7/20/2024 - Senior Football – Donegal Boston vs Aidan McAnespies

 Senior Football – Donegal Boston vs Aidan McAnespies

 

By Neil McEnaney

 

Full Time Score:

Donegal Boston: 1-22

Aidan McAnespies: 1-15

 

It was Donegal who booked their place in the Senior Football final with a seven point win against Aidan McAnespies. The Macs knew they needed a win to keep their championship dreams alive, otherwise they would have to rely on other results that unfortunately didn’t go their way.

 

A few wides and balls dropped short for both sides started the match as the teams struggled to hit the target early on.. It was the Macs who struck first in the game with a well taken goal by Rurai Gormley after a great pass through by Eoin Gormley. Donegal clawed it back through the free taking of Donal O’Sullivan before Joe Hagan for the Macs kicked a great point from the left wing under pressure.

 

Daire Cregg responded in kind with a similar taken point for Donegal. A great run by Shane Carthy set up Ciaran Murtagh for a goal chance. Murtagh had the keeper beat with the ball heading straight for the top corner only to be denied by Darren Gibney on the Macs line who dived in to save it over the bar to leave the sides level.

 

Rory Brolly found a bit of space to tip over a nice point to put the Macs back in the lead. A free for O’Sullivan leveled up the score again. Points from Murtagh and Cregg extended Donegal’s lead before Rurai Scott brough it back to one point again. Some great work by Cregg set up Lowry for a goal chance but he chose to take the point as the onrushing Croft in goals narrowed the gap quickly.

 

A series of wides followed for both sides before Cory Gallagher broke through the middle to set Ciaran McDevitt up for a point. It was Gallagher who followed up with the point of the match kicking straight over from 50 yards out. From here, Donegal kept the pressure up on the Macs with points from McDevitt and Cregg to see out the half.

 

Half Time Score:

Donegal Boston: 0-12

Aidan McAnespies: 1-3

 

Murtagh started the scoring for Donegal in the second half finding space on the right wing and slotting the ball over the bar. Hagan responded for the Macs with an outside of the boot point after patient build up from the Macs. Adam Fanning added another to leave 5 points between the sides.

 

The second half continued in this fashion with both sides trading scores and Donegal keeping their lead intact. O’Sullivan did the scoring for Donegal while Fanning and Hagan did the damage for McAnespies. The Macs fought back well and narrowed the gap to three points with 10 minutes to go.

 

From here, the fresh legs off the bench for Donegal got them back into the game again. Two points in quick succession from Cian O’Grady stretched the lead to 5 for Donegal. The Macs had it back to 3 in no time with Fanning scoring from a free and Hagan kicking a super score that just curled inside the post.

 

With the Macs pushing everyone up trying to get the goal, a turnover led to James O’Grady being one on one with Croft in nets. He finished it on the ground soccer style and with that the ref blew the full time whistle to end the match.

 

Man of the Match: Cory Gallagher

 

Referee: Michael Moylan

 

Team and Scorers:

Donegal Boston: Hugh Boyle, Neil Mulcahy, Cian Lynch, Ethan McDevitt, Jason Noctor, Cory Gallagher (0-1), Jordan Morrissey, Shane Carthy (0-1), Ciaran McDevitt (0-2), Ciaran Murtagh (0-3), Sean Lowry (0-1), Daire Cregg (0-3), Donal O’Sullivan (0-3)

Subs: Cian O'Grady (0-3), James O'Grady (1-0), Ryan O'Dwyer (0-1)

 

 

Aidan McAnespies: Robert Croft, Cormac McKeogh, Darren Gibney, Conall Devlin, Matthew Murnaghan (0-1), Owen Ward, Anton Tohill, Rurai Gormley (1-1), Joe Hagan (0-3), Rurai Scott (0-1), Rory Brolly (0-1), Eoin Gormley (0-1), Adam Fanning (0-5)

7/6/2024 - Senior Football - Aidan McAnespies vs Galway Boston

 By Neil McEnaney

 

Full Time Score:

Aidan McAnespies: 4-16

Galway Boston: 1-13

 

Galway came into this game undefeated at the halfway point in the senior championship while Aidan McAnespies needed a win to keep their championship dreams alive. Despite playing the full second half with a man down, the Macs dug deep, took their chances that came their way and deserve full credit for their victory.

 

The first half started slowly with both teams trading scores and building slowly when they got the ball. Galway took an early 0-5 to 0-2 lead with some well taken scores by Conor Lawlor in the full forward line. The Macs weren’t long responding with Adam Fanning leading the way with some well taken points of his own to put the Macs ahead 0-6 to 0-5.

 

The first goal of the game came for the Macs with serious pressure being put on the Galway kickout. Rurai Scott forced the turnover, moved the ball quickly to Eoin Gormley who broke a tackle and set up Fanning to finish into the bottom corner from a tight angle. The Macs kept the pressure on and started winning the middle third and tipping over their points.

 

Paul Carey for Galway showed off his dead ball taking abilities adding 2 points including a beautiful score from the sideline.

 

A moment of madness came just before half time as Steven Ward was judged to strike a Galway player in the head while attempting to tackle. Steven was given his marching orders and the Macs went in at half time 6 points up but a man down.

 

Half Time Score:

Aidan McAnespies: 1-10

Galway Boston: 0-7

 

It was the Macs who started the second half the brighter as Gormley used his speed to great effect to set up Fanning for another point. Cormac McKeogh made a great run up the right wing before kicking a cross field pass to the unmarked Tohill in the middle who buried it past the Galway keeper.

 

Galway came up the field and Daire Keenan finished off a patient attack with a point from the top of the D. Tohill then turned provider by finding Fanning with a kick pass who took on his man before beating Egan in goals to score his second goal. The Macs were 3-11 to 0-8 up at this point and were hitting Galway on the fast break when given the opportunity.

 

A fantastic solo run by Conor Lawlor for Galway opened up the Macs defense before he finished well into the bottom corner of the Macs net. At this stage of the second half, Galway started going for goal whenever they had the chance, with Carey coming close having his shot fisted over the bar by Jimmy Rigney in goals.

 

The goal of the game came from Eoin Gormley. Gormley found himself in space just outside the 45 with it all to do. He used his trademark speed to take on the Galway defense before finishing with a great goal.

 

Galway kept on fighting until the end but were unable to pierce the Macs defense to score another goal with some goal line saves from Rigney as well as the Macs defenders helping them to see out the game.

 

Man of the Match: Adam Fanning

 

Referee: Niall Malone

 

Team and Scorers:

Aidan McAnespies: Jimmy Rigney, Cormac McKeogh, Darran Gibney, Conall Devlin, Matthew Murnaghan (0-1), Owen Ward, Anton Tohill (1-1), Steven Ward, Joe Hagan (0-5), Rurai Scott, Rory Brolly, Eoin Gormley (1-2), Adam Fanning (2-6)

 

Galway Boston: James Egan, Tomas Crean, Ciaran Potter (0-3), Aidan Flanagan, Stephen White, Paudi Behan, Eoin Morrissey, Declan Doyle, Eoin Colleran (0-1), Daire Keenan (0-2), Maidhc MacGearaitt (0-1), Conor Lawlor (1-2), Paul Carey (0-4)

6/9/2024 - Senior Football - Donegal Boston vs Aidan McAnespies

By Neil McEnaney

Full Time:

Donegal Boston 3-20

Aidan McAnespies 1-6

 

The dreary rain that started the day had stopped by the time the ball was thrown in for these two Boston Senior Football rivals. The match started quite evenly with both teams trading early scores before Donegal started pulling ahead and running out comfortable winners.

 

Donegal started the brighter with Carthy winning the breaking ball from the throw up and moving it quickly into Donal O’Sullivan who was fouled as he took on his man. O’Sullivan stepped up and converted the free to get the scoring underway. He added a second point from a free when a Macs player was blown for overcarrying.

 

Conall Devlin for McAnespies did brilliantly to catch Croft’s kickout on the right wing under pressure before taking it himself on a solo run and a brilliant point too with the outside of his boot. Macs kept the pressure up and leveled with Donegal with a well taken score by Adam Fanning with his left foot.

 

Donegal started getting into their groove, with strong running from Morissey setting up Jimmy O’Grady for a point and Donal O’Sullivan adding another point from play. A holding the jersey off the ball led to a converted point by Brolly for the Macs leaving them within one point of Donegal (0-4 to 0-3).

 

From here to the rest of the game, it was all one way traffic in favor of Donegal. Ruari Gormley picked up a yellow for pulling Morissey to the ground. Corey Gallagher made a strong run from wing back to set up O’Grady for an easy point.

 

Donegal started moving the ball very well with Carthy assisting Lowry and O’Dwyer for points before adding himself to the scoresheet with a well taken score from the left wing. Ruari Gormley broke through the Donegal defence at one stage but hit his shot wide, just trailing left of the post.

 

Half Time Score:

Donegal Boston: 0-12

Aidan McAnespies 0-4

 

The second half started with a bang and any chances of a Macs comeback were dealt a huge blow right from the throw in. A high tackle by Gormley in midfield led to him picking up a second yellow and was sent off.

 

Donegal weren’t long making their man advantage count extending the lead with points from Morissey, O’Sullivan and O’Grady. The killer blow for the Macs came from Lowry who used all his speed to take on his man and set O’Sullivan up for the first goal of the game. O’Sullivan wasn’t long getting another goal after he rounded the goalkeeper to put it into an empty net.

 

The McAnespies, to their credit, kept on battling to the end with Fanning looking dangerous in the full forward line and picking up a goal after a long pass from Croft.

 

Man of the Match: Shane Carthy

Team and Scorers:

Donegal Boston:

Darren Grant, Anthony Diver, Neil Mulcahy, Sean Winston, Ben McCarron (0-1), Cory Gallagher, Shane Carthy (0-2), Jordan Morissey (0-2), Ciaran McDevitt (0-1), Jimmy O’Grady (0-3), Sean Lowry (1-2), Donal O’Sullivan (2-4), Ryan O’Dwyer (0-4)

 

Aidan McAnespies:

Robbie Croft, Darren Gibney, Cormac McKeogh, Conall Devlin (0-1), Owen Ward, Cian Quinn, Ruari, Gormley, Steven Ward, Cian Grime (0-1), Eoin Gormley, Rurai Scott, Adam Fanning (1-3), Rory Brolly (0-1)

6/2/2024 - Men's Senior Football - Galway v Aidan McAnespies

 By Neil McEnaney

Aidan McAnespies vs Galway Boston 

The senior championship kicked off with a great game between Aidan McAnespies and Galway Boston. It was a nervy game throughout with a lot of unforced turnovers for both sides. Galway ended up being the victors in a game that could have went either way at times. 

It was Dara Keenan for Galway who opened the scoring with a well taken point from play. Macs were forced to be patient in their attack as they tried to break down a solid Galway defence. It was Cian Grimes for the Macs who opened their scoring with a great point from just inside the 45. 

Galway then upped the intensity with a brave turnover by Mardhc MacGeorail leading to some quick ball movement between Aidan Flanagan and Dara Keenan to set up Eoin Colleran to kick a great score off his left foot. Galway extended their lead to 2 points with wing back Ciaran Potter coming up the field to fist the ball over the bar. 

McAnespies battled back with Eoin Gormley using his speed to take on his man from the right wing and fisted it across the goal to give Ruari Gormley the simplest of tasks to palm it into the net. 

Galway were quick to reply with 2 unanswered points from MacGeorail and a beautiful point from Paul Carey. 

A great turnover by Cormac McKeogh led to Conall Devlin going on a solo run right through the heart of the Galway defence. He released Eoin Gormley with a fist pass who was taken down by the Galway goalkeeper Michael Moylan, resulting in a penalty. Robbie Croft came up from his nets to take the peno. Unfortunately for the Macs, Croft mishit his penalty, kicking it over the bar for a point. 

A quick kickout from Moylan let Galway move the ball quickly up the field while Croft was still out of his goals! Colleran rounded his marker before being brought down resulting in a penalty for Galway. Carey stepped up for Galway and made no mistake rifling the ball into the roof of the net. 

The Macs didn’t panic and stayed patient on the ball when working their attack. Rory Brolly started getting into the game more kicking two points in a row (one from a free, one from play). Eoin Gormley turned provider once more setting up Ruari Scott for a well taken goal. 

Galway, once again had a quick response with Colleran scoring a point to finish off the half. 

Half Time Score:

Galway 1-6 Aidan McAnespies 2-5 

The Macs won the throw up in the second half and strong running from Ruari Gormley set up Eoin Gormley for a well taken point from the top of the D. Both teams traded scores before Galway got the next goal of the game. Moylan came out of his goals for Galway to give them an extra man in attack. It led to Keenan assisting Carey who did well to find the back of the net. 

McAnespies responded with Peter O’Connell taking a point off his left foot. Both teams traded scores and with the game in the melting pot, it really could have went either way coming into the final quarter. 2-10 a piece with 15minutes to go. 

Galway then upped it another gear with Carey leading the charge from the front. He kicked a beauty of free with his favored left. Ciaran Potter then overkicked a pass to Carey but a mix up in the Macs defence led to the ball in Carey’s hands with an open net to slot the ball into. 

After the fortunate goal, Galway really kicked on putting serious pressure on the Macs Kickouts leading to 4 more unanswered points. Croft did well to save Colleran’s attempt at goal but Galway did well to recycle it to Carey to get the point. 

Galway now led by 8 coming into the last 5 minutes of the game. A high ball into the square from a Brolly free ended up in the back of the net for the McAnespies. Brolly then snuck another free over the bar just in off the post. The Macs really pushed up on Galways kickouts and some strong running with Conall Devlin winning the breaking ball and finishing the move with a point.  

This left just the goal between the teams coming into injury time. A frantic few minutes ensued with both sides forcing turnovers but not enough time on the clock for McAnespies to create another goal chance. 

Full Time Score:

Galway 3-15 

Aidan McAnespies 3-12 

Man of the Match: Paul Carey (Galway) 

Teams and Scorers:

Aidan McAnespies:

Robbie Croft (0-1), Darran Gibney, Cormac McKeogh, Connall Devlin (0-1), Owen Ward, Cian Quinn, Rurai Gormley (1-0), Steven Ward, Cian Grimes (0-1), Eoin Gormley (1-1), Rurai Scott (1-1), Peter O’Connell (0-1), Rory Brolly (0-6) 

Galway Boston:

Michael Moylan, Sean Forde, Tom Creen, Ciaran Potter (0-1), Stephen White, Paudi Behan, Aidan Flanagan, Declan Doyle, Mardhc MacGeorail (0-2), Dara Keenan (0-1), Paul Carey (3-6), Conor Lawlor (0-1), Eoin Colleran (0-3)

Sun June 18 - Men's Senior Football - Donegal v Aidan McAnespies

Donegal Boston’s men’s senior team took on Aidan McAnespie’s last Sunday June 18^th.

McAnespie’s wasted no time in securing the first goal of the game, and making their presence felt. Donegal’s forwards started the game with several vigorous attempts at goals. Two attempts were deterred by McAnespie’s goalie, Mark Kelliher (1) and the second made its way over the bar by Donegal’s number 13, David Garland.

An injury for Donegal’s number 12, Ciaran McDevitt saw him limp off the field. Scoring remained minimal for the next several minutes. Many attempts were put wide on both sides of the field. Donegal’s number 11, Shane Carthy was successful, with a powerful kick from the 45 line. Another for Garland (13) followed shortly after. McAnespie’s had a chance for redemption with a goal attempt by Patrick Darcy (11) but Donegal’s keeper made an excellent save, protecting their advantage. Two more scores from Garland (13) put Donegal ahead of their competitors.

Another injury for a Donegal player paused play for several minutes. This time it was number 7, Thomas Galligan, who continued playing. McAnespie’s Darragh Lyne (8) dodged several Donegal defenders to finally bring scoring back for McAnespie’s. From there, McAnespie’s seemed to wake up and sprung to action. Three consecutive points from (12) put them back on an equal score and a goal from Lyne (8) put McAnespie’s back in the lead. 

Donegal may have dominated the first part of the first half, but McAnespie’s returned with a vengeance.

The second half began with a score of McAnespie’s 2-5 to Donegal 0-8. Darragh Lyne (8) took his chance at a goal and succeeded, for the second time in the match. Scoring followed for both sides, which meant McAnespie’s stayed in the lead. A penalty for Donegal bridged some of the gap, but simply not enough. A point for Donegal was matched by one for McAnespie’s, which ended up being the last kick of the game. Despite their commendable attempt at a comeback, McAnespie’s scoring in the closing minutes of the first half put them too far ahead for Donegal to catch up. The match finished with a final score of McAnespie’s 3-10 to Donegal 1-13.

 

McAnespie’s

1.      Marc Kelliher

2.      Caolan Harvey

3.      Conor Brady

4.      Owen Ward

5.      Jon Cassidy

6.      Iarla O’Sullivan

7.      Ben McDonnell

8.      Darragh Lyne

9.      Rory Brolly

10.  Ruairi Gormley

11.  Patrick Darcy

12.  Shane Petitt

13.  Eoin Gormley

 

Donegal

1.      Hugh Boyle

2.      Sean Doherty

3.      Killian Gildea

4.      Cory Gallagher

5.      Jack O’Brien

6.      Jason Noctor

7.      Thomas Galligan

8.      Paul McBride

9.      Sean Winston

10.  Shane O’Donnell

11.  Shane Carthy

12.  Ciaran McDevitt

13.  David Garland

Sun June 11 - Men's Senior Football: Aidan McAnespies v Galway

By Alana Loftus

Galway Boston took on Aidan McAnespies on Sunday last in the Boston GAA men’s senior football championship. McAnespies kicked off the game with three impressive scores, one after the other. Eoin Gormley (11) bagged the first point of the game, followed by a goal from Ruairí Gormley (8) within the first three minutes. Shortly after, Darragh Lyne (9) scored another point. All three scores were consecutive and set the tone for the first half.

A free for Galway taken by Reece Burke (12) secured their first score of the game. Determined to put them back in the race, the next two scores were also acquired by Burke (12), whose impressive scoring record proved his worth as a newcomer.

McAnespies number 10, Rory Brolly, bagged them another point.

The Galway full forward line was relentless with goal efforts and tried repeatedly to get past McAnespies goalie Marc Kelliher, but to no avail. Kelliher made two remarkable saves.  

McAnespie's Robbie Croft (13) scored a point which was matched by a point from Galway’s number 13, Nathan Grainge. Grainge banked a number of points for the Galway team, scoring three in a number of minutes. McAnespies goalie held strong, protecting the goal from yet another attack from Galway’s full forward line. A point for McAnespies number 8, Ruairí Gormley, was followed by one from Galway’s number 13, Grainge. Scoring alternated back and forth for much of the first half. Grainge, Galway’s top scorer of the match, bagged two more points putting the teams at a draw for the first time. Reece Burke (12) was taken off after suffering an injury and replaced by number 15, Patrick Darcy.

Two more points from McAnespies 10, Rory Brolly and 12, Robbie Croft put them back in the lead. Galway’s number 15 (substitute) scored a point to finish the half with 1 point between them and a score of Galway 0-10 to McAnespies 1-08.

McAnespies number 10, Brolly, secured the first score of the second half. A second attempt at a score hit the post. Galway’s Grainge (13) made a tremendous run, dodging several of McAnespies defenders, and finishing with a swift pass to Flaherty (10) who handpassed it over the bar.

After a brief recess on the sideline, McAnespies put Robbie Croft back into the game, and he within seconds he had scored another point. Just after that, McAnespies number 8, Ruairí Gormley widened the gap after getting a goal that increased their lead. After receiving a black card, McAnespies number 9, Darragh Lyne waited out his sinbin pacing the sideline and heading back out onto the field the second it was over.

Galway substitute, Danny Burke, scored a point and another followed from Grainge, whose scoring statistics far outweighed those of anyone else on the field.

Skilled passing between Croft (12), Lyne (9) and McAnespies sub number 15, who buried the ball in the net. Tensions were high at this point, and a scuffle near the Galway goal resulted in a 2nd yellow and subsequently, red card for McAnespies number 6, Tiernan McSkean. The referee also gave a black card to Galway’s number 13, Grainge, whose sinbin cost Galway serious scoring chances. The free taken by Conor Flaherty (10) lifted Galway’s spirits. Conor Flanaghan (11) followed up with a point from play and Patrick Moylan, who came on as a substitute, finished the game with a goal for Galway, but their efforts could not bridge the gap. The game finished with a final score of McAnespies 3-13 to Galway 2-14.

 

 

McAnespie’sMcAnespies:

1.      Marc Kelliher

2.      Conor Brady

3.      Caolan Harvey

4.      Ruairí Scott

5.      Ben McDonnell

6.      Tiernan McSkean

7.      Steve Ward

8.      Ruairí Gormley

9.      Darragh Lyne

10.  Rory Brolly

11.  Eoin Gormley

12.  Robbie Croft

13.  Shane Pettit

 

Galway:

1.      Jamie Kelly

2.      Dara Whelan

3.      Anthony Keating

4.      Kieran O’Dwyer

5.      Stephen White

6.      Michael Moylan

7.      Eoin Morrissey

8.      Connell Dempsey

9.      Jordan Muldoon

10.  Conor Flaherty

11.  Conor Flanagan

12.  Reece Burke

13.  Nathan Grainge

 

 

June 10 - Men's Junior Football - Aidan McAnespies v Donegal

By Alana Loftus

McAnespies took on Donegal Boston on Saturday evening in the Men’s Junior Championship. Donegal got the scoring underway with a powerful goal from number 12 Mark McFadden, in the first few minutes of the game. Around the four-minute mark, McAnespies number 9, Aidan O’Malley bagged them their first point. McAnespies dominated the next few minutes, with points from numbers 8, Paddy McGee and 12, Padraic Dillon. A 45 was awarded to McAnespies, and the opportunity for a goal was narrowly missed.

At a break in play, McAnespies goalie, Jack Lake (1) shielded his eyes from the sun that was getting stronger as the afternoon went on. One of McAnespies loyal supporters offered up their hat to help him.

A knee injury for Donegal number 4, Neil McEnany, stalled play for several minutes. An ambulance was called and the ambulance and fire brigade both arrived after approximately 20 mins. The crowd applauded him as he was carried off the pitch. We wish Neil a speedy recovery.  Play resumed and Donegal sprung to action, with Jack Doyle (10) scoring a point and attempting a goal immediately after but putting it wide.

After that there was a point from McAnespies number 14, Jude Campbell, followed by one from Donegal’s number 11, Sean Donnelly. A free in for McAnespies was popped over the bar with ease, by Campbell (14) putting them just one point behind Donegal.

The first half came to a close with a score of McAnespies 0-5 to Donegal 1-3.

Play continued with another goal from Donegal’s Mark McFadden (12), securing their place in the lead. A free for McAnespies substitute number 15, f  followed.

Donegal’s 10 and 12, both secured points to further widen the gap between the two teams. McAnespies tried tirelessly to catch them but seemed to lack when it came to scoring. Two crucial wides saw them fall further behind. McAnespies Jude Campbell (14) bagged the final score of the game, but unfortunately for McAnespies their fate had been sealed.

The match finished with a score of Donegal 2-9 to McAnespies 0-9.

 

McAnespies:

1.      Jack Lake

2.      Eoin Murdock

3.      Brian Troy

4.      Jonathon McGeraty

5.      Jimmy

6.      Conan McCusker

7.      Owen Ward

8.      Paddy Magee

9.      Aidan O’Malley

10.  Shane O’Brien

11.  Liam O’Malley

12.  Padraic Dillon

14. Jude Campbell

Donegal:

1.      Eoin McGing

2.      Paul McNulty

3.      Mark Canny

4.      Neil McEnany

5.      Ryan McMahon

6.      James Newall

7.      Jack Hamill

8.      Darren Grant

9.      Nicholas Store

10.  Jack Doyle

11.  Sean Donnelly

12.  Mark McFadden

13.  Donnacha Swinburne