February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Connie Kelly
Mayo 2-4, Blues 1-7
Ten games were played at Dilboy Stadium in Boston last weekend, with the clash between Mayo and Shannon Blues having been a real cracker. With no let-up by either team over the hour, it was only fitting that it ended in a draw, Mayo 2-4, the Blues 1-7.
In a very low-scoring first half, the Blues could only manage three points, Seamie McGuire with a free after four minutes, Conor Conneely from play six minutes later added the Blues second point and McGuire again from a free after 13 minutes, the Blues last score of the half.
Mayo, down three points, brought themselves right back into the game with a point from corner forward Conor Daly and, one minute later, Seamie Mullan faked Clinton Hennessy right out of it for a well taken goal.
Mullan was right back with another point for Mayo to leave it 1-2 to 0-3.
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Under the pressure, both teams were then guilty of some poor finishing.
The second half saw some changes in the Blues’ lineup but it was Mayo’s Sean O’Hara, with a point from a free, that opened the scoring after four minutes.
Both teams went scoreless for the next 15 minutes.
Kieran Maher of the Blues had a great game roaming all over the pitch, sent a ball into Conor Conneely and he put it over to leave just two between the sides.
Minutes later, Maher sent Ken Killeen through, but he was pulled down, resulting in a penalty. Up to take it was Blues goalie Hennessy and he made no mistake, leaving the Blues ahead by one.
Mullen tied it up for Mayo. The Blues knocked over two rapid points and their supporters were calling time.
But Mayo kept their heads and went on the attack with Gary Woods sending Jarvis Toner through, he found Kevin Walsh who stuck it in the back of the net.
Now the Blues fans were urging their players on with chants of five minutes left. Once again, Maher sent the Blues attacking resulting in a free and with time almost up McGuire sent it over for a draw.
Best for Mayo: Paddy Clarke, Gary Woods, Seamie Mullen, Kevin Comer and Kevin Walsh.
Best for the Blues: Kieran Maher, Maguire, Killeen and Conor Conneely.
Cork 3-9, St. Pat’s 0-12
It was another very good outing for Richie Flemming, scoring 3-4 in a game that was anything but one-sided.
The Pat’s had most of the play in the first half but too many wides cost them dearly, and at the half Cork were 1-4 to 0-5.
Flemming started the second half with a penalty goal after two minutes which left the Pat’s playing catch-up for the remainder of the game.
Kerry 4-16, St. Columbkille’s 4-7
With Pat Fenton back in the Kerry lineup, things looked real easy for Kerry in the first half leading by 2-8 to 1-4.
Kerry seemed to be coasting also in the second half, using all five subs.
Scores came rather easy but, with only five minutes remaining, the Killes rallied with three goals and a point to make the scoreline respectable and the Kerry mentors with a major headache.
Fr. Toms 1-7, Galway 0-6
In this low-scoring senior hurling game, Fr. Toms never looked like losing this game.
Best for Galway, Brendan Morrissey, John Miller, Martin Joe Greaney.
For Fr. Toms, Seanie Fitzgerald, Deelan McGeeney, Seamus Moore.
Junior football
Kerry looked like they might pull this one out, leading 0-4 to 0-3 at the half in this junior football clash but, as in so many times in the past, Cork came with a last-minute rally and a goal by Owen Sullivan for a two point win. Cork 1-8, Kerry 1-6
Also in junior football, Shannon Blues beat St. Pats by 4-6 to 2-7.
St. Pats took a half-time lead of 1-5 to 1-2 and looked like they were there with a good chance of winning, but in the second half veteran Joe Moriarty showed what a player with heart can do, scoring 1-3 and setting up Maher for another goal and a come from behind win.
Intermediate football
Connemara Gaels hammered Galway by 6-16 to 0-8
Galway are getting nothing easy and it may be a long road back for them after a year’s suspension.
Galway 1-10, Fr. Tom’s 1-4
In junior hurling, Galway beat Fr. Tom’s 1-10 to 1-4
John Nelly had a very good outing for Galway, also playing well was Jerry McMahon and Pat Flaherty. For Fr. Tom’s, Pat Costello and Dara Burke tried hard.
Camogie
In camogie, the Boston teams had little trouble with their friends from New York,with Eire Og over Young Ireland’s 2-7 to 0-4 and Emerald Isle over Breffni Blues 6-3 to 2-3.