2009 Boston Final Match Reports

Tir na nOg Break Duct

LFC - Tir na nOg 3-19 v Roscommon 1-3

In this repeat of last years final, Tir na nOg were looking to end their jinx of never having won a senior championship and add to the junior title that they had won earlier in the day. It was reigning champions Roscommon who got out of the blocks the quickest though when Rochfield punished from a soft free to put them a point up. It didn’t take long for Tir na nOg to kick into action as many expected they would after Keane’s early ball inside found McGuire who’s lovely palm down was collected by Treanor and buried into the Roscommon goal. They soon added to this with scores from Brosnan and a lovely effort from out wide by Conlon leaving the score 1-2 to 0-1. Moments later it was more good work from Treanor who’s ball winning was proving to be a real handful, finding the powerful run of Hehir who’s drive forward continued before finishing sublimely with the outside of the boot despite the pressure of two Roscommon backs to give the girls in red and black their second goal. This was followed by a Hehir free before some dogged work from Bhreathnach turned over a ball in the back line before setting up the impressive Keane for her first score of the game. The impressive trio of Treanor, McGuire and Hahir again were proving deadly as they each weighed in with a score each before Hahir added another two from dead balls. It was not all Tir na nOg though and only for some excellent work from O’Gorman, O’Neill and Gilmore, the score could’ve been a lot closer at this stage. And it was their disciplined defensive work that set up the next score as Brosnan this time turned over the ball and drove out of defence and found Hehir whose cheeky pass found McGuire who finished emphatically into the top corner and extend the lead. Hehir, who looked like she couldn’t miss, added another two free’s to leave the score a very impressive 3-11 to 0-1 at half time.

It’s been a familiar story in this fixture in recent years, with Roscommon’s heart and desire to win proving to be the difference, particularly in the second half of these finals but with the difference being so great, it was going to take a huge effort from the Roscommon team. Treanor picked up where she left off in the first half, winning every early ball delivered her way and it was through the corner forward that they claimed their first two scores of the half. At this point Tir na nOg introduced Kelly and Bannon for their senior debuts and it was the lively Bannon who added the next with her first touch, turning and stroking over from the 21 metre line. Hehir and Conlon added two more before Conlon hit the net again for Tir na nOg as they finally looked to end their hoodoo and claim the senior title. Roscommon pulled back a late goal and a point through Rochfield but it was the formidable duo of Treanor and Hehir who added two more and give Tir na nOg their first ever senior title. This will be a title that is cherished in the Tir na nOg club and it comes thanks to the thankless work of club chairperson Niamh Daly and in particular long serving manager Sean Gallagher who has built this senior championship winning team.

Tipp Dethrone Wexford

SHC - Tipperary v Wexford

Tipperary Captain - Cronan Dempsey accepts the Boston Senior Hurling Cup

The hotly anticipated senior hurling final promised to serve up a treat with Wexford, like many finalist this weekend looking to take another title back to Brighton. The game started at a furious pace with tempers running high but it was Wexford who settled quickest with the ever reliable White putting over a free from 60 metres to edge them in front. Tipperary replied after Wexford had spurned a few opportunities to extend their lead, when McCarthy scored an easy free but it wasn’t long before White was given another chance from a free which he happily accepted. Wexford extended the lead to two but Tipp were quick to cut it when McGrath pulled the first score from play. McCarthy levelled it up from an identical position as his first but Wexford were quick to go in front again through a lovely score from Heriling. Tipp were matching everything Wexford were throwing at them though and it was Kavanagh who was on hand to level the game again after an excellent turn on the left. McCarthy put them ahead with his third free before Kavanagh struck his second with a wonderful individual point to give Tipp breathing space for the first time. Murphy opened his account from a free to leave the minimum between the teams as half time approached. McCarthy added another free before Howard made the difference 3 after a great ball in from Lonegan. Murphy pulled one back from a close free as Wexford were fin ally looking to have the Tipp full forward line under control with O’Shea and O’Rourke getting on top, leaving the score 8-6 at half time.

Tipperary started the second half brightly as McCarthy again showed his worth with another dead ball score, this time from a 65. Wexford were by no means being swept aside though as they drove forward at every break but they were met on several occasions by the fantastic defensive work of Howley who refused to be breached. McCarthy was again onhand as Wexford continued to be punish for indiscipline leaving it 0-10 to 0-6. Tipp were really getting on top now and Kavanagh extended the lead further with another wonderful score from play. Wexford were in need of some inspiration and with 15 minutes remaining they got it in the form of keeper Howard, who’s last gasp interception set up an attack and prevented a certain goal, which resulted in Dwyer smashing over a score followed quickly by the score of the game from Heriling following a 60 yard burst to cut the lead to 3. Wexford continued to plug and plug away but it was McCarthy who again showed how clinical he is hitting another from play, followed by a 65 in Tipp’s only two attacks over a 10 minute period. However, Wexford refused to let this knock them back and continued to dominate possession and with less than 10 remaining a hopeful ball into the square dropped to Kehoe who pulled and hit the top corner to give them a boost and leave it 0-13 to 1-8. It was Kehoe’s introduction that was turning the game as he added a point to cut the lead to one. Wexford had a huge chance to level or even go ahead when the ball fell to Bonner after a mistake from Howard but the keeper was lucky to escape after the ball trickled wide. Tipp got a vital score through another McCarthy free but it was Wexford who were continuing to dictate and push for the win with the scores at 0-14 to 1-9. Wexfords constant pressure looked to have finally paid off when White powered past the Tipp defence but his effort was turned wide by Howard in the goal. With just seconds remaining though, there was still time for much more controversy. With what was to prove to be the last play of the game, White dropped a 65 into the square and with the goal loaded with players, the ball looked to be turned into the goal by a flying hurl but with players unclear as the whether the ball was cleared off the line or not, the umpires were consulted at length, the decision was to throw the ball in on the 21 and no goal was given. The game was blown up just seconds later, and Wexford will surly feel hard done by but it was Tipp’s day as they took the title away from Wexford for the first time in 3 years.

Christophers Claim First Ever Title

SFC - St. Christophers 0-14 v Shannon Blues 0-8

Christopher's Captain - Danny Kenneally receives Boston Senior football cup

Christopher's - Boston Senior Football Champions - 2009

The senior football final served up two teams that nobody expected to be here but were no doubt the most impressive teams of the season. With the Artane Band in fine tune, it was Shannon Blues that settled quickest into the beat after the early ball in found O’Donoghue and his shot sailed over to put them in front early. League winners Christophers, who were playing in their first senior final, levelled the game up with 7 minutes gone after Rowlands converted a 45. Both side looked nervous, despite their early scores and were guilty of some shocking wides but just as the game was losing its edge, Mc Gee found Lydon with the handpass and his effort from the left was curl over to put them ahead. The Blues were beginning to show their hunger with O’Brien inparticular, winning some excellent 50/50 balls in the backline, setting up several attacks. Christophers defence was finding O’Donoghue and O’Callaghan tough to handle as they both won free’s within two minutes, converted accurately by Lydon and McGee. This was followed by some lovely flowing football involving Gilmartin, O’Callaghan and then finished again by the deadly looking McGee to leave four between them. Christophers continued to hit some sloppy wides and were running the risk off losong touch but some good work from Rowland set up Hegarty for a good point. This was followed by a tremendous individual score from Hegarty again on the left touch line, just creeping over the cross bar with minutes remaining in the half. Lydon added a free for the Blues to leave the difference at 3 but Rowlands again replied from a free to cut it to two and leave it 0-4 to 0-6 at half time.

Christophers needed a massive second half if they were to claim their first ever senior title and they started as if they were going to deliver this after some excellent work from Hegarty won an easy free for Rowland to convert and put a kick between the teams. And they didn’t have to wait long to level it up after Kennedy’s long ball found O’Driscoll who fired over the point. Shannon Blues were lucky to escape just minutes later when an injury to keeper Hawes seemed to go unnoticed but despite his lack of mobility he managed to keep out the goalbound effort from Hegarty. Kennedy was beginning to control the midfield like he has done all season and it was his inspired catch and score that put Cristophers ahead with 20 minutes remaining. Rowland added another free for Christophers as Blues, for the first time, looked overwhelmed by the constant pressure. Blues were finding it hard to open up the Christophers defence but it was some wonderful work from O’Callaghan that unlocked it and he set up McQuade for a well needed score as they looked to resurrect their lead. Rowland had different ideas though as he struck again from play to bring the lead back to two. It was at this point that Christophers introduced super sub Mark O’Sullivan to try and bring the victory home. But it was Kennedy who continued to dominate and another individual score from him left Christophers in the lead by three for the first time. It was not all Christophers though, Blues were looking dangerous everytime they attacked but they were guilty of 4 consecutive wides before McGee finally hit a score, lifting his goalbound shot over the bar. None the less, this seemed to spur the Christophers on with O’Driscoll and Rowland hitting two quick fire scores followed by a great score from Kennedy after a great run from Hogan to assist. With five points between the teams and Blues applying constant pressure, the Christophers kept up their work rate and some wonderful defensive work was forcing the Blues to rack up even more wides. With little time remaining and Christophers feeling one more score could seal it, a great run from Kelly found Rowland who coolly slotted over from outside the 45 and leave it 14-8 and Christophers with one hand on the cup. O’Driscoll had the chance to put the icing on the cake as he turned the Blues corner back and left him stranded but his shot for goal rattled the Blues post with the keeper rooted to the spot. Christophers held on for the final whistle and in their first ever senior final lifted their first ever title to cap off a wonderful year and a well deserved victory for Christophers. Shannon Blues may feel like they could’ve won this with so many wides but there is no denying the Christophers heart, determination and consistency all year in claiming their first title.

Tir na nOg Make It 4 In A Row

LJF - Tir na nOg 3-16 v Shamrocks 0-0