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Chicago GAA Cuchulainn, Parnells seniors win

February 16, 2011

By Staff Reporter

By Eamonn Kelly

A brilliant display by right-half back Aidan Cowan and the accurate shooting of Offalyman Eunan Martin laid the foundation for Cuchulainn’s eleven-point victory over Limerick in the first round of the North American Senior Hurling League at Chicago Gaelic Park last Sunday.

The final score was Cuchulainn 2-19, Limerick 2-8.

Cowan, who received the player of the match award along with corner back Pat Duggan, formed the nucleus of a solid defense that led to several promising Limerick attacks. Not alone was Cowan the main stopper of such attacks, he was very much responsible for generating several offensive plays that led to Cuchulainn scores because of his ability to transfer defense into attack.

Limerick, a team much improved from last year, was always in the hunt despite trailing by 11 points at the end of the hour. They contributed to a most exciting match while fighting an uphill battle after relinquishing the lead at end of he first quarter. Much credit must go to their center-half-forward Damian Dooley, who with a total personal scoring tally of 2-5, most from frees, did his share in keeping them in the hunt.

The game started at a very fast pace with both teams sharing the exchanges for all of the opening quarter. Only a couple of points separated the teams with Limerick showing the most promise entering the second quarter but an opportunist goal by Ollie Blanchfield against the run of the play in the 23rd minute shifted the momentum in Cuchulainn’s favor as they took a five point lead. They added an additional point before the short whistle to give them a six point interval lead.

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Limerick mounted several attacks on the turnover but were beaten back by a solid Cuchulainn defense. Fred Kelly (Waterford) and Oisin Walsh (Tipperary) began to master centerfield and it led to four consecutive points by Martin (2), Walsh and Blanchfield.

Trailing by nine points at the beginning of the fourth quarter, Limerick generated a successful offensive effort that resulted in the two goals from Dooly that left them only four points in arrears. Unfortunately, defensive errors in the final quarter which led to converted frees by sharpshooter Martin and a 25th minute goal by Fred Kelly ensured a win for Cuchulainn.

Parnells 2-9, St.Brendan’s 0-14

In senior football, a determined and spirited display by a hungry Parnells team caused a major upset at Chicago Gaelic Park last Sunday when they defeated hot favorites St. Brendan’s by a single point, 2-9 to 0-14.

Since the Parnells had been given little chance of beating the top teams, coupled with champions Wolfe Tones beaten by the Brendan’s the previous week, it lends to most interesting central division championship.

Amazingly, St. Brendan’s led by Kildare all-star Nial Buckley, trailed for all but three minutes of the game. They went in front for the first time when London-born Senan Hehir pointed in the 40th minute but could not maintain the lead. Their big downfall was going for goals in the final quarter when points were at the taking. Most of their attacks were aborted by a hard tackling, tight Parnells defense in which brilliant goalkeeper Brendan McVeigh played a major role.

At centerfield where Buckley was becoming a dominant figure with high catches and excellent distribution of the ball, the Parnells counteracted by breaking the ball down in the area. In most cases the breaking ball became their possession.

Parnells got off to dream start when Paul McGrady shot to the net in the third minute for the game’s opening score. They added another point before Hehir opened the scoring for St. Brendan’ with a point from a free. The remainder of the first half was a closely contested affair with Parnells enjoying a three point lead at the interval.

On the turnover, St. Brendan’s rose to their potential and dominated proceedings for the first eight minutes, scoring six points without reply and going in front for the first time. Following their change of tactics at centerfield, Parnells regained control and within minutes were back in the lead when Jason Reilly scored a spectacular goal. This set the stage for a dramatic and exciting final quarter as St. Brendan’s tried desperately to pull the game out of the fire.

Shortly before full time, they got back on level terms with scores by Ger Walsh and Michael Finnelly but a magnificent point by Chicago-born Brendan McCormick just before the final whistle put the Parnells back in front for good.

Pádraig Pearse 3-10, Wolfe Tones 1-6

Conceding a goal and two points in the opening five minutes, Pádraig Pearse junior footballers did very well to confine their opponents to a single point for the rest of the half and at the same time but 1-7 on the score board to give themselves a four point interval lead.

Their top marksman in the opening half was Clareman Pat Morrisey, who scored 1-3.

Pádraig Pearse outscored Wolfe Tones 2-3 to 0-3 in the second half and the game was over as a contest in the 50th minute when Morrissy shot to the net from a penalty.

St. Brendan’s 0-12, John McBrides 2-5

In a very entertaining junior football game, John McBrides recovered from a very shaky start to provide a great challenge to a more fancied St. Brendan’s team.

Having fallen behind by two points in the opening quarter they went in front following a goal by Mike Rowley. They added another point to give them a two point lead at the interval. However, St. Brendan’s were the dominant team opening the second half. They scored seven consecutive points, most of them coming from their top forward, James Tracey.

In a great fourth quarter rally McBrides reduced the deficit to a single point after a great goal by Paul Hickey in the 29th. minute but time ran out and St. Brendan’s held on for a narrow victory.

Erin Rovers win

In the opening game of the 5-game schedule, Erin Rovers had a two point victory over St. Brigids in a very enjoyable ladies football game.

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