Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Seniors do enough against the Tones
Sunday June 21st
Donegal 2:05
Wolfe Tones 2:02
Played in atrocious conditions, Donegal continued their unbeaten run in the 2009 Boston Championship. After heavy rain on Saturday night and throughout the day Sunday, conditions in Canton were as far from Summer football as you could get. The players must have thought they had been transported back to the hills of Donegal. Donegal certainly adapted better to the conditions on the day. Their ball possession and efficient passing gave them the edge in the rainy conditions.
Early signs were not good for Donegal as the Tones grabbed a quick goal, a long punted ball into the square was punched to the net by the Tones gangly full forward. Donegal keeper Hennessey was rooted in his mud pool and watched the ball fly to the bottom corner. Soon after, Gavin Hoeys goal bound shot was well saved by the Tones keeper. Donegal came back at the Tones and points through Curran, Mangan and Mullins brought them level. A sweeping Donegal move found Mangan in space and he coolly slotted the ball home. Donegal led at the half by 1:04 to 1:01.
Both teams battled it out in a rather forgetable second half. The highlight a Cormac Mullins penalty when he had been downed by the Tones keeper inside the 14. Mullins expertly dispatched to the top corner to give Donegal a 6 point lead. The WolfeTones did manage a late goal, but Donegal held out for a deserved win. On a day where defences ruled, Sean Lee and Mark McGowan stood out for Donegal. Next up for Donegal are the Shannon Blues on Sunday at 2:30.
Donegal Team: Donegal Team: M. Hennessy(Carlow), S. Lee(Cavan), C.Healy(Laois), R. McLaughlin(Donegal), M. McGowan (Donegal)(0.01), S. Hannon (Offaly), D. McNulty(Fermanagh), R.Wherity(Donegal)(0.01), K. Curran (0-1)(Donegal), M. McGinty(Donegal), G. Hoey (Westmeath), C. Mullins (1-01)(Carlow), E. Mangan (1-01)(Kerry). Sub:Christy Bell(Buncrana), Derek Nolan(Kerry), Paul Roper(Donegal)
Juniors squeeze past Gaels
Saturday June 20th
Donegal 2:11
Gaels 3:07
Donegals just did enough to get past the Gaels at Canton on Saturday evening. Both teams struggled to get into top gear as they fought the humid conditions. A worrying trend that continued from Donegals first game was their ability to take their scores, doing so would have meant a far different scoreline. As Donegal struggled in front of goal, Connamara got themselves in front and led at the half 1:4 to 0:06. A physical second half ensued, the younger Donegal team showed their fitness levels and took the game to the Gaels. McGee and Flanagan excelled in the back line and got forward at every opportunity, captain McGee even getting on the scoreboard. The Buncrana Bell brothers David and Donny finally found their shooting boots and knocked over some great scores. Eamonn Kelly was sent in to steady the ship and as it looked like Donegal were easing to victory, Gaels scrambled a goal. Donegal were glad to hear the final whistle after a near escape.
Donegal Team: Dean Bourke, Paddy O'Connor, Felix Granaghan, Ciaran McGee(0:01), Rory Flannagan, James Troy, Barry Patterson, Jonathan Byrne, Michael Byrne(1:02), Donny Bell,(0:04), Christopher Rush(1:00), David Bell(0:04) Gareth Ruddy. Subs Eamonn Kelly, Alan Kavanagh, Chuck O'Donnell
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Donegal seniors ease past Mayo
Donegal 3-20
Mayo 1-7
After a disappointing result for their counterparts back home against Antrim, Donegal Boston impressed with an easy win over Mayo at Canton. Donegal were always in control of this game, one minor lapse in concentration from the back line allowed Mayo in for a goal. Donegal started with a number of few faces and it didn't take them long to gel. Carlow man Cormac Mullins quickly became a threat for Donegal and despite some missed early opportunities finished the game with 2-3 to his name. In the back line Cahir Healy was full of running ably supported by Eunans men McGowan and McLaughlin. A nasty facial injury meant that Sean Lees day was cut short and Nolan stepped in. Hannon controlled the back line well throughout the game. New boy Hennessey debutised well in goal, perhaps lucky not to see the referees book when he dashed from his goal in the first half. At the half Donegal were comfortably ahead 1:10 to 0:04.
The second half followed much the same pattern as the first with Donegal scoring at ease. We also saw the introduction of Wherity after a few weeks out injured, he soon got himself on the scoreboard, and finished with 1:02. All the Donegal forwards got themselves on the score sheet. Tougher challenges are sure to lay ahead for Donegal. Next up for seniors are the WolfeTones. The Juniors take on the Gaels on Saturday afternoon at 4:30.
Team: M. Hennessy(Carlow), S. Lee(Cavan), R. McLaughlin(Donegal), M. McGowan (0-3)(Donegal), S. Hannon (0-1)(Offaly), C. Healy(Laois), D. McNulty(Fermanagh), C. Bell (0-1)(Donegal), K. Curran (0-2)(Donegal), M. McGinty (0-1)(Donegal), G. Hoey (0-3)(Westmeath), C. Mullins (2-3)(Carlow), E. Mangan (0-3)(Kerry). Sub:Derek Nolan(Kerry) R. Wherity (1-2)(Donegal)
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Juniors power past the Celtics
Donegal 2:12
Celtics 1:04
2008 Junior A champions Donegal opened their title defence with an impressive win over the New England Celtics. The Celtics step up a grade to Junior A after their 2008 Junior B win. It proved to be a fruitful afternoon for the Rush family, Ricky got his name on the score sheet early, he was replaced by son Christopher who finished the game with 2:02. Grandfather Jackie was also in the stands to shout the rest of the family on.
Early exchanges were even between the sides, new boys McGowan, Kavanagh, Patterson and McLaughlin seeing plenty of possession.In the middle of the park the Celtics were gaining the advantage as man giant Dan Kennelly used his size to muscle Donegal out of the game. Donegal wasted a number of excellent scoring changes, Patterson and McGowan guilty of missing goals when a point may have been the better option. As the half drew to a close, the Celtics were awarded a penalty, Dean Bourke got down well to save but he couldn't keep out the rebound. The Celtics led at the half by 1:03 to 0:05.
A stern half team talk from managers Granaghan, Carr and Duffy let the Donegal players know exactly what they needed to do in the second half. Donegal got off to a great start in the second half and quickly found themselves ahead on the scoreboard. As the Celtics struggled to get out of their own half and Donegal gaining the upper hand at midfield, there was only ever going to be one winner.
It was an impressive start from Donegal but there will be much bigger challenges ahead as they hope to defend their 2008 title.
Man of the match: Christopher Rush
Play of the game: Eamonn Kelly point from just inside the sideline.
Donegal Team: Dean Bourke, Ronan McLaughlin, Paddy O'Connor, John Deery, Alan Cavanagh, Ciaran McGee(0:01), Barry Patterson(0:01), Jonathan Byrne(0:01), Felix Granaghan(0:01), Mark McGowan(0:04), James Troy, Ricky Rush(0:01), Gareth Ruddy. Subs Christopher Rush(2:02), Eamonn Kelly(0:01)
Monday, June 1, 2009
Donegal down the Gaels
Donegal 2:08
Gaels 0:07
Donegal started their 2009 league campaign in the best possible way with a hard fought win over a stubborn Connamara Geals side. Both sides fielded a number of new recruits in what proved to be a bruising encounter. Both teams deserve credit for a game of such fast flowing football at this early stage of the season.Donegal dominated the early exchanges and within 20 minutes commanded a 0:06 to 0:02 lead. The Gaels then found their feet and enjoyed the territorial advantage until the half time whistle. Donegal went in at the half with a one point lead. The Gaels got the game back on even terms shortly after the restart to bring the game to 7 points a piece. Donegal then took control of the game, their 2 goals killing off any chance the Gaels had of a victory. This was a real team effort from Donegal, notable performances for Donegal were Sean Lee and Paul McNulty in the full back line. Further up the field Gavin Hoey, Kevin Curran, Eddie Mangan proved a handful for the Connamara defence. Donegals next opponents are Mayo.
Donegal Team: Spud Murphy, Sean Lee, Paul McNulty, Gavin Hoey, Donal McNulty, Jonathan Byrne, Michael McGinty, Derek Nolan, Felix Granaghan, Shay Hannon, Kevin Curran, Paul Roper, Eddie Mangan Subs: James Troy for Felix Granaghan
2009 Schedule
Senior Football
Sun May 31 5:00 Connamara Gaels
Sun June 14 5:00 Mayo
Sun June 21 5:00 Wolfetones
Sun June 28 2:30 Shannon Blues
Sat July 11 5:30 Kerry
Sun July 19 2:30 Galway
Sun July 26 5:00 A McAnespies
Sun Aug 16 2:30 Cork
Junior Football
Sun June 7 4:30 Celtics
Sat June 20 4:30 Connamara Gaels
Sun July 5 12:00 A McAnespies
Sun July 12 12:00 Wolfetones
Sat July 25 5:45 Kerry
Sun Aug 16 12:00 Cork
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