Boston Roundup Kerry pull away from Mayo

By Connie Kelly

Kerry 1-13, Mayo 1-5

Kerry took on Mayo in Junior football and came away with a good win. In a very closely contested game Mayo were first on the board with a point from Joe Tunney in the third minute. Neil Kelly had Kerry level in the fourth minute with a punched point. Kelly was back again in the eighth minute for Kerry. Only two minutes later Tunney had Mayo level. In the 10th minute Tunney had Mayo ahead when his pass to Paul Barrett found its way to the back of the Kerry net. But it was Kelly again who found Pat Curran, who sent it over the bar. Two minutes later, Kelly was on the attack again, but his shot for goal was deflected over the bar to leave one point between them. Joe Tunney had two frees for Mayo, but they were just wide of the mark. It was Kelly for Kerry who had a long-range kick to make it five points for Kerry and 1-2 for Mayo at half time.

The second half saw Kerry pull away. Pat Curran had Kerry’s only goal in the 12th minute and three points from well-taken frees. Joe Tunney tried to keep Mayo in touch but Kerry kept pressing. Neil Kelly was back with two more points from long-range kicks to seal it for Kerry. Also playing well for Kerry, in the backs M. Murphy, Mike Moriarty, John Bacon and Moss Gannon, centerfield, and Mick O’Hara. Best for Mayo, Joe Tunney, Matt O’Malley, Padraig Craig and Steven Tunney.

Shamrocks 4-6, Tir na nOg 0-13

A large crowd was on hand to see what had been billed as the battle of the giants in women’s football. It is not often that the best team on the day does not come away with a win but that is what happened for Tir na nOg as they looked much the better team. Newcomer Michelle McCreesh from Fermanagh had Tir na nOg on the board first with a free after a minute of play. Denise Dunnion had the Shamrocks level after eight minutes. But it was Tir na nOg who was putting on the pressure and McCreesh had her team level by the 18th minute with three points from play. Denise had her second goal of the half after 22 minutes of play but this did not seem to worry Tir na nOg who answered with points from frees by Michelle McCreesh and at half time it was 2-2 to 0-6.

It was all Tir na nOg for the first 15 minutes of the second half but lady luck was not on their side. Sub, Brona Holland had a point from a punch in the first minute. Michelle McCreesh hit the cross bar, Helen Jacques hit the upright. McCreesh was fouled and sent over the resulting free to make it 2-2 to 0-8. After five minutes Brona Holland from Tyrone had two points from play in the 12th and 14th minute and few people could believe what was happening. Maureen Fahy, Diana Toner and Helen Jacques were all playing very well for Tir na nOg but lady luck was to strike, this time for the Shamrocks when Denise Dunnion got her third goal of the day and two minutes later the ball was back in the net, this time off goalie Tricia Kelly’s hands. Undaunted by their misfortune Tir na nOg were right back in the game with two more points from McCreesh and one from Holland.

Best for the winners were Denise Dunnion, Lisa Morrissey, Paula Callaghan. For Tir na nOg, Diane Toner, Michelle McCreesh, Helen Jacques, Brona Holland, Maureen Fahy. Woman of the match, Dianne Toner, Tir na nOg.

Killes 2-12, Donegal 3-6

In the Mawn Cup Final, both teams were loaded with talent, but the Killes that came out on top in this closely contested game. So close was the marking that the Killes had two of their backs sent off for rough play. The Killes played with 11 men for several minutes in the game before Tom Morrissey sent off two Donegal men in the 22nd and 26th minute. When Donegal could not take the advantage the writing was on the wall for them. Declan Mulligan, Tom Harty, Conor McKiever and Declan Harney were best for the Killes, while Hugh Campbell and the newcomer from Monaghan, Swift, played for Donegal.

Other games

Donegal took on Wolfe Tones in Junior football and were much the stronger team winning by a score of 3-15 to 1-5. In Junior Hurling, Cork beat Tipperary 2-6 to 0-11. Tipperary were ahead at half time 0-8 to 1-2 but they ran out of steam in the last quarter.

Also, St. Pats beat a gallant St. Christopher’s, but it was no walk in the park. Mick Mahoney and Alan Hennessy played well for the losers while Cyril Wallace, P.J. Sweeney, Mickey Joe Hines were best for St. Pats.

Kerry split a double with old rivals Cork. In a junior game Cork were much a stronger side for the opening game of the day, but it was a different story when both counties met in a senior clash for the last game of the day. Cork found themselves two goals down in the first six minutes and they spent the next 54 minutes trying to make a comeback.

In another senior game, Wolfe Tones beat Shannon Blues thanks to Mick Salmon who had five points, four from frees. Paul Meade had another fine game at centerfield. Also good for the Tones were Ray Butler, Barry Allen. Best for the Blues, Steve McGuire, Pat Driscoll and Paddy McGinley.

In the third senior game, the Gaels had an easy time with Mayo 4-10 to 2-7. In senior hurling, Fr. Toms kept their winning streak alive by beating Galway 1-12 to 2-7. In camogie, Emerald Isle beat Eire Og by a score of 4-5 to 3-1.