Donegal 1-12 Cork 0-12
Donegal started this senior game in very impressive form, almost banging in a goal right of the throw-in. Cork were under relentless pressure as Stephen Finnegan and Sam McCabe cut through for two points. Fintan Gould did put Cork on the score-board from a mark, but it was back to Donegal’s attacking script. With Stephen Finnegan, a powerful force in the middle, Donegal would put four unanswered points on the board, courtesy of Niall O’Donnell(2), Sam McCabe and Finnegan himself. [For All Ireland GAA coverage, click here.]
Midway in the period it looked as if the Tirconnell squad was on target to really rout the Rebels. Rory Mulligan was in the small square as he was dragged down, and the ball fell over the line. Was it a goal or a penalty? A goal was awarded. Though now trailing by 1-6 to 0-1, Cork began to engage better with their swift moving opponents, and would add three points courtesy of Sean Rock(2) and substitute Seamus Casey to leave Donegal leading by 1-7 to 0-4 at the short whistle.
Though Eamon Colum kicked a very fine point for Donegal on resumption, it was Cork who turned the tables for the next quarter. Cork put Donegal on the defensive as the Rebels hit five points on the trot. Dara Walsh, who had a great second half, began the scoring spree. Sean Rock had three and Charlie Sullivan had the other, making it a two-point game. Donegal’s best player, Niall O’Donnell, temporarily lifted the siege with a point. Tensions were now reaching a crescendo, as Cork’s Walsh and Casey pointed to just leave the minimum between the sides. Once again it was full forward O’Donnell to relieve the pressure with a well-worked point, Cork needed a goal, but Donegal’s swarming defense, ruled that option out. With late points from the side’s best players, O’Donnell and Walsh, a goal was the difference at the end of a great second half. Donegal look to be on a mission back to the days of former glory.
Donegal: Jack Cullenane, Ben Tyrell, Tommy Carpenter, Eoghan Doddy, Rory Mulligan(1-0), Cian Deane, Kaelan Walsh, Kyle Higgins, Stephen Finnegan(0-2), Peter McNeilis, AJ Willis(0-1), Sam McCabe(0-2), Eoghan McGettigan, Niall O’Donnell(0-5), Eamon O’Colum(0-2). Subs Tiernan McLaughlin, Thomas Shalvey, Conor Regan, Pauric McGill, , Colum Doherty.
Cork: Donal Casey, Colum Fallon, Alan Raftery, Conor Healy, Enna Barry, Jamie Davis, Dara Walsh(0-3), John Conefrey, Cathal Carroll, Michael Murray, Charlie O’Sullivan(0-1), Tom Sullivan, Ger. McCullagh, Fintan Gould(0-1), Sean Rock(0-5).Subs Brian Corcoran, Sean Tierney, Conor Hunter, Seamus Casey(0-2), Jamie Coyle. Man of Match Niall O’Donnell, Referee Shane Hogan.
Dull encounter
enlivened late on
Westmeath 1-12 Sligo 2-7
This senior football clash was a mediocre affair, run of the mill type game until the last few minutes, and then the tenor of the proceedings changed dramatically. Westmeath were marginally better in the possession stakes, and looked destined to be victors. The last two minutes saw two goals scored, the first by Sligo’s Cormac Donnelly, and now they were in the lead. Then the Yeats Boys attempted to run down the clock by adopting some dilatory tactics, thus prompting the referee to add time to the clock. During added time Killian Butler crashed in a goal to reclaim the lead and gain victory. Unfortunately there were ugly and thuggish scenes after the final whistle in the middle of the field, and of course red cards handed out as the referee and sideline personnel sought to quell the mayhem.
Meanwhile Sligo got off to a good start as Eoghan Kerins had the opening score, and they soon added another under disputatious circumstances. No Hawkeye at Gaelic Park to resolve that, though there’s an abundance of unsolicited experts. Westmeath’s early attacking forays were wide of the mark before Rob Wharton, their strong center-back man set up Jamie Savage for their first score. Indeed the Savage, on the “forty” would be Westmeath’s most prolific scorer, but he had a strong supporting cast in Adam Loughlin Stones, Jordan Ajavi, Niall Mitchell and Dan O’Sullivan, who got their second point.
Then when play switched to the other side, it was a mixed bag of luck for Sligo when goal opportunities arose. Brian Power seemed to have a bone fide chance for a major strike as he cut inside, but drove the shot wide. However, he had much better luck with his next attempt. The keeper misjudged the flight of the ball and the full forward was on hand to tap it into the net to give Sligo the lead approaching the first hydration break. Westmeath stepped up their production and performance to put three unanswered points on the board to draw level courtesy of Savage(2) and O’Sullivan with a single. It was tit for tat as Ahearn pointed a free and a strong run by Eoghan Kerins ended with a foul and another Ahearn pointed free. However Westmeath finished the period strongly as Savage landed thee points to put his team ahead by 0-8 to 1-4 at the short whistle.
Upon resumption Westmeath maintained the upper-hand in the quarter after the break with a brace from Savage, one was from play and the other from a mark. Entering the last quarter Westmeath were ahead by three, 1-10 to 1-4. However this would be Sligo’s most productive period as they appeared rejuvenated. Now they adopted a much more offensive approach. Connell Ahearn got their mini scoring spree going, and there were also some mini wrestling shows going on simultaneously away from the main action. Two further points just left a point between the sides, and then Cormack Donnelly powered his way in for a great goal to grab the lead as time ebbed away. Well Sligo’s efforts to expedite the remaining time didn’t work, and Westmeath’s Cillian Butler goaled in added time to regain the lead and victory. The closeness of the scores kept the game interesting, but the closing minutes were the main discussion points. On balance Westmeath was better team over the hour, and deserved the spoils
Westmeath: Pat Guerin, Niall Donohue, Israel Ileunga, Boya Sageh, Stephen Nolan. Robert Wharton, Conor Coughlan, Stephen Monaghan, Adam Loughlin-Stones, Jordan Ajavi, Jamie Savage(0-9), Shane Fagan, Darragh Carmody, Niall Mitchell, Dan O’Sullivan(0-3). Subs Keith Scally, Brian Travers, Dylan McDermott, Killian Butler(1-0), Sean Moore.
Sligo: Vinnie Cadden, Shane Queenan, Jack Horan, David Brennan, Eoghan Kerins(0-1), Danny Corridan, Dylan Rooney, Brian Beirne, Cormac Donnelly(1-0), Simon Murphy, Harry O’Connor, Cian McArdle, Brian Power(1-0), Connell Aherne(0-6) Subs Fintan Corbett, Jack Brett, David Maye, Paul Kelly, Paddy Moriarity, Joe Henry, Liam Nugent. Man of Match Jamie Savage, Referee Peter McCormack,
Kingdom statement
Kerry 4-16 Manhattan Gaels 3-5
Kerry left no doubt that they are strong favorites to win out the intermediate division judging by their very impressive performance against Manhattan Gaels. Such was their dominance that the Gaels didn’t get into their attacking zone in the first quarter, never mind get a score.
The Kingdom had three points on the board, two from Conor Keane and one from Martin Stack, before they struck the first goal after ten minutes. Liam Kearney picked out Niall Madine with a fine diagonal delivery and the former Down player made no mistake with his shot. Kerry rained over another few points before the second goal arrived. Again Kearney, the powerful midfielder, set up Shane Hennessy for the major strike.
It was midway in the period and Kerry had 2-5 on the board before the Gaels opened their account. Lawrence goaled after Eoghan Carew delivered the pass. However there was little time to enjoy the goal as Conor Keane finished to the net almost straight from the kick-out. Eoghan Carew, still the most accurate kicker of a dead ball, sent over from the sideline and full forward McKeon also sent over a fine effort from play.
Kerry went in leading comfortably at the short whistle by 3-9 to 1-2. However the second half was a much different affair as Manhattan almost matched Kerry in scoring, the Kingdom added 1-7 and Manhattan bagged 2-3. Perhaps it was the confluence of Kingdom’s lassitude and loss of cohesiveness due their emptying the bench. Maybe they had sympathy for the underdog! Though the issue was never in doubt, a few points from Eoghan Carew and goals from James Cox gave the score board sheen of competitiveness.
Dress rehearsal
Tipperary 1-23 Westmeath 1-14
I was informed as this senior hurling game was in progress that the result was inconsequential. I found this rather perplexing, given that a holiday atmosphere prevailed as many opted for cooler locations at beaches or in the mountains. Perhaps the hurlers love their hurling so much so that the result, holiday weekend and the heat and humidity don’t matter. Maybe staging this game was a dress rehearsal or a good training session for an upcoming game. There are currently just four teams performing at senior level. These two teams meet next Sunday in the semifinal of the New York senior hurling championship. The other semifinal, Waterford versus Clare is on Saturday.
