Senior Football - Kerry 1-11 Donegal 2-11

Donegal held off the challenge of a game Kerry team in the intense heat in Canton. Kerry started the game much faster than their opponents, however, Donegal lasted the pace and came out on top by one goal winners. Paddy McBride’s early second half goal meant that the lead changed hands. Kerry pulled level again once, put could not repeat the feat as the time ran down.

Kerry got out of the blocks quickly with a five points to no score start to the game. Robbie Croft accounted for the first 3, 2 frees and one from play – a fine effort from out on the wing. Kerry were in the ascendancy in the early going and almost had a goal, however Shane O’Callaghan’s initial effort was blocked and second went over the bar.

After a handful of missed opportunities, Donegal finally got on the scoreboard with a Nicky Kelly goal, who was at the far post to pick up on a rebound from Mal McDermott shot. Kerry corner back, David Larkin, straight away made a massive run upfield and after a couple of give and go’s, cancelled out the goal right away. Donegal inched their way back into it as the initiative swung their way. Three frees from Mulligan reduced the gap to two as Kerry were forced into fouling to keep the opposition at bay. The sides traded scores to finish out the half with Kerry on top, and hanging on, 1-7 to 1-5.

The second half saw Donegal turn the tables early, a Paddy McBride goal put the northerners into the lead. Kerry had to work hard to try and move the ball into scoring position as most players were on defensive duties as Donegal attacked in numbers. After Kerry missed a great opportunity to retake the lead, Donegal did just that with a Rory Kavanagh point followed by McDermott.

From that point on Kerry defended in depth and tried to counterattack, however, with one forward man covered by multiple Donegal defenders it was an arduous task. The Kerry men hung in though and kept themselves in with a shout with two points from O’Callaghan. Donegal still had matters under control. Gavin Gallagher, Sean Doherty, and Mulligan pointed to keep Donegal’s noses ahead, while Kerry’s efforts at pulling off a late goal from high balls were well dealt with by sure hands in the Donegal back line .

Kerry: S. Enright, D. Larkin, M. Murphy, R. Driscoll, L. Healy, J. Barry, P. O’Sullivan, E. Mullan, S. Driscoll, R. Kennedy, J. O’Shea, R. Croft, S. O’Callaghan. Donegal: M. Boyle, M. Canny, C. Burke, S. Doherty, T. McCleneghan, G. Gallagher, M. McDermott, R. Kavanagh, P. McAleer, N. Kelly, P. McBride, M. Smyth, E. Mulligan.

Senior Football - Galway 2-13 Aidan McAnespies 1-11

Galway dished out the first defeat of the season to Aidan McAnespies with a brilliant performance, full of determination and confidence. Two goals in quick succession from Craig Kennedy provided the boost with the game in the balance and Galway saw off the efforts of their opponents with some tough defending and holding the ball well.

Galway raised some eyebrows for after the first 10 minutes were played the tribesmen led by six points to no score. Galway’s pace would not last however, as McAnespies took their turn at the drivers seat and put five points over to no reply. At Galway’s end it was Seamus Mattemo doing the early damage, followed by Kevin Cummins with 3 frees. Collie Donnelly eventually got McAnespies off the start line, and was followed by Danny Tallon, Chris Healy, and Michael Day as the initiative swung. After Cummins stemmed the tide with an excellently taken free, Tallon finished the superb move to net for McAnespies. The sides went into the break all square after Cummins had pointed another free, though McAnespies were the side with the initiative in their favor at the break.

The pace of the game slowed somewhat in the second half and got off with the teams trading points, Tony Donnelly and Cummins did the honors. Craig Kennedy had been called on a couple of occasions for overcarrying as he tried to round his man, but soon afterwards got in twice in quick succession to rifle the ball into the roof of the net. Galway were on the pigs back and the defence stepped up when McAnespies threatened, Michael Collins and Fergal Reilly at corner back were sharp.

Galway’s forward line were quick and full of running, Seamus Mattemo, Kennedy, and Jason Campion moved the ball well, and the place kicking of Cummins was second to none. The Galway lead grew to seven points, Cummins and Enda Flanagan doing the honors. When it was time to kill the clock Galway did well keeping possession and saw out time to deliver the first defeat of the season to McAnespies.

Galway: Jamie Kelly, M. Collins, F. Reilly, D. Reddin, L. Laheen, O. Reilly, S. Marchell, K. Mulvaney, J. Campion, K. Cummins, S. Mattemo, C. Kennedy, E. Flanagan. Macs: P. Coakley, R. Kennedy, E. Kerins, J. Carney, B. Greenan, M. Bogue, M. Day, J. Brickland, F. McGeough, C. Donnelly, T. Donnelly, D. Tallon, C. Healy.

Senior Hurling - Wexford 1-10 Tipperary 1-18

With Wexford still looking for their first win of the senior hurling championship and Tipperary looking for sole position at the top of the table. It was Tipp who accomplished their mission with some strong performances from Wille Egan, Adrian Morrissey and Jason Bergin, who popped up with a goal in the second half to send Tipp on their way.

Wexford and Tipperary slugged it out for the first half, and at the end of the 30 minutes Tipp had the edge by four points. Tipperary looked the strong with Willie Egan at center back, Stephen Molumphyin the middle of the field, and Adrian Morrissey at corner forward all doing their bit. It was tit for tat for most of the half, though Wexford had Jamie Barry to thank for a great save from Mikey Ryan as Tipperary pressed in the early going.

Adrian Morrissey was the man on the mark with five from frees and two from play while Wexford got contributions on the scoreboard from many quarters, Eoghan Kavanagh, Niall Kennedy, Jamie Desmond, and John O’Driscoll each contributed. With Tipperary threatening to pull away having opened a 4 point lead, Wexford pulled a goal back through Paudge Kehoe to make it a one point game at the break, 1-6 to 0-10 in Tipp’s favor.

Tipperary made several switches in the second half and the fresh legs made a difference as the second half wore on. After trading two points each, Jason Bergin and Morrissey put back to back points over and Tripp then hit with a goal from Bergin to make it a six point game. Bergin and Morrissey added two more points and the Tipp advantage had ballooned to eight.

With Egan in command at center back for Tipp Wexford’s chances did not look too good. Murray and Desmond pulled a couple of points back, but Tipp had them back at 8 points through Morrissey and Egan. Wexford had a handful of half chances at net, however Clinton Hennessey was not too troubled dealing with the trouble. Tipp eased to the win, While Wexford will be hoping for a win or two in the second part of the season to keep playoff hopes alive.

Wexford: S. Barry, J. Keyes, C. Robinson, M. Morris, J. Desmond, T. Moloney, J. Kehoe, C. Murray, P. Kehoe, R. Doyle, N. Kennedy, J. O’Driscoll, E. Kavanagh. Tipp: C. Hennessy, D. Moloney, P. Meade, J. Rigney, W. Egan, T. Rigney, S. Molumphy, R. Sludds, B. O’Leary, J. Bergin, M. O’Leary, M. Ryan, A. Morissey.

Junior A Football - Cork 1-12 Aidan McAnespies 3-9

Sean McConville banged in two fine goals, one in each half, and was pulled down to win a penalty and see Aidan McAnespies junior A side through a test against last years finalists, Cork. Just before half time and late in the second half, with Cork in the lead, established a lead to build on, McAnespies netted through McConville to wipe out the opponents advantage.

The first half was a well contested affair with Cork building a three point lead. The teams were neck and neck for most of the half. Mike Moynihan tallied the first couple of scores for the rebels before Tom Rigney answered for McAnespies. Cork worked the ball well upfield, however left themselves open at the back for counterattacks. With teams level at five points each Cork opened a lead with scores from Peter Wallace and Padraig O’Shea. However, just before half time Seanie McConville’s persistence, in spite of the efforts of his marker, hit the back of the net with an effort from a tight angle.

McConville also made a big contribution to the McAnespie cause after being pulled down in the box, and Callum Comiskey sent Ollie Murphy the wrong way with the shot. The psaces opened up as the half wore on and players took advantage, carrying the ball on both sides. Cian Horan won a penalty for Cork after he was pulled down following a long run, and it was Moynihan to slotted the kick home.

The goal put Cork one to the good as Moynihan had put a free over earlier to break the tie, however the lead did not last long. Comiskey broke through the Cork defence and hit inrushing McConville with a pass that McConville buried into the far corner of the net. McAnespies drove forward to point twice, Darragh Murphy and Shane Lynn made it a four point game. Cork got within a goal with a point Padragi O’Shea, however a tying goal was not on the cards for the rebels. With the win, McAnespies junior As maintain a 100% record along with the senior team.

Cork: Ollie Murphy, E. Barry, M. Carolan, T. McKitterick, J. Lynch, D. O’Donovan, G. Bastible, C. Horan, P. O’Shea, M. Moynihan, S. Kennedy, C. Caffrey, P. Wallace. Macs: E. McKenna, P. Daly, M. McQuaid, C. Comiskey, T. Rigney, R. McCrystal, E. Hamill, D. Fitzpatrick, S. O’Kane, S. McConville, D. Spratt, D. Murphy, D. Kennedy.

Results Saturday July 11

Junior A Football: Galway 4-4 Wolfe Tones 3-12

Junior B Football: Donegal bt Shannon Blues

Ladies Senior Football - Connacht Ladies 4-8 Tir na nOg 1-6

Connacht ladies broke through the Tir na nOg rearguard to goal on four occasions in the second half having come up against a solid defensive wall in the first. The westerners banged in three goals within the first five minutes of the second half to turn the game on its head and see them through to the win.

Superb defending was the hallmark of Tir na nOg’s first half performance. The full back line of Jenna Davoran, Alison Taylor, and Rachel Stapleton was outstanding, and the steady hands of Niamh Hynes also kept Connacht Ladies from netting in spite of having worked the ball inside the 21 on several occasions. At the other end, Nicola Horan stole in behind her marker to slip the ball past Jackie McDonagh and into the net after about 10 minutes. The teams matched each other in the points column, Jane Ward, Catriona Foley and Tori McLaughlin on the mark for Connacht, while for Tir na nOg it was Louise Bergin, Fiona Morrissey, Sinead Bannon and Horan pointing. The goal was all that stood between the teams at the break.

Within 5 minutes of the restart Connacht Ladies had turned the game on its head with 3 quick goals. Aimee McGuckin stole in behind her defender and collected the ball over the top to fire home for the first, Jane Ward reached highest to punch the second one home, and Nicola Donnelly’s floated effort drifted into the far corner of the net. With points added from Foley and Donnelly, all of a sudden, Tir na nOg found themselves behind by eight points.

Shauna Jackson, who entered the game as a substitute, pointed from a free after 20 minutes, Tir na nOg’s first score of the second half. The Brighton based side had failed to take advantage of a decent handful of chances to score, both from play and from free kicks. The result was sealed with a fantastic goal after Tori McLaughlin and Ruth Cox combined to see Foley in with just the keeper to beat, and with just minutes to do there was 11 points in it. A great second half from Connacht ladies, while Tir na nOg will be figuring out how to maintain form for the full 60 minutes.

Tir na nOg: N. Hynes, J. Davoran, A. Taylor, R. Stapleton, F. Ni Bhriain, N. Daly, S. Trusiak, F. Morissey, J. Hyland, S. Bannon, C. Nee, L. Bergin, C. Ryan, R. Stapleton, N. Horan. Connacht Ladies: J. McDonagh, J. O’Grady, J. McDonald, K. Lynch, T. McLaughlin, H. Potts, A. Griffin, C. McMahon, C. Fitzpatrick, C. Foley, N. Donnelly, R. Cox, E. Hannon, A. McLaughlin, J. Ward.