NACB Roundup Wolfe Tones, St. Brendans in thrilling draw

Wolfe Tones 1-9, St. Brendan 0-12

The jewel matchup in the quest for Chicago’s senior football crown continues to be between Wolfe Tones and St. Brendan’s. As the first round of the Guinness Championship, run on a double round league basis, nears its completion, both of these long time rivals played to a thrilling draw before the biggest crowd of the season.

Such was the closeness of this affair that no more than two points separated the two teams at any time in the game with the sides level on five occasions. While tight defensive tactics by both rearguards and some erratic shooting kept the scoring down in the early stages of the game, the crowd was treated to a series of spectacular long range points and a very well executed goal by Wolfe Tone’s Rory Mone just before half time.

There were many fine individual displays that could be considered for the Guinness player of the day award but in the end, St. Brendan’s veteran half-forward, Brendan O’Connor, won the award. Enjoying one of his better seasons in years, the trim and very fit O’Connor put in a flawless performance. In addition to providing centerfield support he was the main architect of most St. Brendan’s attacks and was the scorer of three vital points.

St. Brendan’s were the early aggressors and took the lead with a point by Brian Dennehy in the second minute. Within five minutes the game was tied following a similar score from Rory Mone. Brendan O’Connor and Mone exchanged points before Dennehy and Peadar McGrane added two points to give the Brendan’s a two point lead.

The Tones responded with several attacks but poor shooting kept them in arrears. A point by John Kerley reduced the deficit to a point but Dennehy added another score to restore St. Brendan’s two point lead.

However, a great rally by Wolfe Tones in the final moments of the half gave them the lead for the first time. In the 29th minute, Rory Mone took advantage of a weak kick out from the St. Brendan’s goal to get possession and shoot a marvelous goal which was followed by a Derek Ryan point to give Wolfe Tones a two point interval lead.

Wolfe Tones were in control during the early stages of the second half but St. Brendan’s were the first to score when McCrane pointed to put just a point between the sides. After both teams missed free shots, St. Brendan’s Mark McMullen tied the game with a magnificent point.

Both teams exchanged points in the early moments of the final quarter which set the stage for a great finale.

A fine point by Dennehy in the 23rd minute put St. Brendan’s in front but during two Wolfe Tones counter attacks, substitute Enda Raftery and Sean Curran pointed to give Wolfe Tones the lead.

Within a minute a superb point by “man of the match” Brendan O’Connor tied the game Graham Burke followed up with a superb point from 45 yards for what seemed to be the winning point until Derek Ryan scored with a long range point just before the final whistle for a share of the spoils.

Harry Bolands 3-22, Limerick 3-13

A well balanced Harry Bolands team experienced little difficulty in collecting a brace of points against an under strength Limerick team and well deserved their 9- point senior hurling victory.

Limerick got off to a great start in the game when one of their best players broke on for an easy goal in the second minute. However, it didn’t take long for Harry Bolands to draw level and take the lead following four consecutive points from Jamsie Healy, Brian McMahon and Christy Glenn (2). Healy added two goals in the second quarter to create a seven point lead. Bolands would have added to their goal tally but for several spectacular saves by Limerick goalkeeper, Mike Benson.

After being denied major scores, the Bolands reverted to long range shooting and were rewarded with some great points from Dermot Turley, Liam Hogan and Damien Martin. Limerick’s first half points were scored by Fergus Flynn (2), Ollie Ryan, P.J. McAllen and Damien Dooley. Flynn opened the scoring in the second half which proved a big lift for the Limerick team. After Hogan and Dooley exchanged goals Limerick enjoyed their short spell of dominance, receiving points from Cronin, Flynn and Dooley. Bolands took charge again in the final quarter and ran up a 12 point lead before Pat Scanlon got a Limerick goal just before the full time whistle for a final margin of nine points.

St. Brendan’s 3-8, Wolfe Tones 1-11

Thanks to a hat trick of goals by corner forward Joe Cahill and an excellent display by Kildareman Kevin Moran, St. Brendan’s junior footballers kept their unbeaten record intact with a hard earned three point win over Wolfe Tones. This was by far the best junior game of the season.