Game Reports

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Senior Football: Blues Make Gaels Pay

Connemara Gaels 0-13 Shannon Blues 1-13
The Gaels looked like they would be the team to end the Shannon Blues hundred percent record for 60 minutes on Saturday evening, but in injury time a Cathal McHugh goal put a dagger into Gaels hearts.  The Gaels in many ways should have put the Blues away and should not have been in the vulnerable position that they were in coming into the final few minutes, but when scores are not recorded the opponent always has a chance.  The Blues made the most of their opportunites and stayed in the game despite being outplayed, especially in the middle of the field.  However, when the moment came to strike the Blues took full advantage and came away winners of an enthralling encounter.

James Hynes leads the way.
At the end of the first half the Gaels held the slightest of edges.  It was an excellent, competitive 30 minutes of football.  The Gaels tried to take advantage of the size they had, and with there midfield winning more than a healthy amount of ball.  The Blues tried to keep the kickouts away from the Gaels big men, and had some success.  The Gaels got some excellent scores and the westerners could have been in for a goal or two on a couple of occasions. A Gaels man was found at the far post on one occasion, but took a second too long and Tom Sayers saved to put the ball over for a point.  The Gaels forwards saw alot of ball in the first half  and could have been further in front only for the Blues got some great play from the back line, especially from Conor Phelan at corner back and Ross Calaghan.  Kieran Hurley, Paul Garvey, and Sean O’Connor(Coco),converted for the Blues and at the half it was 0-6 to 0-5 in the Gaels favour.

David Dineen competes for a kickout with Coco looking on.

The Gaels continued to enjoy most of the possession in the second half and almost had a goal to show for it about half way though when a Gaels man found himself through, but blasted wide of the far post.  Then from the kickout the Blues almost put one away, but could not work the opening as the Gaels defended in numbers.  Eventually Hurley’s attempted point came off the post and the Blues came away with nothing.  As the misses mounted for the Gaels, the Blues made the most of their chances and kept pace.  Hurley pointed twice, David Dineen, and Sean Moriarty once each to bring the Blues tally to 10 points with ten minutes left.  The Gaels also Knocked over 5 points and this looked like a game that the Blues where not going to get out of.  The Gaels continued to dominate the midfield and With 10 minutes left the Gaels led by one point, and with time was almost up the Gaels lead was 3 – but the way the this season is going, a dramatic finish was to be expected, and sure enough it came.  Throughout their history the Blues have a never say die reputation, and sure enough they refused to accept that it was over.  Coco and substitute Cathal McHugh made it a one point deficit in injury time with a point each.  The Gaels defence was then opened up one more time, and  the ball ended up in McHugh’s hands.  The Roscommon man put the ball into the far corner from the edge of the small square.  The Gaels, who had looked sharp and full of running up until that last sequence literally died.  The Blues played the ball around for the last minute or two, and finished with an O’Connor point to cap off a huge win.  A huge disappointment for the Gaels, but for the Blues a win that showed a lot of character, patience, and confidence in themselves.

Blues:  T. Sayers (Kerry), R. Callaghan (Kerry), C. Phelan (Waterford), M. McGowan (Sligo), D. Clarke (Sligo), B. Curran (Sligo), S. Moriarty (Kerry), D. Dineen (Cork), S. O’Conner (Kerry), J. Hynes (Sligo), G. Curran (Sligo), K. Hurley (Kerry), P. Garvey (Rosscommon).

June 5 2011 -

Mayo 0-10 Shannon Blues 0-11

Mayo and the Blues served up an exciting game of senior football Sunday afternoon. In the second half there was never more than one point in it, with the Blues Simon Sinnott putting the winning point over the bar in injury time. It was always a game that either side could have won, but a sending off late in the game of Mayo’s Kevin Keane for a second yellow card might have given the edge to the Blues down the critical stretch at the end of the game.

Mayo’s Lewis Cawley shadowed by Steven Mann.
The first half was well contested, at the end of 30 minutes there was just 2 points between the teams with the Blues sitting on six points to four for Mayo. Mayo corner forward, Lewis Cawley, opened the scoring with a fine point from play however the Blues went on a four point scoring run over the next ten minutes. Shane O’Donoghue, Pa Magee, and Shane Cahill each pointed. Cahill looked impressive for the Blues at center forward and over the 60 minutes put in a man of the match performance. Mayo got themselves back into the game. Some fine performances from Fintan Kelly and Barry McShea in the back line helped Mayo get back on track. Midfielder Peter O’Hanlon and wing back Paudie O’Donohue each pointed to bring Mayo back within a point. The direct ball into the dangerous corner forwards appeared to be Mayo’s strategy, however, the Blues corner backs worked diligently to keep the threat at bay. Steven Mann and Shane Kelly worked hard to keep Jack McDonnell and Cawley from winning easy ball. McDonnell did take advantage of an early ball to point towards the end of the half, while Cahill and Magee pointed for the Blues.
After the restart points from Cawley and McDonnell had the sides on level terms. From then on it was up and down the field as each side tried to pull away from the other, but neither could find any separation. Cahill put the Blues up by one only for Fintan Kelly to sally from corner back and level matters. Cahill again put the Blues ahead from a free and substitute Kevin Keane again put the sides on level terms. With 10 minutes to go Ken Kileen put the Blues ahead and the game was very much in the balance. Again Mayo brought themselves level, Barry McShea running out of defence was instrumental in a move that was finished by Gervais Toner. It was Mayo’s turn to take the lead with 26 minutes gone. McDonnell put a very difficult free between the posts to give Mayo the slenderest of leads. With the tension mounting every change of possession and free was met with cheers or jeers depending on the side favoured. The Blues had plenty of chances to draw level but either missed or made the wrong choice in front of goal, the feeling was that it might just be Mayo’s day. Not so however. With a man down and under constant pressure, eventually Mayo were called for overcarrying the ball out of defence. Cahill popped the free over the bar and it was all square again in injury time. With the Blues pressing for the win, and holding a numerical advantage in players, a desperate Mayo clearance found Simon Sinnott waiting all alone on the 45. Sinnott took his measure and floated the ball down the middle and over the bar. A stirring win for the Blues to get their first two championship points of the season and disappointment for Mayo who looked like they might just pull off the win.

Shannon  Blues: G. Kissane ( kerry), S. Mann (Wicklow), S. Kelly ( Galway), P. Magee (Cork)  (0-2), C. Murphy (Wicklow), C. Mullen (Sligo), D. McElligott (Kerry), K. O’Shea (Kerry), S.Sinnott (Kerry) (0-1), S. Cahill (Cork) (0-6), J. McCormack (Dublin), S. Moriarty(Kerry), S. O’Donoghue(Limerick) (0-1). K. Kileen(Sligo) (0-1), D. White(Kerry).

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May 22th 2011: Senior Football Championship – Connemara Gaels v Shannon Blues

Connemara Gaels 3-11 Shannon Blues 2-13In a game that saw three red cards and five goals the Connemara Gaels came away with the points. There was tremendous excitement as the game ebbed and flowed. Twice the Gaels looked like pulling away but the Blues reined them back in and it all boiled down to the final kick of the game, a free that drifted just wide to the relief of the Gaels and disappointment of the Blues.

The Blues held the edge over the Gaels for most of the first half. Whether running the ball from midfield or making the long pass into the corner the Blues had the Gaels back line in a little bit of disarray. Kieran Hurley capitalized for the Blues with some accurate free-taking. With the teams level on two points each, the Blues established a three point lead. The Gaels seemed stuck in the blocks and were unable to get a foothold in the middle of the field. The Blues were first to the breaking ball and enjoyed the lions share of posession. The Gaels kept working to make something happen, and eventually got a reward for their efforts with a goal from Stephen Monaghan that leveled the scores. Brian O’Connor beat his man on the edge of the box and passed to the incoming Monaghan who side-footed home from close range. Following the goal the Blues lost Kevin O’Shea to a red card for striking an opponent in full view of the referee. Having drawn back to level terms, the Gaels now had the bit between the teeth. Further points came from Robbie Fox and O’Connor, and a second goal just before half time from O’Connor seemed to put the Gaels in the drivers seat, but not for long. The Gaels lost O’Connor shortly after the goal for a second yellow card, and now the sides were level in personnel. At the half, the Gaels led by four points, 2-4 to 0-6.
The Blues stormed right back into the game after the restart and were on level terms within 2 minutes. Hurley, who was having a fantastic game in the corner, won the ball from behind his marker and after turning blasted home from close range. The corner forward followed with a fine point from a free and the sides were level. The Gaels introduced Tommy Walsh, and the former Galway minor made an immediate impact with a point to put the Gaels back in the lead. A goal came soon afterwards from Stephen Monaghan. A great ball from Walsh found the incoming Monaghan who chipped the keeper from an angle and the Gaels were back in front. Now it was the turn of the Blues to take over, and rattled off five points in a row. Shane Cahill seemed a magnet for the ball and the man from Mitchelstown won ball after ball for the Blues. Four Hurley points ensued, one was a real beaut under pressure on the sideline. Denis McElligott tallied the fifth and with the sides level and the game in the balance the Gaels looked like they would finish the stronger side. Barry Murphy dispossessed his marker as the Blues looked to launch another attack, and the Gaels swept down the field for substitute Niall Judge to handpass over the bar. Cathal O’Neill added another before another sending off, this time the Shannon Blues Sean Moriarty. Things seemed to be in hand for the Gaels, Tom McDonagh and Niall Judge extended the lead to five points. The Blues weren’t done however. Denis McElligott, who put in a tremendous 60 minutes for the Blues, poached a goal as the Gaels back line lost concentration, and Cathal O’Neill added a point. With just a point in it, the Blues had a chance to salvage a point from the game but Hurley’s free from 45 yards went just wide of the posts. A hard won two points from the Gaels, for the Blues a fine performance that just fell short. If this game is anything to go by, the outlook looks exciting for the rest of the season.

Blues: G. Kissane,(Kerry) S. Sinnott(Kerry), C. Mullen(sligo), D. McElligott(Kerry), P. Magee(Cork), D. White(Kerry), P. Murray(Boston), K. O’Shea(Kerry), K. O’Sullivan(Kerry), S. Cahill(Cork), M. Lyons(Limerick), S. Moriarty(Kerry), K. hurley(kerry).

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2010 games.

Sat August 21 – Junior Football semi-final: Shannon Blues v Donegal

Shannon Blues 0-8 Donegal 1-10

Donegal overcame the challenge of Shannon Blues in the first of the Junior A football semi-finals on Saturday. The northerners got some great performances from Paddy McLoughlin at wing back, Christy McLoughlin at center forward, and Eamonn McCarney at corner forward to keep an edge on their opponents through the second half. The Blues gave it a go and could have leveled affairs late in the game, having won a penalty, but the shot went wide and Donegal went on to march into next Sunday’s final.

The opening stages of the first half were dominated by the Blues. With the defence on top of Donegal, the Blues enjoyed most of the possession. Brendan Driscoll at center back directed play out of defence, and with Pat Murray motoring in midfield, Ulick Leonard, Nick Murray, and wing back Conor Fitzgerald pointed. Eamonn McCarney had opened the scoring with a point for Donegal, and trailing by three points to one, the Donegal men found their stride mid-way into the second period. Paddy McLaughlin, and his namesake Christy, each pointed to level matters, and Christy then almost goaled. Having made his own opening, McLaughlin tried to place the shot to the far post and the ball came back off the foot of the post. Soon afterwards, Donegal had their goal. Jonathan Byrne was found with a ball over the top and the Malin man beautifully placed his shot into the far corner. The sides traded points to bring us to half time with the Blues leading by a goal, 1-4 to 0-4.

The Blues tried everything to swing affairs to their advantage in a scrappy second half that had several stoppages. Wing back, Conor Fitzgerald, put in a fine performance in the second period, while Nick Murray and Mark Green made every effort to claw back the deficit. With Paddy McLaughlin making darting forward runs, Donegal stretched their lead to five points after the restart. Donegal had an early goal chance, but Kieran McGee’s close range shot was saved by Gary Henry. Paddy McLaughlin pointed and was followed by Christy with another. With 20 minutes to go the Blues launched a comeback effort. Nick Murray pointed, and Mark Green added another. Christy McLaughlin and Green then traded points and the difference between the sides stood at a goal. The Blues had a chance to level the game after Alan Garry, who had come on as a substitute was dragged down in the square. Mark Green faced the imposing figure of Colin Murphy in goal for Donegal, and Green tried to place the shot high to Murphy’s left, but was unlucly to miss the mark. Following the let off, Donegal pressed home the advantage. Emmet Doonan extended the lead to four, and Christy McLaughlin made it six with a points from frees, one followed the sending off of Brendan Driscoll for Shannon Blues. A good win for the Donegal, and the Blues juniors can be proud of there efforts this year and will look forward to next year with alot if hope.
Blues: G. Henry(sligo), P. Moriarty(Boston), G. Jones(fermanagh), C. Fitzgerald(Boston) (0-1), B. Driscoll(Kerry), M. Keegan(Boston), P. Murray(Boston), N. Murray (0-3)(Loias), D. Simms(Boston), M. Green(Clare) (0-2), S. Griffin(Boston), U. Leonard (0-2)(Fermanagh), B. Dowdell(Boston).

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5 th Round Senior Championship July 18th 2010

Shannon Blues 0-9  Saint Christopher’s 1-8

On a blistering hot sunday afternoon in Canton, Alan Holland opened the Blues’ account  with a score from play, and proceeded to swap efforts with St Christopher’s  to leave it at two apiece. Shane Lannon then put the Blues into the lead with a fine 45 metre free, and a neat Enda Mullarkey effort from the right made their advantage two. Next came a dust-up which resulted in Christopher’s sub David Ward, on the pitch a matter of seconds, being dismissed along with the Blues’ JP Murphy, It was clearly a tactic by the christophers to get Murpy the  line, as JP Murphy was causing the Christophers all sorts of trouble when he had the ball, and there cowardly tactic worked. The game was now down to 12 men apiece, no joke in searing heat. Christopher’s,  added  the next score, but this was cancelled out by a Denis McElligott effort when he surged forward from the back untracked. Christopher’s next had a half chance when a 45 drifted across the square and wide when it was crying out for a fist. Holland, who had opened the scoring, ensured the Blues were three up at the interval when he added a tidy score from play as the break came.
Alan Holland goes through for a score.
McElligott burst forward again and set up O’Connor for a score as the second period opened, but Christopher’s hit back  with a long free, aided now by the strong wind. Declan Hawes came to the rescue shortly after for the Blues, when he saved a well taken effort with his foot after a monster delivery from midfield had outwitted his defenders. Christophers  pointed the resulting ’45, but Paul O’Connor hit back for the Blues to keep the gap to three. The decisive move came with fifteen remaining, as Christophers latched onto a ball which took an exaggerated bounce, and sped through to take a goal well. The sides were now level, and  Christopher’s pushed on and added a great score, and although the Blues did level through  Ken Killen, Christopher’s had the momentum. To seal the game, they converted a 30 meter free, and then tagged on another at the death to win by two.
Shannon Blues: D Hawes(Clare), S Kelly,(Galway) N Galvin(Cork), JP Murphy(Cork), D McElligott  (0-1)(Kerry), L Jennings(Cork), M O’Brien(Galway), P Murray(Boston), P Magee(Cork), S Lannon(0-1)(Waterford), E Mullarkey (0-1)(Galway), P O’Connor (0-2)(Kerry), A Holland (o-3)(Cork).  Subs: K Killen (0-1)(Sligo), S Sinnott (Kerry),J Burke (Galway) M McDonagh (Galway), P O’Brien (Fermanagh), C Fitzgerald (Boston), T Hernon(Boston), B Russell(Kerry), L O’Brien(Galway), C Mullen,(Sligo)

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4 th Round Senior Championship July 4th 2010

Connemara Gaels 2-10 Shannon Blues 2-12

Shannon Blues survived a late Connemara Gaels surge to escape two point winners in the last game of the day Sunday, The Fourth of July. Having led by six points at half time, and by eight mid-way through the second, the Blues almost saw a Gaels side that battled to the bitter end steal two championship points.

Shannon Blues Pat Murray puts in a tackle.
The Gaels struggled through the first fifteen minutes of the game. The Blues outscored their opponents five points to one in the opening quarter. Paul O’Connor proved deadly at corner forward for the Blues, and JP Murray at wing back made some penetrating runs that had the Gaels rearguard scrambling to cover. Points came from O’Connor and Alan Holland; the corner forwards put all seven Blues first half points over between them.  Eventually the Gaels found a route to goal, mainly though free’s. with the Gaels putting three expertly taken frees over the bar, and  accounted for one from play . With the Gaels having dragged themselves within three points coming up to half time, But it must be said the Gaels would have been a lot closer at the break if they had not missed 3 very scorable frees . Then just on the strike of half time the on form Paul O’Connor netted a goal as the Gaels lost their way coming out of defence. At the half the Blues led by a score of 1-7 to 0-4.
The Gaels started the second half on top, aiming to overturn the deficit. A well taken  point was followed with another . Murphy sprang into action for the Blues again, and set up substitute Ken Kileen for Blues point, and soon afterwards O’Connor found the net again for the Blues with a well taken goal. The Blues looked on track for a comfortable win.  But The Gaels  had other ideas and started to make some changes and brought in some fresh legs, and they hit the Blues for two quick scores . JP Murphy, again sliced through the Gaels defence and this time took his own point. The Gaels continued to press and had some chances that were put badly wide, but a much needed goal came, with the Gaels corner forward finished nicely into the far corner from a close angle, and now there were four points in it.
Paul O’Connor goes though for his first Shannon Blues goal.
The Blues answered well however. Two quick points, the second from O’Connor, surely would sure kill off any Gaels come back. Not so, a quick goal and a point from the men from the west with time almost up made it a two point game. Who else but O’Connor again answered for the Blues with a good score to make it a three point game again. and with the last point of the game going to the Gaels, shortly after the final whistle went and the  game ended with the Blues chalking up another win.
Blues: D. Hawes(Clare), S. Kelly(Galway), N. Galvin(Cork), JP Murphy (0-1)(Cork), D. McElligott(Kerry), L. Jennings(Cork), S. Sinnott(Kerry), M. O’Brien(Galway), P. McGee(Cork), P. Murray(Boston), E. Mullarkey(Galway), P. O’Connor (2-7)(Kerry), A. Holland (0-2)(Cork). Subs; K. Kileen(Sligo) (0-1), K McBride(Antrim),P O’Brien(Fermanagh),M McDonagh(Galway), J Burke(Galway), L O’Brien(Galway), B Russell(Kerry), T Moloney(Kerry),C Mullen(Sligo),T Wallace (Kerry), C Fitzgerald (Boston),A. Garry(Boston)
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3 rd Round Senior Championship june 26th 2010

Shannon Blues 0-9 Aiden McAnespies 2-10

Aiden McAnespies took the wind out of the sails of a high flying Shannon Blues side on Saturday afternoon thanks to a commanding midfield performance and relentless attacking from wing forwards. Shannon Blues were hoping to follow up on their victory over Donegal, but spent most of the game trying to catch their opponents. The Blues looked like they would make a run at it in the second half, but when the momentum looked like it was changing in their favour, McAnespies regained control of the game and ran out seven point winners.

The first half opened with space at a premium as each back line was quick to shut off any window of opportunity for the opposing forwards to find room. The first clear shot did not come for 9 minutes and the first score came 10 minutes into the game. The Macs  put the ball over from a tight angle for.  The Macs Wing back, popped up for a second and and then a third added for McAnespies as at the other end of the field, the Blues forwards struggled against a tight McAnespies defence. Alan Holland put the first score over the bar for the Blues in the 23rd minute and followed with a second shortly afterwards.  McAnespies answered on the stroke of half time and then a goal for McAnespies  put them in a commanding position at the break McAnespies led by a score of 1-4 to 0-2.

Denis Mac on the move

The second half was a much more open affair from a scoring standpoint, but was marred by several scuffles. The Blues gained some traction, but as they crept within striking distance, McAnespies closed the door. Still trailing by five points, the Blues got within two thanks to points from Michael O’Brien and two from Holland. The manner in which the Blues swept upfield for their fourth point of the half looked ominous for McAnespies, combined with an impressive block by Shannon Blues center back, Noel Galvin, on a macs player who was bearing down on goal at the other end. McAnespies dug deep however.  Two quick pionts from the Macs forward line put the McAnespies back into a four-point lead.  After the Blues pointed from a Holland free, McAnespies hit with a second goal to kill the game.. The sides traded points to finish out the game. McAnespies will be pleased with the win. The Blues looked strong and at times played some nice football, but will need to find a way to spread the scoring if they are to go one better and raise the cup this year.

Blues: A. Garry(Boston), S. Kelly(Galway), T. Wallace(Kerry), S. Lennon(Waterford), D. McElligott(Kerry), N. Galvin(Cork) (0-1), P. Murray(Boston), M. O’Brien (Galway)(0-1), JP Murphy(Cork), P. McGee(Cork), A. Holland (Cork)(0-7), J. Burke,(Galway), T. Maloney(Kerry)

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2nd Round Senior Championship June 12th 2010
Blues scrape home after scare at Canton

Shannon Blues 2-09

Donegal 1-08

In the only Senior Football Championship tie to survive the weekend washout, Shannon Blues eventually prevailed having thwarted an unlikely Donegal comeback. The rain never relented from the word go at the ICC, and the Blues were the quickest to get to grips with the elements, racing into a four point lead courtesy of a sweet Pat Magee score on the turn and three Justin Burke frees. A long-range effort from Dnegal sparked them into life  after they gained possession at midfield, but JP Murphy then slid onto a ball through the middle and grabbed the game’s first goal, taking the wind out of Donegal’s sails. Donegal responded with two scores in succession, but with Burke unforgiving from frees at the other end, the Blues led by 1-06 to 0-04 at the halfway mark.

All the early second half indicators were that the Blues would run away with it. Burke tapped over a free a few minutes into the half, and then JP Murphy notched a cracking score from out on the right-hand sideline. Donegal hit back with a free from the left , but you wouldn’t have been backing them at this stage. However the game was to unexpectedly turn Donegal’s way with the introduction of two subs, both of whom made a huge impact. Both players combined down the Blues’ left flank, to send an unstoppable effort to the net. Straight from the kick out which donegal won they notched over another score, now the game was level. Then another Donegal sub, sent over a fantastic looping effort from under the stand to put Donegal into the most unlikely of leads with just a few minutes left. But there was one more twist. Although punch drunk at this stage, the Blues did manage to pull it together for one last effort, and this was enough to see it out. After Donegal lost possession on their own ’45, the Blues worked the ball soccer-style up the left wing, resulting in Alan Holland finishing to the net. Allied with further late Moloney effort, this finally saw off a spirited Donegal fight back.

Shannon Blues: D Hawes (Clare), S.Sinnott (Kerry), N Galvin (Cork), S Lennon(Waterford), D McElligott(Kerry), JP Murphy(Cork), P Murray(Boston), M O’Brien(Galway), A Holland(Cork), P Magee(Cork), E Mullarkey(Galway), T Moloney(Kerry), J Burke(Galway)

Subs: L Jennings(Cork), K McBride(Antrim), L O’Brien(Galway), P O’Brien(Fermanagh), C Mullen(Sligo), SM Manley(Loais), M McDonagh(Galway), B Russell(Kerry), S Kelly(Galway), C Fitzgerald (Boston)
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1st Round Senior Championship May 30th 2010
Kerry 2-5 Shannon Blues 1-10

Hawes Paws Saves the Blues

The two points that separated the sides at the end of the game did not really reflect the difference between the teams. The Blues dominated most of the game and comfortably led through most of the second half. Goals bookended Kerry’s day, one right from the get go and one right at the end. Removing those scores from the equation and the Blues dominance is more accurately reflected.
The early exchanges were committed and it looked as if we could be in for a good game of football. Each side fielded strong looking teams. Kerry got off to a golden start, witha Kerry forward  palming the ball into the net as the Blues defence failed to deal with a high ball in the small square. The Blues settled however, and pointed from corner forward Justin Burke. Kerry responded with a point , but from then on it was all Blues.
Thomas Maloney on the move
The Blues chipped away at Kerry’s lead mainly through Burke, who looks like an impressive scorer. After the Blues leveled affairs with three unanswered points, Burke finished a move that started with Thomas Maloney put the Blues a goal to the good. A serious lift would be required for the kingdom to get back on track, but it was the Blues who got the final score of the half from Pat Murray to lead by four at the break, 1-5 to 1-1.
Justin Burke Slips it in.
Kerry had a golden chance to get back into the game after a penalty was awarded, however, Declan Hawes got down well to save and add to Kerry’s woes. At the other end, Bernard O’Connor saved well from Burke to keep Kerry in touching distance. The Blues, however, added to their lead with points from Murray and Maloney as Kerry struggled to come to grips with the game and frustration was evident in the ranks. Kerry managed to get something going for the last ten minutes of the half and try to salvage something from the game. Kerry pointed four times , but the Blues were able to match their opponents and maintain the lead. Kerry pressed for a goal as the Blues dropped deeper into their own half.A Kerry  player blazed wide after he picked up the rebound from a great save by Declan Hawes but the much needed goal that came from te boot of a kerry forward proved too little too late for Kerry.

Blues Team: D. Hawes(Clare) T. Wallace(Kerry), M. McDonagh(Galway), S. Lennon(Waterford), D. McElligott(Kerry), S. Sinnott(Kerry), P. Magee(Cork), P. Murray(Boston) (0-1) ,K. McBride(Antrim), C. Fitzgerald(Boston), E. Mullarkey(Galway) (0-1), J. Burke (1-7)(Galway), T. Maloney(Kerry) (0-1).

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Junior As Vs Macs Sunday June 6th

Aidan McAnespies 2-06 Shannon Blues 2-05

Shannon Blues Junior A Footballers
Shannon Blues Junior A Footballers

Late heartbreak for the Blues after they had stormed back into this contest. The Macs led early on after a goal and adding on a quick point, with Tommy Hernon replying for the Blues. This one was played in sodden conditions due to heavy rain fall the night before, with a good deal of surface water making even the basics extremely difficult. The Blues’ goal led a charmed life in the first half, with McAnespies hitting all four sections of post and the bar. Luck ran out for the blues defence when Macs where rewarded a penalty which was expertly buried.  The Macs added to it with a great curled effort from the right to leave the Macs with a decent cushion at the break. The Blues’ revival came right after half time when a goal from Shane Walsh following a goalmouth scramble was added to by a few well-taken efforts from Conor Mullins. Panic almost set into McAnespies’ approach late on when the always-dangerous Hernon added a brilliant fisted goal, but a Macs score from miles out settled their nerves and  they held on for a norrow victory.

Shannon Blues Team: A Garry(Boston), G Jones(Fermanagh), M Green(Clare), C Fitzgerald(Boston), C Mullins(Sligo), M Keegan(Boston), P Murray(Boston), S Manley(Laois), S Walsh(Mayo), B Griffin(Boston), J O’Flaherty(Boston), T Hernon(Boston), S Dervin(Meath)

Subs: J Kelly(Boston), J O’Gorman(Boston), K Connaughton(Boston), S Brennan(Boston), M Coyne(Boston), D Simms(Boston)