Chicago GAA: Bolands, Cu Chulainn play to thrilling draw

Bolands 1-15, Cu Chulainn 1-15

Harry Bolands and Cu Chulainn served up a hurling feast on Sunday, battled to an enthralling draw. Two determined sides did themselves and the game proud, and while either team may have felt unlucky not to have gained victory, a draw was a fair result.

The Bolands can take credit for the way they regrouped in the final quarter after losing their powerful centerhalf back, Damian Martin, who was dismissed for a second bookable offense. So close were these two combatants that the game was tied on no less than seven occasions and only one point separated the teams 12 times.

When both teams adjusted to the slippery conditions the pace of the game accelerated.

After exchanging points in the opening quarter Simon Byrne broke through a solid Bolands defense to score the game’s first goal and give Cu Chulainn a 3-point lead. Bolands narrowed the gap to 2 points and trailed at the interval 0-7 to 1-6. Within three minutes of the turnover Harry Bolands tied the game following points from Martin and Ken Dunne (Tipperary). The teams continued to exchange points for the next 20 minutes with Dunne and Cu Chulainn’s Carol Grant the main scorers.

Enjoying the advantage of the extra man in the final quarter, Cu Chulainn went into a 2-point lead but in the 27th minute the regrouped Bolands shot into the lead following a great goal by Mike Greaney. However, two points from Cu Chulainn’s marksman, Carol Grant, in the dying moments tied the game to the delight of the spectators.

Erins Own 2-19, Limerick 1-8

In the other senior hurling game, Erins Own had a comfortable 14-point win. Despite the wide margin at the end it was an entertaining game as Limerick never gave up the battle against a superior team. They stayed within a few points of their opponents through most of the first half until Liam McGrath scored a fine goal just before halftime to give Erins Own a 6- point interval lead, 1-9 to 0-6.

Limerick suffered a fatal blow in the opening play of the second half when Barry McNaughton broke through their defense to drive home a good goal, which put 9 points between the teams. Erins Own stretched their lead further with points from their top scorer, Colm Cassidy before Limerick registered their first score of the second period, a point by Marcus Morris in the 10th minute. After Erins Own went in front by 17 points, Peader Hurley reduced the margin by 3 points when he goaled for Limerick in the final play of the game.

Wolfe Tones 2-18, Parnells 1-8

Wolfe Tones senior footballers continue to impress as they encountered little difficulty overcoming a challenge from Parnells. Setting a very fast pace from the start Wolfe Tones were in control for the opening 20 minutes. They scored 6 points in that period of time before Parnells got on the scoreboard, a point by Davey Shields. Most of Wolfe Tones scores came from Rory Mone, David Martin and Damien Behan. After leading by 7 points at the interval, Wolfe Tones added more points on the turnover before Mone goaled in the sixth minute to stretch their lead to 13 points. Parnells reduced the gap when Shields scored their only goal at the beginning of the fourth quarter. However, five minutes later Behan responded with a similar score to seal victory for Wolfe Tones.

Pearse 2-8, McBrides 1-7

In a most entertaining junior football game, Padraig Pearse defeated McBrides by four points, 2-8 to 1-7. After a very even first quarter Padraig Pearse gained control and gained a 6-point lead by the end of the half following a well-executed goal by Dave McMonigle. Padraig Pearse enjoyed their biggest lead of the game after John Sheridan pointed in the opening play of the second half and shot to the net in the seventh minute. McBrides bounced back and came within 3 points of their opponents with scores from John Marren, Colm Stanton and a penalty goal from Marren. Padraig Pearse regained control in the final stages with Stanton adding a point to gain a 4-point victory.

Western Division

(San Francisco, San Jose area)

Intermediate Football

Sons of Boru 2-18, Shannon Rangers 2-16

Young Irelanders 3-13, Ulster 1-13

Michael Cusacks 1-18, Sean Treacys 2-1

Midwest Division

(Buffalo, Cleveland, Detroit, Pittsburgh)

Detroit Wolfe Tones 8-12, Buffalo Na Fianna 1-3