Boston Junior title for Donegal

Donegal 1-9 Aiden McAnespies 0-10

Donegal captured the junior A football championship in a very exciting, bruising, and tense encounter with Aiden McAnespies. Donegal played some great football, and forwards Paul Boyce and Aiden O’Hagen proved huge factors in their victory. Donegal led from the start but McAnespies made it close at the end, almost pulling off a late victory as Gary Hennessey’s shot flew over rather than under in bar during injury time.

Who would have thought that the same Donegal team defeated by Macs by 13 points earlier in the season could have beaten a Macs team going for their third title in a row. This was really a team effort that started the training session following the initial Macs defeat.

Donegal got off to a great start in the first meeting of the day between the two clubs, and got into a five points to two lead after 15 minutes. McAnespies then had the better of things for the remainder of the first half, but missed several good chances to score. In contrast, Donegal’s only foray forward resulted in a Paul Boyce point that lifted the siege. McAnespies’ Shane Lynn made it six points to three at the half with the game very much open.

Possession was keenly contested around the middle of the field, and each side fought hard to gain an advantage. Jonathan Byrne and Simon McDonagh for Donegal and Thomas Tuite and Shane Lynn for McAnespies contested everything as if their lives depended on it. McAnespies made inroads early in the half and reduced the deficit to a point with scores from Eugene McKenna and Tuite. However, Donegal came back with a score from a Paul Boyce free. Boyce then won a penalty that was taken by former Tyrone minor, Aiden O’Hagen. O’Hagen’s well directed shot found the back of the net and Donegal were five points to the good. McAnespies made a huge effort to cut into the lead. Barry Brogan ran from corner back to point, and Shane Lynn, McKenna and Nigel Regan each pointed to make it a two point game with less then 3 minutes left.


Paul Boyce was a contender for man of the match

Ricky Rush pointed to put Donegal three to the good again, but Gary Hennessey rushed through from midfield immediately from the ensuing kickout and his shot from the 21-yard line flew over the bar – a goal would have tied it. McAnespies put the pressure on Donegal in the final minutes in an effort to get the goal that would win the game, but Donegal held out and took the first of the games between the teams.

Donegal now face Ulster of San Francisco in the North American championship semi final on Saturday at 1:30 at the ICC. All support is appreciated, come support Donegal as they try to win their first American title.


Inishowen members from Donegal Club
Donegal: E. McLaughlin, D. Harkin, R. Grant, K. McGee, D. McNulty, F. Granaghan, S. McDonagh(0-1), J. Byrne(0-1), Paul Friel (0-1), Adrian O’Hagen (1-2), Paul Boyce (0-3), M. Corr, S. Kelly. Ricky Rushe (0-1). Macs: B. Arkinson, Barry Brogan (0-2), B. McMenamin, N. Clancy, C. Dempsey, Thomas Tuite (0-1), Shane Lynn (0-2), G. Hennessey, Nigel Regan (0-2), M. Doherty, E. Daly, P. Nugent, Eugene McKenna (0-4).

Donegal come up short in Championship decider

Aidan McAnespies 4-6 Donegal 1-7

McAnespies took their fourth championship in a row with a comprehensive victory over Donegal, and truth be told, the margin of victory could have higher. It seems a far cry from the Buffalo Bills days of the South Boston side when victory in the big one always escaped them. An early first half goal, followed by a second mid way through the half put the Macs in the drivers seat, while Donegal did nothing to help their cause. When enjoying a long spell of dominance in possession, and a chance to regain their footing and recover, Donegal kicked wide after wide. The usually reliable Kevin Curran and Dualtach Molloy missed some good chances, and Donegal’s hopes drifted away as the wides mounted.

McAnespies got off to a dream start, and never looked in danger of giving up their title from the word go. Conor McGourty goaled in the third minute, and the score was quickly followed with points from Steven McGettigan and Colm McCrory (free). McAnespies had a couple of chances to blow the game wide open before Doengal got a score. McGettigan found McGourty with a great pass and McGourty’s shot hit the post. Donegal introduced Ciaran Bonner to the fray in an effort to turn things around, and Bonner did bring some mettle to Donegal’s efforts. Dualtach Molloy finally pointed from a free after 10 minutes, but rather than settle down the side, Donegal proceeded to kick 5 wides. With Donegal enjoying a good spell in terms of possession, McAnespies netted a second time. Danny McBride was pulled down in the box as he bore down on goal, and Christy Lynch placed his shot well into the bottom corner. The wides mounted for Donegal as neither Dualtach Molloy nor Kevin Curran could find direction. Eventually Molloy pointed from play, and David Donegan put one over for McAnespies before the half time whistle. McAnespies by seven at the half; 2-3 to 0-2.

Things did not improve for Donegal after the restart. Within 3 minutes McAnespies had themselves another penalty and again, Lynch did not err in his shot. McAnespies now 10 points ahead. Frustation crept in for Donegal, Bonner had his name taken shortly afterwards. The futility of Donegal’s efforts were underlined by the removal of what had been the mainstays of their attack all season, Dualtach Molloy and Eamon Murphy. Ironically enough, their replacements, Michael McGinty and Ronan Diver each pointed shortly after their introduction. McAnespies regained control of affairs again, Alan Feeney, who had an outstanding game, and Christy Lynch who was on top of his man all day, each pointed from their back line. David Donegan also contributed on the scoreboard with a goal after 20 minutes and Donegal’s chances of winning evaporated completely. Plenty of satisfaction in the McAnespies camp having been beaten in each of the junior football finals, taking the big one more than makes up for it.

Macs: D. Traynor, Christy Lynch (2-1), G. Norton, David Donegan (1-1), N. Kerr, A. Feeney, M. Stanbrook, D. McBride, C. Galligan, D. Lally, Colm McCrory (0-1), Conor John McGourty (1-2), Steven McGettigan (0-1). Donegal: N. O’Connell, T. Maguire, P. Witherow, O. Wade, K. Cunningham, N. Hegarty, D. McNulty, R. McNeilis, Dualtach Molloy (0-1), E. Murphy, K. Curran, G. Concar, Declan Murphy (1-1). Subs: Michael McGinty (0-1), Ronan Diver (0-2), Ciaran Bonner (0-1).

Report by Rory o'Donnell Thar an Trasna blogspot

Sundays final results

Sundays Results
Junior A Football: McAnespies 0-10 Donegal 1-09

Senior Football: McAnespies 4-6 Donegal 1-7

Reports to follow

Tones Wilt under Donegal Pressure

Donegal team that defeated the Wolfetones to qualify for Boston final

North Eastern Senior Championship Semi Final, Boston, MA Sunday August 18th

By Rory O’Donnell

Wolfe Tones 0-6 Donegal 1-15

Donegal advanced to the senior football final in impressive fashion with a resounding win over the Wolfe Tones. Donegal totally outclassed their opponents, who this scribe favoured, and in the end ran out easy winners. Donegal saw the return of Dualtach Molloy and Ciaran Bonner made a short reappearance, but had to leave the field due to injury. From the middle of the first half Donegal took control of the game and the Tones could not find their way back into it and surely will be thinking that they could have left more on the field by the time it was all over.

Donegal came out all guns blazing in the first half and worked themselves into an eight point lead over the first 30 minutes. Donegal were first to the ball in the back line and the forwards were one step ahead of their markers. The northerners played the ball well into the forward line and enjoyed plenty of possession from the midfield exchanges. The Wolfe Tones did well in the first quarter of the game, Jamie Murphy and Sean McVeigh pointed, each a fine score. Donegal proceeded to take over for the remainder of the half. The Tir Chonaill men scored nine points to a single point for the Tones in final 20 minutes of the half. Dualtach Molloy was a sure thing with free kicks and put four in a row over the bar. The Tones could not find room when in possession and when Donegal had the ball were searching for answers on how to stop their opponents. Eamon Murphy, Gareth Concar, and Ronan McNeilis also found the mark for Donegal.



The second half was a replay of the first, only worse from a Wolfe Tones perspective. Mick Sammon, who entered the fray as a sub, saw red as his challenge on Ciaran Bonner, who also came in for Donegal, was deemed worthy of a sending off. Dara Joyce put two early points over for the Tones, each a rousing score, but the Tones did not manage to raise themselves. Donegal continued to pick off the points, and a goal came from Concar to well and truly kill the game. Donegal advance to final with an impressive performance and a margin of victory that nobody could have expected. Doneagl now play Aidan MacAnespies in the championship final in what is sure to be an epic encounter. A place in the North American final awaits the winners.

Tones: W. O’Dowd, N. McKenna, D. Scullane, E. Hickson, T. Meagan, K. Gorham, J. Farrell, S. McVeigh, J. Murphy, D. Joyce, C. Farrell, M. Farrell, S. Kelly.

Donegal: N. O’Connell (Kildare), P. Witherow (St.Michaels), T. Maguire (Ardara), N. Hegarty (Kilcar), K. Cunningham (Kilcar), E. Wade (Glenties), R. McNeilis (Gweedore), D. McNulty (Fermanagh), D. Molloy (St. Eunans), E. Murphy (Kildare), K. Curran (Robert Emmets), G. Concarr (Ardara), D. Murphy(Tyrone) subs: C.Bonner (Glenswilly) for Wade, M McGinty (MacCumhaills) for Bonner, Paul Roper (Aodh Ruadh) for Hegarty, Sean Lee(Cavan), Ronan Diver (Gweedore)

Referee: Paddy Russell (Tipperary)

Donegal Juniors make Boston final

North Eastern Junior Championship Semi Final, Boston, MA Sunday August 18th
Donegal 1:12
Cork 1:04

The sunshine returned to Canton for the opening game of the day as Donegal pitted themselves against the men of Cork for a place in this years Junior Championship final. Donegal had already beaten Cork in an earlier league game so Cork were out for revenge. Donegal hit the field running but failed to convert a number of excellent scoring chances. Donegal continued to press the Cork defense and the break through score came from the boot of Galbally, Tyrone native Micky Corr when he blasted to the back of the Cork net. Cork struggled to get through a stubborn Donegal defense marshaled by Fermanagh man Darryl Mc Nulty. Ciaran McGee was also having his best game of the season in the half back line. Donegal tagged on a number of points through Tyrone man Aidan O’Hagan. Cork did push forward for 2 first half points but that was all they would muster. Donegal could have had this game won at half time but 8 first half wides meant that Cork were still in with a shout. Donegal led at the break 1:04 to 0:02. Donegal continued where they left off and punished Cork with a number of quick scores coming from Paul Friel and Simon McDonagh. A missed Donegal penalty rebounded to the boot of Micky Corr who made no mistake in putting the ball over the bar from a tight angle. Further scores came from O’Hagan and Boyce. Cork did break for a goal midway through the second half, but at this stage Donegal were already cruising to a comfortable victory. Donegal will now meet Aidan MacAnespies in the divisional decider. This is a repeat of the 2006 final when the Macs defeated a Donegal side aiming to retain the trophy. Macs are now going for three in a row in the Junior competition. Donegal will be pulling out all the stops to make sure they are champions for 2008. A place in the North American finals awaits the winner.

Donegal Team: Emmet McLaughlin(Moville), Damian Harkin (Urris), Rory Grant(Burt), Felix Granaghan (Bundoran), Daryl McNulty (Fermanagh), Kieran McGee (Robert Emmets), Jonathan Byrne (Malin), Simon McDonagh ( St.Johns, Antrim), Paul Friel Capt (Urris), Aidan O'Hagan (Galbally, Tyrone), Paul Boyce (Carrigart), Shane Kelly (Urris), Michael Corr (Galbally, Tyrone) Subs:Paddy O’Connor (Tipperary), Mark Canny (Carndonagh), Danny Friel (Urris), Eamon Kelly (Buncrana), Ricky Rush(Robert Emmets), Colm O'Sullivan (Kerry)

Donegal too strong for Gaels

Donegal 2-8 Connemara Gaels 1-5

The Connemara Gaels could not overcome Donegal to keep them in with a chance of the senior playoffs, so it will be the Intermediate playoffs for the westerners. Donegal were that bit stronger in the middle of the field, quicker to the ball, and passed the ball well. By half time the chances of the Gaels pulling off a win were slim. Donegal had a nine-point lead and the Gaels had to work very hard for the three scores that were converted, though truth be told there could have, and some may argue should have, been two in the goal column for the Gaels.

Donegal’s quickness and speed had the Gaels under pressure for most of the first 30 minutes. Kevin Curran opened the scoring with a free and Eamonn Murphy followed with another. Kieran Cox snatched a goal chance in the opening exchanges and sent the ball narrowly wide from close range, however, Donegal made the most of their own goal chance shortly afterwards when Declan Murphy sold a dummy to Pat McNicholas and buried the ball with just the keeper to beat. Donegal five points to the good with the Gaels yet to score. James Carlin got the Gaels off the mark with a free, but the Gaels struggled to add to their tally for much of the period.

Declan Murphy tries to elude the attention of Michael Geoghan.

After Kevin Curran put another over for Donegal, Donal McNulty finished a fine move with a point. Eamonn Murphy added another and with Donegal holding a seven point lead , the Gaels enjoyed a brief period of pressure the yielded points from Tom McDonagh and Coleman Conroy. The Gaels could have had a goal, Niall O’Connell pulled off a brave save from McDonagh as the Leitir Mor man was bearing down on goal, and Carlin rocketed the ball off the crossbar in a sequence of play shortly afterwards. Donegal, however, finished the half well having weathered the storm. Curran and Murphy pointed, and Gareth Concar scored a second goal just before half time to put Donegal in the drivers seat for the next period.

The scores were few and far between in the second half and the game slowed considerably. The first 20 minutes saw McNulty put another fine point over the bar for Donegal and Carlin point from a free for the Gaels. The Gaels battled on and tried to whittle down the deficit, but the Donegal defence proved tough to break down. Carlin put another free over the bar, and Frank Niblock goaled from a 21-yard free to pull the Gaels within five points with five minutes to go. It was too little, too late however, as the Gaels could not complete the late rally, and Donegal march on to the senior championship playoffs.
Gaels: J. Flaherty, B. McLoughlin, P. McNicholas, Coleman Conroy (0-1), M. Geoghan, D. Burns, R. Hughes, G. O’Malley, K. Cox, Frank Niblock (1-0), V. O’Malley, Tommy McDonagh (0-1), James Carlin (0-3). Donegal: N. O’Connell, T. Maguire, S. Lee, N. Hegarty, K. Cunningham, P. Witherow, R. McNeilis, Donal McNulty (0-2), E. Wade, Eamonn Murphy (0-3), Kevin Curran (0-3), Gareth Concar (1-0), Declan Murphy (1-0).

By Rory O'Donnell @ http://tharantrasnan.blogspot.com/


In the junior game, Donegal also beat the Gaels, final scoreline of 6:22 to 1:07. In what was a very one sided affair from start to finish, Shane Kelly finished as Donegals top scorer with 2:05, hopefully Shane can carry this form through to the semi final meeting with Cork on Saturday August 16th. This will not be an easy game for the Donegal lads. Donegal got one over Cork during the league winning by 4 points, but the semi could be an even closer affair. The other semi will see Aidan MacAnespies up against Kerry.