Senior Hurling - Fr. Tom Burke's v Galway

Galway 2-11 Fr. Tom Burke’s 1-18

Tom's Cian Wadding and Galway's Billy Power
vie for possession

Tom’s had to win this game to keep the Senior Hurling Championship alive for at least one more game, they did so with a tiny bit to spare.  Joe Fogerty was a big factor in the game for Tom’s, both from play and from frees as the Tipperary man accounted for 13 of the Tom’s points.  Tom’s established a four point half time lead and in the second period dominated until the final 5 minutes when Galway launched a belated comeback effort.  Tom’s held on to take the win and the teams meet again on Sunday July 24 when Tom’s will be looking to force a fifth and final game.

Toms had the better of matters for most of the first half.  After a scrappy opening the game settled down and the teams started to play some better hurling.  The opening 2 scores for each side came from frees with the first score from play coming from Aaron Dunphy for Tom’s after 10 minutes.   Cian Wadding added another from play for Tom’s, and Fogerty added free as Tom’s opened a lead.  Michael Kiely and Liam Savage kept the scoreboard ticking over for Galway, but it was Tom’s who looked to have more energy and ambition on the day.  At the break it was a 9 points to 5 Tom’s lead.

Tom’s got the second half off to the best possible start with a wonderful goal from Dunphy.  The ball made its way through 4-5 players before Fogerty found the incoming Dunphy who billowed the net with his shot.  The message was sent, Tom’s were tightening their grip on this game.  Tom’s tagged on 4 more points with no reply from Galway and the possibility of the series being extended to at least another game became a probability.  One score was beauty from Fogerty who feigned one way then struck the ball over his shoulder the other.  Tom’s were defending well and Galway hardly had a clear look at the goal until Kiely stemmed the bleeding with a free.

Aaron Dunphy has a shot for Tom's

Billy Power was languishing out on the half forward line and when the Waterford man had the ball in his hand, he was swallowed up by a host of Tom’s defenders.  Tom’s seemed content to try and see out the game at this point and the teams traded scores before Galway mounted a late comeback effort.  Two Tom’s players were yellow carded as efforts to kill the game were deployed.  There might have been a few worried brows on the Tom’s line as Kiely netted for Galway, but Tom’s responded with 2 points on the trot.   Another goal went in for the Tribesmen as the clock hit 30 minutes but it was a little too late for Galway to try and steal a win, and the championship continues.  Next date for these teams is Sunday July 24.

Galway:  John Coleman, Tom Murray, Killian O’Dwyer, Michael Moylan, Daniel Loftus, Gavin Fives, Evan Hunt, Danny Burke, Pat Moylan, Billy Power, Liam Savage, Eoin Morrissey, Michael Kiely.

Tom’s:  Kevin Flynn, Conor Murphy, Mark McCarthy, Jack Martyn, Ceathrach Daly, Niall Murphy, Fergus Byrne, Cian Wadding, Joe Fogerty, Cathal Hardiman, Liam Moore, Aaron Dunphy, Donal Mannion.

By Rory O'Donnell

Senior Football - Aidan McAnespies v Donegal

Donegal 1-8 Aidan McAnespies 4-11

Donegal's Paul Mannion Lines up a Shot

Aidan McAnespies took the points in a surprisingly lopsided victory over Donegal on the final game of the day.  There was a large crowd in attendance to see the clash of the championship favourites, and if it was a close run affair they were expecting, most will have gone home disappointed, McAnespies supporters excepted.  McAnespies played some free flowing football and came up with big goals from Eoin Gormley, Robbie Croft and second half substitutes, Ruairi Scott and Tiernan Saul to put the icing on the cake.  Donegal never really got going and will be back to figuring out the pieces after their second loss on the trot.

It was double scores by the time the first half had played out.  McAnespies netted twice, the first through Eoin Gormley who showed no hesitation in burying his shot following an intricate handpassing move that involved several players inside the Donegal 21.  The second, just before the break also involved Gormley who had the assist for Robbie Croft who took his time before firing the shot into the far corner.  Donegal might have considered themselves unfortunate to have had a goal scratched as Keelan Sexton was adjudged to have been in the square before the ball. 

In the early going Donegal looked like they could prove a handful for McAnespies as a couple of beautiful Paul Mannion curlers split the posts.   With Derry’s Ciaran McFaul and Clare’s Keelan Sexton also in the forward line there was an anticipation of a Donegal onslaught at some point, which never really materialized.   Even after Gormley’s goal it was 1-3 to 0-4 as Sean Lowry and Mannion responded, and the game was still well up for grabs, but the Croft goal really proved to be a body blow for Donegal.  Overall McAnespies enjoyed the better of the play and worked the ball well through the lines, and truth be told, there could have been more on the board for the Macs but for a handful of missed chances. 

Plenty of Room for Cian Sharkey to run

Heading into the second half with McAnespies ahead by double scores, 2-4 to 0-5, there was an expectation that Donegal would mount a comeback attempt.  But it was McAnespies who dominated the all-important third quarter of the game.  Four points to no reply almost doubled the lead as Jamie Brennan at corner forward came into his own with 3 points, and Croft was on the money with the dead balls, putting a free over.   McAnespies had the back line buttoned down well, and although Donegal got some relief with a pointed Mannion free before Cory Gallagher struck with a goal following an uncharacteristic turnover in the middle of the field, the tide of the game did not change.

The score did not signal a chance in fortunes for the Donegal men, and even with several changes made from the line the pattern remained the same.  Croft and Brolly responded with points, a sign of which team was in control, and to the cheers of the McAnespies faithful in the stands, a Ruairi Scott goal with the assist from corner back, Rob Piggott, put a cap on it.  A late Tiernan Saul goal rubbed the “Sault” into the Donegal wound, and the rout was complete.  Plenty of football left to play to decide the 2022 winners, and each team has Galway and the Connemara Gaels left to play before top spot and the automatic berth in the final is decided.

Donegal:  Hugh Boyle, Aidan Sullivan, Jason Noctor, Sean Lambe, Jack O’Brien, Sean Donnelly, Ciaran McFaul, Cory Gallagher, Sean Winston, Paul Mannion, Sean Lowry, Ciaran McDevitt, Keelan Sexton.  Macs:  Rory McElroy, Rob Piggott, Gavin Nangle, Owen Ward, Colm Lennon, Cian Sharkey, Daragh Lyne, Steve Ward, Jim McMahon, Rory Brolly, Robbie Croft, Eoin Gormley, Jamie Brennan.

By Rory O’Donnell

Senior Football - Connemara Gaels v Donegal

Donegal 1-16 Connemara Gaels 1-9

Paul Mannion is pursued by Mikey Kerr

Donegal made it two wins out of two with a fairly comprehensive win against a Connemara Gaels side that kept going till the end.  At the break the leg work was done by the Donegal man, and even though the Gaels put up a much better showing in the second 30 minutes, turning the tables would be a long shot.  Paul Mannion and Ciaran McFaul in the forward line for Donegal showed their class with some great scores, and the back line kept the door closed and did not allow the Gaels the opportunity to put a string of scores together.

Donegal enjoyed the upper hand for the first half.  With the outlet of Paul Mannion lined out at corner forward, and Ciaran McFaul on the 45, there were plenty of scoring options for the Donegal men.  Three points opened the game for Donegal before the Gaels got on the board with a James Garrity effort.   Donegal answered with another 3 points before the Gaels got their second, with Mannion and McFaul on the mark, and the signs were ominous for the Connemara men.  Sean Lambe attacked with purpose from wing back for Donegal and when needed, the Donegal defence were in front of their men to put a stop to anything remotely promising.  The Gaels did manage to engineer a goal chance, but Hugh Boyle was equal to the task and saved well from Sullivan.

Matt Sullivan watched by Jason Noctor

Donegal struck with a goal before half time.  Another Gaels attack was broken up and Mannion showed great patience to wait for the incoming Shane Carthy who had the simplest of finishes to palm into the open net.  The Gaels had started Matt Sullivan at corner forward, and it was not till the end of the half that the move paid any dividends.  Sullivan struck two points before half time and Ger Davoran another to make it a seven point game at the half, Donegal 1-9 Gaels 0-5.

The second half saw the teams cancel each other out in the opening exchanges.  Garrity and Sullivan pointed for the Gaels and Mannion and Carthy for Donegal.  Another goal chance fell for the Gaels, and again, Boyle was equal to the task with a fine save from Garrity.  The Gaels fared much better in the defensive stakes and forced a number of turnovers, but converting them into scores to make a dent in the Donegal lead was the challenge.  Donegal had done the legwork already.

With less than 10 minutes to go Sean Conneeley saw a second yellow following a tired challenge, and the Gaels were down a man to see out the game.  With 7 points between the teams, and the affair more or less decided, the westerners continued to try and find the openings, while Donegal just needed to see it out.  The Gaels won a penalty after Matt Sullivan was brought down by Boyle as he tried to side step the Donegal keeper with a few minutes to go, but in the process also lost Sullivan to a second yellow as the Kerry man’s retaliation was penalized.  Garrity dispatched the penalty well, however with the 2 man advantage, Donegal made it up three points on the trot to see out the game.  A second win for Donegal and Gaels and McAnespies will battle for second spot in the table next week.

Gaels:  Sean Fox, Aaron Duffy, Jack Coyne, Michael Coyne, Jack Lynch, Callum Holland, Mikey Kerr, Ger Davoran, Colman Mulkerrin, Ryan Caffrey, Sean Conneely, Matt Sullivan, James Garrity.  Donegal:  Hugh Boyle, Jason Noctor, Kieran Tobin, Sean Lambe, Jack O’Brien, Aidan O’Sullivan, Cory Gallagher, Shane Carthy, Sean Winston, Ciaran McFaul, Jack Boyle, Paul Mannion, Ciaran McDevitt.

By Rory O'Donnell

Junior A Football - Aidan McAnespies V Connemara Gaels

For a time it looked like it would be a close run affair between the Macs and Gaels as the teams were tied about 5 minutes into the second half.  McAnespies, however, ran away with it in the last 20 minutes as Paddy O’Neill proved instrumental in the middle of the field, and Jimmy Rigney, who came on as a sub, fired in three goals to put the game beyond the Gaels.

Aidan McAnespies Junior A Team

McAnespies dominated the opening quarter with some good link up play from the back line all the way to Paraic Dillon at corner forward.  Dillon threatened when in possession and within 5 minutes had a goal for himself with a smashing finish from 14 yards.  It was mostly one way traffic.  The Gaels looked sluggish and in possession were short on ideas going forward.  McAnespies on the other had always had an option and well worked moves were finished by Fergus Byrne and Ciaran Wallace. 

The Gaels eventually found some traction and came firing back before half time.  With McAnespies holding a 1-4 to 0-1 lead, Bradley Fox started the revival with a point from distance, followed by Padraic McDonagh immediately afterwards.  An opportunist goal from Stephen Murray, who made his way upfield from corner back, pulled the Gaels within two points and it was game on again.  The teams traded scores before the break and it was McAnespies carrying a 2 point lead into the second half.

Jack Mahon tries to find an opening.

The Gaels looked like their late first half revival was carrying into the second half as the opening exchanges were in their favor.  Fox and Jack Mahon were winning their battles around the middle of the field.  After Wayne Flaherty pulled the Gaels to within a point Mahon hit with a goal and the Gaels led by two.  For the Gaels, however, that was the high water mark.   

McAnespies started to dominate possession once again and the middle of the field proved to be a fertile feeding ground.  Paddy O’Neill was involved in many of the good things happening for McAnespies, and the introduction of Jimmy Rigney proved to be a game changer.  Dillon pointed, and was followed by a score from Ciaran Wallace that leveled it.  McAnespies then opened a 6 point lead before the Gaels could respond.  After O’Neill put his side one to the good, Rigney showed great anticipation to get his hand in front for the following kick out, and carried the ball to the 21 before finishing with a great shot that hit the back of the net.  Daithi Higgins and Conan McCusker followed with points.  With 15 minutes left the Gaels had a mountain to climb, and it only became steeper.  Rigney added two more goals to his tally, while in response the Gaels could only muster points from Mahon and Tadgh O’Siochran.  A good win for McAnespies, while the Gaels are looking at still finding their first win in the competition.  Final score, McAnespies 5-12 Connemara Gaels 2-9.

Connemara Gaels:  James O’Donnell, Tom Conroy, Steve Murray, Colman Conroy, Ciaran Killeen, Tadgh O’Siochran, Bradley Fox, Ben Conway, Nessan O’Donnell, Jack Mahon, Donal Reany, Wayne Flaherty, Paraic McDonagh.  McAnespies:  Paddy Coakley, Ger Dillon, Darren Maher, Conan McCusker, Adam Doyle, Sean Clifford, Paddy O’Neill, Mark Coughlan,  Aidan O’Malley, Feargus Byrne, Colm O’Malley, Padraic Dillon, Ciaran Wallace.

By Rory O'Donnell

Intermediate Football - Christopher's v Wolfe Tones

Christopher’s and the Wolfe Tones met on a cooler than usual mid-June afternoon with each team looking for their first points of the Intermediate Championship.  It was Christopher’s who played the more efficient, flowing football throughout while the Tones showed spurts of what they could do.  The forward line axis of Westport men, Alan Kelly and Killian Kilkelly, were instrumental in the Christopher’s success with some smart interplay and efficient scoring.  The Tones had a couple of first half goal chances that might have lifted their efforts but by the time the second half was not long started, the points were more or less in the bag for Christopher’s.

Killian Kilkelly nets from the Spot

Christopher’s quickly went into a 3 point lead with 2 points from Kennedy at corner forward and one from Kilkelly at centre forward.  Wolfe Tones answered with a Gavin Walsh point, however, struggled to get any traction going forward.  Kilkelly and Kennedy were key to Christopher’s forward line and their understanding produced a number of good moves.  One resulted in a penalty.   Luke Tunney made a run from the half back line, Kilkelly was involved and Kennedy eventually was fouled from behind in the box, and Kilkelly’s spot kick was well taken to put Christopher’s 1-4 to 0-1 ahead.

Tones had a couple of goal chances for themselves.  Rian Moylan did well to turn his man on the win and found a wide open path to goal only to put the shot the far side of the post.  Moylan was involved in the second opportunity for the Tones as he fed Oran McCarney whose shot was well saved by Bill Crookston in goal for Christopher’s.  Chances were few and far between for the Tones, however, while Christopher’s ability to find the space and hit the man resulted in 6 additional points before the break.  The Tones efforts were rewarded with points from Gavin Walsh, Cormac Joyce-Power, and Dylan Coyne, but the Christopher’s finishing was efficient and accurate whose lead continued to open wider as time wore on.  At the break it was a 1-11 to 0-5 Christopher’s advantage.

The Tones stepped up their efforts following the restart with much more purpose going forward, and were rewarded with an early goal from Moylan.  Christopher’s, however, started to get other players in on the act with Diarmuid Baker pointing following a run from centre back, Sean Igoe getting his name on the scoresheet, and Pat Delaney netting four goals from his corner forward berth.  The Tones kept plugging away, Moylan netted a second goal and Cian McGovern a point, but the play seemed to flow easier in favor of Christopher’s.   Christopher’s with a 5-22 to 2-10 win and the Blues and Kerry will need to pay attention.

Tones:  Ben Savage, Caolan Slevin, Dylan Hand, Mike Kerr, Oran McCarney, Pa Collins, Cathal Walsh, Dylan Coyne, Cian McGovern, Cormac Joyce-Power, Joey Doyle, Gavin Walsh, Rian Moylan.  Christopher’s:  Bill Crookston, Martin Coppinger, Mark McSweeney, Andrew Inman, Diarmaid Baker, Luke Tunney, Paudie Kenneally, Dylan Furling, Jerry Kenneally, Killian Kilkelly, Sean Igoe, Alan Kennedy, Pat Delaney.

By Rory O'Donnell

Senior Football - Galway v Aidan McAnespies

Galway 1-9 Aidan McAnespies 3-18

John Dunne in Possession for Galway

Aidan McAnespies will have been fairly pleased with their day’s work with a convincing victory over Galway.  For the westerners it will be a case of out of the frying pan and into the fire as next up is favourites for the championship, Donegal next Saturday.  Two goals, one after the throw-in and another following the restart had Galway on the back foot from the get go, and the McAnespies attacking half back line kept the pressure on all game as they swarmed the Galway defence.

McAnespies got off to the perfect start with a Peter O’Connell point quickly followed by a Cian Sharkey goal, all within a minute of the throw-in.  The one-two punch was answered with 2 points from Galway corner forward John Dunne from placed balls.  McAnespies had the better of things from the get-go however.  Galway found themselves under pressure frequently as McAnespies were on top of the kick outs, and attacked in numbers to keep their opponents on the back foot. 

The points came from different quarters for McAnespies.  Colm Lennon, Cian Sharkey, Peter O’Connell with a great score, and Sharkey again kept the scoreboard moving for McAnespies while for Galway it was Dunne’s free kicks that kept it from getting out of hand.  Another goal with about 10 minutes to the break put McAnespies well and truly in the driver’s seat.  It was a move that characterized how McAnespies were playing with numbers overwhelming the Galway rearguard.   Daragh Lyne running from midfield found Rory Brolly who fired the ball into the far corner.  Galway answered with 2 points on the trot from Dunne and one Paddy Mullins, but McAnespies answered in kind with a score each from Robert Croft and Steven Ward.  At the half it was a commanding 2-9 to 0-7 McAnespies lead.

Darragh Lyne on the Attack for Macs

McAnespies extended their lead following the restart.  Ronan Buckley added third goal for McAnespies, while Ruairi Scott and Croft added points.  Galway opened their second half account with a Dunne free about 10 minutes into the half.  Ruairi Scott responded for McAnespies before Danny Burke finally rattled the McAnespies net following an assist from Dunne.  The goal was a consolation for Galway as the game had got away from them by that stage.  For McAnespies it was time to give the line a run to play out the remaining time.  A good outing for the Macs and Galway still searching for the first win of the season.

Galway: Blaine Sheridan, Eoin Dunne, Stuart Cullen, Aidan Flanagan, Ciaran Potter, Paddy Mullins, Danny Burke, Michael Kinsella, Barry McDonagh, Michael Moylan, Pat Moylan, John Moylan, John Dunne. Macs:  Rory McElroy, Rob Pigott, Gavin Nangle, Owen Ward, Colm Lennon, Cian Sharkey, Daragh Lyne, Steven Ward, Ronan Buckley, Ruairi Scott, Peter O’Connell, Robbie Croft, Rory Brolly.

By Rory O'Donnell

Junior A Football - Cork v Connemara Gaels

Cork Boston GFC and Connemara Gaels had a very entertaining game in Canton in both teams first outing in the Junior A Championship. The game ebbed and flowed throughout with both teams having dominance in different sectors. Overall Cork Boston just shaded it and were a little more accurate up front but, there was nothing between the teams.

The Victorious Cork Team

At half time Cork Boston led by 9 points to 5. While Connemara Gaels had the better of midfield in the 1st half, Cork Boston’s defense was on top and pressurized the Connemara Gaels forwards in to shooting from distance.  Tom Keane was responsible for most of the Cork scores while Kieran McEnery whipped over a great point off his left.

The second half saw the momentum swing wildly several times. Connemara Gaels dominated the 1st fifteen minutes and clawed their way back to level the game at 12 points apiece, with Mayo's Jack Mahon leading the scoring charge.  Ryan Caffrey was dominating the midfield exchanges and it looked like Gaels were going to make a winning push.

However the Rebels shot back and had 3 quick points in succession to lead by 3 again with the crucial score coming from 18-year-old American born John O’ Riordon, kicking from 40 yards on the right-hand side. In the final stages the Cork rearguard held firm while the Gaels prioritized goals over points and eventually reduced the deficit to 1 when a last-minute goal attempt went over the bar.

Report Courtesy of Sean Kelly

Intermediate Football: Christopher's v Kerry

Kerry 2-19 Christopher’s 2-16

Noel Kennedy lines up his goal shot

Kerry added another win to their tally in the Intermediate football championship with a 5 point win over Christopher’s.  For Christopher’s it was a much improved performance from last week’s outing, however, the game slowly slipped away from them as the Kerry forwards picked off the points in the second half.  Christopher’s did make Kerry sweat a little with a late goal that reduced the gap to a score and a chance that rattled the crossbar, but the Kingdom held on for the last couple of minutes to take both points.

The teams were back and forth for the opening quarter with each side taking some nice points.  For Christopher’s it was corner forward Alan. Kennedy who showed well for the ball, and also showed that he could make the space for himself to finish picking off several points in the early going.  Kerry had contributions from several quarters, Jack Farrell at corner forward showed well and Ryan O’ Súilleabháin at wing forward also was also lively for the Kingdom. 

Kerry gained an upper hand with two back to back goals after 20 minutes.  Noel Kennedy stole forward from the back line to finish the first, and the second came from Gearoid Dillane, and Christopher’s were hit with a one-two punch.   Christopher’s got some neat play from Killian Kilkelly, and struck back with a much needed goal before the break to keep themselves in the game.  At the break it was a 2-10 to 1-8 Kerry advantage.

The second half saw Kerry stretch their lead.  Dillane pointed, and then Ryan O’ Súilleabháin put a lovely score over the bar following a dummy solo and finish to match.   Jack Farrell added two more and there was a lot of work for Christopher’s to do to lift the siege.  Alan Kennedy and Kilkelly linked well for Christopher’s at times, but the Kerry defence was hard to penetrate.  Eventually Kennedy pointed, and that score was followed by two wonderful strikes from Jeremiah Kenneally who powered though the Kerry rearguard to bring his side back into the game.

Six points in it coming into the final 15 minutes and a goal was imperative for Christopher’s, but with much searching for the gaps in Kerry’s rearguard, there was none to be found.  The two goal deficit remained as Kerry continued to pick off the points and Christopher’s could only respond in kind.  Eventually a goal did come for Christopher’s, but with little time remaining.  It was Kenneally made another thundering run to latch on to a pass from brother, Danny who had taken a spot on the edge of the square, and Jeremiah billowed the back of the net with the shot.  Tensions rose in the final few minutes, and Kerry hearts were in mouths as a final Christopher’s chance to steal something from the game rattled the crossbar.  Kerry did just about enough to take both points, and it will be Christopher’s and Tones next as each tries to take their first points of the season next Sunday.   

Shannon Blues defeated the Wolfe Tones in the final game of the day with a  4-17 to 3-6 final score, and will renew and old rivalry with Kerry a week from Saturday to establish who will be top dog for the championship.

Kerry:  Kevin Flynn, Noel Kennedy, John Doherty, Conor Stack, Shane O’Connor, Sean O’Cathasaigh, James Farrell, Declan O’Sullivan, Gearoid Dillane, Sean Ó Buadhacháin, Padraig Doyle, Jack Farrell, Ryan Ó Súilleabháin,.  Christopher’s:  W. Crookston, J. Kelley, M. McSweeney, A. Inman, P. Kenneally, L. Tunney, J. Horgan, J. Kenneally, S. Igoe, K. Kilkelly, D. Furlong, G. Barr, A. Kennedy.