Sat Aug 18 - Junior B Football Final: Galway v Donegal

Galway 2-12 Donegal 1-6

Galway captured the Junior B Football Championship amid atrocious conditions at the Irish Cultural Center on Saturday afternoon.  It was not a day for hopping the ball and footing was shaky to say the least.  In spite of the conditions the players coped well for the most part and those in attendance were treated to a well contested game of football.  Leading by 2 points at the break, Galway made a late surge to hammer the win home and give the Brighton club something to take from the 2018 season.

John Farrell presents Galway Captain, Tom Davey, 

with the Junior B Football Trophy

At one point in the opening half Galway led by a seven points and looked to have matters well under control.  The tribesmen were quicker to the loose ball, and there were plenty of them in the greasy conditions, found their men well, and had Niall Manning in form at center forward.  Manning pointed Galway’s first 2 points, and corner forward Cormac Kelly another before Kevin Cummins nicked over from a tight angle and then hammered home a goal. 

Pat McLaughlin had the lone score for the northerners, and apart from a couple of wides, Donegal were very much on the back foot –until McLaughlin struck with an unlikely goal.  A long range effort from a free slipped through the keeper’s hands and just under the crossbar, and Donegal were a transformed side after the score.  McLaughlin pointed again and Nicky Kelly put a third over the bar to make it a 2 point game at the half with Donegal having new found life to their game.

Galway really needed a score after the restart to reassert themselves, but it was McLaughlin with a score to narrow the gap to a point.  Galway were denied a sure goal by an amazing triple save from Noel McDermott.  First Manning’s shot was saved, then a superb dive kept out Kevin Cummins shot off the rebound, and a third effort was also stopped in a heart stopping sequence.  Galway however did get themselves on top again. 

Captain Tom Davey and Paul Cummins performed well in the back line, and with Galway again finding their rhythm the points began to flow once more.  Four in a row from Cummins and Manning put Galway up by 5, but Donegal were not done and kept battling.  The gap was narrowed to a single score following two McLaughlin points on the trot, but Galway had a strong finish in them.  Tom Maloney pointed after coming on for the injured Eoghan Kavanagh, and soon afterwards a brilliant finish from Leon Kelly into the far corner of the net put the affair beyond question.  Manning put another brilliant effort over the bar and the Galway line began the celebrations in the rain.  It was a convincing win in the end and for Galway Football a great win to finish off the season. 

Galway:  Colin Melody, Tom Davey, Danny Burke, Peter Bannon, Paul Cummins, Mark Cahill, Leon Kelly, Eoghan Kavanagh, Kieran Keegan, JJ O’Neill, Niall Manning, Kevin Cummins, Cormac Kelly.  Subs: Shane Lohan, Ryan Gary, Kevin Healy, Tom Maloney, Sean Whelan, Seamus Gallagher.

Donegal:  Noel McDermott, Shane McDaid, Michael McBride, Liam Sage, Denis O’Rourke, Dylan Costello, Mark Dunphy, Johnny Byrne, Diarmuid Moyne, Pat McLaughlin, Sean Winston, Philip Brennan, Michael McGinty.  Subs:  Lochlainn Byrne, John Doogan, Ciaran Mc Devitt, Ronan Shovlin, Cian O’Brien, Hugh Devine.

By Rory O'Donnell

Playoff Weekend at the Irish Cultural Center

Senior football semi-finals this Sunday with Aidan McAnespies and Donegal meeting in one game and the Shannon Blues playing the Wolfe Tones.

Tones v Blues: Sunday Aug 19, 3:00

It was close between the Blues and Tones 

earlier this season.

The Tones and Blues met earlier in July and the Tones just about defeated their opponents with 2 points to spare.  Going into this game it will be the Tones favoured to advance to the final.  Although less than convincing in their last outing, the Tones have plenty of talent to call upon. Ronan Jones and James McEntee, both players who will feature with Meath in the near future, along with Westmeath’s James Dolan.  Youth program product, Jack Lynch, is fitting in nicely in the half back line and Chris Sallier at corner forward capable of making a score out of nothing.  Dean Curran brings pace to the attack and will be hard to contain for the Blues.  The Blues will be looking to neutralize the Tones attack, Tipperary man Brian Fanning is likely to get the Curran assignment.  The North American and Boston defending Champions, the Shannon Blues are a club with a never say die attitude and will need to bring it Sunday.  St. Mary’s man, Paul O’Donoghue, brings class to team, while veteran campaigners Dennis McElligott, Darren Wallace, and Darragh Roche up front will be sure to cause problems for the Tones.  Jerry Troy would surely hope to put one over on his former team, while American Born Blues men Conor Fitzgerald and Maurice Young have been here before.  A betting man might have the Tones shading it by a score.

Aidan McAnespies v Donegal: Sunday Aug 19, 4:30

Brendan Murphy - A Big Addition for Donegal.

Donegal are heavy favourites, not only in this game but also to go the whole way.  Anything less than a Donegal win would be a huge upset.  The northerners have built a team of heavy hitters with Liam Silke of Corofin fame, Oisin O’Neill from Crossmaglen, and Donegal’s Michael Carroll were joined at the end of June by St. Vincents men, Shane Carthy and Dermot Connolly, and Carlow’s Brendan Murphy.  Of the big names, it has been Carthy who has shone the brightest in Canton.  The New York born All Ireland winner has been a key cog in the Donegal machine since arriving.  Oddly enough, another key player has been goalkeeper Hugh “Yank” Boyle.  This season the Donegal keeper has made countless key saves to keep opposing teams at bay.  Donegal suffered the loss of key home based payer, Brian Donnelly to injury and will be looking to his brother Sean, Kieran McDevitt, and captain, Jason Noctor at the back to keep McAnespies from getting a foothold in the game.  McAnespies find themselves in the same position as last year, looking to beat the favourites to make the final.  On the home based front McAnespies are one of the stronger sides with Che O’Donnell, Paul Clifford, Seamie Breslin, and Eoin Delmer in the ranks.  McAnespies are coming off a playoff win, the first Boston team this year to advance in a senior football knockout game, and will have their work cut out to knock off this Donegal team.  With speed from Eric Finn and Rob Piggott on the wings, McAnespies will have to keep Donegal retreating and put pressure on the back line for the 60 minutes.  Can the Macs replicate the heroics of last season?  On paper you would say hopes are slim, but games are won and lost on the field. 

There is plenty of playoff action on the junior front.  Saturday sees the second championship final of the year with Donegal and Galway battling it out for the junior B title.  Galway topped the table with just one hiccup, a loss to Donegal.  Donegal were only 2 points behind in the table and this is sure to be a game between two evenly matched teams.  The game is at 4:15 on the back field on Saturday.  

Also on Saturday we see teams traveling from either end of the region to meet in the junior C hurling semi-final.  Providence and the NH Wolves from Concord NH will meet at the ICC at 3:00 Saturday to decide who will meet Worcester in the final the following week.  There are also 2 junior A football semi-finals with Cork and McAnespies playing Saturday at 5:30, and Donegal meeting Christopher’s on Sunday at 1:30 on Sunday.  Cork topped the table and are the defending champions, but Christopher’s and Donegal were hot on their heels all season.   

Sat Aug 18

3:00 Junior C Hurling Semi-Final:  NH Wolves v Providence

4:15 Junior B Football Final:  Galway v Donegal

5:30 Junior A Football Semi-Final:  Aidan McAnespies v Cork

Sun Aug19

1:30 Junior A Football Semi-Final:  Christopher’s v Donegal

3:00 Senior Football Semi-Final:  Wolfe Tones v Shannon Blues

4:30 Senior Football Semi-Final:  Donegal v Aidan McAnespies

Boston Northeast GAA Playoff Picture Clears

By Rory  O'Donnell
The weather did not make it easy and conditions were soggy on Saturday and Sunday, but with playoffs starting and not time to lose, games had to be played.  There were 2 junior B semi-finals decided at the weekend.  Galway defeated the Connemara Gaels 3-12 to 1-10 on Saturday afternoon and on Sunday Donegal defeated Cork by 1-8 to 2-3.  It sets up a junior B final with Galway meeting Donegal.
In junior C hurling Portland and Providence met in a playoff to decide who would meet New Hampshire Wolves in the semi-final next weekend, it was Providence by a point, 3-10 to 3-9, and Portland just missed a last minute equalizing opportunity. 
In senior football the big result was the Wolfe Tones defeating the Connemara Gaels in atrocious conditions by 6 points.  There were goals galore as the Tones put 4 past Eoin Connolly, and the Gaels banged in a couple of late ones to make it a 4-12 to 3-9 score.  With the Shannon Blues defeating the Gaels it sets up a mid-week playoff between the Gaels and Macs to see who will advance to the semi-final next weekend.  The Blues defeated Galway by a 0-18 to 1-10 score and will play the Wolfe Tones next Sunday one semi-final.

The Connacht Ladies delivered a heavy defeat to the Boston Shamrocks, 3-9 to 1-2 to see the final game of the series leaving the Shamrocks needing to win.  A Connacht ladies win or a tie will result in the Cup going to the westerners, while the Shamrocks will be looking to force extra time with a win. 
In hurling Wexford beat Offaly and as a result the teams will meet in a playoff to see who goes to the junior final as the teams finished in joint 4^th place.  So, a lot of mid week and weekend action to look forward to!
Boston GAA Results 
Junior C Hurling Playoff
Portland 3-9 Providence 3-10
Junior B Football Semi-Finals
Galway 3-12 Connemara Gaels 1-10
Cork 2-3 Donegal 1-8
Senior Football
Wolfe Tones 4-12 Connemara Gaels 1-9
Galway 1-10 Shannon Blues 0-18
Senior Hurling
Offaly 6-6 Wexford 3-17
Ladies Senior Football
Connacht Ladies 3-9 Boston Shamrocks 1-2
Schedule
Wed Aug 15
5:00 Senior Football Playoff:  Connemara Gaels v Aidan McAnespies

Thursday Aug 16 
5:00 Senior Hurling Semi-final:  Galway v Fr Tom Burke’s
Sat Aug 18
3:00 Junior C Hurling Semi-Final:  NH Wolves v Providence
4:15 Junior B Football Final:  Galway v Donegal
5:30 Junior A Football Semi-Final:  Aidan MCAnespies v Cork
Sun Aug19
1:30 Junior A Football Semi-Final:  Christopher’s v Donegal
3:00 Senior Football Semi-Final:  Wolfe Tones v Shannon Blues
4:30 Senior Football Semi-Final:  Donegal v Gaels/Macs Playoff winner

Sunday July 29 - Senior Football: Wolfe Tones v Donegal

Donegal 3-11 Wolfe Tones 2-11

The Tones and Donegal kept the powder dry for this encounter, leaving some of their big guns on the bench.  Dermot Connolly and Brendan Murphy did not see any action for Donegal, and likewise for James Dolan and James McEntee for the Tones.  It was a game that the Tones were always chasing, but it was a man of the match performance in goal by Hugh Yank Boyle that delivered the goods for Donegal in the end.

Mike O'Brien makes a burst forward.

Donegal got off to the better start, picking off 5 points before the Tones got on the board.  Conor Small, Oisin O’Neill, Shane Carthy and Michael Carroll were on the mark as Donegal had control of affairs early on.  The Tones eventually got into the game, Ronan Jones and Dean Curran pointed, however, Donegal hit with a well worked goal from Neil McEnaeney.  The Tones got the goal back through Chris Sallier after he was played in with a nice ball from Aaron Elliott.

With Donegal still ahead on the scoreboard the Tones enjoyed the better of things for the last 15 minutes of the half and could have had a couple more  goals.  Donegal had Hugh Boyle to thank for getting down bravely to save from Curran and then later got a hand to a shot from Jones to put the ball out for a 45.  Carroll pointed for Donegal before the break and Jones chipped over a free and at the break it was 2 point Donegal lead, 1-6 to 1-4.

Kieran McDevitt on the ball for Donegal.

The second half saw Donegal build a sizeable lead with 2 goals from substitute, Tiernan Flanagan, after opening the second period with 4 unanswered points.  Donegal were motoring with Carthy and Carroll full of running in the middle of the field.  The Tones, however, dug in their heels and some good tackling saw them win back several balls to convert into points.  Sallier and Jones whet the appetite, and the introduction of Leitrim native, Robbie Cunningham, gave them some punch up front.

Cunningham netted and it was the Tones turn to go on a mini run, pointing 4 times to one for Donegal with the last 5 minutes approaching.  There was just a goal in it after Jones pointed, but it could easily have been the Tones with the advantage in the run in; Boyle saved well on a couple of occasions from point blank range and has proven himself to be an invaluable asset to Donegal this season.  Time ran out on the Tones and the win for Donegal puts them alone in pole position atop the table.  Will it be these 2 teams in the final?  Plenty to be decided yet.

Donegal:  Hugh Boyle, Liam Silke, Niall Keenan, Sean Doherty, Jason Noctor, Neil McEnaney, Shane Carthy, Michael Carroll, Conor Small, Jason Leonard, Sean Donnelly, Ciaran McDevitt, Oisin O’Neill.

Tones:  Shane Hayes, Eoin Buggie, Keith Gill, Oisin Kelly, Kevin Maguire, Jack Lynch, Aaron Elliott, Ronan Jones, Mike O’Brien, Thomas Reilly, Dean Curran, Chris Sallier, Sean Moore.

By Rory O'Donnell

Sunday July 29 - Senior Football: Aidan McAnespies v Galway

Aidan McAnespies 6-19 Galway 2-10

Aidan McAnespies kept their championship hopes alive with a win over Galway.  It was a game that was more of a workout for McAnespies given that there was nothing in it for Galway, and McAnespies made the most of the game time.  Although out of the running, Galway played well in spells, but never looked like causing any sort of a surprise result. 

Che O'Donnell pops one over for McAnespies.

Galway tallied the first 2 points of the game, but thereafter it was McAnespies dictating affairs.  Johnny Lafferty at corner forward saw plenty of the ball and converted possession into scores.  A goal came from the boot of the man from Urney after Phil McCusker found him unmarked at the far post.  A slew of points followed, a couple of well taken efforts from Eamonn Fyffe and Che O’Donnell along with Lafferty’s efforts were followed by another goal from Fyffe.  It was a somewhat fortuitous score, a slightly mis-hit shot for a point ended up sneaking just inside the post.

Galway had their moments, Jamie Keogh stole in for a goal and Galway tallied several points, an Adam Gallagher point and scores from Cian McMonagle  put a more respectable appearance on the scoreboard.  McAnespies kept up the pressure, and a third goal before half time well and truly laid the matter to rest.  This one was from Danny McBride after a one-two with Fyffe left the big Strabane man with just the keeper to beat.  At the break it was a 3-11 to 1-7 McAnespies lead.

Eric Finn gets tied up by Paddy Naughton.

The second 30 minute period was a foregone conclusion as McAnespies brought in the subs early.  Fyffe and Seamus Breslin added a couple of goals within the first 10 minutes of the restart, and with the game in the bag McAnespies look forward to 2 weeks from now when they will be hoping the Wolfe Tones can defeat the Connemara Gaels, and there will be a playoff to decide the last semi-final place.

Macs:  Robert Croft, Caolan Harvey, Eoin Delmer, Rob Piggott, Daniel O’Neill, Seamus Breslin, Declan Hughes, Philip McCusker, Danny McBride, Che O’Donnell, Eric Finn, Johnny Lafferty, Eamonn Fyffe.

Galway: Jamie Kelly, Tom Davey, Daire Quinn, Greg Lundy, Declan Walsh, Ryan Forde, Paddy Naughton, Ray Conneeley, Sean Moriarty, Adam Gallagher, Christian Bannon, Jamie Kehoe, Cian McMonagle.

By Rory O'Donnell

Sunday July 29 - Senior Hurling: Tipperary v Fr. Tom Burke's

Fr. Tom Burke’s 2 -11 Tipperary 7-18

Tipperary look like odds on favourites for the senior hurling championship based on their display on Sunday where they handily defeated a Tom’s team that had beaten Galway the week before.  With players of the strength of Jerry O’Neill at center back and Joe Coleman at center forward, Tipp powered through Tom’s to put the game away before half time.

Fr. Tom's Jack Martyn turns.

The first half was a tight affair for about 20 minutes until Tipperary put away 2 goals in quick succession to establish a formidable 11 point lead.  Tom’s started well, and an early goal kept them in it.  After 15 minutes the sides were level, 1-4 for Tom’s to 0-7 for Tipp.  Tom’s goal came from Dwane Palmer, the Camross man had just the keeper to beat from 21 yards and made no mistake.

Tipperary took over however for the second 15 minutes of the opening period.  Joe Coleman put a free over from about the middle of the field, and from the Tom’s puckout Tipp won possession and Coleman was there to drive the ball into the far corner.  The goal was followed by a fantastic point from Kieran Bennett who displayed considerable skill to keep the ball on the run and put it over from a tight angle.  Tipperary then took over the game, putting the ball into the net 3 more times before the break. Dean Coleman made a great run to set up Russell Quirke for one, and for another Quirke cheekily lobbed the ball over the keeper into the far corner.  Tipp in total control at the half, 4-11 to 1-6.

Joe Coleman lines up a shot.

Two Tipp goals early in the second half served almost as a warning to Tom’s to not even think of attempting a comeback.  Coleman got both goals to rack up a hat trick of majors.  Tom’s introduced Vincent Doyle, Conor Freeman, and Seamie Higgins from the line and their efforts got somewhat of a lift.  Doyle and Freeman put a brace of points over between them, but Tipp powered on ahead with some skillful scores from Dean Coleman and Quirke, and a Joe Coleman penalty really rubbed in the salt.

Tom’s had a couple of chances to chances to bang in another goal or two, but Tipp keeper Evan Condon did well to keep the ball out on both occasions.  Not that it mattered in terms of championship placement, Tipperary have the bye into the final, while Tom’s and Galway will meet in the semi to decide the other finalist in 3 week’s time.

Tom’s:  Kevin Flynn, Craig Taylor, Dean Earls, Danny Burke, Michael Moloney, Dylan Costello, Dwane Palmer, Jason Costello, Shane Howley, Dean Flood, John Buckley, Ali Dooey, Jack Martyn.

Tipp:  Evan Condon, Daragh Fanning, Sean McGarr, John Kindregan, Jerry O’Neill, Kieran Bennett, Simon Kennedy, Sean Delaney, Shane Bennett, Joe Coleman, Stephen Lambert, Russell Quirke, Dean Coleman.

By Rory O'Donnell

Sunday July 29 - Senior Hurling: Offaly v Galway

Offaly 1-13 Galway 2-18

Galway came back from last week’s loss to Tom’s with a win over a game Offaly team who put in a great effort to turn the Tribe.  Offaly led early but Galway chipped away and late in the game goaled through Aidan Helebert to put the game beyond Offaly, who started to struggle a bit in the final quarter. 

Offaly's Seamus Loftus tries to gain possession.

The teams were tied at 1-8 each after 30 minutes.  Offaly played well at the back, and Jack Murray did well in the middle of the field, as did Cian Clifford at corner forward.  Offaly’s goal came courtesy of Clifford who got on the end of a high Jack Dunphy ball to reverse bat it into the Galway net.  Offaly points came from the usually reliable source of Niall Mannion, from play and the dead ball, while Jimmy Rigney and Dunphy also drove over some great long range scores.

Galway kept pace however, although the tribesmen trailed by 6 points at one stage they were not long pulling it back.  Jack Lyons at corner forward always looked dangerous.  At one point Gary Sherlok made a great close range save from Lyons, but about 5 minutes later Lyons had another chance and this time hit the back of the net.  Aidan Helebert was a little off early in the half, missing a handful of long range frees, but started to hit the mark as time wore on.  Oisin Donnellan clipped two nice efforts over the bar just before half time to make it a tie game at the break.

Offaly did well in the early going, but it was 

Galway who lasted the the 60 minutes.

With 15 minutes left Galway had edged into a 2 point lead.  Jack Lyons came into a deeper position, and at the back Trevor Lee did well.  One Galway score came from some good work at the back from Lee, and it ended with a Lyons point.  Center back Calum Lyons started to clean up a lot of loose ball into the Galway defence, and cleared well on several occasions to neutralize Offaly’s forays forward.

Offaly kept digging though, Emmet Moran worked hard at corner back, and a couple of half chances at goal presented themselves.  Clifford shot from an angle and John Coleman saved well and with 10 to go Jack Lynch had a half chance that went into the side netting.  Galway added to their lead and points from Helebert and John Moylan made it a two score game.  Mannion pulled one back but with the humid conditions taking their toll on players, scores were at a premium.  A Helebert goal with 5 minutes left sealed Offaly’s fate; 6 points looked like a mountain the way the game was going.  Galway bounce back following last week’s defeat to Tom’s, and Offaly just ran out of steam when the game was still in the balance.

Galway:  John Coleman, Trevor Lee, Cormac Dunphy, Brendan Furlong, Calum Lyons, Ryan Garry, Oisin Donnellan, Enda Feeney, Michael Moylan, Aidan Helebert, Adam Kenny, John Moylan, Jack Lyons.

Offaly:  Gary Sherlock, Emmet Moran, Thomas Quirke, Jack Murray, Seamus Loftus, Oisin McCormack, Chris McMahon, Jack Dunphy, Niall Mannion, James Rigney, Jack Lynch, Cillian Campbell, Cian Clifford.

By Rory O'Donnell

Sunday July 29 - Junior B Football: Galway v Seán Óg’s

Galway 4-11 Seán Óg’s 1-10

Galway came out winners in the end over a good challenge from Seán Óg’s on Sunday afternoon.  Seán Óg’s, the development team that just started this year, led at the break thanks to a Kieran O’Driscoll penalty.  O’Driscoll was fouled in the box, and took the penalty himself expertly low and into the bottom corner.  The goal put his side a point to the good.  Galway had pointed twice through Kevin Cummins, and one from mark King, and for Seán Óg’s  it was Eoin Gormley and Mike Moylan who pointed.

Galway topped the Junior B Football table with a win on Sunday.

With Dennis Harrington doing well in the back line, and Sean Winston farther forward, Seán Óg’s  were more than holding their own against one of the better sides in the competition.  O’Driscoll added a point to the lead, but Galway had the ace in the corner in Cummins, and two more came from his boot before half time.  Michael Kerr put a lovely effort from a tight angle over the bar before the half time whistle, and it was a 0-6 to 1-4 advantage for the youngsters.

Seán Óg’s have the hallmarks of a team that will be a force in the future.

Galway demonstrated their credentials in the competition and pushed it in the second half, and netted 4 times to clinch the win.  Right from the restart Cummins netted, but Seán Óg’s leveled it up within 10 minutes, and took a one point lead.  In the final quarter however, it was the Tribesmen who pushed hard and another Cummins goal was followed by 2 from Niall Manning.  The result gives Galway top seed in the semi-finals.  Other results meant that with 3 teams in joint third, lots had to be drawn.  Cork drew third place and will play Donegal in one semi-final.  Kerry and the Gaels must play off Tuesday, August 7 to see who will play Galway in the other semi-final.  

Galway:  Colin Melody, Seamus Gallagher, Kevin Healy, Mark King, Paul Cummins, Peter Dolan, Sean Whelan, Niall Manning, Kieran Keegan, JJ O’Neill, Cormac Kelly, William Edmonds, Kevin Cummins.

Seán Óg’s :  Cathal Conroy, Declan Harrington, Jack Kelly, Peter Bannon, Denis Harrington, Eoin Morissey, Mike Moylan, Stephen Joyce, Colm O’Malley, Sean Winston, Michael Kerr, Kieran O’Driscoll, Eoin Gormley.

By Rory O'Donnell