Boston GAA: Semifinals - entertaining game sees Tipperary win out over Fr. Tom Burke’s

Blues and Donegal to Contest Senior Football Final

Shannon Blues 3-11 Aidan McAnespies 2-12

The second semi-final of the day produced a fine contest between Aidan McAnespies and Shannon Blues. The Blues looked like they would run away with it for much of the first half, but in the second half McAnespies almost completed a big comeback only to fall short. Cathal Gregg put in a man of the match performance for the Blues, particularly in the second half when players were needed to step up in the face of a McAnespies comeback.

The first half belonged to the Blues as they overran the McAnespies defences. James Hynes and Cathal Gregg were in fine form on the half forward line. After Daniel McKenna opened the account with a point, the Blues went on a goal and\three points run. The goal came from the boot of James Hynes who was fed by Gregg, and Sean O’Connor pointed two frees. Bradley and McGuckin stemmed the tide with a point each, but the respite was brief as again the Blues went on a scoring burst. Gregg netted a wonderful goal and more points came from the half forwards, O’Connor and Gregg. The Blues suffered a blow after David Clarke was shown a red card following a high challenge on Niall Gallen. Colm Donnelly added a point in the McAnespies column before the break to make it 2-6 to 0-5 for the Blues at the half.

McAnespies started the second period with renewed energy and narrowed the gap to five points. The Blues, however, dug deep to produce some scores and continued to run at the McAnespies defence. Hynes netted a second goal, similar to the first and Cathal McHugh added a point to increase the lead. As the half wore on the extra man began to tell. McAnespies enjoyed more possession and got the ball into the hands of their forwards with far more frequency. McCrory, who could have had a goal, McGuckin, and Bradley pointed, and a goal came from Daniel McKenna with time on the clock. McAnespies were their own worst enemies as there were a few bad misses from good scoring chances, but with injury time approaching a second McAnespies goal came from Sean Cournane who fisted past the advancing keeper. The Blues relied on Gregg to do the running to try and make up for the extra man, and the Roscommon man did a superb job. The Blues kept a nose ahead with points from O’Connor frees, and the back line did a good job in keeping the door closed.

Referee: Syl Doyle (Loch Garman)

Man of the Match: Cathal Gregg (Shannon Blues)

Blues: T. Sayers, C. Phelan, R. O’Callaghan, B. Curran, M. McGowan, S. Moriarty, D. Clarke, D. Dineen, S. O’Connor, J. Hynes, C. Gregg, C. Rafferty, K. Hurley. Macs: R. McCrystal, N. Gallen, P. McConway, M. Slane, E. Bradley, M. Bogue, D. Kingston, C. Donnelly, D. McKenna, N. McCrory, C. McCrory, E. McGuckin, S. Cournane.

Donegal 4 - 15 Galway 1-5

Donegal swept past Galway with a powerful display off football and finally provided a look at the capabilities of a team laden with intercounty talent. With Kevin Cassidy in the half back line, Brian White and Brian Donnelly in the middle of the field, and Dessie Dolan and Derek Maguire up front, Donegal blew past their opponents and effectively had their place booked in next week’s semi final after 20 minutes had expired.

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