Barley House Wolves win Junior C Hurling, Tir na nOg win Orla Benson Cup

Barley House Wolves 2-6 Portland 1-4

Barley House Wolves Captain Ray Valas.

The storied Barley House Wolves of Concord New Hampshire won the first Junior C Hurling championship held in the Northeast.  The team was formed by a unit of the New Hampshire National Guard following a tour of duty in Afghanistan five years ago.  There were some great performances for the boys from Concord. Denis Trainor pulled off some great saves in goals, and the at the other end the goals came from Rory O’Mahony. Eddie Clements literally came off the plane from Kuwait to line out at center back, and there were strong performances from Darragh Madden, Sean McCarty, and Ryan Brown. 


Tir na nOg 3-14 Boston Shamrocks 1-6

Tir na nOg completed a sweep of trophies in the ladies competiton by winning the Orla Benson Cup on Saturday.  The Boston Shamrocks put up a brave performance but were unable to match their rivals.  The Brighton ladies will be heading to San Francisco to represent the Boston division at Senior Football level and to hopefully bring a championship back to the North East.

Tir na nOg with the Orla Benson Cup.

A big Thank You to Tom Cummings for his support of the Boston GAA. You can catch Tom at WUNR 1600 AM Thursday nights from 8:00 to 10:00pm.

Wolfe Tones win Junior A Championship

Donegal 1-12 Wolfe Tones 2-14

Wolfe Tones won their first junior football championship in seven years on a rainy Saturday afternoon on Canton. As the first downpours of hurricane Irene began to fall the Tones tightened their grip as the game wore on. After a first half where Donegal were fortunate to find themselves on level terms, the Tones made amends for their first half misses shortly following the restart and controlled the second half to comfortably take the title.

The remarkable thing about the first half was that there was so little between the teams by the time 30 minutes were played. The Tones did most of the attacking but Donegal remained in touch thanks to some dogged defending, in particular from Kieran McGee and Barney Friel. Dean Matthews’ free taking kept the scoreboard ticking over for Donegal, while some good fortune shone on the northerners. The Tones were twice through for a goal but only yielded a point for their efforts. After Christy McLaughlin pulled off a great save the Tones won a penalty. Kieran McGee bundled over Mick Sammon in the area but Marty McGeough’s penalty shot was over the bar. Shortly afterwards Mick Sammon had the goal at his mercy only to be put off his shot at the last minute and might have had a claim for a penalty. Donegal finished the half with two fantastic points from Eamonn McCarney to level affairs at the break, six points each.

Wolfe Tones Celebrate the Junior A Championship.

The Tones made up for their first half misses before the second half had a chance to put some time behind it. Sammon goaled emphatically from the throw-in. Declan Kinahan won the ball and played Sammon in, and the veteran finshed well from an angle. Sammon goaled a seond time five minutes later to put those first have misses well in the rearview mirror, and Donegal were very much behind the eight-ball. With the way the game was going, there was not too much encouragement to be found for Donegal supporters that a comeback could be on the cards. There was a brief period of hope when Paul Boyce, Lee Car, and Matthews pulled Donegal within two goals, but the Tones came right back an popped over two themselves, one each from Shane O’Brien and Marty McGeough, to restore the eight point differential. Donegal introduced Brian Kelly with about five minutes to go and might have wondered why they did not do so earlier. The big man was placed on the edge of the box and the first high ball played in resulted in a goal. Kelly won the ball and laid it off to Paul Boyce whose shot flew into the top corner of the net. The Tones were still ahead by four points and played out the clock. The Tones now represent Boston at junior A level for the first time since 2004 in Denver.


Donegal: C. McLaughlin, K. McGee, B. Friel, N. Doherty, D. Nolan, P. McLaughlin, R. Ivers, P. McLaughlin (0-1), E. McCarney (0-2), P. Boyce (1-1), D. Matthews (0-6), L. Carr (0-2), D. Green. Tones: W. O’Dowd, G. Callaghan, A. Rooney, C. Malone, D. Maguire, K. Gorham, P. Collins, D. Kinahan, J. Farrell (0-1), G. Molloy, A. McGeough (0-1), M. Sammon (2-2), M. McGeough (0-9). Sub: S. O’Brien (0-1).


By Rory O'Donnell

McAnespies Take Junior B Championship

Aidan McAnespies 2-10 Galway 1-7


Aidan McAnespies took the junior B championship in convincing style over Galway on Saturday afternoon. After a close first half McAnespies pulled away in the second with some hard work in the back line and an uncanny ability to find the roving Stephen McGettigan when in attack.

Aidan McAnespies Junior B Captain Eoin McCusker
and Boston North East Board Chairman John Farrell.

The sides opened with a point a piece and it remained that way for the first 10 minutes of the game. Galway did most of the attacking, but had little to show for it. There were some badly missed chances from close range. The tribesmen made a breakthrough thanks to the persistence of Peter Ryan. Ryan won the ball on the edge of the box and eventually got a shot off that came off the inside of the post and into the net for a goal. Galway followed with two points, one each from Jamie Kehoe and Tom Moloney. McAnespies finished the half strongly however. Two quick points from Benny McGettigan and Nigel Regan were followed with a goal. It was a well worked score with the ball ending up in the hands of Shane Traynor who picked his moment and finished low into the corner from 14 yards. Scores level. Gary Clarke and Eoin McCusker finished off the first 30 minutes with a point each and McAnespies ahead by two points.


Galway opened the second period with two points, and the sides were on level terms, but that was as good as it got for the Brightonians. McAnespies gradually took control of the game from that point on. The direction of traffic for next 10 minutes of the game was mostly headed towards the Galway goal. Christopher Traynor fought hard in the McAnespies back line, while Gary Clarke, Peadar Nugent, and Stephen McGettigan were involved in some well worked scores. McAnespies second goal came with 15 minutes to go. Nigel Regan found Stephen McGettigan alone on the edge of the box and McGettigan finished on the turn. Peadar Nugent and Regan followed the score with a point each, and McAnespies lead was six points. Galway had a couple of chances at a goal, on each occasion Eugene McKenna was on the spot to make the save. As the game moved into injury time and the rain began to fall Galway were in bad need of a couple of goals to make a comeback. McAnespies fell back to defend and kept the door closed on any hopes of a Galway comeback. It was a delighted captain Eoin McCusker who accepted the trophy and it is onwards to San Fran!

Macs: E. McKenna, O. Guirke, C. Smith, C. Treanor, P. McCusker, T. Tuite, G. Clarke (0-1), W. Carroll (0-1), E. McCusker (0-1), P. Nugent (0-1), S. Traynor (1-3), N. Regan (0-2), J. Taylor. Sub: S. McGettigan (1-1). Galway: M. Hynes, J. Savage, I. Gleeson, G. Bannon, P. Ryan (1-0), JJ O’Neill, A. Moran, P. Hackett (0-1), R. Burns, J. Kehoe (1-2), S. McNulty, T. Moloney (0-3), S. Bannon. Sub: R. Ward (0-1).


By Rory O'Donnell

Wexford Win First Junior Hurling Title

Junior Hurling Final


Fr. Tom Burke’s 0-12 Wexford 1-18

Wexford claimed their first ever junior hurling championship with relative ease on Friday night. The Slaneysiders never looked in danger throughout the 60 minutes and led from start to finish. Eoghan Kavanagh put in a man of the match performance at corner forward, while the Wexford back line held firm against anything the Tom’s could throw at them.

The Wexford Junior Hurlers Celebrate their first junior hurling title.

Wexford lorded it over the first 30 minutes of the game and held a nine-point lead at the break. Eoghan Kavanagh seemed like the unstoppable force at corner forward for Wexford. Kavanagh accounted for seven of Wexford’s first ten points, five of those from play. Wexford also had the measure of their opposing forward line. Tom’s forays forward often fell on barren ground and scores were hard to come by. Points came from John Cuddy 65’s and a great effort from CJ Power, but Tom’s were unable to penetrate the Wexford rearguard with any sustained degree of success. With about 20 minutes gone a goal came for Wexford. A free from well inside the Wexford half went long and into the Tom’s penalty area. The ball managed to avoid contact from boot or stick and ended up rolling into the back of the net. While Tom’s were having no luck, Wexford got the bounce of the ball when it was not needed. Tom’s managed a two well earned points from Eugene Cummins and CJ Power before the break to give themselves some measure of hope going into the second half.

Wexford Captain Peter Nolan is presented with the Cup by
Boston North East Board Chairman John Farrell.

Tom’s made a better first of things in the second half, however, eating into Wexford’s lead proved to be elusive. After Kavanagh extended Wexford’s lead a further two points, Tom’s tallied four points in a row and hopes were raised among the Tom’s faithful that a comeback could be on the cards. It did not materialize however. Wexford were too good and never allowed Tom’s to get closer than seven points. Kavanagh sprang into action again with two more points and Wexford shut up shop at the back. Jamie Kehoe and John Joe O’Neill controlled the middle of the field. Late in the game, with Tom’s needing a couple of goals to have a chance CJ Power created an opening but Matt O’Donnell in goals for Wexford was equal to the shot. A well deserved first for Wexford who can look forward to their first foray at junior level next weekend in San Francisco.

Tom’s: J. O’Halloran, M. Moore, L. Guinan, P. Staunton, C. O’Callaghan, J. Dowling, E. Cummins (0-2), B. Smith (0-1), J. O’Callaghan, C. J. Power (0-2), G. Madden, J. Cuddy (0-7), C. Moore. Sub: J. Dooley (0-1). Wexford: M. O’Donnell, T. Ryan, P. Nolan, D. Brennan, J. Brennan, R. O’Shaughnessy, J. Kehoe (1-3), JJ O’Neill (0-1), C. Keirns (0-1), P. Ryan (0-1), R. Leydon, E. Kavanagh (0-12), B. O’Shea.


By Rory O'Donnell

Galway Win First Senior Hurling Title in 10 Years

Wexford 1-10 Galway 1-11


Galway won their first senior hurling championship since 2001 amid scenes of jubilation. Mid-way through the season it appeared as if Galway were dead and buried, but the tribesmen were there for the last game and came out winners in an exciting and controversial finish. Conditions were less than ideal, but excitement was in no short supply. The game went to and fro, with the lead changing hands on several occasions. Wexford looked like they had the job done as they led by a point in injury time, but Galway dug it out in the end with an equalizing point from an Eoin Guinan free, followed by the winner with virtually the last puck of the game from Fintan O’Leary out on the wing.

Galway Captain Killian Murphy raises the cup.

Wexford got off to the better start. Two Tony Murphy frees and a Cathal Kenny point from play put Wexford into an early three points to no score lead. After Galway got themselves on the scoreboard with an Eoin Guinan free, Wexford goaled. Damien Kilmartin pulled off a great save but conceded a 14-yard free. Murphy took it with singular intent and buried the ball in the back of the net. Galway eventually began to play some good hurling and pulled themselves back into contention. With Kilmartin playing solidly in goal and the back line buckling down, the gap between the sides narrowed. Keith Killilea floated a ball into the box and Guinan fetched it cleanly, turned and billowed the net. The sides matched each other on the scoreboard for the remainder of the half. Wexford led by three points, 1-7 to 1-4.


Galway turned the deficit into a lead soon after the restart with points from Brown, Guinan, and Burke. The game settled into a stalemate where neither side could establish a clear advantage over the other, and with the advance rain from hurricane Irene arriving in Canton, the conditions did not lend themselves to good hurling. Galway enjoyed most of the possession and had Brennan, McCree, and Brown playing well, but the scores did not come for the tribesmen. Galway were guilty of failing to take advantage of the chances that came their way. Having played second fiddle, yet still in the game, Wexford saw that the chance to win it was still there and they grasped it.  Wexford soon leveled the scores and it was game on again. Cathal Kenny and Guinan traded points before Wexford went ahead through Tony Murphy after the Galway back line failed to clear their lines adequately. With time ticking away it increasingly looked as if Wexford would be the ones to inch it over the line.

There was a twist in the tail and a little bit of controversy before all was said and done. After missing a couple of chances late in the game, Eoin Guinan pointed a free from 30 yards to level things. With Wexford on the attack and searching for an opening for the winning score, Galway fought hard to clear their lines. The tribesmen eventually won the ball back and Brennan found O’Leary on the wing and the Corkman pointed from out on the wing to put Galway in the lead. Wexford looked like they might have had one last chance to level the scores. It appeared as if the whistle had gone for a free, but the referee signaled for full time, and with that Galway supporters and players burst into cenebration. The last time Galway won the championship the North American Finals were in San Francisco, and the tribesmen brought home the county championship. Ten years later the Brighton side have a chance to repeat the feat and we wish them the best of luck!

Wexford:  M. O’Donnell, G. Dunphy, G. Callnan, B. Dalton, A. Shore, D. Redmond, S. White, M. Molloy, D. Magill, J. Lyng, T. Murphy (1-3), S. Corcoran (0-4), C. Kenny (0-1).  Galway:  D. Kilmartin, K. Murphy, C. Woods, D. McMahon, A. Brennan, S. Linnane (0-1), N. McCree, G. Burke (0-1), K. Killilea, F. O’Leary (0-2), A. Callnan, S. Brown (0-3), E. Guinan (1-4).

By Rory O'Donnell

McAnespies Senior Football Champions

Connemara Gaels 1-12 Aidan McAnespies 2-15


Aidan McAnespies won the Boston senior football championship for the first time in three years in convincing fashion. The South Boston based side outplayed the Gaels for the duration of the game, and the balance in the McAnespies team served them well. The Gaels hung in for the first half, but a goal early in the second half established a six point lead, and from that point on the eventual champions were in control. The Gaels looked like they had a chance to pull off a comeback late in the second half as the westerners crept within three points, but McAnespies underlined their credentials by responding with three quick points to affirm their dominance.

McAnespies Captain Niall Kerr raises the cup.

McAnespies were off and running from the throw in. Colm McCrory pointed with the first move of the game, finishing in trademark style. Sean Cournane followed with another well taken point before the Gaels opened their account through a Robbie Fox point. McAnespies were full of running in the early going and the Gaels back line had to work hard to contain their opposite numbers. Gary O’Neill, Mark Little, Philip Toner and Colm McCrory opened up the spaces for the running game, spaces that the Gaels back line struggled to close down. The Gaels eventually worked their way into the contest. Brian Connor was the fulcrum for the Gaels in getting the early ball into the corner forwards, however the McAnespies back line were up to the task on most occasions. The Gaels managed to get on the scoreboard, but had to work hard for their rewards. Near the end of the half McAnespies had a great chance to put some daylight between the teams when Sean Cournane escaped his marker and was found all alone on the edge of the box but Brian Joyce pulled off a fantastic diving save to put the ball out for a ’45. At the half McAnespies led by three points, and might have felt that it should have been more.


The closest the Gaels came was immediately after the restart when Paul Conroy pointed a free to make it a two point game. McAnespies then took off in a real way. The cross field ball into O’Donoghue continued to work, once the Kerryman gets the ball into his hands the expectation is that a score will follow, and so it did after Mark Little provided the feed. The intensity level picked up with the hits coming hard and fast, each side looking for the breakthrough. It came for McAnespies after Sean Cournane and O’Donoghue had a two on one and O’Dongohue provided the finish into the net. Conroy pointed a free for the Gaels, but McAnespies hit with a second goal. This time it was a bit fortunate as Joyce made another great save from Courane, but the rebound did not fall kindly for the Gaels goalkeeper and now the difference was eight points heading into the final 15 minutes. The Gaels started to look a little desperate and brought Conroy into a full forward position and played the high ball in. The tactic paid off when Danny Cummins latched on one and goaled. Conroy pointed twice to make it a three point game and a miracle comeback looked possible. McAnespies turned it up however and re-established control with three quick points, two from O’Donoghue and one from Cournane to put any such notions to rest. It was a fully deserved win for McAnespies who ran the table and proved themselves to be ahead of the pack all year. Best of luck in San Francisco to represent the divison.

Aidan McAnespies Celebrate their Senior Football Victory.

Gaels: B. Joyce, L. Wylie, G. Kelly (0-1), B. Murphy, J. Duane, P. McNicholas, P. Conroy (0-6), B. Connor (0-1), S. Conneely, R. Fox (0-1), B. Carroll (0-1), N. Judge (0-1), D. Cummins (1-0). Macs: C. Kendrick, N. Gallen, R. McCloskey, H. Gill, N. Kerr, S. Hughes, G. O’Neill (0-2), P. Kane, C. McCrory (0-1), P. Toner (0-1), M. Little (0-3), P. O’Donoghue (1-4), S. Cournane (1-3). Sub: R. Bracken (0-1). T. Walsh (0-1).


By Rory O'Donnell

Boston Finals Results

The finals were played last Friday and Saturday.

Senior football: Aidan McAnespies 2-15 Connemara Gaels 1-12
Senior Hurling: Galway 1-11 Wexford 1-10
Orlando Benson Cup: Tir na nOg 3-14 Boston Shamrocks 1-6
Junior A Football: Wolfe Tones 2-14 Donegal 1-12
Junior B Football: Aidan McAnespies 1-10 Galway 1-7
Junior Hurling: Wexford 1-18 Fr Tom Burke's 0-12
Junior C Hurling: Barley House Wolves 2-6 Portland 1-4

I apologize that reports are not published. I have had no power since Sunday morning and will put them up as soon as we are back in action.

Boston Finals Brought Forward due to Hurricane Irene

Hurricane Irene is due to hit the Boston area in force Saturday night, Sunday, and Monday.  The finals schedule has had to be brought forward as a result.  All of the finals will be played by Saturday night.  The revised schedule is as follows:

Friday Aug 26
5.30PM JNR Hurling Final:  Fr Tom Burke's v Wexford.

Saturday Aug 27
12:00PM JNR B Football Final:  Aidan McAnespies v Galway


1:30PM JNR A Football Final:  Donegal v Wolfe Tones


3:00PM Senior Hurling Final:  Galway v Wexford


4:30PM Senior Football Final:  Aidan McAnespies -v- Connemara Gaels

Field B.


1:00PM JNR-C Hurling Final:  Portland v Barley House Wolves


2:30PM Orla Benson Cup Final:  Boston Shamrocks -v- Tir na Nog