Sat June 10 - Intermediate Football - Shannon Blues v Connemara Gaels

 By Alana Loftus 

The game kicked off with a point from the Shannon Blues number 9, Gavin Duffy, a summer transfer from Sligo. His score was matched by teammate Lee Deignan (11), who secured a point and attempted another which fell short and was saved by the Gaels goalie James Keoghan.

Cian Fagan and Derek O'Brien take the toss from
referee Frankie Maloney.

Connemara Gaels number 11, Keelan Beirne, scored their first point of the game. Beirne, a new home-based player, is a former Roscommon U21 star, and key senior player for from Strokestown GAA in County Roscommon. A handpass over the bar secured another point for Shannon Blues Conor Fitzgerald (10). Scoring alternated between the teams for a period until an incredible run from Blues number 11, resulted in a goal scored by Gearoid Hassett (13). Hasset was fouled shortly after and the free was taken by Deignan (11) who was unsuccessful in the conversion.

Gaels dominated the next few minutes of the game, with a burst of scores that put them into the lead. A goal was scored by Michael McDonagh (13), followed by points from Keelan Beirne (11), Liam Toye (7), and Jack Donnelly (8). A free kick taken by Beirne (11) from the 45 line was unsuccessful, but he redeemed himself with a point from play shortly afterwards.

The first half finished up with a point from Gaels number 10, Enda Kelly, bringing the half time score to Connemara Gaels 1-07 to Shannon Blues 1-05.

 

The Gaels dominated the opening minutes of the second half once again with points from Beirne (11), Enda Kelly (10), and Stalwart player Michael Coyne (4). The Gaels scores crept up gradually widening the gap between the teams. After a prolonged period without a score, the Blues came back with a point from number 16, a sub that came on in the second half. Back in the swing of things once again, Lee Deignan (11) punched a goal into the net, restoring the Blues’ confidence. A substitution for the Gaels saw Keelan Beirne (11) replaced by substitute number 15. At this point, the Blues are one point behind their rivals and working hard to pass them. An incredible run from Gaels number 8, Jack Donnelly put them on par with the Blues. Donnelly, now on a roll, secured another point, putting his team back in the lead. His energy was matched by Gaels Gavin Duffy (9) whose point put the teams back on an even score, with minutes to go.

 

The game finished in a draw with a final score of Connemara Gaels 1-16 to Shannon Blues 3-10.

 

Shannon Blues:

1.    Nick Albarran

2.    Derek O’Brien

3.    Owen-Roe McGowan

4.    Brian Fannon

5.    Eoin Clifford

6.    Patrick Moriarty

7.    Jack Young

8.    Patrick Murray

9.    Gavin Duffy

10. Conor Fitzgerald

11. Lee Deignan

12. James Feeney

13. Gearoid Hasset

 

Connemara Gaels:

1.    James O’Donnell

2.    Cian Fagan

3.    James Flaherty

4.    Michael Coyne

5.    Sean Seoighe

6.    Eoin Faherty

7.    Liam Toye

8.    Jack Donnelly

9.    Nessan O’Donnell

10. Enda Kelly

11. Keelan Beirne

12. Padraic McDonagh

13. Michael McDonagh

Men's Intermediate Football - Kerry v Christopher's

 By Alana Loftus

Kerry dominated the first half, maintaining possession and racking up a goal and 4 points before Christophers had a chance to score at all. A free in for Kerry was taken by Sean Guiden (10) securing them another point and further increasing their lead.

Gavin Cronin (13) came back with a point for Christophers. Scoring increased slightly in the remainder of the first half. A penalty for Christophers was taken by Arthur Coakley (12) which lifted spirits enough to complete the first half with optimism for a comeback. The score at halftime was Kerry 2-06 to Christophers 1-04.

Kerry showed up in the second half with the same determination as the first, securing two points within minutes. An incredible run by Christophers’ Joe Burke (11) resulted in a point for the team. Arthur Coakley (12) proved to be the top scorer for the team. He and Burke (11) took turns taking shots at the goal.

Coakley (12) scored a penalty in the last few minutes, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough to catch up. Two points from Kerry’s number 8, Tadgh Brown and 9, Cillian Gilligan, put them further ahead. Though they refused to give in until the final whistle, the final point from Christopher’s Coakley (12) was not enough to put them back in the race.

The game finished with a final score of Kerry 2-14 to Christophers 2-09.

 

Kerry:

1.      Padraig Doyle

2.      Alex Clarke

3.      Paudie White

4.      Connor Stark

5.      John Cooper

6.      Noel Kennedy

7.      Kieran O’ Donnell

8.      Tadgh Brown

9.      Cillian Gilligan

10.  Sean Guiden

11.  Cian Warren

12.  Darragh O’Sullivan

13.  Rhian O’Sullivan

 

Christophers:

1.      James Crowley

2.      Jake Kelley

3.      Martin Coppinger

4.      Gerry Bannon

5.      Eoghan O’Shea

6.      Andrew Inman

7.      Cian O’Donoghue

8.      James Cronin

9.      James Casey

10.  Patrick Kenneally

11.  Joe Burke

12.  Arthur Coakley

13.  Gavin Cronin 

Men's Senior Football - Connemara Gaels v Donegal

 By Alana Loftus

The game began with a minute's silence for Brian Connolly, a Connemara native and former coach of Connemara Gaels who passed away earlier this year.

The throw in was won by McAnespie's, number 8 Ruairí Gormely, who wasted no time in securing them the first score of the game.

Captains Owen Ward and Colman Mulkerrin with
Maurice Condon

The Gaels retaliated with number 9, Jack Lundy stealing the ball from a McAnespie's defender but putting the ball slightly wide. Another attempt at a point was put wide. A third attempt was finally successful, from number 10, Dan Lynam.

A free for McAnespie's taken by number 13, Robbie Croft, won them another point. Croft (13) took a penalty shortly after, which was saved by the goalie.

Gaels made a substitution, sending on number 14 for Dan Lynam (10). Scoring was minimal in the remainder of the first half. A point from McAnespie's number 10, Shane Pettit, was matched by one from Gaels’ James Darcy (11). As the first half drew to a close, Gaels’ Simon Garrity (13) made a last-ditch effort to defend their advantage, passing four defenders to then hit the post and finish the first half with a two-point advantage.

There was a huge increase in scoring in the second half. The teams went point for point, staying close in score. McAnespie's Shane Pettit (10) took a penalty that secured them an advantage for the first time in the game. McAnespie's made a substitution sending in number 18 for top scorer, Croft (13). 

However, their advantage was short lived, as James Darcy, (11) bagged two consecutive points for the Gaels. Moments after his second score, he received a black card. After completing his sin-bin, Darcy (11) returned for the last 5 minutes of the game, to take a free securing another point for the Gaels. The point was followed by a goal from Garrity (13) and another from Darcy (11), to put the final nail in the coffin. 

Despite a free awarded to McAnespie's in the final minutes, there was little they could do to bridge the gap the Gael’s had created. The game finished up with a score of Connemara Gaels 2-16 to McAnespie’s 2-05.  

Connemara Gaels”

1.      James Keoghan

2.      Tommy Gill

3.      Eoin Murray

4.      Colman Mulkerin

5.      Jack Lynch

6.      Mikey Kerr

7.      Ryan Caffery

8.      Nathan Donnelly

9.      Jack Lundy

10.  Dan Lynam

11.  James Darcy

12.  Maithis Barrett

13.  Simon Garrity

 

Aidan MacAnespie’s

1.      Mark Kelliher

2.      Tiernan Mc Skean

3.      Conor Beady

4.      Owen Ward

5.      Ruairi Scott

6.      Cadan Harvey

7.      Steven Ward

8.      Ruairi Gormelly

9.      Ben McDonnell

10.  Shane Pettit

11.  Rory Brolly

12.  Eoin Gormelly

13.  Robbie Croft

 

Men's Senior Football - Galway v Donegal

 

By Alana Loftus

Galway and Donegal put on a fantastic show in their first meeting of the season.

Donegal started off strong, bagging three points before Galway had a chance to catch them. Hearing the wakeup call, the Galway forwards sprung to action with two points from number 13, Nathan Grainger, and number 7, Jordan Muldoon. Donegal secured the next point and Galway followed with a point from a free taken by Grainger.

Eoin Morissey and Thomas Galligan under the Hop Ball

Galway put themselves back in the race when the ball was carried by Grainger and punched into the net by number 12, Reece Burke. Donegal number 2, Anthony Diver, attempted a goal to match but the ball went wide.

Finally settling into the game, Galway made two substitutions sending Michael Moylan on for number 9, Conor Flanagan and Niall Costello in for number 10, Conor Flaherty.

A number of missed scores followed from both sides, and the first half came to a close with a score of 1-7 for Galway and 0-7 for Donegal.

The second half kicked off with a point from play, from Galway number 5, Kieran O’Dwyer. Donegal number 5, Jack O’Brien attempted a point but sent it wide. However, a free saw number 2, Anthony Driver, secure a point for Donegal, boosting their spirits once again.

Galway’s top scorer of the match, Grainger (13) bagged another point from a free and then another from play immediately after.

Donegal number 11, Shane Carthy, took a free, which was met with a remarkable save from Galway’s Eoin Morrissey (8). However, Cian O’Grady (13) kept possession down their end of the pitch and secured another point for Donegal.

Wasting no time, Donegal was determined to make their comeback and did so with vigor. Stealing the ball from a Galway defender, O’Grady (13) continued his streak with two consecutive points for Donegal. Shane Carthy (11) followed with what many assumed would be the last score of the game.

With less than two minutes to go, a foul in the box resulted in a penalty for Donegal. Happy to complete his scoring streak for the day, the penalty was taken by Grainger (13) who buried the ball in the net with ease. This score put Donegal in the lead by one point but with seconds to go, Galway was not giving up. Play continued for less than a minute and the referee blew the whistle signaling the win for Donegal.

The final score was Donegal 1-14 to Galway 2-10.

By Alana Loftus

Donegal:

1.      Hugh Boyle

2.      Anthony Diver

3.      Aiden Sullivan

4.      Neil Mc Enany

5.      Jack O’Brien

6.      Sean Doherty

7.      Thomas Galligan

8.      Cory Gallagher

9.      Sean Winston

10.  Shane O’Donnell

11.  Shane Carthy

12.  Ciaran Mc Devitt

13.  Cian O’Grady

 

Galway:

1.      Jamie Kelly

2.      Dara Whelan

3.      Anthony Keating

4.      Stephen White

5.      Kieran O’ Dwyer

6.      Aidan Flanagan

7.      Jordan Muldoon

8.      Eoin Morrissey

9.      Conor Flanagan

10.  Conor Flaherty

11.  Conall Dempsey

12.  Reece Burke

13.  Nathan Grainger

 

Ladies Intermediate Championship - Boston Shamrocks v Connacht Ladies

By Alana Loftus

 

Boston Shamrocks took the win at the first ladies' championship game of the season. This year, the Shamrocks enter their 30^th year as a ladies team in Boston, and want to celebrate by bringing home the cup, once again.

 The game started off a point from Shamrocks Number 12, Laura McTighe. The Shamrocks kept possession for the first few minutes, banking the first 2 points of the game. 

This was followed by two points from Connacht’s Ella Piroli and Lynda Galvin. This back and forth continued for the majority of the first half- the teams went point for point, and a goal from Connacht’s Roisin McHale was followed by a goal from Shamrock’s Aoife Gillespie.

An impressive save from Shamrock’s goalie, Cass Marcoux, resulted in a scuffle just outside the box. The referee awarded a free for Connacht which they used to bank another point.

Proving her first goal was no accident, Shamrock’s Aoife Gillespie secured another goal for the ladies, with minutes left of the first half. Her energy was matched by Laura McTighe and for the closing minutes of the first half, the two ladies took turns securing points for the Shamrocks.

The second half kicked off with a goal and a point for the Shamrocks, who dominated the first several minutes. The Shamrock’s made a substitution, with number 20 Hailey McKeever, coming on for number 11 Ellie Kennedy.

Connacht tried their best to combat the slew of scores from the end of the first half. Connacht number 10, Aoibhe Gormley, made an incredible run and finished it with a goal. Fueled by the excitement, the Shamrocks tried the same trick, but the Connacht goalie made an excellent save.

With minutes to go, Connacht secured two goals followed by a number of points to attempt a comeback.

Despite their admirable efforts in the second half, Connacht ladies could not catch up to the Shamrocks. The game finished with a final score of Boston Shamrocks 5-16 to Connacht Ladies 4-6.

 

Boston Shamrocks with an Early Win

 Shamrock Ladies:                                                                             

1. Cass Marcoux

2. Oonagh Shields

15. Claire Kennedy

4. Niamh Doherty

20. Caitlin Slabbery

6. Laura Healy

7. Síle Doherty

8. Lauren McDuggan

9. Aoife Gillespie

10. Niamh Mc Chrystal

11. Ellie Kennedy

12. Laura McTighe

13. Marie Kelly

 

  Connacht Ladies:

1.Blanaid Mc Gervey

3. Christen Mc Keagre

22. Clodagh Gaffrey

14. Linda Galvin

21. Katie Guinan

24. Aisling Kerr

10. Aoibhe Gormley

12. Ciara Forde

25. Roisin Mc Glade

17. Jane Ward

18. Ella Piroli

11. Noreen Maloney

15. Jackie Mc Donagh

Ladies Final - Sean Og's v Boston Shamrocks

Sean Og’s 4-7 Boston Shamrocks 0-4

The Ladies football in Boston needed a jolt in 2023 and if any team was likely to give it one, it was the Sean Og’s ladies team.  Sean Og’s have come up together through the youth ranks and this was a chance to show what they could do.  With oodles of talent coming through the ranks show it they did, and with a great display of football the potential for this group of players in the coming years is sky high.

Sean Og's Ladies impressed in Sunday's Final

Sean Og’s opened with a score from center forward, Ciara Horan.  Horan ran the forward line for Sean Og’s as she was full of running and could take her own score or lay the ball off, whatever the situation warranted.  Aoife Delaney at corner forward and Aoibhe Gormley in the middle of the field were also major factors for Sean Og’s, and Delaney netted following some great work from Gormley.  The Shamrocks fought beck, however, and with some great work in the back line to force the ball to be turned over, got on the board through a Shannon Mullen point.  Clare Kennedy added another for the Shamrocks, but it was not long before the youngsters were back in the ascendancy.

Boston Shamrocks Battled Hard

Delaney, Horan and Gormley showed some great assurance in taking their points when the chances presented themselves, and as they say, take your points and the goals will come.  The goals did come from Chloe McGinty at corner foreard, Gormley, and Lynch as the game started to get away from the Shamrocks, but fight on they did and were rewarded with 2 points from Kennedy.  By half time it was goals that the Shamrocks would need to make up the gap, and Sean Og’s were not likely to allow too many openings.  The Shamrocks did continue to fight on through the second half but the outcome was clear as to who would be lifting the cup. 

Boston Shamrocks:  Kelly Tighe, Antonia O’Grady, Leanne Quinn, Kaci Lynch, Caitlin Slattery, Sile Doherty, Lauren McGuigan, Aisling Faulkner, Catriona Lynch, Sarah O’Hanlon, Claire Kennedy, Shannon Mullen, Christina McLaughlin, Nessa Oates.

Sean Og’s:  Aisling Kerr, Madison Kelly, Clare McCarthy, Christen McKeague, Michaela O’Donoghue, Maeve Skillin, Emma Lynch, Aoibhe Gormley, Lena Bannon, Ciara Horan, Aoife Delaney, Chloe McGinty, Aisling Kelly.  Michaela Kelly, Orlaigh Gormley, Aisling O’Riordan, Hannah O’Riordan, Sara Newell.

Junior A Hurling Final - Offaly v Galway

Offaly 2-19 Galway 2-13

Offaly won the junior A hurling championship with a convincing performance against a Galway side that really didn’t start playing till the second half when the gap was too great to overcome.   The week leading up to the game saw an objection from the semi-final by Fr. Tom’s that was first upheld, and then thrown out, by the various committee’s involved, and Offaly did not find out whether they would be contesting the final until a day before the final.  It was a game that featured 8 home grown players between the teams as the movement towards developing the locally born talent gains momentum.

Offaly 2022 Junior A Champions

Offaly held a sizeable lead at the break having netted through Galway man, Kevin Larkin, who was followed by Sean Moriarty with a second goal.  Up to that point the teams had been hanging with each other, Offaly held a one point lead.  For Galway Sean Whealan at center forward opened the scoring and midfielder Eoin Kerin added a second.  Offaly got off the mark through stalwart, James Rigney who lined out at corner forward.  Galway added two more, Aidan O’Malley – one of the Home Grown contingent – and Danny Lynch had Galway in an early 4 points to one lead.  Offaly started to get into the swing of things then.

Rigney and Moriarty pointed again for the faithful county, before Lynch had Galway up by two with a great score, but Offaly then stepped up the tempo and for the second 15 minutes started to put Galway farther in the rearview mirror.  Larkin found the mark with three points on the trot for Offaly to take the lead, and then as Galway were seeking a response, hit with a goal.  The scoring flurry continued with another Larkin point.  Lynch pointed for Galway, however, any hopes from the tribesmen of stemming the tide were in vain.  Another goal came from the stick of Moriarty, and Larking went into full swing again with 3 more unanswered points, Evan Campbell capped of the run of scores with a point to make it Offaly 2-11 Galway 0-6 at the break.

The early part of the second half saw Offaly pad the lead by two more points.  Lynch reopened for Galway, and again, Larkin was the man putting the ball between the posts.  A 13 point lead is a mountain to climb, even in hurling, but Galway set about trying to climb it.  The lead was cut by two points as Galway converted to 4 points to Offaly’s two, Aidan O’Malley contributing with 2 of the Galway tally.  Danny Lynch’s goal for Galway was followed by 2 more points, Cormac Kelly getting in on the act and Kerin adding another.  6 points in it now, and, like in the semi-final, Offaly needed to raise their game again to hold their opponents at bay.

Time was on the side of the Offalymen, and although Galway found the net one more time through Kerin, it would not make a dent in the lead as it was matched by 3 points from Mike Lennon, Larkin and Eoghan Fitzgerald.  Offaly junior A hurling champions for 2022 and on to Chicago for the faithful men.

Offaly:  Darragh Kealy, Dan Williams, Liam O’Connor, Jack Murray, Cathal Hayes, Jack Lynch, Evan Campbell, Michael Moriarty, Sean Moriarty, Tom Lind, Kevin larkin, Michael Lennon, James Rigney. 

Galway:  Aidan Joyce, Greg Lundy, Pat Moylan, Aidan Flanagan, Danny Lynch, Eoin Casey, Eoin Morissey, Eoin Kerin, Aidan O’Malley, Sean Whealan, Cormac Kelly, JJ Doyle, Conor Gilligan.

By Rory O'Donnell

Photo Aoife Griffin