February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Central Division
Senior Football
Parnells 2-11, St. Brendan’s 0-14
Parnells once again illustrated that they are serious contenders for the Chicago senior football title following a hard-earned 3-point victory over St. Brendan’s at Gaelic Park last Sunday. On the other hand, St. Brendan’s chances of recapturing the Chicago and North American Board championships they last held in 2000 has taken a near fatal turn. Besides suffering their second straight defeat, two of their top players, Nial Buckley and Graham Bourke, were shown straight red cards in the dying moments of a tense, tough game, which no doubt will affect their near-term activity with the team, depending on the referees report.
While the referee had little choice in the dismissal of Bourke following his physical altercation with an umpire, there was no clear sign of why Buckley received a red card other than the assumption of verbal abuse to the referee.
It was not to be St. Brendan’s day. In addition to the loss of their two midfielders, they lost their two top scorers to injury — Martin Delaney in the opening minutes and John McDonald early into the second half. While these misfortunes had an adverse effect on St. Brendan’s performance, much credit must go the Parnells for their great spirit and determination that has been evident in every game this year. Much of their success can be attributed to the hard work of mid fielders Neil Gallagher and Shane O’Rielly and their offense has become a feared striking force under the leadership of Cavanman, Philip Smyth. Smyth, who was continuously shadowed last Sunday, still managed to accumulate a personal scoring tally of 0-7.
Sign up to The Irish Echo Newsletter
This was a game that started on a low key as both teams adopted a cautious approach, but it developed into a rousing affair with the verdict in doubt right up to those final red moments. The game was tied five times and no more the three points separated the teams for most of the hour. St. Brendan’s went in front early in the game with points from Delaney and Bourke, but Smyth played a major role in giving Parnells the lead with a well-taken point and setting up Shane Reilly for a great goal in the seventh minute. The teams exchanged points, keeping Parnells in the lead, but three consecutive points from McDonald in the final stages of the first half gave the Brendan’s a 1-point lead at the interval, 0-7 to 1-3.
On the turnover, Parnells regained the lead with points from Smyth and Davy Shields. Both teams continued to share scores as the game advanced into a marvelous final quarter in which the play moved from one end of the field to the other.
Kevin Lynch gave St. Brendan’s the lead with a fine point in the 54th minute, but a great rally by Parnells netted them a goal by Trevor Smullins and victory was secured by a Smyth point on the next play.
Senior Hurling
Cuchulainn 2-13, Erin’s Own 0-10
After a slow start this season, Cuchulainn is gradually developing a winning combination that they hope will help them recapture the Chicago and national title they held in 2000. Last Sunday they gained an impressive 9-point victory over current Central Division champions Erin’s Own. They stamped their authority on the game at an early stage and the outcome was never in doubt. The under strength Erin’s Own team were unfortunate to loose Tadhg Slevin to a second yellow card in the first quarter, and with little bench strength it developed into an uphill struggle.
In a mediocre first half, Cuchulainn were in control and maintained a lead throughout the period and led at halftime 0-9 to 0-4. Their scores came from Killien Farrell (0-5), Shane Fitzgerald (0-1), Daniel O’Brien (0-1), Declan Hession (0-1), and Declan McNamara (0-1). Erin’s own scores came from Danny Scanlon (0-2), David Burke (0-1) and John MacKessy (0-1).
Cuchulainn, with the extra-man advantage, continued to dominate in the second half and soon stretched their 5-point interval lead to 9 when Fardel pointed in the opening minute and O’Brien blasted to the net in seven minutes later. Colm Egan scored Cuchulainn’s second goal six minutes later to finish the game as a contest.
Senior Hurling
Harry Boland’s 3-13, Limerick 1-9
Harry Boland’s, the oldest and most decorated senior hurling club in the North American Board, continue to improve with a 9-point victory over Limerick last Sunday at Chicago Gaelic Park. While this defeat has mathematically eliminated Limerick as a contestant for this year’s championship, they have contributed to a most competitive campaign. Having been upgraded from junior grade just a year ago, this team has been most competitive while suffering losses by narrow margins. In this latest encounter, Limerick competed neck and neck with their more experienced opponents until the final quarter. They enjoyed a 1-point lead at the interval and extended that into the third quarter but then lost control of the game.
Limerick’s top forward, Garry Hurney, opened the scoring with a point from a free with Marcus Morris following with a brilliant point from a sideline cut. The game was soon tied when the Boland’s responded with similar scores from Kevin Horan and Liam Hogan. After Limerick regained the lead with a point from Damien Scallon, the teams exchanged points for the remainder of the first half. Limerick scorers were Hurney (3) and Morris (1), while Hogan (3), while Dermot Hoyne scored for Harry Boland’s.
After Owen Lynch tied the game in the opening moments of the second half, Limerick went in front with a fine goal by Pat Hough. However, within a minute Harry Boland’s responded with a similar score when David Martin shot to the net. Boland’s were in control for the rest of the game, outshooting their opponents 2-6 to 0-2. Their second goal was scored by Martin, with the third one deflected to the net by a Limerick defender. Boland’s points were scored by Horan, Hoyne, Barry Loughlaine and Brian Power, while Scallon and Morris pointed for Limerick.