Armagh-Notre Dame v Wolfe Tones Aug 10

Armagh-Notre Dame 2-6 Wolfe Tones 2-16

Brendan Quinn and Joey Farrell vie for posession.

With their fate in the senior football championship decided, all that was in it for the Wolfe Tones was to fulfill a fixture. Win or lose the Tones would be facing Donegal in next weekend’s semi-final, while the Shannon Blues had ended Galway’s hopes, and those of Armagh-Notre Dame, of having any chance of making the senior championship playoffs by finishing on 10 points with their win earlier in the day. The Tones started without a few of their first choice players, Sean McVeigh, Collie Farrell, and Willy Milner did not feature in the starting 13. John Nolan began the game in midfield for the Tones, but the St. Annes (Dublin) man was clearly less than 100% and looked to be carrying a leg.

After Marty Farrell put the Tones 2 points to the good, Armagh-Notre Dame enjoyed a slew of possession, but unfortunately for them were their own worst enemies as they failed to make the most of the period in ascendancy. There were several missed opportunities to score, and they were not half chances either. Maurice Mulpeters opened Armagh-ND’s account with a goal, and Martin McStravog added a point. The four points was all the northerners had to show for a sustained period of pressure lasting a good 10 to 15 minutes. Having soaked up the pressure, the Tones took over from there on in. After Sean Kelly and Brian Downes swapped points, Marty Farrell got the goal back for the Tones, and the South Boston side finished the half with three points on the trot from Billy O’Loughlin, Farrell, and Gary Collins.

Quinn tries to find a way through for Armagh-Notre Dame.

Armagh-ND opened the second half brightly with two McStravog frees to reduce the deficit to two points and began to take the game to the Tones, but the big guns entered the fray for the Blue and Navy and the Tones put the game beyond their opponents, scoring 1-10 as opposed to two points. The Tones played the ball nicely and with half-backs Jamie Murphy and Eamon Hickson bringing the game forward, the Brighton side caved to the pressure. Murphy added a goal and three points to the Tones tally, Sean Kelly three points, and Marty Farrell two as the Tones ran amok. Brendan Quinn pulled a goal back in the dying minutes of the game to salvage some respect for the northerners.

Armagh-ND: C. Brady, L. Morrow, M. Digney, J. Taggart, A. Downes, F. Meehan, B. Molloy, Pauric McPeters (1-0), S. O’Donnell, Brian Downes (0-2), Martin McStravog (0-4), Brendan Quinn (1-0), Dominic McGill (0-1). Wolfe Tones: W. O’Dowd, N. McKenna, D. Scullane, E. Hickson, T. Meagan, Jamie Murphy (1-3), J. Farrell, J. Nolan, Gary Collins (0-1), Dara Joyce (0-2), Billy O’Loughlin (0-1), Marty Farrell (1-5), Sean Kelly (0-4). Sub: Willy Milner (0-1).

Playoffs Set

Last weekend saw the playoff situation fall into place. The Shannon Blues defeated Galway by five points in the football, and in doing so claimed the fourth place in the senior football championship playoffs. The Blues will play McAnespies in the semis next Sunday, and Donegal and the Wolfe Tones will meet in the second semi-final.

Saturday saw the senior hurlers of Tipp beat Wexford by seven points in spite of losing John Coughlin to a sending off early in the second half with the scores level at eight points each. Tipp went on the outscore their opponents by 1-6 to 0-2 and bypass the semi-final stage. Galway and Wexford will meet in the semi final and the winners will play Tipp in the final Sunday week.

More on the playoffs to come.......

By the way, I'm not a golfing fan in the least but it was truly a great sporting moment for the Irish when Padraig Harrington sunk the putt on the 18th hole Sunday evening. Not bad for a Dub (even if the roots are from Cork)!

Tir na nOg Make Ladies Final

Tir na nOg made the Ladies Senior Football final with a one point victory over the Boston Shamrocks and a toss of a coin. The win put the Brighton based side level on points with the Shamrocks at the top of the table. The coin toss decided which side would advance to the final, and Tir na nOg dealt a double loss to the Shamrocks on the day - the coin landed in favour of the game winners. The Shamrocks will meet Roscommon in the semi-final in two weeks time, with Tir na nOg awaiting the winners on the final the following weekend.

I was involved in a junior game with the Connemara Gaels myself which was played at the same time, and unfortunately did not witness what sounded like a very exciting game between the ladies teams.

Also, the Senior Hurling match between Tipperary and Wexford was postponed until Saturday next at 2:30 since early in the first half, a severe thunderstorm hit and there was no way the game could continue.

Incidentally, some of the things going on with the Gaels bode well for the future of the club and in a wider sense for the GAA in the Boston area. More about that later once the season is done after the first weekend in September, when the North American Finals are held in Canton.

Connemara Gaels v Donegal - Aug 3

Donegal 2-8 Connemara Gaels 1-5

The Connemara Gaels could not overcome Donegal to keep them in with a chance of the senior playoffs, so it will be the Intermediate playoffs for the westerners. Donegal were that bit stronger in the middle of the field, quicker to the ball, and passed the ball well. By half time the chances of the Gaels pulling off a win were slim. Donegal had a nine-point lead and the Gaels had to work very hard for the three scores that were converted, though truth be told there could have, and some may argue should have, been two in the goal column for the Gaels.

Donegal’s quickness and speed had the Gaels under pressure for most of the first 30 minutes. Kevin Curran opened the scoring with a free and Eamonn Murphy followed with another. Kieran Cox snatched a goal chance in the opening exchanges and sent the ball narrowly wide from close range, however, Donegal made the most of their own goal chance shortly afterwards when Declan Murphy sold a dummy to Pat McNicholas and buried the ball with just the keeper to beat. Donegal five points to the good with the Gaels yet to score. James Carlin got the Gaels off the mark with a free, but the Gaels struggled to add to their tally for much of the period.

Declan Murphy tries to elude the attention of Michael Geoghan.

After Kevin Curran put another over for Donegal, Donal McNulty finished a fine move with a point. Eamonn Murphy added another and with Donegal holding a seven point lead , the Gaels enjoyed a brief period of pressure the yielded points from Tom McDonagh and Coleman Conroy. The Gaels could have had a goal, Niall O’Connell pulled off a brave save from McDonagh as the Leitir Mor man was bearing down on goal, and Carlin rocketed the ball off the crossbar in a sequence of play shortly afterwards. Donegal, however, finished the half well having weathered the storm. Curran and Murphy pointed, and Gareth Concar scored a second goal just before half time to put Donegal in the drivers seat for the next period.

The scores were few and far between in the second half and the game slowed considerably. The first 20 minutes saw McNulty put another fine point over the bar for Donegal and Carlin point from a free for the Gaels. The Gaels battled on and tried to whittle down the deficit, but the Donegal defence proved tough to break down. Carlin put another free over the bar, and Frank Niblock goaled from a 21-yard free to pull the Gaels within five points with five minutes to go. It was too little, too late however, as the Gaels could not complete the late rally, and Donegal march on to the senior championship playoffs.
Gaels: J. Flaherty, B. McLoughlin, P. McNicholas, Coleman Conroy (0-1), M. Geoghan, D. Burns, R. Hughes, G. O’Malley, K. Cox, Frank Niblock (1-0), V. O’Malley, Tommy McDonagh (0-1), James Carlin (0-3). Donegal: N. O’Connell, T. Maguire, S. Lee, N. Hegarty, K. Cunningham, P. Witherow, R. McNeilis, Donal McNulty (0-2), E. Wade, Eamonn Murphy (0-3), Kevin Curran (0-3), Gareth Concar (1-0), Declan Murphy (1-0).

By Rory O'Donnell

Kerry v Shannon Blues - Aug 3

Shannon Blues 1-15 Kerry 1-4

The Shannon Blues proved to be stronger than Kerry, who, unlike the Kerrymen at home, could not bring their game to the next level. The Blues raised the tempo a notch or two in the second half and ran away with it in the end. With one game left against Galway, the Blues have it in their control to make it to the semi-finals. Just two points separated the sides at the break, and Kerry had every chance, but the Blues limited the Kingdom to a single point in the second half, and put up a goal and seven points themselves.

Johnny Moroney shoots for Goal as Kerry try to get back into the game.

Kerry got off to great start. Colin McDonnell was first to score for Kerry, the Naomh Barrog (Dublin – Coolock to be precise) man pointed and followed up shortly afterwards with a goal. The Blues had pointed twice through Philip Lydon at corner forward. The Blues gradually took over the game and went on to register six points, while Kerry managed just two in the same time period. Shannon Blues stalwart, Gary Henry, pointed twice and Lydon twice to pull the Blues in front. Gary Gaughan proved to be a handful for the Kerry men, the Sligo county player was full of running on the wing and created numerous scoring opportunities for the Blues. Darren Wallace pointed for the Blues and Mark Evans for Kerry before the half to make it Kerry 1-3 and the Shannon Blues 0-8.

Gary Gaughan goes down on the ball, the Sligo man was in top form for the Blues.

The game was gone from Kerry by the time they registered a second half score. The Blues had established a ten- point lead, and were very much in control of proceedings. Kerry missed an easy free early in the half, which did not help their cause, and did have a couple of missed chances at goal, converting one of those would certainly have helped their cause. The Blues defence gave no room to the Kerry forwards and it proved to be a frustrating half hour for the Kingdom. Stephen Henry, Sean Ruane, and Philip Lydon each pointed before Gaughan goaled with 10 minutes to go, a just reward for the hard working wing forward. After Neil Ewing pointed for the Blues, Kerry registered their first point of the second half with less than 10 minutes to go. Dave Cunningham and Lydon finished it off for the Blues to complete what surely was a satisfying win and gives them all to play for when they meet Galway next week.
Blues: D. Hawes, K. Cryan, S. Kelly, S. Ruane, C. O’Grady, Neil Ewing (0-1), Stephen Henry (0-1), R. Hennessy, Gary Henry (0-2), Thomas Cryan (0-1), Gary Gaughan (1-1), Philip Lydon (0-6), Darren Wallace (0-2). Sub: Dave Cunningham (0-1). Kerry: D. Diggins, D. Forde, G. Barry, M. Godley, J. Moroney, S. Moriarty, R. O’Sullivan, D. Waters, P. Devane, Colin McDonnell (1-1), C. Hurley, Mark Evans (0-1), Mark O’Sullivan (0-1). Sub (0-1).

By Rory O'Donnell

Tables July 29

Tuesday evening (July 29) McAnespies defeated the Connemara Gaels by 1-17 to 0-14, which more or less ends the Gaels hopes of a senior playoff game. Sunday's game between Kerry and the Shannon Blues could well decide the fate of each team, with the winner having the best chance of the fourth senior semi-final berth. Also, with Christopher's managing a draw with Armagh-Notre Dame last Saturday, it looks as if the 3 teams that will will miss out on the intermediate playoffs are Christopher's, Mayo, and Cork - unless the Blues lose their last 2 games against Kerry and Galway, and Christopher's win their final game versus Kerry....you'd never know what might happen.

With Tom's now out all that remains to be decided, next Sunday, is whether it will be Tipp or Wexford getting the extra weekend off and automatically making the final.

Galway v Tipperary - July 27

It's Behind Ye Lads!

Galway 0-8 Tipperary 0-11

Steady rain greeted Galway and Tipp on to the field as conditions turned from good to poor in the middle of the afternoon. Galway fielded a side with a conspicuous southern flair – no less than 5 Corkmen wore the maroon, and one Armagh native in Declan Coulter added some northern flavour. In spite of trailing by three points early in the second half, and losing captain Cronan Dempsey who was shown two yellow cards, Tipperary rallied with a courageous second half performance to put themselves on top of the table, and will play in a showdown with Wexford next Sunday for automatic final qualification for the final.

Weather conditions hampered any chance of free-flowing hurling, and the first half was a fairly sluggish affair. In the early going Jim Howard saved the bacon for Tipp on a few occasions. The Tipp keeper first saved from Declan Coulter, and soon afterwards kept his nerve to save once more from the Armagh man. Alan McCrabbe pointed twice, once from play and one free, to put Tipp in an early two-point lead. Corner back, Ritchie Hennessy did well for Tipp in the opening exchanges, the Ardmore Co. Waterford man made several timely clearances to deny Decan Coulter a chance at a score. In the meantime, a bizarre series of events, a throw-in resulted in Cronan Dempsey and Eoin Foley getting yellow cards. After the ball flew out of play immediately following a throw-in, just after the second throw-in Foley took exception to the way in which Dempsey was pulling on the ball – and him, and retaliated and a scuffle ensued. Foley and Dempsey were each shown yellow for their troubles.

Alan McCrabbe about to Point for Tipp.

Following the episode Galway awoke from their lethargy, and the tribesmen pointed five times without reply. Declan Coulter, Fintan O’Leary, fellow Ballinhassig clubman, Steven Dineen, and James Kinsella each put one over for the Galway club. Dineen pointed a second time after two shots for goal, the first was saved and the second driven across the face of goal before Dineen settled for the sure score. Galway were beginning to motor, while Tipp looked to be having problems coming to grips with the game. Tipp found their way somewhat, Gareth Sinnott and McCrabbe each pointed for Tipp, to one score from Coulter for Galway, in the last few minutes to inch Tipp closer. At the half Galway led by 0-6 to 0-4.

Early in the second half Tipp suffered a loss in personnel. Cronan Dempsey was given a second yellow for pulling across Paul Carey, and as a consequence had to leave the field of play for the remainder of the game. With Tipp down a man things were looking good for Galway. Not for the first time in the history of hurling did the man down prove to motivate the shorthanded side. Tipp also had the benefit of a strong breeze in their favour. After Dineen put Galway three points up, Tipp got their act together in the half-back line and sent almost everything dropping in that area right back down towards the Galway goal. Galway could not make the extra man count. Still, scoring was at a premium, but Tipp rode the back of Alan McCrabbe’s free taking. McCrabbe brought Tipp level and at seven points each, and with Galway labouring to engineer any scoring chances, Tipp pulled ahead. Galway defended well, Kenneally did well at corner back and Darren Starr made a good save which kept the game within reach for Galway.

Galway try to Clear as Tipp keep the pressure on in the second half.

Fintan O’Leary pulled Galway within one point, but Tipp were not to be denied a famous victory. John McGrath and Alan McCrabbe sealed the win with a point apiece to the finish the game as the thunder and lightening rolled in. With the win Tipp are in contention for the final, while Galway face Tom’s in their last game with Tom’s out of contention.

Galway: D. Starr, D. Kenneally, R. Goode, E. Foley, K. Murphy, D. Brennan, P. Carey, James Kinsella (0-1), D. Fitzgerald, Steven Dineen (0-2), Fintan O’Leary (0-3), Declan Coulter (0-2), J. Byrne. Tipp: J. Howard, J. O’Sullivan, R. Hennessey, T. Waters, J. Coughlin, G. Barry, S. Power, C. Dempsey, E. McCormack, F. Devanney, John. McGrath (0-2), Gareth. Sinnott (0-1), Alan McCrabbe (0-8).

By Rory O'Donnell

Donegal v Cork - July 27

Cork's Niall Devlin gets away from his Marker.

Cork 0-8 Donegal 1-15

Donegal made short work of Cork in a one sided affair. With the rebels out of contention, and Donegal looking to book a place in the senior semi-finals, the motivation was with the northerners. Donegal did not need to shift into top gear to win the points from the game and sitting on 10 points, have now probably booked a place in the senior semi-finals.

Keith Cunningham eludes the attention of Niall Devlin.

Kildare man, Eamonn Murphy set the tone with a point right from the throw-in. Cian Griffin answered for Cork, but Donegal put 1-7 up before Cork scored again. Kevin Curran was in sharp form for Donegal, the seasoned campaigner put five of the seven Donegal points over the bar, two from frees. Ronan McNeilis and Donal McNulty were on top in the middle of the field as Cork struggled. The rebels did manufacture some decent chances, but they were few and far betweem. The best of them fell to lively Niall Devlin who was put through on goal, but Niall McConnell was equal to the shot and parried it over the bar for a point – Cork’s second and final score of the first half. Eamonn Murphy put a goal away before half time, the Leixlip man slid the ball into the far corner from the edge of the small square. At the half time whistle Cork were 10 points in the hole, 1-9 to 0-2 with little chance of digging themselves out of it.

Cork's Mike Moynihan and Ronan McNeilis Contest a kickout.

The second half was more of the same. Donegal eased off a little through the second 30 minutes. There was not much chance of an upset of the sort from the previous evening when Galway defeated the Wolfe Tones, and Christopher’s came within a whisker of upending Armagh-Notre Dame. Donegal introduced a few subs in the second half, and Cork tried to shift things around to get more change out of the Donegal back line. Kieran Connolly took a more forward position, while Devlin came deeper out the field. Cork fared better on the balance of play, but there was no doubt about who the winner would be. Conrad Bradley and Mike Moynihan get their names on the scorecard in the second half for Cork, but Declan Murphy, Eoin Wade, Eamon Murphy, Ronan Diver, and Kieran Mulvihill got in on the scoring act for Donegal. Not much of a test for Donegal, who may get a better gauge of where they stand when they face the Connemara Gaels in two weeks time.
Cork: K. Reid, M. Carolan, S. Caulfield, D. Kearns, J. Leonard, A. Creagh, Mike Moynihan (0-3), K. Connolly, D. O’Flynn, Conrad Bradley (0-1), K. Moriarty, Niall Devlin (0-3), Cian Griffin (0-1). Donegal: N. McConnell, S. Lee, T. Maguire, P. Witherow, K. Cunningham, Eoin Wade (0-1), D. McNulty, R. McNeilis, Kevin Curran (0-6), Eamonn Murphy (1-4), Ronan Diver (0-1), Declan Murphy (0-2), G.Concar. Sub: Kieran Mulvihill (0-1).

By Rory O'Donnell