February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Eamonn Kelly
Harry Bolands 0-21, Cu Chulainn 1-14
Harry Bolands regained the Central Division senior hurling title they last held in 1996 with a supreme effort in the second period of overtime to overcome current champions, Cu Chulainn, in another epic encounter. The big Gaelic Park crowd were thrilled with the hurling served up by these two great teams. As in the drawn thriller a week earlier, little separated the sides during the 90-minute battle. Such was the closeness of this encounter the teams were tied at half-time, tied again at the end of regulation time, and also on level terms after 15 minutes of overtime. In all, the game was tied eight times.
Once again it was Boland’s strong halfback line of David Ruth, Noel Larkin and Dermott Turley and the great shooting of Tommy Dunne that set the foundation for victory. Dunne ended with a personal tally of eight points. Ollie O’Connor was Cu Chulainn’s top forward, notching 1-4.
Boland’s next game will be against Boston Cork in the North American championship semi-final next Saturday.
St. Brendan’s 0-17, Wolfe Tones 0-8
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Wolfe Tones bid to capture a fourth consecutive Central Division senior football title failed under a powerful third-period display by a hungry and determined St. Brendan’s. While this replay may not have reached the heights of the drawn game the previous Sunday, it was an excellent encounter. For most of the game no more than 3 points divided the teams and they were level on four occasions. Most credit for Brendan’s victory goes to the centerfield pairing of Graham Bourke and Martin Delaney. They were superb, particularly in the final quarter. Bourke played his best game of the season and was selected as the Guinness Player of the Day.
Wolfe Tones were the dominant team in the early stages and were enjoying a 3-point lead until the 25th minute, when St. Brendan’s generated a late rally to score three consecutive points to tie the game at the interval. The game remained close for most of the third period, but then Bourke and Delaney took control, providing the forwards with ample ball supply. After Rory Mone scored Wolfe Tone’s last point from a 50 in the 16th minute, St. Brendan’s scored six consecutive points to gain a well-deserved victory.
They now play North East champions, Boston’s Aidan McAnespies in the North American championship semifinal next Saturday.
Western Division
San Jose St. Joseph’s retained the junior hurling title with a victory over Naomh Padraig while Sean McDermott’s took the intermediate football championship with a win over Shannon Rangers.