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Boston GAA McAnespies, Blues play to thrilling draw

February 16, 2011

By Staff Reporter

By Connie Kelly

Senior Football Semis

McAnespies 1-14, Shannon Blues 3-8

The game of the day ended in a draw. The Blues got off to a dream start, with a point by Dave Burke and a goal by Conor Conneely inside two minutes. Nigel Regan added two points from frees for McAnespies. Colin Keane and Cathal Golden extended the Blues’ lead but back came McAnespies with points by Darren Farmer (3) Conor McKeever (1) and Regan (1). Dave Burke would have the Blues up by one at the half 1-5 to 0-7.

Joe McNally had an open chance for a goal at the start of the second half but sent it wide. Ross Hainsworth tied it up after five minutes. Both teams traded points until the halfway mark when the Blues were awarded a penalty. Up to take the penalty was Clinton Hennessy, their goalie, and he sent an unstoppable shot to the back of the net. Conor Conneely added another point for the Blues. McNally, Farmer and McGill reduced the lead to just one point after 20 minutes, but right back came the Blues with one of the best plays of the game by Maguire, who beat three defenders and buried the ball in the net.

McAnespies came right back at them and were awarded a penalty of their own with Darren Farmer to take it. He made no mistake and when Joe McNally sent over the equalizer with no time left.

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Kerry 0-16, Donegal 2-6

Donegal went into this game as strong favorites, having beaten Kerry twice this year. John Doherty had Donegal on the board with a point just two minutes into the game. Derek Byrne answered for Kerry. Mark O’Brien had Kerry ahead after six minutes with a free. With Kerry on top at centerfield for most of the half, Donegal found themselves struggling and managed only one more point in the half, a free by Ward. Kerry added four more points in the half, by Darren Lee, Mark O’Brien, Genie Farrell and Pat Fenton to make it 0-6 to 0-2.

In the second half Kerry extended their lead with five unanswered points before Donegal started a rally of their own. Michael Ward had two quick points and Michael McGinty’s shot went off a Kerry defender’s hand for a goal. Kerry came right back with a series of points the best of these being a 50 by Derek Byrne that split the upright.

Senior Hurling

Galway 3-14, Cork 2-6

There was no shortage of action in Boston over this past week. In senior hurling, Galway and Cork had to face off on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday to find a winner and some of the best hurling ever seen in Boston was enjoyed by large crowds.

On Wednesday evening New York referee Joe Joe Sullivan got stuck in traffic and had to call the game after 55 minutes due to darkness with Galway up by one point, 1-15 to 2-11. With never more than a puck of the ball between the sides, Galway had a half time lead of 0-10 to 1-6 and so it was on to Game 2 on Friday night, with Galway ahead 1-7 to 1-3 at the half. Cork had to dig in and that they did with a very strong second half only to leave the score tied up again, Cork 2-8, Galway 1-11. And so it all came down to Game 3, with Galway coming out on top 3-14 to 2-6.

There were many heroes over this marathon, but Galway’s James Kinsella at corner forward stood out with some brilliant plays and scoring 2-5. Others to play well for Galway were Mattie Ford, John Murray, Brendan Morrissey, Phil O’Callaghan, Paddy O’Connell, John Millea and Theo O’Halpin. And for Cork, Alan Cronin, Alan Kenneally Mick Lynch, John Casey, Darren Stanners, Patsy Keyes and Jim Howard in goals were best.

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