February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Connie Kelly
McAnespies 1-12, Donegal 1-9
McAnespies set the early pace with a long ball by Phillip Loughran bouncing in front of the Donegal goalie and hopping over the bar for the first point of the game. A minute later, Meath senior Nigel Regan added another point from a free to put his side two up.
Donegal had Fermanagh sharpshooter Rory Gallagher on board for this tie and his accuracy and pace was of huge significance to the Ulster men. He kicked a great free midway through the half to open the Donegal account. Two minutes later, he added his second to level matters.
John Cadden regained the lead for McAnespies soon afterward with another fine point from play and for the next 15 minutes they dominated. Donegal goalie John Finnucane pulled off a great save before the interval to keep his side in the game, however the resultant 50 was converted by Loughran.
Rory Gallagher, Donegal’s best footballer, had another top-drawer point with 10 minutes still to play in the half to narrow the gap once again. Both defenses were on top for the next 10 minutes and scores were hard come by.
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John Cadden extended McAnespies lead with a lovely passing move from Nigel Regan while Rory Gallagher responded once again for Donegal with another free. Two further points from frees from Nigel Regan left his side in the driver’s seat, 0-7 to 0-4, at the changeover.
The second half was even with both teams scoring 1-5 apiece. The goals proved pivotal when they arrived. Phillip Loughran pounced with just four minutes remaining, but Donegal refused to buckle. When the Ulster men were rewarded a penalty with time running out, Man of the Match Rory Gallagher rifled a shot to the back of the McAnespies net. Donegal tried desperately to find the net again before the finish, but they couldn’t break down a resolute defense that was on top from the off.
Best for McAnespies: Nigel Regan, Philip Loughran, John Cadden, Ross Hainsworth and sub, Fergus McMahon.
Donegal: Colm and Hughie Campbell in the backs, Dara Doherty, Rory Gallagher and sub, Liam Donegan.
Shannon Blues 2-9, Notre Dame 0-11
The Blues struck early and often in this game and went in at the half ahead 2-4 to 0-0. David Burke of the Blues set up Liam Murphy to open their account and from there to the finish they dominated in every sector. Burke hit a lovely point a minute later to push his side further in front. A Gabe Jones point and a great goal from Dara Kennelly gave the Blues a six- point lead.
Ronan Murdock opened the Notre Dame’s account with a point from a free, then added two more in the half. However, his best efforts failed to rally a lethargic side that lacked force and focus. Seamus Landers and Kieran Walsh added one each for Notre Dame, but the killer blow came from the Blues late in the half when a three-man move by Kennelly and Flaherty ended in a Murphy goal, to leave the halftime score 2-4 to 0-5.
Notre Dame had a much better second half, scoring six points to the Blues’ five. But the damage was done with the first-half Blues goals.
Cork sink Fr. Tom Burkes easily
The senior hurling game at Canton on Sunday ended with a 10-point victory for Cork over Fr. Tom Burkes. It was one of those games where very little went right for Fr. Toms with some very near misses in the opening half. Dermot Fox in goal for the Toms pulled off some good saves with Cork. John Crowley hit a hat trick for Cork, two goals coming in the first half and one in the second. He had plenty of support from Ger Donovan and Robbie O’ Mahoney, while John Casey and Rory Rice cleared everything that came their way.
Fr. Toms may have their backs to the wall in the senior division, but their junior hurlers are in fine fettle. They destroyed Limerick at the weekend, 5-16 to 1-2.