for Donegal with the equalizing point to send the teams back to the dressing rooms, each with a share of the spoils.

Shannon Blues 4-14 Cork 0-7

The Shannon Blues will have been well pleased with their first outing of the season, Cork a little less so.   The rebels played well at times, but missed plenty of chances to keep the Blues in sight.  At the break it was an 11 point Blues lead and the second half was a matter of each side trying to get what they could out of this “preseason” game.

Cork's Colm Caffrey

The Blues looked the sharper side from the off, Mike Ralston showing some stuff from the glory days in the early going with a couple of well converted points from play.  Denis McElligott found Ralston for an early goal, and writing was on the wall for what was to come.  Cork generated some good opportunites that drifted wide of the posts, but with the Blues defenders awake and alert it was difficult for Cork to make a dent.  Scores eventually did come, Ian Caffrey and Conor Jenkins converted, but the Blues then struck with a second goal to deflate Cork hopes of making inroads into the 5 point gap.  Darren Wallace came into the game more, and there were some very well worked scores for Jack Kenny and Maurice Young to pop over.

Brian Donnelly in possession for Donegal.

Ian Caffrey opened the second half scoring with a point for Cork, but the Blues continued to dominate the second half and netted two more goals.  Several switches were made to give a run to the players on the line, and the Blues had disappeared out of Cork’s view, over the horizon. Cork battled on, however, with some dogged displays from Jack Lynch and Steven Lambert, and two late points from Colm Caffrey frees topped off Cork’s tally.  An easy win for the Blues, Cork might have deserved more from the game.

Worcester Camogie Club

Camogie is coming back to the New England region with the Worcester Fenians camogie club.  Practices are from 5-7 PM at 28 Sherwood Ave, Shrewsbury Ma. All experience levels are welcome to join.  There are players traveling from Boston, so there may be an option to share rides.  For more information you can find Worcester Fenians on Facebook or Instagram, or email contactworcesterhurling@gmail.com.  

All American Teams v New York

The Boston Northeast division is sending 2 All American Teams to play New York development squad teams next weekend.  The games are part of the celebrations around the New York v Leitrim Connacht Championship match.  The hurlers play at 10:15 and the footballers at 11:45 at Gaelic Park in the Bronx.

Schedule May 5

Irish Cultural Center, Canton Ma.

3:00 Galway v Donegal

4:15 Aidan McAnespies v Cork

5:30 Connemara Gaels v Wolfe Tones

Boston Northeast Update - O'Brien Cup Draw

The 2018 season is upon us.  The draw for the Pat O’Brien Cup took place at the meeting of the board and the competition is set to begin on April 26.  There are 7 teams entered and the format will consist of 2 groups, one with 4 teams and one with 3.  Group A includes Galway, Wolfe Tones, Connemara Gaels, and Donegal.  Group B includes Cork, Aidan McAnespies and Shannon Blues. 
Teams will play each other once with the top team from each group meeting in the final.  Two points will be awarded for a win and one for a draw, none for a loss.  In the event of a tie total points scored will decide the winner.  Games will be played on Field B.  The final will be played on May 19.

The Sheehan Cup for hurling will be played as a 7-a-side blitz on Sunday May 20.  Teams and details to follow. 
Pat O’Brien Cup Preliminary Schedule
April 28th                  
    3:00    Galway    Tones              Group A
    4:15    Blues    Cork                   Group B
    5:30    Gaels     Donegal           Group A
May 5th                  
    3:00    Galway    Donegal         Group A
    4:15    Macs    Cork                   Group B
    5:30    Gaels     Tones               Group A
May 12th                  
    3:00    Gaels      Galway           Group A
    4:15    Blues      Macs               Group B
    5:30    Tones     Donegal          Group A

Aidan McAnespies pipped in New York Sevens 

2017 Pat O’Brien Cup winners Aidan McAnespies  traveled to New York last weekend for the annual seven-a-side and came within 3 points of taking the trophy to Boston.  McAnespies came out of their group that included Kerry NY and St. Barnabas and met Barnabas in the final.  Unfortunately for the Macs it was in the final that they conceded the first goal of the tournament, and it proved to be the difference between the teams in the end.

Players who traveled to New York were Seamie Breslin, Paul Clifford, Marty Bogue, Gareth O’Neill, Philip McCusker, Tommy Brereton, Robbie Croft, Craig Oliver, Ciaran Wallace, Che O’Donnell, Eoin Delmer, and Shane McKenna.

 

All American Teams to play New York

 

On May 5 New York plays Leitrim in the first round of the 2018 Connacht Championship.  Two All- American teams, one hurling and one football, from the Boston-Northeast division will play New York development squad teams that weekend. 

By Rory O'Donnell

2018 CYC Boston - A Night of Honor at Florian Hall

The 2018 Boston Continental Youth Championship (CYC) will be held August 1-5, 2018 at the Irish Cultural Center in Canton.  The CYC is the largest youth GAA tournament held outside of Ireland.  Over 2,500 players from Under 6 to Under 18 making up 200 teams are expected to participate.  In hopes of winning Championship honors, clubs travel from all over - including Ireland, England, Canada, and the US.  The local teams saw success at last year’s event in Buffalo. Championships were won by St. Brendan’s U8 hurlers and footballers, ISYL U10 hurlers, and the ISYL U16 girls footballers, with teams from other local clubs reaching many finals.

Organizing and running this event is a monumental undertaking.  In addition to the logistics of playing fields, scheduling, hotels, transport, and food, the CYC Committee is responsible for fundraising $200,000 to help cover the cost of hosting the event.  

A Night of Honor fundraiser is being held Friday, March 9th, at Florian Hall in Dorchester.  Each Boston Northeast GAA club will be honoring an individual who has made a significant contribution to their club and the GAA. Additionally, special recognition will be given to two gentlemen who have dedicated a life time to the GAA.  Coming from football and hurling backgrounds respectively, John McDevitt and James Grealish each served as Chairperson for the Boston Northeast Board as well as countless years of service to their clubs and the development of GAA in North America.  

The CYC is a key piece of developing the games in the United States by providing opportunities for youth players to excel at the sports and have a tremendous amount of fun.  The future of the games lies with the youth, and there is fertile ground to grow the games here.  Opportunities for kids to learn and play Gaelic football and Hurling in the Boston area are provided by the Irish Sports Youth League, St. Brendan’s and Trinity Milton, as well as programs in Portland Maine, Springfield Mass., and Hartford, Ct.   For more information on youth programs go to bostonminorgaa.org.

We hope you will support the Boston CYC and the Night of Honor.  If have not already booked your ticket or reserved a table for the banquet, contact bostoncyc@gmail.com or call (617) 791-3233.  

If you would like to make a donation or to sponsor the Boston CYC 2018 event please contact Anne M. Kennedy, Treasurer, at 617-549-1832 or email: annemkennedy@yahoo.com

The Boston Northeast Divisional Minor Board, Inc. is a registered 501© (3) organization.

All contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Tax ID# 27-3766581.