Sun June 2 - Orla Benson Cup Final: Boston Shamrocks v Connacht Ladies

Connacht Ladies 0-5 Boston Shamrocks 3-17

Boston Shamrocks retained the Orla Benson Cup with an emphatic win to open the summer of competition between local the Ladies teams.  It was a dominating performance with the Shamrocks on top in all areas of the field.  The Shamrocks never let up for the hour and in the second half banged in some goals to embellish the score. 

Boston Shamrocks Captain Laura Kiernan presented with the 

Orla Benson Cup by Boston Northeast Chairman, Peter Murray.

The Shamrocks dominated the opening exchanges and held the Connaught Ladies inside their own half of the field for long spells over the first 30 minutes.  Sara Jane McDonald was the danger woman for the Shamrocks, and showed strength on the ball.  This was epitomized by a solo run that the Donegal native embarked on right after the Connacht Ladies had pointed twice on the trot.  McDonald made a mazy 40 yard run, beating several opponents, and then burying the ball into the net with just the keeper to beat.  Laura Kieran was also to the fore for the Shamrocks.  Kiernan tallied 3 points herself and showed a clean pair of heels on a number of occasions.

Connacht Ladies had to defend for long spells.  Getting the ball into the hands of full forward, Jane Ward, was key to their scoring chances.  Ward pointed from a free and center forward, Ciara Heffernan, added a second.  The scores stemmed a string of 6 Shamrocks points, but then came the goal from McDonald.

Another Orla Benson Cup for the Boston Shamrocks/

The second half started with a goal from the Shamrocks to really put a damper on any hopes of a comeback from the Connacht Ladies.  Ciara Murphy got goal to celebrate her birthday after netting from close range, after winning the ball on the edge of the square.

The Shamrocks continued to keep Connacht Ladies in the back foot with some quick passing and points were added by Shannon Kelly and Valerie Courtney.   It was a losing battle for Connacht as they tried to find a way out of their own half, but the Shamrocks were able to turn it over and get on the attack again.

Connacht Ladies:  Leann McColgan, Irene Greene, Catherine Cullen, Regina Brady, Ciara Forde, Shauneen McAleer, Stacey Gallagher, Aisling Kerr, Niamh Hynes, Joanne Kennedy, Ciara Heffernan, Liz Hunt, Katelyn Hegarty, Jane Ward, Colette Folan.

Boston Shamrocks:  Anne Marie McDonnell, Cathy McEleaney, Stacey Fuller, Allie D’Amico, Katie O’Sullivan, Caitlin Slattery, Erin Cody, Shannon Costello, Laura Kiernan, Ciara Mallon, Shannon Kelly, Sara Jane McDonald, Valerie Courtney, Lauren McGuigan, Ciara Murphy.

By Rory O'Donnell

May 18 2019 - Pat O'Brien Cup Final: Aidan McAnespies v Wolfe Tones

Pat O’Brien Cup Final

Aidan McAnespies made it three Pat O’Brien Cups on the trot with an impressive victory against the Wolfe Tones at the Irish Cultural Center in Canton, Mass Saturday evening.  Conditions were perfect as McAnespies set the Tones early, putting an impressive 10 points over the bar in the first half.  The second saw the Macs continue to maintain the pressure against a Tones team that, although they were missing a handful of key players, battled hard throughout.

Shane McKenna tackles Mike O'Brien as 

Eoin Gormley looks on.

Philip McCusker at corner forward pointed to open affairs, and was followed by Sean Cournane – who was a member of the 2011 McAnespies North American Championship team.   Paschal Connell, who was a force for the Tones throughout the game, got his side off the mark and was soon followed by Mike O’Brien.  The Tones were stuck on 2 points for lengthy period and McAnespies slowly widened the gap.  There was some great work in the McAnespie forward line and a combination of scores from play and accurate free taking from Robbie Smith saw the Macs lead open a 6 point lead. Before the half ended a Tones goal from Connell gave them hope entering the second period and it was a 0-10 to 1-2 Macs lead at the mid-point.

Declan Hughes, presented with the Pat O'Brien Cup 

by Boston Northeast Chairman, Peter Murray.

The Tones got within 4 points early in the second half as O’Brien popped over a couple, and Paul Clifford pointed from distance.  With some good work from Paudie Kenneally at corner back and Enda Cahill in the middle of the field there was a glimmer of an opportunity, however a McAnespies goal snuffed that out.  It was well worked with McAnespies finding the open men well.  Anthony Cournane found McCusker on the edge of the box, and the big man from Magherafelt did not miss.  McAnespies now found spaces in the Tones back line and another goal near the final whistle from Longford man, Smith, put the finishing touches on a third O’Brien Cup in as many years for McAnespies.

Tones:  Shane Hayes, Keith Gill, Paudie Kenneally, James Farrell, Paul Clifford, Patrick Collins, Enda Cahill, Paschal O’Connell, Mike O’Brien, Cathal Moriarty, Thomas Beckett, Oisin McCormack, Dan Kelleally.

Macs:  Robbie Croft, Conor Maunsell, Ronan Murphy, Shane McKenna, Declan Hughes, Anthony Cournane, Peter O’Connor, Gareth O’Neill, Conor Bogue, Seanie Cournane, Eoin Gormley, Philip McCusker, Robbie Smith.

By Rory O'Donnell

Saturday April 27 - Pat O'Brien Cup

Irish Cultural Center – Canton, Ma.

It was back at it for the first games of the Pat O’Brien Cup on a dry Saturday afternoon that held a chilly breeze.  In Group A, the Connemara Gaels defeated the Shannon Blues by double scores, while in Group B, Wolfe Tones kept their noses in front for the last 10 minutes to win by three points against Donegal.

Maurice Young (Blues) tackles Kevin Connolly (Gaels).

Gaels rattled off 5 points before the Blues, who will be entering a revamped Intermediate championship this year, got on the board.  Kevin Connolly, originally from the St. James club in Galway opened the scoring before Sean Conneeley put a couple of well taken free kicks over the bar.  Ryan Caffrey added another as the Gaels held the Blues in their own half for much of the opening period.  The Blues did manage a goal chance that Eoin Connolly saved well with his legs, David DeGea style.  Eventually Maurice Young got the Blues off the mark, but Paddy McGee responded with a nice score to make it a 0-7 to a point Gaels lead at the break.

The second half saw the Gaels bang in two goals, one from each corner forward, to put the outcome beyond doubt.  The first came from McGee who floated the ball over the keeper into the net, and the second not long before the final whistle from AJ Maguire who finished a great move.  Conneeley pointed again with the left foot, while Young pointed a couple more for the Blues who made a better fist of affairs in the second half.  A goal came after the Gaels defence was opened up, and it could have been a nervy end for the Connemara men had Connolly not saved again from close range.  In the end if was a 2-10 to 1-5 Gaels win.

Jack Lynch all over Yank Boyle.

Wolfe Tones looked well worth their victory over a battling Donegal side who lost Hugh Boyle to a pulled hamstring in the first half.  Boyle was a busy man at corner forward for Donegal but pulled up lame near the end of the first half.  No doubt, the Donegal men will be hoping for a return to fitness for their ace keeper before the championship begins.  Wolfe Tones had Ronan Jones and Paschal Connell working away in the middle of the field, and with Thomas Beckett up front held a 0-6 to 0-2 lead at the break.  Jones and Connell were also on the scoreboard, while Boyle accounted for Donegal’s points before his forced exit.

The second half saw the Tones add points through Beckett, Dan Kenneally and Jones and things seemed comfortable for the men in blue.  Donegal mounted a late surge, Nicky Kelly pointed twice as Donegal started to reduce the lead.  Jack O’Brien led the rally from the back line, but points from Jones ensured that there would be more than a score between the teams as time ran down.  Christy McLaughlin and Kelly pointed late, but time ran out on the northerners.  Wolfe Tones 0-9 Donegal 0-6.

The day was capped off with the challenge between Aidan McAnespies and Canadian visitors from Toronto.  Macs ended up on the winning end of the game.

By Rory O'Donnell

Philadelphia 2018 - North American Finals

The Greater Chester Valley Sports Complex was the venue for the 2018 USGAA Finals, hosted by the Philadelphia GAA.  Located about 30 miles west of downtown Philadelphia, the venue was second to none with playing surfaces that were in immaculate condition.  There were 5 fields in operation for 3 full days to host 110 teams competing in 19 different competitions.  Despite a wet and rainy Friday all games were played according to schedule on the first 2 days, setting the stage for some great finals on Sunday.

Cian Clifford Shoots

5 teams traveled to represent the Northeast division.  There were 3 finalists and one winner.  Galway lost out in the junior B football semi-final to a Dallas Fionn MacCumhaills team that was very good.  The Eventual winners of the competition were Donegal St. Patrick’s from Philadelphia who overcame a 6 point deficit in their semi-final to defeat Pittsburgh Celtics, and went on the win the cup.  Connacht Ladies also lost out in the semi-finals to a superb Chicago St. Bridget’s team that went on to win the championship in what may have been the best final of the weekend, beating the defending champion Charlotte James Connolly’s by a single point.

Cork made the final of the junior A football competition with a great one point win against Vancouver in the quarter final on Friday, and Saturday the rebels repeated the feat by defeating Charlotte James Connolly by the same margin.  The final was a different story however.  Setanta San Diego provided the opposition and from the beginning had Cork on the ropes and ran out convincing winners. 

It was a Testy Affair Between the Wolves and Milwaukee.

For the New Hampshire Wolves in the junior B hurling championship it was a high of coming back from 5 points down to defeat Milwaukee in a fiery semi-final on Saturday but the disappointment of defeat on Sunday.  The New Hampshire boys came up against a host team in Allentown and were very unlucky not claim the cup, losing out by 2 points with a final score of 1-8 to 2-7.

Tipperary won the senior hurling championship in fine style with a hard earned win against a good Vancouver team in the final.  The semi-final saw the Boston team pitted against San Francisco champions, Na Fianna.  The story on the street was that this game would effectively be the final.  Tipperary had to come back from being down late in the game to pull out a 1-17 to 1-19 win.  In the final it was far from a foregone conclusion.  Vancouver, who had former Wexford Boston players Tony Murphy and Yom in the side, pushed the Tipp lads all the way.  Cronan Dempsey was to the fore in a great performance in the final, and with Vancouver edging to within 2 points late in the game, Tipp stepped up with Dempsey clipping over a lovely point and Joe Coleman added a booming shot over the bar.  In the end Tipperary pulled away to win it by a 3-21 to 1-19 score.  In his speech after the game Dempsey mentioned that it was 14 years since Tipperary had won the North American senior hurling championship.  That year the finals were also held in Philadelphia, and it was Dempsey’s first season with Tipp where he was named the player of the tournament.

Tipperary Captain Cronan Dempsey with his second 

North American Senior Hurling Championship.

In other news, Darren O’Donovan won a set of Masita gear for his club after winning the Guinness Crossbar Challenge in hurling. 

The senior camogie winners were Cu Chulainn from San Francisco who won with a last puck of the game 60 yard free to prevent Liberty Gaels from taking 4 in a row.  Men’s senior football was Donegal St. Patrick’s who had an easy win in the final against Young Irelander’s/St. Brendan’s from San Francisco, while the Ladies senior football final went to the wire in the game of the weekend where St. Bridget’s from Chicago defeated Charlotte James Connolly’s in a tremendous game.

The Mid-Atlantic division are hosting the 2019 finals. 

By Rory O'Donnell

Sun Aug 26 - Senior Football Final: Wolfe Tones v Donegal

Wolfe Tones 1-12 Donegal 0-17

In front of a crowd of 2,000 or so, on a beautiful, sunny Sunday afternoon and with a light breeze blowing, Donegal answered questions that hung over this team in the season finale.  Despite having won their previous 5 games, performances were not entirely convincing.  Wolfe Tones had assembled a team that had a lethal set of forwards, and had a very balanced look about them.  As it turned out the Donegal defence put in a superb performance, limiting the vaunted Tones forwards to 13 hard earned scores.  At the other end of the field, Dermot Connolly turned it on and put on a display of passing and shooting that showed why he has, hands down, been the best footballer there is for that past several years.

Captains Jason Noctor and Mike O'Brien with referee David Hickey.

The game was probably the best, most exciting display of football on U.S. soil in recent years.  The scoring, defending, passing and fielding from each side was second to none and the ball moved from end to end with speed and skill.  The most there was between the sides was 4 points and lead changed hands five times over the course of the game as each team vied for the advantage.  Dermot Connolly pointed 12 of Donegal’s 17 points, with left foot or right, and evenly split from frees (many were earned himself) and play, it was the best performance of the summer from the St. Vincent’s man.  Derryman, Niall Keenan at corner back, was also in contention for a man of the match performance, and along with Liam Silke frustrated the Tones corner forwards for the hour.  Worthy of note was that in such a game, Jack Lynch and Paudie Kenneally, both home grown players who lined out in the Tones back line, each had excellent performances and looked right at home on a field laden with top tier footballers.  

The opening exchanges were tight and there was little to no room for either side to gain an opening.  It took the best part of 10 minutes to open the scoring.  Lee Carr got Donegal off the mark with a point from play, and for the Tones it was Aaron Elliott who answered.  Things opened up gradually as the minutes ticked by.  Jason Noctor had the unenviable task of marking Tones dangerman, Thomas O’Reilly.  O’Reilly finished the game with 4 points, all in the second half, but along with Neil McEneaney and Sean Doherty, the all home-based Donegal half back line performed well. 

Donegal Celebrate a Great Championship Victory.

The Tones tried to get their running game going, but each time it looked as though there could be breakthrough, Keenan or Silke were there at the last line to snuff out the danger.  Shane Carthy on another occasion tracked back to deny possession to Ronan Jones who would have had the goal at his mercy.  With the scores at 3 points each, Dermot Connolly clipped over a lovely point.  Connolly was on song, the passing, shooting and decision making of star player was impeccable.  Chris Sallier answered with a hard earned point for the Tones to restore parity.  Donegal gained an initiative in the latter stages of the half.  Ciaran McFaul, Connolly, and Carthy pointed one each, to a single score from Thomas Beckett, in the run in to the break to put Donegal in a 0-7 to 0-5 half time lead.

After Donegal extended their lead by 2 more points to the largest lead of the game, the first score a brilliant Connolly strike from out on the wing, the Tones needed a goal and they got it.  Beckett found Jones with in rare space with a cross field ball, and the Meath youngster gave Hugh Boyle no chance with the shot.  O’Reilly leveled it with a well taken point and it was game on again.  The intensity level never let up, and Donegal’s corner backs continued to play well to weather the Tones endeavors.  Dean Curran and James Dolan were introduced to try and get some change out of the Donegal defenders, and Beckett put the side ahead with another point.

The tension was palpable around the grounds in Canton as the teams could not be separated entering the final stretch, however big players step up and big moments, and so it was as Connolly turned up the heat.  Each time the Tones went up by one, Donegal answered through Connolly.  With the game entering the last 5 minutes Donegal pushed out a two point lead.  O’Reilly, who was the stand out player for the Tones, put his side up by one, but Oisin O’Neill leveled.  The score of the game, and the eventual winner, came from Connolly who dummied right and shot left from 40 yards and the ball sailed high and true between the posts.  McFaul made it a two point lead with the game in crunch time, and it felt like the scales had tipped towards Donegal.  Curran had a couple of chances to pull back a score, but the Derry man snatched at the opportunities.  O’Reilly did make it a one point game, but two from Connolly on the cusp of the whistle left the Tones needing a goal to force extra time.  Elliott pulled one back, but the final kickout was won by Donegal and with it the final whistle sounded. 

It was jubilation for Donegal, and for the Tones huge disappointment.  For the folks who showed up to see the game, it was a rare treat to see such a great game, and a master of it, in the flesh.

Tones:  Shane Hayes, Paudi Kenneally, Kevin Maguire, Eoin Buggie, Jack Lynch, James McEntee, Ronan Jones, Paddy Keenan, Mike O’Brien, Thomas O’Reilly, Aaron Elliott, Thomas beckett, Chris Sallier.  Subs used:  James Dolan, Dean Curran, Robbie Cunningham, Oisin Kelly.

Donegal:  Hugh Boyle, Niall Keenan, Liam Silke, Neil McEneaney, Jason Noctor, Sean Doherty, Shane Carthy, Brendan Murphy, Ciaran McFaul, Michael Carroll, Sean Donnelly, Diarmaid Connolly, Lee Carr.  Subs used:  Oisin O’Neill, Dylan Wall, Owen McHugh.

By Rory O'Donnell

Sun Aug 26 - Senior Hurling Final: Tipperary v Fr. Tom Burke's

Fr. Tom Burke’s 0-16 Tipperary 3-20

Tipperary captured the senior hurling title with a lot to spare, but the difference on the scoreboard was very unfair to a Tom’s team that came out to do battle, and were with the Tipp lads step for step, but for a couple of softly conceded goals that delivered severe blows to their efforts.  Tom’s matched Tipperary in almost every facet of the game, but sometimes a moment or two of brilliance can change the complexion of a game.  These moments came from Russell Quirke who netted unlikely goals late in the first half and early in the second to deliver double body blows to Tom’s.  Quirke ended up with a hat trick, but the first 2 were the key goals that made the difference.

Boston Senior Hurling Champions:  Tipperary

The opening 30 minutes were close run and played in almost perfect conditions for hurling.  There was a great atmosphere around the place, and hurling was crisp and clinical from both teams.  Each side showed some great hurling and there were some well taken scores.  Tom’s got a great performance from Dean Earls at corner back, who needed to be on his toes with the aforementioned Russell Quirke his assignment.  Quirke got away for a couple of points, and also for Tipp, Dean Coleman, Shane Bennett, and big Joe Coleman found the space between the uprights.  Joe Coleman almost netted, but a great save from Tom’s keeper Kevin Flynn denied the Wexfordman from 20 yards.

Tom’s got some good scores from Stiofan McMahon, Joyce-Power and Ali Dooey and kept Tipp reined in as the focus and concentration was there.  Dean Flood put in a good 30 minutes to keep the Tipp back line on their toes and also tallied a point.  With the teams tied at seven points each and half time fast approaching, Tipp net with a goal from nothing.  Quirke blocked down Tom’s keeper Kevin Flynn as he was delivering what appeared to be a routine clearance, and all of a sudden Tom’s were in a 3 point hole.  Tom’s stuck with it and kept the intensity level up, ending the half with a McMahon point to make it a 2 point half time difference, Tipperary 1-8 Tom’s 0-9.

The teams traded points to open the second half, one a brilliant one handed effort from Joyce-Power after fielding in the Tipp penalty area.  The score reduced the gap to a single point.  However, each time Tom’s appeared to have the opportunity to gain the edge, Tipp answered with a score of their own.  It was ding dong stuff to that point.  Quirke answered Joyce-Power’s score quickly, and Joe Coleman added another.  McMahon reduced the gap to 2 points again, but Tipp answered through James Maher. 

With the game reaching the critical final 15 minutes, Tipp hit with 2 goals.  Both came from Quirke who really stepped up a gear at corner forward in the second half.  The first was a 21 yard free.  Quirke went for the goal, and caught the men on the Tom’s line napping as the shot hit the back of the net and made it a 7 point game.  The second came soon afterwards and really put the outcome to bed after smashing the sliotar into the far corner. 

Tom’s had to all to do now with 3 goals in the difference.  Joe Coleman added another superb score from distance as Tipp were in full flow now with the cushion.  Tom’s managed to cut the gap with points from Flood and McMahon, but every ball into Quirke had danger written all over it.  Tipp finished the game with a flourish, and substitute Harry O’Connor put over a couple of nice points.  Tipperary follow last year’s Boston Northeast junior title with a senior, and now try to do the same in Philadelphia at the USGAA finals.

Tipp:  Evan Condon, Daragh Fanning, Sean McGarr, Kieran Bennett, Jerry O’Neill, John Kindregan, Paul Morris, Cronan Dempsey, Shane Bennett, Joe Coleman, James Maher, Russell Quirke, Dean Coleman.

Tom’s:  Kevin Flynn, Dean Earls, Vincent Doyle, Aaron Moore, Cormac Joyce-Power, Dylan Costello, Jason Costello, Seamue Higgins, Dean Flood, Shane Howley, John Buckley, Stiofan McMahon, Ali Dooey.

By Rory O'Donnell

SunAug 26 - Ladies Senior Football Final: Connacht Ladies v Boston Shamrocks

Connacht Ladies 0-17 Boston Shamrocks 0-4

Connacht Ladies claimed the Ladies Senior Football Championship with ease and never looked to be in trouble from the throw in to the game.  To their credit, although it was a losing battle, the Shamrocks kept up the fight to the end.  Six points in a row to open the game from the Connacht Ladies set the tone for rest of the hour.

The Connacht Ladies opened a 6 point lead over the first 15 minutes.  Maedbh McGleenan, Jane ward and Ciara Heffernan each pointed as the challengers were well on top in the early going.  Connacht were alert to everything, and the defenders were first to every ball into their territory.  

Captains Shauneen McAleer and Laura Kiernan 

shake hands, with referee Philip Kelly.

The Shamrocks eventually managed to get into the game and passed the ball around well.  Laura McKiernan was the catalyst for the Shamrocks as the Westmeath native carried forward on several occasions.  There were a handful of chances, however just one went between the posts from Niamh Harney after 20 minutes.  With the Shamrocks trying to pull themselves back into the game Connacht extended the lead by another 2 points   Triona Kelly was in good form in the middle of the field for Connacht, and the half back line of Catherine Boyle, Hazel Poff, and Stephanie Gunn were in control.  At the break it was a 10 point to 2 lead for the westerners.

Connacht got the second half off in the same vein as the first with 5 on the trot to pretty much put the affair beyond the reach of the Shamrocks.  The trio of McGleenan, Ward, and Heffernan were the driving force for the eventual winners.  The defending champions kept up the fight however.  Cathy McEleaney and Laura Kiernan were very involved, and there were always possibilities with Niamh Harney in possession. 

Shauneen McAleer with the Cup.

Shannon Costello pointed for the Shamrocks with 15 minutes left, but with Connacht sitting on a very comfortable cushion it was goals that would be required, and the Connacht defence were not about to let that happen.  Each side brought in the substitutes for the run in to the final whistle and Connacht saw out the game to claim the 2018 championship. 

Connacht:  Rachel O’Driscoll, Catherine Cullen, Shauneen McAleer, Jackie McDonagh, Catherine Boyle, Hazel Poff, Stephanie Gunn, Aoife Heffernan, Aisling Kerr, Ciara Heffernan, Meadbh McGleenan, Kim Cobbe, Colette Folan, Jane ward, Triona Kelly.

Shamrocks:  Erin Cody, Katie McGovern, Cathy McEleaney, Anne Marie McDonnell, Alice Grennan, Stacy Fuller, Realtin McElhinney, Laura Kiernan, Shannon Costello, Chloe Baker, Nicola Judge, Niamh Harney, Ciara Murphy, Katie McKay, Meghan O’Loughlin.

By Rory O'Donnell

Sunday Aug 26 - Junior A Football Final: Cork v Donegal

Cork 2-14 Donegal 1-5

Cork won their second Junior A championship in a row with a convincing victory over Donegal.  The rebels were clearly up for the game.  It was neck and neck at half time with just a point between the teams, however, in the second half Cork netted twice and dominated all over the field, while Donegal failed to register a score until the 25^th minute.

The Cork team hoist the Pat Callaghan Trophy.

Donegal got off to a great start with an Ashley Carr goal.  A Christy McLaughlin free dropped short and Carr was first react to the rebound and palm the ball home from the edge of the small square.  Cork answered with a Seamus Loftus point right away and played some very good football, but on occasion were wasteful and squandered several chances early on.  Eventually the rebels found some rhythm, and worked some good scores from corner forwards, Sean O’Donovan and Adam Ryan.

With the sides level Donegal regained the edge with Carr and McLaughlin frees, but Cork finished the half with four points on the trot to take the lead for the first time in the game.  Jack Lynch pointed once and O’Donovan, who was in great form, put the other 3 over the bar as Cork started to motor.  Eoghan McGettigan pulled one back for Donegal just before the half, and it was a 0-8 to 1-4 Cork lead at the break.

The Donegal Junior A Footballers.

Cork got the second half off to a great start.  Adam Kenny netted with a diving fist from close range after O’Donovan found him unmarked on the edge of the small square.  Cork with a 4 point advantage to get the second half going.  Cork added to the lead with points from Brendan Turley and O’Donovan and were very much were in the ascendancy, while Donegal made a couple of chances to keep in touch but did not take advantage.

A second Cork goal came a penalty after Adam Kenny was pulled down in the box and O’Donovan dispatched the kick well.  The game now slipped away from Donegal.  After Ryan pointed another it was a 10 point lead for Cork with 15 minutes to go.  Cork’s defence were on top of every ball into the danger zone and Donegal looked like a spent force that accepted the eventual outcome.  Cork cruised home in the end, and with the win it is off to Philly for the USGAA finals next weekend.

Cork:  Mark Farrelly, Mike Carolan, Stephen Lambert, Brendan Turley, Olan Murphy, Conor Jenkins, Jack Lynch, Cormac Clarke, Seamus Loftus, Adam Kenny, Emmet Smith, Adam Ryan, Sean O’Donovan.

Donegal:  Lee McCarron, Declan McBride, Gavin Reilly, Sean Winston, Darren Doherty, Aidan McLaughlin, Darren Grant, Mark Dunphy, Ciaran McDevitt, Rocky Ivers, Eoghan mcGettigan, Ashley Carr, Christy McLaughlin.

By Rory O'Donnell