February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Connie Kelly
Boston ended its regular season without too much fanfare in a three-way tie for second place. So, Kerry, Cork and Connemara Gaels went into the hat to see who would take on the undefeated Aiden McAnespies and the honor went to the Gaels with Kerry vs Cork in the second semi-final.
The first semi-final is scheduled for 2:15 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 20 and Kerry will take on age-old rivals Cork. This will be a very close game with little or nothing between the teams. At 5 p.m., the Gaels will take on McAnespies. This could be a repeat performance of the 1997 final when the Gaels beat McAnespies in a thrilling game.
In senior hurling, Tipperary take on Fr. Tom Burkes at 3:45 p.m. The winners go on to meet Galway in the final. Fr. Toms handed Galway their only defeat of the season two weeks ago and Tipperary ended Cork’s season last weekend so both teams will be up for this game. Again, too close to call.
Intermediate football
In Intermediate football, it’s Notre Dame vs St. Pats in game one and St. Columkilles vs St. Christophers in game two, and barring a shock result it looks like a Notre Dame vs Killes final.
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In the first senior game of the afternoon, Connemara Gaels defeated the Wolfe Tones, 2-15 to 2-10, the Tones suffering their seventh defeat in a row and will go down to intermediate next year. They were very unlucky not to have at least two wins throughout the season, having played some excellent football in all seven games. The Gaels should benefit from this outing as the Tones made them earn it, from start to finish.
In the second senior game, it was Cork 2-10, Shannon Blues 0-6. Despite the scoreline, Cork will have to do a lot better than this if they want to beat Kerry. The Blues, with all kinds of injury problems, never posed a threat to Cork but Cork’s shooting left a lot to be desired. Goalie Brian Rawl made several fine saves for Cork which broke up the Blues’ run of play on several occasions.
Best game of the afternoon was Notre Dame vs Killes in intermediate football with just a point separating the sides after 60 minutes of play, Killes 1-7 Notre Dame 0-9. The Killes, coming off a big win over the Pats last week, found the opposition much tougher on Sunday. Notre Dame had plenty of chances to win this game but their shooting cost them dearly in the end.
Ladies football
In ladies football, Roscommon will play Tir na nOg with the winners meeting The Boston Shamrocks in the final of the Orla Benson Trophy.
Junior games
In junior hurling, Cork and Fr. Toms clash for the right to meet Galway in the final.
In junior football, five teams are in the running: The Blues, The Tones, McAnespies, The Pats and Cork.
St. Pat’s win
St. Pats defeated Kerry by 2-12 to 2-4 in junior football.
This was a case of age versus youth, with youth winning out in the end. No less than seven of St. Pats players came through the youth program which augers well for the future of football in Boston.
Kerry’s Joe Costello kept a steady supply of ball to his forwards with Paudi Fitzgerald picking up 1-4 and Joe Malone adding Kerry’s second goal. Seamus English and the O’Connors, Pádraig and Mike, kicked some fine scores for the Pats and they now go on to the semi-final.
Blues, Donegal win
In junior football, Shannon Blues drew with Donegal, 11 points each.
This was the third draw of the season for the Blues, thanks to two late points by Noel Gannon who returned to the Blues after a year-long leg injury. Also playing well for the Blues were Mike Maher, Fergal Kelly and Ulick Leonard and for Donegal, Edmond Carr, Gareth Ruddy and Eamon Rush.