February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Connie Kelly
BOSTON — Huge crowds gathered at Stone Hill College in Easton for the annual Irish festival over the weekend. So it was not surprising that a large crowd was on hand for the Orla Benson Memorial final between the Boston Shamrocks and Tir na nOg.
For the second time in a week these two teams faced off with each other. Right from the throw-in, Tir na nOg were on the attack and Catherine Roach registered the first score of the game a point from 35 yards out.
Diann Toner was just off the mark with two frees but it was all Shamrocks for the next 20 minutes, picking off 12 points in the half. M’ve Ryan and Caroline Newton added two points for Tir na nOg, Christine Elliot saved a penalty with five minutes remaining in the half to leave it 0-12 to 0-3.
Tir na nOg, with their backs to the wall once again, applied the pressure but Elliot pulled off some great saves for the Shamrocks.
Paula Callaghan got the better of a great dual with Verona Considine and had a goal and two points for her efforts. But Tir na nOg had the crowd on their feet with three rapid goals, the first coming from Helen Jaques followed by Theresa O’Mahoney, the third by Lynn Cahill. This gave the whole team a boost but on this day there was no denying the champions and as Joan Reen, the captain, lifted the trophy the large crowd showed their approval.
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Final score 2-17 to 3-3.
Junior games
There were three junior games played during the weekend.
St. Columbkilles beat Kerry by a score of 1-14 to 0-8 while the first half was close and ended at 4 all. Kerry were never in the hunt in the second half.
Best for the winners were Johnny Walsh, Lorcan Maughan, Donal Keane and Gerry Franey.
In game two, Mayo were too strong for St. Pats, winning by a score of 3-15 to 1-6.
This was a different Mayo team that lost to Kerry last week. Stephen Fitzgerald had a very good game, also newcomer Conor Daly.
For St. Pats, Brendan Bligh, Mike O’Connor, Sean Davoren and Joe Morrissey played. well.
The third and final junior game was an ill-tempered affair with both teams warned that it would be called and no points awarded. There were eight bookings in the first half alone.
Shannon Blues were winners by a score of 3-9 to 1-4 over Aidan McAnespies.
In women’s football, Roscommon were winners over Inisfail by 7-8 to 0-6.
At Dilboy Stadium on Wednesday, June 8, in senior hurling, Galway beat Cork by 1-14 to 0-3.