Boston GAA Roundup:Goal by Nester and McGinley put Shannon Blues over top

By Connie Kelly

Shannon Blues 2-11, McAnespies 0-9

Boston GAA fans were treated to some fine games of football and hurling over the weekend, with 10 games played, four on Saturday, and six on Sunday at Dilboy Stadium in Somerville.

The best of Saturday’s games was the match-up between Shannon Blues and McAnespies, with the former using a strong finish to pull away to a 2-11 to 0-9 victory.

Shannon Blues were much sharper from the throw-in and had the McAnespies backs under a lot of pressure. Points by David Nester, Steven McGuire, Phillip Ronan and Dave Burke made it 0-4 to nil after 20 minutes.

Nigel Regan opened the scoring for McAnespies in the 21st minute with a point that could have been a goal. Peter Canavan added another from a 40-yard free. A minute later he would add two more points from frees in the 25th and 26th minutes to make it 0-4 each.

But Kieran Maher who was having his usual blinder at centerfield and put the Blues ahead from a free, but on the stroke of half time Peter Canavan sent over a long-range beauty to make it 0-5 each.

Martin Slowey had McAnespies ahead after a minute of the restart. Nester tied it up again two minutes later. Nobby Walsh made a brilliant save at the expense of a 50. Nester had the Blues ahead after four minutes of play, but a free by Canavan in the eighth minute made it 0-7 each. Canavan had another of his points from frees in the 15th minute, but McGinley answered for the Blues. Two minutes later, Nester added yet another for the Blues. Steven McGuire blazed a bullet, but Walsh made another of his great saves. Now McAnespies were under relentless pressure and late goals by Nester and McGinley sealed it for the Blues. Canavan would pull one back in the 27th minute but it was not to be for McAnespies. Guinness Man of the Match was Kieran Maher, Blues.

Wolfe Tones 2-11, St. Columbkilles 0-10

On Sunday, Wolfe Tones outdueled Columbkilles, who were coming off a big win over last year’s champions, Connemara Gaels, on July 12. Connemara had the marksmen, but so too, on this day, did the Tones.

Noel McPhillips had three points from play for the Tones in the first half. Mick Salmon added two from frees and Martin McNally added another point from play to account for the Tones’ 6 points. Meanwhile, Conor McKeever did his part for the Killes, with 4 points, and Jimmy McAlinden added another to cut the Tones’ lead to 0-6 to 0-5 for the Tones at halftime.

The second half saw a lot of close marking and a real duel at centerfield between Paul Mead of Tones and the Killes’ Fergal Harney. The McKeevers, Conor and Paddy, and Adrian Conway accounted for the 5 second-half points for the Killes. But it was not be enough as the Tones had too many big guns. Indeed, Martin McNally and Paul Mead had goals in the 20th and 21st minute. Also getting in on the action were Keith Doyle (1) Barry Allen (1) and free taker Mick Salmon (3).

Weekend results

Senior Football: Shannon Blues 2-11, McAnespies 0-9; Donegal 2-17, Connemara Gaels 0-5; Cork 1-17, Mayo 1-5; Wolfe Tones 2-11, St. Columbkilles 0-10

Junior Football: Shannon Blues 3-6, Cork 1-4; Donegal 0-13, St. Columbkilles 1-7

Women’s Football: Tir na nOg 3-11, Inisfail 0-1

Senior Hurling: Tipperary 3-12, Galway 0-11

Junior Hurling: Fr. Toms 1-9, Tipperary 1-5; Cork 3-7, Galway 3-4