Gaelicsportscast update with Denis O'Brien

I spoke with Denis this morning regarding the latest GAA developments in Boston.

http://www.gaelicsportscast.com/2013/05/21/499-quiet-before-storm-in-boston/

Boston Senior Football Championship Begins

By Rory O'Donnell 

The Boston senior football championship kicks off next Sunday, May 26.   The 2013 championship will feature eight teams, all of which will be in action on Sunday.  The playoff format remains the same as previous years with the top two teams into the semi-finals, and the next four in quarter final playoffs. 

First up are Aidan McAnespies  and the Connemara Gaels.  McAnespies, who won this year’s Pat O’Brien Cup, last won the championship in 2011, going unbeaten all season long.  Last season  McAnespies appeared dead and buried late in the year, but made a run to the semi-final where they lost out to the eventual winners, Shannon Blues.  The Gaels missed out on the playoffs in 2012 but will be hoping will be hoping for a good year, especially with some good additions to the home based ranks.  The Connemara men will be looking to go one better than they did in 2011 when McAnespies beat them in the championship final.  

The second game features Galway and Kerry, Boston’s two oldest clubs.  It has been a while since these clubs have seen Glory.  Kerry last won the championship in 1999 amid some controversy, and have struggled to emulate the glory days of the 1990s since then.  For Galway it has been even longer, Galway’s last senior football championship victory was in 1989.  Galway have knocked at the door the last two seasons, reaching the semi-finals.  This is an important game for both teams to get some early championship points. 

Shannon Blues: The 2012 Champions begin the defense next Sunday

Champions, Shannon Blues, start their defence of the championship against the Wolfe Tones.  After a couple of years of putting in a big effort, the Blues finally tasted glory last year and beat a highly fancied Donegal side in an epic final.   The Tones on the other hand have never contested a senior football final, though the Blue and Navy side have fielded teams full promise.  The Tones will be looking for a much improved performance since the disappointing outing in the Pat O’Brien Cup Final last weekend.   

The final game of the day involves Donegal and Christopher’s.   Donegal’s season ended in bitter disappointment last year, and the northerners will be looking to regroup.  Donegal pride themselves on being one of the signature clubs in town and an early win will settle the ship.   Since bursting on the scene at senior level in 2009 with an unexpected championship win, Christopher’s have the look of a club hungry to repeat that success.  Christopher's home based ranks have also been added to this year and they will be hoping for big things this season. 

While we are only getting off the mark, early season points are important and where the early season work pays off.  Lots of questions to be answered.  Will the Tones finally make the breakthrough?   Can Christopher’s taste glory once again?  Will it be Aidan McAnespies winning the championship for the seventh time in their eighteen year history?  Can Galway or Kerry restore the glory of past years?  Will Donegal make up for last year's disappointment?  The answers will begin to emerge on  Sunday! 

Macs Win the Pat O'Brien Cup in a Canter

Wolfe Tones 1-6 Aidan McAnespies 3-13

 

By Rory O'Donnell 

 

Aidan McAnespies Celebrate the Pat O'Brien Cup Victory

Aidan McAnespies re-captured the Pat O'Brien Cup from the Wolfe Tones with a fine display over the 60 minutes.  A great display from corner forward, Cian Tobin helped the Macs on their way.   Gareth O'Neill, Cronin Dempsey, Niall Gallen and Darryl Brolly also put in sterling performances for the northerners.  The Tones struggled to find any kind of flow to their game, while it was the opposite for McAnespies as they played some nice fluid football, found each other well, and looked the hungrier of the two teams. 

After a dream start to the game for the Tones, McAnespies took control of affairs and left their opponents in their wake.  Marty Kelly netted shortly after the throw in, but McAnespies answered with a point from Cian Tobin followed by a goal from corner forward, Darryl Brolly.  Cronin Dempsey and Gareth O'Neill controlled matters in the middle third of the field, while Kerry native, Cian Tobin proved to be a dangerman at corner forward.  Tobin accounted for six of McAnespies eight first half points, four were from frees as the Tones were forced into persistent fouling, and looked surprisingly sluggish throughout the half.  As the scoreboard kept ticking over nicely for McAnespies, the Tones searched for answers in the forward line but were instead left with a lot of questions.  At the break it was a handsome 1-8 to 1-1 lead for the red side of South Boston. 

The Tones tried to get the second half started on a better note than that in which the first ended, and succeeded in shaving two points off the deficit.  Mike O'Brien, Brilly, and Marty Kelly tried to generate some lift for their team and a close finish looked like a possibility for the first 10 minutes after the restart.  That all changed with one well played ball to the Tobin's corner, with the killer blow coming from Enda Hamill.  After fielding the cross field ball Tobin turned to make the opening for Hamill and the wing back slid the ball neatly between the legs of Tones keeper Cathal Hynes.  Gary Brilly answered with a fine point, however another three pointer from McAnespies put the matter to bed.  Aidan Lynch was fouled in the penalty area and put the spot kick away himself leaving no doubt as to the destination for the cup that night.  Just under two weeks before the championship and it is Aidan McAnespies making the noise early in the season. 

Tones: C. Hynes, C. Gartland, K. Gill, D. Maguire, B. McShea, M. O'Brien, C. Joyce-Power, J. Kelly, C. Carr, G. Brilly, M. Kelly, M. Farrell, D. McCabe.  Macs:  P. Coakley, M. Bogue, E. Delmar, N. Gallen, C. McClean, A. Lynch, A. Fearson, C. Dempsey, B. Smith, G. O'Neill, E. Hamill, D. Brolly, C. Tobin. 

Gaelicsportscast Podcast

Spoke with Denis O'Brien of Gaelicsportscast.com and updated him on developments on the Boston scene.

Click here to listen.

First Silverware of the Season up for Grabs on Sunday

Aidan McAnespies and Wolfe Tones meet in the Pat O'Brien Cup final which is scheduled for next Sunday, May 12. 

Each side has had a smooth path to the final game, with McAnespies having defeated Donegal and Galway along the way, while the Tones had easy wins over Cork and Christopher's to get there. 

It could be argued that the Tones, one of the better home based outfits in Boston, are favourites to retain the Cup.  The Tones beat Donegal in last year's final which was not played until the championship was well underway, but this year the final game will feature a vast majority of home based players.

With the likes of seasoned veterans Gary Brilly, Mike O'Brien, Collie Carr, and Marty Farrell, along with Cormac Joyce-Power in the lineup, the Tones have some inter-county experience on the field.  Added to the squad this year are Marty Kelly, Barry McShea, and Danny Egan who beef up an already impressive lineup.

Aidan McAnespies have had the upper hand over the rivals in recent years and driven by Gareth O'Neill, Marty Bogue, and Niall Gallen will be looking to continue that trend.  However, the Tones might have the horses to recapture the first trophy the season has to offer this year.  

Wolfe Tones Celebrate the 2012 Pat O'Brien Cup Victory

Boston Open Handball Tournament This Weekend

The Boston Open Handball Tournament takes place on Saturday and Sunday May 4 and 5 at the Boston Athletic Club in South Boston.  Semi-Finals and Finals take place on Sunday.  Young star Killian Carroll from Mallow will be participating, while Mike Snyder, Billy O'Donnell from New York, and Sam Kass from California are alos entered.  Local players John Sheppeck, Eamon O'Leary, and Peter O'Connor from Sligo will be flying the local flag.  Admission is free.

Young Star, Killian Carroll will be at the Boston Open
Tournament this Weekend.

Wolfe Tones and Galway into Pat O'Brien Cup Semis

Galway 1-11 Shannon Blues 1-10 (AET)

It was down to wire between Galway and the Blues
for the second week running.

It took extra time to separate Galway and Shannon Blues one week following their close encounter.  Once again it was tremendusly exciting affair.  The game was fast, the teams moved the ball well, and it followed a similar storyline to the previous one last weekend.  The Blues looked like they had the game in the back, only for Galway to rally late and this time, force extra time.  The winning score was again a free, this time from Kevin Cummins.

The Blues started brightly, Andy Glennon was again on the mark early.  Shane Cavanagh added a couple for the Blues, but Galway kept the game in hand with scores from Jamie Kehoe, Danny Reddin, and Cummins.  The Blues put some distance between themselves and their opponents with some good second half football.  The Blues attacked in waves and put the ball wide of the posts several time before finding the spot between the posts.  Cavanagh was again on the mark, and with time running out the Blues had a 4 point lead.  Galway put four in a row over the bar to tie it up.  Two free kicks from Cummins, one from play and a Kehoe point meant added time would be needed.

Each side goaled in the extra period.  Galway first through Reddin after some great work by Cummins and the Blues through Anton McDermott.  Cummins was the man again for the westerners with a point from a sideline and what proved to be the winner from a free kick about 40 yards out.  Galway advance to meet Aidan McAnespies in the semi-final which will be played Wednesday night at 5:30.

Wolfe Tones 0-11 Cork 0-1

It was back to earth for Cork when they met a strong Wolfe Tones side in the other quarter final one Sunday.  Cork conceded a lot in size and strength as the Tones did not mess around in putting the game away early.  At the break the Cup champions held the rebels scoreless while running up an eight point tally.  It was more of the same in the second period.  Cork managed a Mike Moynihan free, while the Tones continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over with scores from Marty Farrell, Danny Egan, and Dan McCAbe.  The Tones meet Christopher's at 2:00 next Sunday in the semi-final.

Schedule:

Wednesday May 1

Pat O'Brien Cup Semi-Final:  5:30 Aidan McAnespies v Galway

Sunday May 5

Pat O'Brien Cup Semi-Final:  2:00 Christopher's v Wolfe Tones

Sheehan Cup:  3:00 Tipperary v Fr. Tom Burke's

Galway, Christopher's, and Cork Advance in the Pat O'Brien Cup

Shannon Blues 0-6 Galway 2-1

The Galway Footballers Struck Late to Advance over Shannon Blues

Shannon Blues were pipped in the last minute by a dogged Galway team that looked to have little hope with time running out in the contest.  The Blues looked strong in the first half and pointed through Andy Glennon, Shane Kavanagh, and James Feeney.  Playing tight at the back, the Blues offered Galway few scoring opportunities, and those that the Tribesmen managed to work proved fruitless. 

Shannon Blues with the Number 8 Jersey in Honour of Ciaran Maher

Galway lifted their efforts in the second period and gaps began to appear in the Blues rearguard.  Jamie Kehoe fired a warning shot off the post from inside the box, and shortly afterwards Eoghan Kavanagh fielded a ball from JJ Doyle and fired home from close range.  It was the turn of Martin O'Connell to rally to the Galway cause with a diving fingertip save from Shane Kavanagh after Glennon had pointed to give the Blues a three point lead.  Simon Sinnott saved well from Kevin Cummins at the other end, but the leveler came from Danny Reddin as Galway's nimble forwards engineered openings.  A last minute free that Doyle popped over proved the winning score.  Galway advance to the quarter finals, while the Blues meet the Gaels in the back door game Wednesday night.

Christopher's 2-7 Donegal 1-5

Christopher's pulled off an eyebrow raising win in their opening game of the season.  Fielding a side that featured Gervase Toner, Ian Foley, Pat Delaney, the 3 Kenneally's, Chris Murphy, and Murt Hunt, Christopher's looked the fitter of the two teams and led from start to end.  The first half saw Toner lively at corner forward.  The Armagh native accouted for a brace of points and the lay off the Pat Delaney for the first goal.  Donegal eventually got into the game and scores came from Christy Bell, Paul Boyce, and Pauric McLaughlin.

Holding a 1-3 to 0-4 lead to get the second half going, the winners pressed home.  Delaney fed off Toner once again for the second goal while Donegal sputtered.  A late goal from Boyce proved some consolation, but Donegal's participation in the competition ended with the final whistle.

Cork 1-6 Kerry 0-3

Cork maintained their interest in the competition with a 1-6 to 0-3 "back door" win over Kerry.

An early Mike Moynihan goal set Cork on their way, and further points from the goalscorer, Lar Barden, Colm Caffrey and John Crowley (2) left them 1-5 to 0-1 ahead at the break.

Kerry enjoyed greater possession in the second half and added points through David Clifford and Ian Whelan. However, another point from Barden helped ease the Rebels to a six-point success.

Pat O'Brien Cup Schedule

Wednesday April 24

5:30 Shannon Blues v Connemara Gaels

Sunday April 28 - Quarter Finals*

2:00 Cork v Wolfe Tones

3:00 Galway v Winners of Shannon Blues/Connemara Gaels

*Christopher's and Aidan McAnespies get bye to semi-finals