Senior Hurling: Galway v Fr. Tom Burke's

Galway 6-20 Fr. Tom’s 2-16

Daniel Loftus keeps Donal Mannion reined in.

Galway had a turnaround of fortunes on the hurling field on Sunday with many players involved on both the football and the hurling clubs.  With a team containing some top tier hurling talent, Galway turned it up in the second half and ran out heavy winners as the forward line were not to be stopped.

Tom’s got off to the better start and went into an early 1-4 to 0-2 lead.  Joe Fogerty who lined out at wing forward was on the mark from the placed ball, and a goal was fired in by Donal Mannion.  Galway soon got a hold of the game and once the full forward duo of Billy Power and Michael Kiely got going, they proved to be an almost unstoppable force.  After Fogerty made it a 6 point Tom’s lead, a flurry of Galway scores turned the game on its head.  Aidan Nolan pointed from play to reduce the gap to 5 and  Galway netted right from the Tom’s puckout.  The ball was sent back in to Kiely who got a hold of it fired the ball into the far corner.  Danny Burke put the next puckout over the bar, and after a slight reprieve for Tom’s with another Fogerty free, it was Kiely again who ran through the Tom’s rearguard for another goal to put Galway into a one point lead.   

Fogerty’s frees were keeping Tom’s in the game, and with the sides swapping points, Tom’s regained the lead with a Fogerty point from play.  The tempo was high and the scores were flying over the bar as each side vied for control.    As half time approached Galway netted a third goal, and it was a peach as the two Waterford men combined beautifully.  It was Power who scored it but the assist from Kiely was a skill that can’t be taught as he let the ball into the box drop off his stick with perfect weight, into the path of the barreling Power, who buried it.  The half ended with a flurry of Kiely points from the dead balls, and Galway had a 3-10 to 1-10 lead at the break.

The second half was dominated by Galway as Tom’s found it hard to come to grips with the Galway’s power house forward line.  Three points added to the gap after the restart, and then two goals, the first from Power who built up a head of steam before firing home, and the second from Aidan Nolan assisted by Power, put all hopes of a Tom’s comeback to rest.  Galway were motoring now, and 5 points without reply underlined their dominance as Tom’s found it hard to gain possession around the middle of the field and launch a meaningful attack. 

Donal Mannion at corner forward eventually found some running space and finished a great solo effort into the net for Tom’s, who continued to battle to the end.  Galway finished with aplomb, however, after Power found Nolan with a lovely ball and it was goal number 6 for the Tribesmen.  Tom’s will be wondering how to turn the tables for the second game in the best of 5 between the teams.  There is time to try and close the gap with the next game in this best of 5 taking place 2 weeks from now on June 26.  But, based on this form, Galway must be hot favourites to retain the senior hurling championship.

Galway:  John Coleman, Tom Murray, Killian O’Dwyer, Pat Moylan, Daniel Loftus, Gavin Fives, Evan Hunt, Danny Burke, Mike Moylan, Aidan Nolan, Barry McDonagh, Billy Power, Michael Kiely.  Tom’s:  Kevin Flynn, Cian Wadding, Padraic O’Neill, Carthach Daly, Conor Murphy, Brian Connolly, Niall Murphy, Matty Duane, Joe Fogerty, Martin O’Connell, Liam Moore, Cathal Hardiman, Donal Mannion.

Senior Football - Connemara Gaels v Galway

 Connemara Gaels 3-7 Galway 1-5

Matt Sullivan Shoots

After last week’s championship opener between 2 teams with northern connections, it was the turn of the westerners to take the field Saturday evening.  Although Galway were never far behind, it was a game where the Gaels always seemed to have the edge and in the end three late goals put the result beyond doubt.

The first half was a quiet enough affair.  Seanie Conneeley and James Garrity posted 3 points between them for the Gaels before Galway got off the mark through a John Duane point.  It was not exactly a display of marksmanship from either team in the early going as several chances fell the wrong side of the posts, and the Gaels will have had the most of those.  With Matt Sullivan and Ger Davoran in the middle of the field the Gaels held the advantage in size and in possession, but converting it from the field to the scoreboard was a struggle.

James Garrity at corner forward proved to be a spark in the game.  The Trillick native’s quickness was an issue for the Galway back line and he added another point to the Gael’s tally before the break.  John Moylan put Galway’s second over before the break and it was a 0-4 to 0-2 Gaels advantage after 30 minutes.

Ciaran Potter on the ball for Galway

Galway opened the second half the brighter of the teams and moved the ball well into dangerous areas, at times forcing the Gaels defenders into fouls.  This time it was Galway who failed to make the most of their chances, and add to their 2 point tally.  In the meantime, the Gaels started to find a groove going forward.  Garrity finished a good move for a point and shortly afterwards Michael Kerr and Garrity were involved in the best score of the day and the Gaels found the gaps in the Galway defence.

Garrity added another from a free before Aidan Nolan responded for Galway with their first score of the second half.   The score, however, was a precursor to a flurry of goals from the Gaels to finish the game as the football began to flow more freely from the Connemara side.  Callum Holland fired the ball into the net following a good move, again Garrity was involved.  Paraic Pee Wee McDonagh added another with 5 minutes to go, and before the full time whistle sounded, McDonagh added a third, rubbing a bit of salt into Galway’s wounds.  Galway found some consolation with a late Tim Prenter goal, and it finished an 8 point Gaels win.  The Gaels are sure to face a tougher test next Sunday when it is Paul Mannion and Donegal that they face in the last game of the day.  Galway also have a week to get back to the drawing board to see how they can conjure up a result against Aidan McAnespies.   

Galway:  Blaine Sheridan, Eoin Dunne, Stuart Cullen, Liam Boyle, Ciaran Potter, Pat Moylan, Danny Burke, John Duane, John Moylan, Michael Kinsella, Paddy Mullins, Mike Moylan, Greg Lundy.  Gaels:  Sean Fox, Jack Coyne, Aaron Duffy, Callum Holland, Jack Lynch, Michael Coyne, Matt Sullivan, Ger Davoran, Seanie Conneeley, Colman Mulkerrin, Mikey Kerr, AJ McGuire, James Garrity.

Intermediate Football - Shannon Blues v Christopher's

Shannon Blues vs Christopher’s

Pat Moylan Seeks an Option for the Blues
Photo by Rachel O'Driscoll

The final game of the day at the Irish Cultural Centre in Canton was yet another intermediate battle between Christopher’s and Shannon Blues. The game took off to a quick start with a fast point from Christopher’s, however the Shannon blues were not far behind, shooting 3 points from play in the first five minutes. Christopher’s kick outs managed to find themselves in the hands of Maurice young for the Shannon Blues more often than not, with some good teamwork play between Pat Murray and Young in the middle of the field dominating the first half of the game,

After a quick water break the Shannon Blues got right to business with Rian Bailey taking a mighty shot on goal. A few more handy points were tipped over the bar by both Michael Moylan and Maurice young – both players showing great potential in the front of the field. Christopher's bounced back with points from James Horgan and Killian Kilkelly.  Christopher’s keeper Bill Crookston made a number of good saves throughout the game.  Michael Moylan took a run at goal in the final minutes unfortunately missing narrowly and putting the shot over the bar

Overall it was a strong game of football with plenty of good hand passing and shots on goal!  Final score, Shannon Blues 1-22 Christopher's 0-10.

Man of the Match: Michael Moylan

Intermediate Football - Kerry v Wolfe Tones

Wolfetones Vs. Kerry Boston

Kerry's Declan O'Sullivan on the Burst
Photo by Rachel O'Driscoll

The intermediate men’s championship got underway in Canton on Sunday the 6th of September in the prime of the heat. It was a scorcher all around and you could tell neither Wolf tones or Kerry Boston were fully climatized to playing in such conditions. Kerry, having advanced two grades from Junior B to Intermediate, came into the matchday looking to prove that they belonged in the higher grade, and it’s fair to say they did not disappoint opening the game strong with a point from play by Rian O’Sullivan.

The following ten minutes of football resulted in a large number of wides for both sides – with neither team seeming to settle into the game. That was until Rian O’ Sullivan saw his chance to take a run at goal, and shot the pal right past the wolf tones keeper.

The game continued with some strong attacks by the wolf tones side bringing the game to near level at one point. Sean Bohan for Kerry however kept the tones out and continued to dominate the play around the centre of the field for Kerry Boston.

Overall the Kerry Boston vs Wolftones game was one of flowing football and good scoring opportunities. The wolftones side never dropped the heads throughout and it will be interesting to see how this years intermediate championship unfolds. Full time score Kerry Boston 3-15 to Wolftones 2-06.

Man of the Match: Shane O’ Connor – Kerry Boston

By Aoife Griffin

Senior Football Championship - Aidan McAnespies v Donegal

Round 1 of the senior men’s championship took to the fields in Canton this Sunday the 6th of

Paul Mannion Shoots for Donegal
Photo by Rachel O'Driscoll

June. Action took to the field at 1:30 with Donegal Boston taking on Aidan McAnespie’s for the third time this season in what was guaranteed to be an exciting match.

An early point from Robbie Croft got Aidan McAnespies got the game off to a quick start but Donegal were quick to respond with scores coming in from Paul Mannion and Shane Carthy to put Donegal into an early lead. Mc Anespies full back line of Cian Sharky, Niall Murphy & Ronan Buckley made things tough on the Donegal forward line but Jack O’ Brien continued to plough through popping them over the bar to keep the gap growing.

Robbie Crofts free from the edge of the square resulted in a nice point to pull Aidan Mc Anespies back into the game but Donegal were quick off the mark with a good kick out from Hugh Boyle resulting in yet another score from Paul Mannion.

Rory Brolly took a quick spring from Rory McElroys brilliant kick out resulting in a nice point to pull Aidan McAnespies back into the game. The joy was short lived,  as a heavy tackle on Eoin Gormley resulted in him going off with a hamstring injury shortly before the end of the first half. Robbie Croft kicked a nice point from this free leaving the half time score as Aidan McEnespies: 0-4 to Donegal Boston: 1-9

Key Players in the first half: Cian Sharkey proved instrumental in the first half for Aidan MCs in keeping the score tipping over. Ryan Brolly also showed his worth on the field for the MacAnaespies. Donegal’s recent recruit of Paul Mannion alongside Jack Boyle performed well in the first half, as did Hugh Boyle, goalkeeper who made some terrific saves and who’s kick out rarely went astray.

Aidan McAnespies took to the field a completely different team in the second half – it was clear from the get go that they we’re coming out all guns blazing and ready to give it their all. A strong win on the throw in by No.8 Darragh Lyne, followed by a solo run straight up the middle resulted in an early point from Robbie Croft, setting the tone for the start of this half.

Rory Brolly got his name on the score sheet early in the 2^nd half with a lovely point from play. Never a quiet game between these two teams, the adrenaline got too much for Sean Winston who took a run straight into the sideline fence, resulting in a kick off the crossbar by Shane Carthy.

The tension didn’t stop here, when Donegal’s Colm Gallagher took down Aidan Mc Anespies Conan McCusker on a clear run in for goal. This resulted in a free which was popped over the bar with ease by Robbie Croft.  Hugh Boyle blocked a brilliant shot on goal by Rory Brolly. A number of points drifted over in favour of Donegal and the game tied to a close with a score of Aidan Mc Anespies 0-12 to Donegal 1-14.

Peter ‘Ace’ O Connell was by far the stand-out player for Aidan Mc Anespies Side keeping the scoreboard ticking over and keeping the Mc Anespies in the game. Hugh O Boyle stood out in goals for the Donegal side, as did corner forward Paul Mannion. 

Man of the Match: Peter O’Connell

By Aoife Griffin

Junior A Hurling - Offaly Hold Sean Og's at Bay

Eoin Morrissey on the Run for Sean Og's

The junior A hurling championship commenced on sunny Saturday afternoon with a slight breeze making conditions quite pleasant.  There were goals aplenty, and after falling behind and chasing for the rest of the game, Sean Og’s almost got themselves back into it in the second half with 2 Matty Duane goals as the tempo picked up pace in the final quarter.  Offaly had the marksmanship of Jack Murray and Evan Campbell to thank, as well as a late flurry of Mike Lennon scores, for keeping their noses ahead as Sean Og’s made their late run.

The biggest difference between the teams in the opening 30 minutes was accuracy.  Offaly made more of their chances, and while Sean Og’s linked up quite well at times along with some solid running from Eoin Morissey down the middle, but the final effort was off the mark more frequently than they would have liked.  Mike Lennon got an early goal for Offaly, and the sturdy number 12 at corner forward was always a danger when the ball was in his hand.  Sean Og’s answered with the powerful Matty Duane answering in kind, and we had a game on.

Jack Murray was the man who kept the scoreboard moving for Offaly through frees or open play.  Sean O’Shaughnessy in midfield also kept the ball moving for Offaly, and with scores from Lennon and O’Shaughnessy there was a 5 point gap at the break, 1-8 to 1-3 in favor of the faithful.   Ciaran Flanagan, Dylan Coyne and Duane had pointed to keep the youngsters in touch.

Simon Sinnott Clears for Offaly

The second half saw Offaly threaten to pull away, but Duane’s powerful finishes kept them reined in.  Three points on the trot, 2 from Murray and one from Campbell, after play restarted were pulled back in one whip of the stick from Duane.  After Coyne narrowed the gap to 4 points with a well taken effort, Offaly again stretched the lead through Pat Murray and Campbell points.  Again, the scores were canceled out but a Duane rocket into the back of the net.   Sean Og’s were starting to look like they could pull it out of the hat in the last 15 minutes.

With the game on the line coming into the final quarter the intensity ratcheted up a bit, and with Offaly having two players hobbled, one at either end of the field, there was a chance for Sean Og’s to turn the lead.  Keeper Daragh Kealy and corner forward Ciaran Lynch each lame with injuries, but played on out of necessity.  After Jack Murray scored a point worthy of the highest level of the game from distance, two Aidan O’Malley frees again reduced the gap to a goal.  It was corner forward Lennon who was key for Offaly in the late stages with a point followed by a goal.  Lennon was first to the rebound off a Jack Murray shot to net and seemingly secure the points.  Sean Og’s did not down tools and continued to keep up the pressure, and scored a late goal from Ciaran Flanagan, but it was just too late to turn the tables and first points of the 2022 season go to the Offaly men.    

Offaly 2-16 Sean Og’s 4-7

Sean Og’s:  Aidan Joyce, Aidan Flanagan, Colm O’Malley, John O’Doherty, Eoin Morissey, Eamon Kelly, Aidan O’Malley, Matty Duane, Ciaran Flanagan, Dylan Coyne, Michael Winston, Brendan Smith, Brian Cahill, Conor Smith, Niall O’Malley.  Offaly:  Darragh Kealy, Jack Lynch, Simon Sinnott, Jack Murray, Cathal Hayes, Tom Lind, Ciaran Lynch, Sean O’Shaughnessy, Marty Gallagher, Evan Campbell, Pat Murray, Kevin Larkin, Mike Lennon, Ciaran Lynch.

By Rory O'Donnell

Pat O'Brien Cup Final: McAnespie's strike early to take the cup

Champions:  A Great Start to 2022 for Aidan McAnespies

Aidan McAnespies captured the 2022 Pat O’Brien Cup in fairly convincing fashion over the challenge of the Connemara Gaels on an unseasonably hot Saturday evening.  The game was pretty much decided by the time the whistle went for the half time break, though in the second half, had the Gaels snatched an early goal from the chances they had, the run in to full time may have held a little more excitement.  Three first half goals sealed the deal for the Macs, and a much improved second half from the Gaels was not going to be enough to turn the tables.   

Eoin Gormley at corner forward was the early story for McAnespies.  The local youngster had the Gaels defence twisted in knots for much of the first half.  The direct ball in to the full forward line paid enormous dividends for the McAnespies with Gormley well able to win it and create problems.  The first goal came from a lovely long ball from Peter O’Connell to Gormley who found the incoming Tiernan Saul to finish into the net from 14 yards.  Gormley netted the second himself as the Gaels back line was opened up again soon afterwards.

A third goal followed from the boot of Niall Murphy after a lung busting run down the middle by wing back Cian Sharkey, who had an excellent overall first half.  It could have been 4 after Robbie Croft was taken down in the box.  Croft’s placed shot came off the crossbar, however, and it saved the Gaels from a complete shellacking.  The Gaels managed 3 first half points from Mikey Kerr, Jack Keady and Mark McKenzie, and missed a handful of decent chances, but struggled to find any traction going forward as the McAnespie’s back line had all avenues forward well covered.  O’Connell swung over a fantastic point from distance to underline the McAnespies dominance in the opening period, and with a 10 point lead heading into the second half the game appeared all but over.

Connemara Gaels: Early Blows Hurt the Gaels Challenge

The Gaels made a much better fist of it in the second half but could not put a dent in the gap on the scoreboard.  There were a couple of goal chances early, Rory McIlroy saved the first well and the second went into the side netting from an angle.  The Gaels enjoyed most of the possession and points went over from McKenzie, Colman Mulkerrin, Ryan Caffrey, Keady, Bradley Fox and Ger Davoran.   McAnespies, however, responded in kind each time, one from O’Connell was another fantastic strike from out on the wing, and the lead remained largely intact.  Conan McCusker and Croft rounded off the scoring as the Gaels continued to rue some missed late opportunities.  Final score Aidan McAnespies 3-10 Connemara Gaels 0-9.  Next up - championship action begins the weekend of June 5.

Scorers – Macs: Robbie Croft (0-2), Peter O’Connell (0-4), Tiernan Saul (1-2), Eoin Gormley (1-1), Niall Murphy (1-0) Conan McCusker (0-1) Gaels:  Mikey Kerr (0-1), Jack Keady (0-2), Mark McKenzie (0-1), Colman Mulkerrin (0-1), Ryan Caffrey (0-1), Dylan Murtagh (0-1), Bradley Fox (0-1), Ger Davoran (0-1).

By Rory O’Donnell

Macs, Gaels into Pat O'Brien Cup Final; Worcester win Junior B Hurling Opener

The 2022 Pat O’Brien Cup final will be contested between the Connemara Gaels and Aidan McAnespies next Saturday, May 21.  There will be a new name of the cup as last season’s post-COVID revival saw two Donegal teams play the final, but this year the holders fell at the semi-final to the Macs.  The Connemara Gaels left it a bit later to see off the Wolfe Tones/Christopher’s challenge but pulled away with a convincing win in the end.

Tiernan Saul - Aidan McAnespies

McAnespies held an eight-point lead by the break of the second semi-final.  With a healthy looking 1-7 to 0-2 lead at the break for McAnespies it was going to take a big turnaround from Donegal to turn the tide.  The Donegal men were without the engine of Shane Carthy on the field however, and it looked like it was going to be a tall order to get back into it.  After some nicely clipped Robbie Croft points a Tiernan Saul goal put McAnespies into the driver’s seat.  Chances were not as plentiful for Donegal, and a point each from Darren Grant and Kieran McDevitt had the northerners on the board.   The second half continued along a similar vein with Rory Brolly coming to the fore in the forward line, and scoring a great individual point.  Cory Gallagher converted a penalty for Donegal, but a Brolly goal canceled it out soon afterwards (no blown kisses for the crowd from Rory) and McAnespies will look to add to the Enda Hammill Cup that they won a few weeks ago, with the final score 2-13 to 1-4.

In the other semi-final the Connemara Gaels dispatched a combined Wolfe Tones/Christopher’s side on a final score of 4-10 to 1-7.  It was not until the second half that the Gaels pulled away to make it safe.  It should be a good final next weekend to decide the 2022 winners.

Captains Travis Crocker and Tom Lind with Terry Doran

The Junior B Hurling championship also got off the ground with the opening game between Providence and Worcester.  Worcester earned the 2 points with some solid performances from Sean O’Shaughnessy, Tom Lind, Conor Greene, and a few clips of magic from the hurl of Jerry O’Connor.  Some nicely taken scores from Austen Clark frees and a couple from play filled the Providence column, but the Worcester sharpshooters were too much for the men from down I-95.  A second half goal from Clark would not be enough to eat into the Worcester lead as Andrew Engel and PJ Heffernan also netted for Worcester.  Final score, Worcester 2-24 Providence 1-8.

By Rory O'Donnell