Senior Hurling: Fr. Tom Burke's v Offaly

Fr. Tom Burke’s 4-21 Offaly 4-9

It was another one-sided affair in the senior hurling encounter between Offaly and Fr. Tom Burke’s.  Tom’s were too strong in all facets of the game, and the scoring prowess of Naomh Barrog man, Dean Flood, Stiofan McMahon, and Jason Costello was something that Offaly could not match.  Flood proved to be a key factor in Tom’s efforts as they cruised to the win.

From the North side of Dublin to Canton, Dean Flood

put in a good first performance with Tom's. 

The opening exchanges saw Donal O’Dwyer and Jack Dunphy point for Offaly, with Flood and Costello getting on the board for Tom’s.  Shane Howley gave Tom’s a slight edge just before the game was blown open in the middle third.  Tom’s went on a 2-5 to 0-1 scoring advantage.  After a goal from McMahon, points came from Costello, Flood, Conor Freeman, and McMahon.  A Costello goal book-ended the phase and with the best part of 10 minutes to go in the opening half, Tom’s sat on a nine point lead.  Sharper to the ball in defence and up-front, Tom’s had a decided advantage.  Offaly managed to drop it in to the Tom’s box on a number of occasions having moved Thomas Jackman to a more firward position, however, could not capitalize.  The teams traded points heading in to the break to make it a 2-12 to 0-6 Tom’s lead at the short whistle.

Donal O'Dwyer on the ball for Offaly.

Offaly had a glimmer of hope shortly after the restart after Jack Dunphy ushered the ball into the back of the net, but Tom’s erased the score in short order with points from Freeman, Craig Taylor and a third goal, this one coming from Flood.   Tom’s continued to dial up the points, however, Offaly battled away and were rewarded with a second goal, this one from Thomas Jackman.  Before the end of it all the Faithful county boys had added two more in the final minutes to put an air of respectability on the scoreboard.  Tom’s looking bright, Offaly with a bit of work to do.

Tom’s:  Kevin Flynn, Dean Earls, Dylan Costello, Craig Taylor, Vincent Doyle, Danny Burke, Aaron Moore, Seamus Higgins, Jason Costello, Dean Flood, Shane Howley, Stiofan McMahon, Conor Freeman.

Offaly:  Gary Sherlock, Oisin McCormack, Seamus Loftus, Emmett Moran, Jimmy Rigney, Jack Murray, Donal O’Dwyer, Tomas Quirk, Jack Dunphy, Tomas Jackman, Killian Campbell, Cian Clifford, Conor Grimes.

By Rory O'Donnell

Senior Football: Connemara Gaels v Aidan McAnespies

Aidan McAnespies 1-12 Connemara Gaels 0-15

The Gaels and McAnespies played out a very exciting game, at the end of which a draw was a fair result.  McAnespies will be the happier team with the outcome given that they played almost all 60 minutes a man down thanks to an early red card to Eric Finn for a high challenge on Ryan Caffrey.  Coming into the final 10 minutes the Gaels looked to have the momentum and would make the extra man pay off, however, a late push from the Macs, combined with a fine late save from Anthony Kidney, saw the points split evenly between the teams.

Ballymena to the fore - Eamon Fyffe was on

for in his McAnespies debut.

The first half ended with the Gaels holding a 2 point lead.  McAnespies lost Eric Finn to a red card within the first 5 minutes of the game for a high challenge on Ryan Caffrey, one in which Caffrey lost a tooth which was later retrieved from the field.   The Gaels played some nice football with the extra man and there were some well worked scores.  Tyler Flaherty at corner forward proved to be a productive outlet for the Gaels.  The man from the Aran Islands pointed 4 times in the opening half, while his fellow Islander, Colm Brennan picked up from where he left off last week with a solid display in the middle.  It was Kerryman, Matt Sullivan, who found the mark from midfield for the Gaels with 2, while Coleman Mulkerrins also got in on the act with 3 from play.  McAnespies made the most of their possession to stay well in the game, despite having to make up for the loss in personnel.  Corner forward Eamonn Fyffe was busy and when in possession usually took not just one, but two Gaels defenders out of the game.  A Fyffe goal kept McAnespies in the game, and the Ballymena man chipped in with 3 additional points.  Anthony Kidney pointed two from frees, and Nathan O’Brien added another before the break, it was a 0-11 to 1-6 Gaels lead when the whistle sounded with McAnespies making the extra effort to stay in the game.

Rory O'Connor entered and took over the frees for the Gaels.

The second half saw McAnespies draw level as a combination of effort and smartness on the line and on the field saw McAnespies playing their cards well.  McAnespies were patient on the ball and did not waste precious possession, while Kidney came out of his goal to create an outfield player when the situation suited.  A Croft free was followed by a well worked Che O’Donnell point from play, and a Kidney free leveled the scores.  With Kidney roaming far out his goal at times to try and aid the efforts going forward, and the subs came in off the line early to try and keep things fresh on the field.  The Gaels, however, started to make their numerical advantage pay off.  Fyffe was double marked to neutralize the danger and going forward the Gaels started to support the man in possession to better effect.  Two Rory O’Conner frees were followed by a Pat O’Donnell point, and things looked to be headed in favour of the westerners.  McAnespies had a late rally in them however.  Jimmy Rigney pointed after entering from the line, and was the score followed by another O’Donnell point, and a Jake Foster free (another who joined play in the second half) made it all square.  The last chances to win the game fell to the Gaels.  On the attack with a three on one advantage, Colm Brennan’s shot was well saved by Kidney, and the rebound was sent wide of the posts – a point would have been all that was required to claim both points.  No last minute win for the Gaels this week, and a point that McAnespies will be well satisfied with given the circumstances.

Macs:  Anthony Kidney, Eoin Delmer, Caolan Harvey, Lorcan Mallon, Robert Piggott, Paul Clifford, Robbie Croft, Declan Hughes, Nathan O’Brien, Che O’Donnell, Eric Finn, Philip McCusker, Eamon Fyfe.

Gaels:  Eoin Connolly, Joe O’Shea, David Black, Kieran Killeen, Ryan Caffrey, Christy Cunningham, Matt Sullivan, Colm Brennan, Pat O’Donnell, Kenny Gavigan, Dave Lynch, Tyler Flaherty, Coleman Mulkerrin.

By Rory O'Donnell

Senior Hurling: Tipperary v Wexford

Tipperary 6-23 Wexford -1-4

The senior hurling championship got off to a start with a fairly one sided game between Wexford and Tipperary.  Wexford, who fielded more or less a home based team, did well to hold off Tipp in the first quarter, but a couple of Tipp goals mid-way through the opening half and the sending off of Tom Davey, led to the floodgates opening and a Tipp wave engulfing the Wexford boys.  Tipperary’s forward line looks to be a formidable force this season.  With Joe Coleman at center forward and Russell Quirke and Dean Coleman at corner forwards, Tipp looked like a well-oiled machine at times.  The St. Martin’s clubman led the forward line well.   In the middle of the field Tipp stalwart Cronan Dempsey, looks as fit as he has in recent years, and this early indication point to Tipp being there come August.

Tipperary hurlers looking strong on their first outing.

Wexford had Paddy Naughton doing well at corner forward and ticking over some early frees, while for Tipp all 5 forwards had scored in the first 15 minutes.  The aforementioned three, along with wing forwards Stephen Lambert and Jerry O’Neill, had found the mark in the early going.  Wexford back line were under a lot of pressure and worked hard, but once the goals came the ice would be broken.  A goal came from a well worked interaction between Quirke and Coleman and that was followed by an unfortunate one from a Wexford standpoint.  A high ball that looked to be harmlessly dropping on the edge of the large box was tipped into the goal by Quirke.  Wexford answered with a goal from Jon Joe O’Neill following some hard work by Paddy Naughton, but that was the highlight of the game from a Wexford perspective.  It did not help that Tom Davey got sent off following a challenge on Coleman late in the half, and now a man down the situation looked bad from a Wexford standpoint.

Wexford hurlers will be hoping for better against Galway in 2 weeks time.

The second half saw a continuation of the first.  Goals were banged in by Quirke and Coleman as the teams played out time.   A few minor scuffles broke out with yellows issues to each side.  Tipperary looking strong in the early going.

Tipp:  Evan Condon, Daragh Fanning, Sean McGarr, Paul Morris, Kieran Bennett, John Kindregan, Joe O’Connor, Cronan Dempsey, Jerry O’Neill, Joe Coleman, Stephen Lambert, Dean Coleman, Russell Quirke.

Wexford:  Eoghan Kavanagh, Tom Davey, Mark Bermingham, Liam Og Magill, Denis Breenan, Tom Maloney, JJ O’Neill, Greg Lundy, Lyndon Kiley, Jason Foley, Jamie Kehoe, Peter Codd, Paddy Naughton.

By Rory O'Donnell

Junior A Football: Cork v Christopher's

Cork 2-19 Christopher’s 0-7

Cork had it easy against Christopher’s in the opening match of the junior A football championship.  The game was as good as over at half time with Cork holding a 15 point lead.  Christopher’s made a mini comeback after half time and rattled over a brace of points, and also missed a couple of chances to make a dent in the gap.  Cork, however, regained the momentum to see out the game.

Michael Moynihan points for Cork.

The first half saw the Cork half forward line get out of the traps quickly.  Emmet Smyth, Ian O’Callaghan, and Adam Ryan all got on the scoreboard and had the Christopher’s defenders at sixes and sevens.  Dorchester and youth league product, Emmet Smyth netted following a great pass from Ryan, and Ryan also had found the net to put Cork in the driver’s seat.  O’Callaghan pointed and the St. Finbarr’s clubman proved to a force in the Cork vanguard.  For Christopher’s Conal Dooley and Paul Kerrigan found the mark as they struggled to remain in the game.

The second half saw

Conal Dooley in possession for Christopher's

Christopher’s get off to a good start following the throw-in.  Two points from Kerrigan and Dooley seemed to set the stage for a possible run.  For the first 10 minutes it looked as though Christopher’s might make the game interesting, however, a number of chances at points, and one for a goal, were frittered away.  Christopher’s ran out of the proverbial steam and tired legs began to show.  Cork took control again and eventually restored their advantage with points from Mike Molynihan (sub), Ryan, and O’Callaghan to see out the result.  A good start for Cork as they seek to defend the title won last year.  For Christopher’s it is back to the training ground to figure out how to tally a first win following the step down to junior.

Cork:  Mark Farrelly, Mike Carolan, Darren O’Donovan, Conor Jenkins, Stephen Lambert, Brendan Turley, Cormac Clarke, Jack Lynch, Adam Kenny, Ian O’Callaghan, Emmett Smyth, Colm Caffrey, Adam Ryan.

Christopher’s:  Conor Allen, Mark Russell, Murt Hunt, Cian Ryan, Chris Moynihan, John Cronin, Dan Kenneally, Jerry Kenneally, Paudie Kenneally, Conal Dooley, James Horgan, Ronan Gerrity, Paul Kerrigan.

By Rory O'Donnell

Senior Football Championship - Shannon Blues v Connemara Gaels

Connemara Gaels 2-12 Shannon Blues 2-10

A dramatic finish marked the tie between the Gaels and Blues, which for the most part had the air of a routine Blues win.  The Blues started with American born midfield pairing of Pat Murray and Maurice Young, and built a 5 point lead and were looking fairly comfortable holding on until the final 5 minutes when the Gaels pulled within a point and took advantage of a last minute penalty to grab the spoils.  The Gaels also had Eoin Connolly to thank for some point blank saves that prevented the game from getting beyond the Connemara men and will be working on their shooting for their next outing.

Referee David Hickey with captains Colman Mulkerrin

and Denis McElligott

After a first half that saw 3 goals the Blues held a decided advantage.  At the beginning of the half a Pat Crowley goal finished a sweeping move, the Blarney followed the first shot from Brian Egan to put the rebound into the net.   Brian Egan added a point himself shortly afterwards.  The man from Tourlestrane looked dangerous at corner forward and added 3 more well taken points before the break, as well as slotting home a penalty after being dragged down in the box.  The Blues were rampant and the Penalty gave them a 7 point cushion, but the Gaels pulled themselves back into the game.  Matt Sullivan, who featured last season for the Gaels, started to win ball in the middle of the field and runners and options began to appear for the Gaels.  Tyler Flaherty pulled back a goal, putting a nice finish to a well worked  move.  The Blues, however, finished the half strong.  Three quick points erased the Gaels goal, and at the break it was a five point Blues lead.

Colm Mannion hangs on to the ball under the challenge

of Pat Murray.

The Gaels had the upper hand in the exchanges following the restart, but could not convert possession into points, hitting several wides.  The Blues added to their lead with another from Egan, and the teams traded scores with the Gaels unable to make a dent in the Blues lead and the result looked like it was headed in the Blues favour. With the game entering the final quarter three points unanswered brought the Gaels within a score.  A lovely effort from Kenny Gavigan was followed by a free from Colman Mulkerrin and a Cullen McDonagh score.  The Gaels had the momentum, but the shooting woes reappeared and chances were missed.  It was looking like a game that the Gaels would say they kicked away, however there was a twist in the tale.  Points from David Black, who made a foray forward from corner back, and Joe O’Shea pulled the Gaels within one, and the grandstand finish came when former Galway Under-21, Colm Mannion, intercepted a pass and hurtled toward goal to be pulled down from behind by Egan.  Mulkerrin put the spot kick away and it was cheers from the Gaels side of the field as the final whistle blew as there would be time for no more.  

Blues:  Dara O’Brien, Shane Kelly, Derek O’Brien, Brian Fanning, Dennis McElligott, Mike Cottrill, Pat Murray, Maurice Young, Conor Fitzgerald, Darren Wallace, Pat Crowley, Michael O’Neill, Brian Egan.

Gaels:  Eoin Connolly, Michael Coyne, David Black, Christy Cunningham, Ryan Caffrey, Joe O’Shea, Matt Sullivan, Colm Mannion, Kieran Killeen, Colman Mulkerrin, Kenny Gavigan, Tyler Flaherty, Ryan Galvin.

By Rory O'Donnell

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