Junior Hurling Semi-Finals: Fr. Tom's v Offaly; Galway v Tipp

Offaly 3-20 Fr. Tom Burke’s 2-8

Offaly made it to the junior hurling final in their first year of asking.  It was a comprehensive win over Fr. Tom Burke’s that saw them through.  After a close first half in which each side netted, Offaly built an unassailable lead in the second to come out comfortable winners.

Seamie Higgins battles Mickey Markham for the ball.

Paudge Egan was first to score with a goal for Tom’s, but Offaly soon got it back with a James Kilmartin strike.  The sides were tied at 1-2 a piece about 15 minutes in and then Offaly began to build a lead behind points from Jimmy Rigney and a huge score by Andy McRedmond from well inside his own half.  Offaly punished Tom’s indiscretions with some accurate free taking.  Tom’s were losing their way with clearances out of defence, but managed to close the gap to four points before the break with Fran Keenan frees. 

Sitting on a 1-9 to 1-4 lead entering the second period, Offaly drove for home.  Garly Sherlock was solid in goal and sniffed out potential threats well.  McRedmond led from the back, while the forwards kept the scoreboard ticking over.  James Dooley toiled hard in Tom’s full back line and a late Keenan goal provided some measure of comfort for Tom’s, and for Offaly a chance at a first Boston championship.

Fr. Tom’s:  S. O’Brien, J. Dooley, P. Flynn, B. Flynn, S. Higgins, D. Burke, C. McCormack, N. Armstrong, J. Martyn, F. Keenan, P. Egan, C. Moore, C. O’Donoghue.

Offaly:  G. Sherlock, A. Bergin, J. Murray, T. Rigney, A. McRedmond, A. Camon, R. Reynolds, C. Mahon, L. Kiely, S. Brown, J. Rigney, M. Markham, J. Kilmartin.

Galway 4-14 Tipperary 1-2

Galway junior hurlers are headed for their first final in a long while.

For the first time in a long time Galway find themselves in a junior hurling final.  Galway outhurled a short staffed Tipperary side and by half time had the job done.  Anchored by Beagh clubmen Tommie McKeown, Padraig Landers, and John Moylan, Galway looked impressive and will be confident heading into next week’s final against new boys Offaly. 

JJ Doyle netted a hat trick in the game, and while Moylan missed a handful of frees that one would have seen splitting the posts on other days, he also bagged some impressive scores.  John Kindregan netted late for Tipp, and Darren O’Donovan did well in the back line for the Premier men, but Galway were not to be slowed down on their way back to the junior hurling final.

Galway:  R. Grealish, M. Lennon, D. O’Leary, C. Clifford, T. McKeown, S. Loftus, B. McGuane, P. Landers, A. Murphy, J. Moylan, G. Walsh, JJ Doyle, M. Devine.

Tipp:  M. McGrath, D. O’Brien, M. Moriarty, D. O’Donovan, P. Moriarty, M. Jordan, R. McCrystal, S. Delaney, T. Hanley, P. O’Keefe, D. Larkin.

By Rory O'Donnell

Ladies Junior Football Final: Boston Shamrocks v Connacht Ladies

Boston Shamrocks 2-12 Connacht Ladies 0-4

Boston Shamrocks captured the ladies junior football title with a fine performance to defeat the Connacht Ladies.  A goal in each half underlined the Shamrocks win and deflated any Connacht Ladies hopes of pulling off an upset. 

Joe Lydon presents the cup to Stacey O'Dowd.

Early in the second half the Shamrocks netted a second goal, McDonnell the scorer this time, and it would be proverbial mountain for the Connacht Ladies to climb.  McDonnell added two points, and Shannon Mullen a third to put the Shamrocks firmly in control. 

Connacht Ladies continued to fight, with Saoirse McTavish and Andrea Feeeney working hard in the back line.  The efforts of the westerners were rewarded with points from Joanne McDonnell and Aisling Kerr, but that Shamrocks mountain just kept getting higher.  It was delight for the Shamrocks when the final whistle sounded and the junior championship is added to the Orla Benson Cup.    

Boston Shamrocks Celebrate the Ladies Junior Championship.

The rivalry continues as the senior teams meet in next week’s final with the Shamrocks hoping to cap a winning season with a double, while Connacht Ladies will be hoping to win back to back senior titles in what promises to be an exciting senior final between the two clubs.

Shamrocks:  Eileen Kerins, Chloe Laffan, Stacey O’Dowd, Cathy McEleaney, Ann Marie McDonnell, Brittany Maguire, Louise Larkin, Leanne McCrystal, Sheila McLaughlin, Shannon Mullen, Ciara Murphy, Sharon McGovern, Kayla Donovan.

Connacht Ladies:  Caroline Heraty, Andrea Feeney, Saoirse McTavish, Irene Greene, Joanne McDonnell, Aisling Griffin, Aisling Kerr, Rachel O’Driscoll, Aisling Mullen, Maria Grogan, Jacqueline Moan, Jackie McDonagh, Kelly Kenneally.

By Rory O'Donnell

Sun Aug 14 - Senior Football Q/F: Donegal v Shannon Blues

Donegal 0-18  Shannon Blues 1-10

Donegal advanced to the senior football semi-final with a firey win over the Shannon Blues.  It was a close game all the way to the final quarter, when Donegal’s fitness and firepower saw them over the line with a bit to spare in the end. 

Donegal Senior Footballers advance to a semi-final with Galway next Sunday.

The teams were level at the break, although things looked brighter for Donegal heading into the second period.  Towards the end of the half Conor Cox was shown a black card and the Blues lost their main scoring threat.  The Blues had opened well.  Ivan Parker, Cox and Damien Somers had pointed 5 times between them and Parker palmed the ball into the net after a floated ball from Cox across the box.  The Blues supporters were feeling optimistic, with concern on the opposite side of the field amongst Donegal supporters.

Donegal were struggling, Paddy Bradley had several chances that went wide of the posts, but as half time approached the northerners got a grip of the game.  It started with an Eoin O’Connor point, which initially was called wide, but the umpires decision was overruled and a point awarded.  After the goal, the Blues started to lose their way coming out of defence, and Donegal went on to point five times on the trot with Eoin and Paddy Bradley hitting 4 between them, and Darren Kavanagh the odd one of the number.   The Blues made an opening just before the break and Brian Ryal hit the crossbar, the score would have been invaluable to the Blues who needed maximum return from their chances.  1-5 to 0-8 at half time.

Shannon Blues put up a gallant fight, but fell short against Donegal on Sunday.

Donegal had translated their advantage into a three point lead with 15 minutes to go.  Both Bradley’s provided the scoring outlet and the lions share of possession went to Donegal.  The Blues had to resort to the long ball into subsitite, Paudi McCormack, but Jason Noctor was on high alert and on most occasions cleared for Donegal. 

Two players got their marching orders entering the final stretch.  Sean Moriarty for a strike on Eoin Bradley and Bradley presumably for retaliation.  The game was slipping away for the Blues while Donegal had the speed and resources coming off the line to push home their advantage.  The men from the north-west were a step ahead to the ball as the Blues challenge waned and their moves tended to peter out on the Donegal 45. 

The Blues closed the game with two points from Brian Ryal, but it was goals that were needed to have any sort of hope.  There were unsavory scenes at the end of the game in front of the main stand.  Two Blues players were sent to the line following a fracas during which some members of the Donegal support felt the need to leap the fence on to the field.  It was not the best way to end what was an exciting game overall.

Blues:  E. Whelan, T. Wallace, P. O’Sullivan, C. Coffey, G. O’Cunniffe, D. McElligott, S. Moriarty, D. Somers, C. Fitzgerald, B. Ryal, M. Young, C. Cox, I. Parker.

Donegal:  B. Flynn, C. Benson, J. Noctor, G. Gallagher, G. Brennan, C. Russell, R. Caldwell, T. Darmin, V. Coyle, E. Bradley, E. O’Connor, P. Bradley, D. Kavanagh.

By Rory O'Donnell

Sun Aug 14 - Senior Football Q/F: Aidan McAnespies v Connemara Gaels

Connemara Gaels 4-10 Aidan McAnespies 0-10

The Connemara Gaels saw themselves through to the senior football semi final with an impressive, controlled performance against Aidan McAnespies.  A week ago the Gaels conceded 4 goals against the same opposition and at that had Eoin Connolly to thank for keeping them in the game, however Sunday Connolly was hardly troubled.  When McAnespies put some pressure on and tried to turn momentum to scores in the second half, the Gaels defence worked doggedly to close the spaces down.  Ryan Rafferty was the hero up front for the Gaels, and the speedy corner forward netted a hat trick to see his side through to the next phase of the championship.

Connemara Gaels made a date for themselves with Wolfe Tones next Sunday.

The first half saw the Gaels establish a 6 point lead, with two goals standing between the teams.  The Connemara men played some nice build up football, and had a lively Ryan Rafferty at corner forward causing palpitations for the McAnespies supporters.  With the Gaels having netted already twice, Rafferty won the ball in his corner and almost netted on two further occasions.  Ryan McCrystal made a fine save with his legs the first time, and on the second Conor Daly intervened to block the shot to the empty net and keep their team in touching distance.

Rafferty had bagged a goal early in the half, the Armagh native netted following a move that was started by Cian Sheehan.  John O’Brien punished McAnespies with a second goal after a mis-hit short kickout and blasted the ball off the inside of the post.  The teams were a match in the points column; the Gaels had Ronan Kennedy on the mark, while for McAnespies it was Kevin McKernan.  Stephen Attride, Conor Daly, and Dessie Ward chipped in with a point each, though in the latter stages of the half McAnespies missed some opportunities to close the gaps with a handful of chances wide of the posts.  2-6 to 0-6 at the half in the Gaels favour.

Despite a lot of hard work Aidan McAnespies could not break down the Gaels defence.

The Gaels were forced to work hard in defence in the second half.  It was do or die for McAnespies and the northerners pushed hard from the restart to try and open up the Gaels rearguard but could not find any space in which to operate.  The Connemara men hassled and harried and kept their opponents at bay.  With that, the Gaels struck with a third goal against the run of play, again from Rafferty. 

McAnespies built up some momentum and were putting plenty of pressure on the Gaels defence.  The northerners closed the gap by two points after JP Gallagher and Conor Daly pointed, but with 7 points standing between the teams, a goal was really needed at that stage to make the game interesting.  Rafferty was still the main outlet for the Gaels and broke the McAnespies pressure with a well taken point, and shortly afterwards completed his hat trick after turning McAnespies defence inside out.  It was a very good performance from the Gaels, and sets the westerners up well for next week’s semi-final with table toppers, Wolfe Tones.

Gaels: E. Connolly, L. Cullen, J. Wyndham, J. O’Shea, D. Larkin, S. Conneely, F. Cooney, R. Hyde, C. Sheehan, R. Caffrey, J. O’Brien, R. Rafferty, R. Kennedy.

Macs: R. McCrystal, J. Allen, M. Boyle, C. Daly, P. Holloway, R. Reynolds, S. Daly, D. Ward, P. Daly, K. Mckernan, S. Attride, S. Gillespie, A. Forde.

By Rory O'Donnell

Aug 14 - Senior Hurling: Tipperary v Fr. Tom Burke's

Fr. Tom Burke’s 1-13 Tipperary 2-16

The senior hurling match on Sunday afternoon served as a preview of next week’s semi-final, with Fr. Tom’s and Tipp wanting to see all of their players safely through to next week.  Two first half goals had Tipp in a 5 point half time lead, and Toms had pegged them back early in the second only to see a barrage of Tipperary points give them the win.

Although there was nothing at stake,
the game was played at a competitive clip.

The first half saw Tipperary go into the break carrying a 5 point lead.  Eoin Moriarty netted on two occasions to provide the Premier men with the cushion.  There was some impressive point taking from each side.  Shane Howley put a brilliant effort from out on the wing over about half way through, while Tommy Heffernan was on the mark for Tipp with some excellent scores. 

Tom’s got right back into the game in the second half.  Robbie Henley showed well at corner forward for a goal, while Alex Hogan pointed twice to level matters.   Tipp extended their lead however with a flurry of points from Heffernan and Mike Carey to see themselves to the win. 

Alex Hogan lines up a shot for Tom's.

Next week the stakes are higher with the winner advancing to meet Galway in the final, and by the looks of things it will be all to play for.  All three of the remaining teams are evenly matched.  Tipp will be looking to corner forwards Eoin Moriarty and Tommy Heffernan for production, while Toms will be hoping that Alex Morey and Robbie Henely are on form.  It promises to be an exciting game and will come down to the side that wants it the most.

Tipp:  J. Maher, S. McGarr, B. Troy, S. Nally, A. Ryan, M. Kavanagh, C. Ryan, P. Ryan, B. Nash, J. Bergin, C. Lynch, E. Moriarty, T. Heffernan.

Tom’s:  O.  Webb Rourke, S. Kilduff, G. Forde, S. Riordan, K. Kennedy, C. Forde, L. Lyons, P. Whelan, S. Howley, A. Hogan, A. Morey, A. Moore, R. Henley.

By Rory O'Donnell

Aug 14 - Senior Hurling: Galway v Wexford

Galway 4-20 Wexford 2-10

Galway locked up the bye into the senior hurling final with a double scores win over Wexford on a hot Sunday afternoon at the ICC in Canton.  The game had the air of a formality, although Wexford had an outside chance of forcing a playoff if the result later in the day went their way.  Although Galway were without star forward Jamie Coughlin who returned to Ireland, the outcome was in no doubt by the first half water break.

Wexford's season came to and end last Sunday after facing an on song Galway side.

The Tribesmen showed no mercy.  There was 2-6 on the scoreboard before Wexford got out of the starting blocks.  Darragh Murray, Pa White, and Dan Lorden picked off the points, while the net billowed with shots from Murray and Kevin Kenny.  Paul O’Connor put Wexford’s first over the bar, but it was slim pickings at that end for the Slaneysiders.  Galway defenders were alert to everything, and once the ball got into the hands of the forwards it was a case of picking off the scores at leisure.  A third goal went in before half time, at the break it was a 3-12 to 0-3 difference.

Pa White shoots as Ed Spruhan readies for the save.

The second half was pretty much an exercise in seeing out the fixture.  Ed Spruhan made some good saves in goal for Wexford and Jamie Kehoe fired a few points over the bar.  Wexford made it respectable with a pair of late goals, and Galway played it out in the knowledge that next weekend will be a chance to rest up and prepare for the final where the Brighton team will meet Tipperary or Fr. Tom’s.

Galway:  J. Loftus, P. O’Dwyer, C. Daly, D. Lorden, M. Ellis, H. Lawlor, R. Fitzpatrick, N. Mullins, K. Kenny, P. O’Leary, D. Murray, C. Cooney, P. White. 

Wexford:  E. Goff, D. Guinan, J. McCarthy, R. Sludds, D. Brennan, T. Moloney, J. Kehoe, P. Guinan, D. Swetland, K. O’Dea, S. Quigley, P. O’Connor, K. Smith.

Sunday Aug 14 - Junior A Football: Wolfe Tones v Shannon Blues

Wolfe Tones 4-18 Shannon Blues 1-7

Wolfe Tones kept themselves in contention to defend their junior A football crown with a convincing victory over a lack lustre Shannon Blues.  The Game was pretty much done and dusted with 20 minutes played.  The Tones had tallied 3-8 before the Blues mustered a score.

The Tones were clearly playing for survival as a win would force at least a mid-week playoff game for fourth place, and depending on the draw might even see them straight into the semis the next weekend.  The Tones could afford the take the foot off the gas probably a little sooner then they anticipated.  Aaron Molloy netted early, and soon after the man from Oram County Monaghan added a second before 15 minutes had expired.  Gavin Walsh added a third with a neat finish with 20 minutes gone.  The forwards were on song, with Cormac Joyce-Power on full throttle at center forward, while Sean Kelly added a couple of points to the Tones tally.

The Blues came into the game as half time approached, a couple of Pat Murray frees got them off the mark and Pat Moriarty showed a corner forward for two from play.  At the half it was as good as over with the Tones in a 3-10 to 0-4 lead.

The second half was more of the same. Joyce-Power netted a fourth goal and the talk was then about mid-week playoff scenarios.  The Blues made some chances to raise their tally, however, the Tones defenders were not in the mood for letting anything anything past.  Pauric Miskell even saved a penalty from Pat Murray, but the Weymouth native rattled the net to add some respectability to the scoreboard.  

The result put three teams on 8 points for the last 2 semi-final places; and as fate would have it, these two play again Wednesday night for the final spot and date with the Connemara Gaels.

Tones: P. Miskell, A. Rooney, K. Gill, K. O’Regan, P. Collins, B. McShea, N. Mullen, G. Walsh, C. Joyce-Power, A. Moore, A. Molloy, S. Kelly.  

Blues:   M. Moriarty, M. Keegan, D. O’Brien, S. Eustace, J. Craig, B. Fannon, P. Murray, J. Young, P. Duffy, C. Mullen, D. Kenny, P. Moriarty, A. St. Barnard.

By Rory O'Donnell

Saturday August 13 - Junior A Hurling: Galway v Tipperary

Galway 4-17 Tipperary 0-12

Galway and Tipperary took the field with placings at stake, both teams were already booked into the semi-finals for next weekend.  The Tribesmen ended up with the win a joint top placing in the table with Offaly on the back of three timely goals that pegged Tipp back just as the Premier side were making a run.

Galway Junior Hurlers looked good on Saturday.

Galway got off to the better start and opened with four unanswered points, a couple of John Moylan frees sandwiched between scores from Steven Dineen and Padraig Landers.  Sean Delaney got Tipp off the mark with a Sean Delaney point, but Galway’s half back line did a good job of sweeping up the balls into the Tipp forward line.  Even Tipp marksman Peter O’Keefe was a little out of tune and the first three shots drifted wide far post.  Leading by a score of 0-7 to 0-2 Galway hit with a goal from a very well placed Moylan shot.

Tipp started hitting O’Keefe in the corner with regularity and the speedy corner forward hit four points, forcing Galway to make an adjustment in the back line.  Tommy McGovern at center back for Galway snuffed out several Tipp threats and Galway finished the half with two points to lead 1-10 to 0-6.

Tipperary juniors have their work cut out to beat Galway in next Saturday's semi-final.

Just when Tipperary looked like they were making a comeback, Galway hit with a second goal.  O’Keefe had pointed another four unanswered and the gap between the teams, which had stood at nine points, was down to five.  Cue Moylan, a run at the goal and a shot billowed the opposite side of the net.  Galway back in command.

Tipp had a couple of half chances to pull back a goal, but on each occasion the ball rolled past the wrong side of the post.  Galway lost midfielder Padraig Landers with what looked like a hand injury, and will be hoping for a return for next week’s semi-final.  With his name written on the card to make way for a substitute, JJ Doyle fetched a high ball into the box and booted a fourth Galway goal.  A good win for Galway in advance of next week’s semi-final where the draw pits the two sides against each other again, only this time with a place in the final at stake.   

Galway:  R. Grealish, M. Lennon, J. Loftus, C. Clifford, T. McGovern, J. Kinsella, G. Walsh, P. Landers, B. McGowan, J. Moylan, S. Dinneen, JJ Doyle, E. Daniels. 

Tipp:  M. McGrath, S. Sinnott, D. O’Brien, P. Moriarty, C. Madden, D. O’Donovan, S. Fortune, K. Kavanagh, M. Kavanagh, M. Moriarty, S. Delaney, D. Larkin, P. O’Keefe.

By Rory O'Donnell