July 9 - Senior Football: Galway v Mayo

Galway 1-10 Mayo 0-8

Galway prevailed in this battle of the western counties thanks to a 15 minute second half flourish where the tribesmen capitalized on their wealth of possession and put five unanswered points over the bar. The first half was keenly contested, however in the second period Mayo lost their way while Galway’s corner forward, James Carroll, helped himself to five points as Galway cruised to an all important victory.

Mayo's Fintan Kelly and Andrew Shore for Galway
contest a kickout.

Galway opened the game with the best possible start. Carroll goaled within the first 2 minutes, it was a warning sign of what to expect from him. Mayo kept their composure and proceeded to whittle away at the deficit with points. Fintan Kelly put a lovely curling effort over the bar and was followed by Ray Geraghty shortly afterwards. With neither midfield enjoying a decided advantage possession was evenly shared between the teams. Galway moved the ball well, but the Mayo back line were quick to close down the spaces. Galway however possess two dangerous corner forwards, and Carroll broke free on a couple of occasions and tallied two more points. One could have been a goal, but with the keeper to beat the Donegal man’s shot was low, but not low enough and went over the bar. A goal at that stage would surely have instilled some doubt into Mayo minds as the Galway lead was now two points instead of a possible four. Dara McLaughlin and Aidan Walsh had pointed for Mayo, and before half time a pointed free from Walsh made six scores for Mayo to five for Galway, but the early goal meant Galway led by a point.

Barry McShea chases Kevin Cummins.

The second half got underway with a wide for Mayo. Galway were enjoying most of the possession, but proceeded to kick 4 wides before Carroll put a free over from around 45 meters. Mayo made some substitutions to try and swing the game in their favour. Gervase Toner and Lewis Cawley were introduced to the fray. Galway’s supremacy continued however. Having missed the early efforts, now Galway could not miss. Carroll pointed three more times, one free, and Danny Reddin also added to the Galway lead with a point. Mayo’s play became disjointed and confidence seemed to drop. Eoghan Kavanagh led the effort from the middle of the field for Galway and play was mostly in one direction. Kevin Cummins almost goaled for Galway, but his close range effort was blocked on the line. With 10 minutes to go Galway were sitting on a comfortable six point lead. Mayo tried to raise their efforts but attacks broke down before the ball reached the danger area. Mayo’s first score of the second half came from Aidan Walsh with 28 minutes gone. Another followed from a free to reduce the deficit to four points but Galway’s Carroll capped a fine performance with his ninth score of the day. An important win for Galway, while Mayo’s hopes for the playoffs took a blow with three games left to play.

Galway: P. McComiskey, D. Walsh, G. Dunphy, P. Cummins, E. Doherty, A. McFadden, A. Shore, E. Kavanagh, D. Reddin (0-1), P. Nolan, J. Keogh, K. Cummins (0-1), J. Carroll (1-9). Mayo: A. Townsend, S. Clifford, B. McShea, P. O’Donoghue, K. Comer, D. Dolan, D. Kirby, F. Kelly (0-1), M. Butterfield, A. Walsh (0-5), R. Geraghty (0-1), J. McDonnell, D. McLoughlin (0-1). Sub, L. Cawley (0-1).


By Rory O'Donnell

Boston Senior Championships Reaching Critical Stage.

With 5 games played in the senior football championship, a familiar pattern is developing.  After 8 games are completed, the top 2 teams are in the semi-finals while the next four are in the playoffs.  Aidan McAnespies are setting the pace with an unbeaten record and look sure to secure one of the top 2 places.  Donegal, Connemara Gaels, and Wolfe Tones make up the chasing pack for the second semi-final place, with the Blues, Mayo, Christopher’s, and Galway following on their heels looking for one of the quarter final spots.  The games are becoming critical, and Saturday’s game between Galway and Mayo has to be seen as a must win for Galway to remain in the hunt.  Sunday’s football clash between Shannon Blues and Christopher’s at 2:30 is crucial for both teams.  The Blues played below their capabilities last week, while Christopher’s were a little unlucky not to get a result against the Gaels.

The senior hurling championship is probably the strongest it has been in the last 4 or 5 years.  All four clubs have very strong teams out there, so with each team still with 4 games to play there is plenty of action for hurling fans to savor.  This weekend the first round ends.  Currently Wexford and Tom’s are top of the table with 3 points each, Tipp are sitting on 2, while Galway are still looking for a win.  Galway will get their chance against arch-rivals, Fr. Tom’s, on Saturday.   On Sunday Tipp and Wexford cross swords in what should be another great game of hurling.

Tir na nOg will have a chance to wrap up the Ladies senior football championship Sunday.  A win over the Boston Shamrocks would be the third win in the best of five.  The Shamrocks showed a significant improvement in their second outing, but there still is a lot of ground to make up to have a chance of forcing a fourth game in the series.

By Rory O'Donnell

Sunday July 3 - Senior Hurling: Wexford v Galway

Wexford 4-12 Galway 1-14


Wexford put on a fine display of hurling to take both points in convincing fashion against a Galway side that hurled well in patches, but never could find any consistency. Four goals, two in each half gave Galway a mountain to climb, one too high for the tribesmen.

Galway center back Conor Woods comes out with the ball.

Galway were their own worst enemies in the first half, conceding two goals where Wexford corner forwards John Heatherington and Tony Murphy were alert to the breaking ball, while the Galway backs concentration was slightly less than it should have been. The first came from an Andrew Shore free that dropped into the box and Heatherington was first to the break to stroke the ball home from the edge of the box. The second came from a free that hit high off the post and this time it was Tony Murphy alert to the deflected ball to pull on it and send it into the back of the net. Galway had clocked an early four points to one lead, but Wexford picked off the scores as the Galway forward line floundered for most of the game. Murray, Heatherington, Brian Dowling, and Cathal Kenny got on the scoreboard for Wexford. Galway finally managed to pick it up. Michael Malone and Andrew Brennan made some great defensive plays and Galway capitalized with points from John Moylan, Paul Guinan, and Eoin Guinan. John Heathington almost netted a third goal for Wexford, but his shot on the run clipped the top of the crossbar. At the half Wexford led by five points, 2-8 to 0-9.

Challenge for the puckout.

Another two goals in the second half gave Wexford a cushion with which to work with. Again, Galway lacked penetration in the forward line and Wexford defenders mopped up anything that was thrown at them. Heatherington put the first goal of the second half away after a pointed sideline cut. Brian Dowling the second which was a spectacular finish into the top corner from a distance. Galway had managed two points from Eoin Guinan frees but could not mount a significant challenge in the second half. The tribesmen made a late run in the final 10 minutes, but by that stage a miracle was required to turn the tables. Eoin Guinan netted from an impossible angle and Moylan and Guinan pointed to make the scoreboard look respectable. Galway still have a bit of work to do to make a serious challenge for the senior championship, Wexford on the other hand, looked strong in all areas of the field.


Galway: K. Finnegan, K. Murphy, M. Malone, S. Og Lennane, C. Woods, A. Brennan, N. McCree, M. Devlin, P. Guinan, G. Burke, S. Brown, J. Moylan, E. Guinan. Wexford: G. Griffey, G. Dunphy, D. Redmond, B. Dalton, A. Shore, S. White, P. Dowling, M. Molloy, B. Dowling, S. Murphy, C. Kenny, T. Murphy, J. Heatherington.


By Rory O'Donnell

Sunday July 3 - Senior Football: Wolfe Tones v Shannon Blues

Shannon Blues 0-5 Wolfe Tones 1-15


The Wolfe Tones and the Blues produced somewhat of a surprise, the margin of victory being the surprise. The Tones fielded a team with former Meath star, Charles McCarthy, in the middle of the field, while Gary Brilly dropped into the half back line. The Tones got a grip on the game early on and kept a tight hold on for the 60 minutes, stifling the Blues for the duration of the game. The Blues did not get any chance of staging a comeback of any sort and will be hoping to put the performance behind them as quickly as possible

Dan McCabe tries to stop Denis McElligott.

Wolfe Tones put on a blistering first half performance to take the break 8 points ahead of the their opponents. The Southie side were on top in all facets of the game, from the full back line of Ken Regan and Eoin Naughton to Dan McCabe and James Doyle in the forward line. With the Tones picking off points and the Blues struggling to gain momentum, a goal was almost inevitable. It came with about 10 minutes to go in the first half. Brilly won the ball on his own endline, and after Brian Kinaton ran the ball the length of the field, Marty Farrell found the unmarked James Doyle who finished with a cool head. The goal put the Tones 1-7 to 0-2 ahead. After Farrell and Shane Carroll exchanged points it was 1-8 to 0-3 at the break.

Luke Kavanagh and the Tones kept a lid on the Blues challenge.

The second half continued on the same vein as the first. The Tones moved the ball well and worked well in support of each other. The Blues made changes early in an effort to get something going their way, but not much changed in that respect. With the Tones closing the spaces down in their own back line the South Boston side suffocated the Blues forwards. More points soared over the bar for the Tones from Sean Dalton, BlachField and Farrell. Things got a little bit testy in the latter stages of the game as the result became foregone conclusion. The Blues endeavored to get a consolation goal, but even that eluded them as the Tones kept the door firmly shut. A great win for the Tones, while the Blues will be looking for much better things from their next outing.

Blues:  G. Kissane, S. Kelly, S. Mann, P. Magee, D. McElligott, C. Mullen, P. Murray, B. Shanahan, S. Carroll (0-1), S. Cahill, K. O’Shea, K. Hurley (0-4), M. Lyons.  Tones:  C. Hynes, K. Regan, E. Naughton, D. Maguire, B. Kinaton, G. Brilly (0-1), L. Kavanagh, C. McCarthy, S. Dalton (0-2), M. Farrell (0-1), B. Blanchfield (0-3), D. McCabe, J. Doyle (1-2).

By Rory O'Donnell

Sunday July 3 - Senior Football: Connemara Gaels v Christopher's

The Connemara Gaels had a very important win over Christopher's on Sunday.

Connemara Gaels 2-15 Christopher’s 1-15

It was a hard earned win for the Connemara Gaels at the expense of Christopher’s. The Gaels threatened to take over the game on a couple of occasions only to be reeled back in by a persistent Christopher’s side. It was an exciting, high scoring game with play flowing up and down the field. There was a controversial ending to add to the excitement. With the Gaels leading by three points in injury time, Christopher’s were denied an injury time goal for a square ball, though in fairness the whistle had blown before any contact was made with the ball as it dropped to the edge of the square. Pat McNicholas, Brian Connor, and Niall Judge did well for the Gaels, while Kevin O’Driscoll, Shane Beston and Aidan Walsh were best for Christopher’s.



 Each side enjoyed dominant spells in an action packed first half. The Gaels started the stronger of the two sides, but lost two players early on to injury. Barry Murphy and Gordon Kelly had to leave the field of play in the first 15 minutes. After a strange start where Barry Murphy received a yellow card and the ensuing free was retaken to be put over the bar by Eric Hegarty at the second attempt, the Gaels went on a five points to one scoring spree. Pat McNicholas and Brian Connor featured prominently in the Gaels efforts. Connor, Steve Monaghan, Sean Conneeley, and Niall Judge all found the mark as the Gaels kept traffic going in the direction of the Christopher’s goal. The Gaels could have gone further ahead having won a penalty after Connor was brought to the ground. Paudie Kenneally was quick to save the initial kick from Connor, and Eoin O’Neill saved the second attempt from Judge. Christophers got back into the game and started to win some midfield ball. Some great interplay in the forward line led to scores from Shane Beston, Kevin O’Driscoll, and Hegarty. Again the Gaels put in a spurt. Points from Monaghan and Connor were followed by a fantastic goal. Cathal O’Neill played a ball over the top to Niall Judge who found the incoming Connor, and the big man from Offaly buried the shot. Christopher’s answered with two points, one each from Hegarty and Beston, as the game went to and fro. The half ended with points from Connor and Brian Toner for the Gaels and one from Kevin O’Driscoll for Christopher’s. The Gaels led by two at end of a high scoring and entertaining first half, 1-9 to 0-10.

The second half opened in spectacular fashion with a goal from each side before the half was 2 minutes old. Christopher’s first with a goal right from the throw-in. Aidan Walsh finished the move after Colm O’Driscoll found him coming in from wing forward. The Gaels answered within the minute. Again it was O’Neill finding Judge in the corner and Judge to Connor who planted the ball in the corner of the net. The Gaels followed with a string of points from Monaghan, Toner, Conneeley, O’Neill, and Connor to open up a 7 point lead with 15 minutes to go before Hegarty stemmed the bleeding with three pointed frees. The Gaels at the same time proceeded to kick 5 wides in a row as accuracy eluded the forwards. With the game down to the final 5 minutes the Gaels held a tenuous four point lead. Connor made it a five point gap with a free from close range. A tense finale was set up after Hegarty pointed twice to leave a goal in it with injury time to play. After Aidan Walsh dropped a high ball onto the edge of the square the whistle blew and a free was awarded for a square ball, a decision that was met with much protest from Christopher’s as the ball had ended up in the net. Two points for the Gaels who stay on track for the playoffs, while for Christopher’s a win is desperately needed to remain in the hunt.


Gaels: G. Joyce, L. Wylie, S. Manley, P. McNicholas, B. Murphy, B. Carroll, B. Connor (2-6), G. Kelly, S. Connelly (0-2), B. Toner (0-2), C. O’Neill (0-1), N. Judge (0-1), S. Monaghan (0-3). Christopher’s: P. Kenneally, N. Ryan, E. O’Neill, P. Manning, A. Greaney, S. McNally, D. Kenneally, P. Delaney, K. O’Driscoll (0-2), C. O’Driscoll (0-1), A. Walsh (1-2), S. Beston (0-2), E. Hegarty (0-9).

By Rory O'Donnell

Sunday July 3 - Junior A Football: Aidan McAnespies v Donegal

Aidan McAnespies 0-11 Donegal 2-8

Padraig McLaughlin shoots for goal.

Donegal earned a deserved win over arch rivals Aidan McAnespies in the junior A football championship. After a first half in which the Donegal forward line stuttered, the Tir Chonaill men got their act together in the shooting department, and ended up coming away with a three point win.

McAnespies held a two point lead at the end of the first half and held Donegal to two scores. A Darren Green goal and a point were all that the Tir Chonaill men could muster over the first 30 minutes. McAnespies had more success then their wasteful opponents, kicking six points. Joe Gallen and Sean Mallon worked hard in the McAnespies forward line, while Donegal missed several good opportunites to score.

Donegal's Darren Green is challenged by James Harkin.

Donegal got off to the best possible start to begin the second period. Green notched his, and Donegal’s, second goal of the day, ending a move that started with corner back, Barney Friel and involved Rocky Ivers who made the all important final pass to Green. McAnespies worked hard to regain the initiative, points from Steven Magill and Neil Donaghy restored the lead to a point. Donegal then got their act together with the shooting boots. Eamonn McCarney, Padraig McLaughlin, Paddy Wanish McLaughlin, and Dean Matthews hit the mark as things finally came good for the Donegal men. Derek Nolan did well holding the Donegal back line together as the forwards went to work. McAnespines clawed the deficit back to a single score with points from Steven Magill and a Joe Gallen free. With time running out a goal was required to salvage a draw, but Donegal’s back line did not give and the northerners earned a deserved win.

Macs:  R. McCrystal, J. Harkin, C. Treanor, P. Stones, N. Gallen, N. Hassey, N.. Donaghy, S. Lynn, S. Mallon, J. Gallen, S. Magill, R. Brady, E. McCusker.  Donegal:  C. Mclaughlin, K. McGee, B. Friel, J. Deary, D. Nolan, P. McLaughlin, A. McGirr, Padraig McLaughlin, E. McCarney, J. Egan, R. Ivers, D. Matthews, D. Green.

By Rory O'Donnell

Saturday July 2 - Senior Football: Galway v Armagh-Notre Dame

Galway 1-13 Armagh-Notre Dame 1-11


The Brighton rivals served up a competitive, exciting game of football that could have gone either way. After a strong start from Galway their opponents worked their way back into the game and pushed Galway all the way to the final whistle.

James Carroll on the attack for Galway.

Galway opened the game strongly. The forward line was in full gear and ran at the Armagh-ND defence at every opportunity. Anton McFadden and Kevin Comiskey in particular caused havoc in the northerner’s back line. Cummins popped three points over the bar, McFadden one, and James Carroll a fifth for Galway to open a five points to no score lead. A point from Paudie Finnegan signaled a comeback from the men from the orchard county. A second followed from Finnegan, and a great score it was. There was a little worry in the Galway ranks as some slack passing started to creep into their game. It bit the westerners as a bad kickout went over the sideline and a goal came from the resulting sideline kick. Frank Meehan found Finnegan in front of goal and Finnegan blasted home. Cummins relieved the pressure with a point for Galway, but their opponents strung three points together from none other than Finnegan who was on fire in the corner. After Tom Walsh put the last score of the half over the bar Armagh-ND led by a score of 0-7 to 1-5.

Owen Costello and Kevin Cummins turn and chase.

Galway turned the tables very quickly after the restart. A goal from Danny Reddin and two points from Cummins propelled Galway into a four point lead. Andrew Murnin worked hard in midfield to turn things for the northerners. Finnegan pointed twice to cut the deficit in half, but Galway soon had the lead restored with points from Reddin and Carroll. The game slowed down a little as neither side could find direction. A Kevin Cummins point with 5 minutes to go put Galway in a five point lead and game looked in the bag, but Armagh-ND made a push to the finish. Murnin pointed, followed by two from Finnegan. With time running out a goal was required for the northerners but the closest they came was a Frank Meehan half chance that went well wide. The win keeps Galway in the hunt, and with a good result against the Shannon Blues last week there is every chance to be there.






Galway: P. Ryan, D. Walsh, G. Dunphy, P. Cummins, E. Doherty, J. Kehoe, A. Shore, T. Walsh, P. Nolan, A. McFadden, D. Reddin, K. Cummins, J. Carroll. Armagh-ND: C. Brady, G. Cairns, O. Costello, M. McCauley, F. Meehan, K. Campion, A. Murnin, K. Lynch, G. Hall, J. Comiskey, M. Tiffany, D. Magill, P. Finnegan.


By Rory O'Donnell

Saturday July 2 - Senior Football: Aidan McAnespies v Kerry

Aidan McAnespies 2-19 Kerry 1-8


Aidan McAnespies continued their winning streak with a relatively easy win against Kerry. Kerry were without starting midfielders Sean Fogerty and Peter Curry, which did not help their cause. McAnespies more or less had the game wrapped up at the end of the first half. A penalty that was put away by Paul O’Donoghue along with 10 points, to 5 points in Kerry’s column, provided the Macs with an 8 point cushion heading into the second half. The South Bostonians continued to scythe through the Kingdom’s defences in the second half. Mark Little was the catalyst for many of the McAnespies scores. The Fermanagh man motored smoothly and linked well with his fellow forwards.

Mark Little was in great form for McAnespies on Saturday.

Kerry made a mini-run in the second half. Ian Galvin found Stephen O’Brien with a cross-field ball and the Kerry corner forward finished well into the back of the net. Ian Whelan followed with a point, and another from Padraig Doyle. While Mike Godley, Mark Griffin, Doyle and Ian Galvin tried hard for Kerry, the Kingdom were no match for their opponents. James Hughes, Mark Little, and Sean Mallon put the final scores of the game away. Mallon’s score was a goal with Little providing the assist. Convincing for McAnespies, Kerry might have made a game of it with a full compliment of players but whether they could have turned the tables is doubtful given their opponents form so far this summer.

By Rory O'Donnell