Shannon Blues (4-13) -v- Donegal (1-17) Boston Senior Football Final 2012 (part 2)
- 12 years ago
The excitement level rose considerably in the second half. Donegal stretched their lead to five points and were on top of the Blues short kickouts. One score came straight from a short one that was returned over the bar by Kevin Mulhern. The Blues kept up their running game but when it was critical to hold on to the ball, the Blues spilled it at crucial moments. James Hynes netted to bring the Blues within two points and Cathal McHugh pointed to make it a one point game. The Blues then had several chances to take the lead but chance after chance went awry as the forwards lost their touch. Donegal made the Blues pay for their errors. With less then 10 minutes to go Donegal turned a one point lead into five. Donnelly, White, Maguire and Kelly each put fine points over the bar and it looked as the game was Donegal’s. Driven forward by captain Brian Curran, the Blues earned a last chance to win the game with a few minutes left. Peter Boyle made a great save from Caolan Rafferty from point blank range but the ball spilled to Hurley who pulled on it and into the net. Sean O’Connor put two points over the bar, one from a free to level it, and unbelieveably extra time was now necessary to separate the teams.
Donegal got off two quick points to get extra time going. The Kickouts favoured Donegal who ran the ball at the Blues back line. Dolan curled over a beauty and Kelly followed with another. Dolan and Cassidy put two more over as the Blues found themselves under pressure in the early going. O’Connor pointed once for the Blues before the break in play. Could the Blues keep the running game up enough to pull off a win? The answer was a yes. Two goals, both characteristic of the Blues handpasssing game carved open the Donegal defence. Cathal Cregg fired home to draw the teams level and shortly afterwards Rafferty buried a spectacular shot to the far side after begin fed by O’Connor. The goal stunned Donegal who were now all at sea and the northerners failed to score in the second period of extra time. Cregg now went into holding mode and used up time before pointing and then Brian Curran put another over the seal the victory. Delight for the Blues which surely more than made up for a tough season last year. Good luck in Philly!
Referee: Syl Doyle
Man of the Match: Brian Curran (Shannon Blues) The Blues captain kept the side going when the chips were down.
Donegal: P. Boyle, D. Reynolds, M. Canny, K. Mulhern, G. Reynolds, K. Cassidy, B. Donnelly, B. White, F. Clancy, D. Dolan, E. Kelly, K. Williams, D. Maguire. Blues: T. Sayers, C. Phelan, R. O’Callaghan, B. Curran, M. McGowan, S. Moriarty, D. Clark, D. Dineen, C. Cregg, J. Hynes, S. O’Connor, C. Rafferty, K. Hurley.
By Rory O'Donnell
Donegal got off two quick points to get extra time going. The Kickouts favoured Donegal who ran the ball at the Blues back line. Dolan curled over a beauty and Kelly followed with another. Dolan and Cassidy put two more over as the Blues found themselves under pressure in the early going. O’Connor pointed once for the Blues before the break in play. Could the Blues keep the running game up enough to pull off a win? The answer was a yes. Two goals, both characteristic of the Blues handpasssing game carved open the Donegal defence. Cathal Cregg fired home to draw the teams level and shortly afterwards Rafferty buried a spectacular shot to the far side after begin fed by O’Connor. The goal stunned Donegal who were now all at sea and the northerners failed to score in the second period of extra time. Cregg now went into holding mode and used up time before pointing and then Brian Curran put another over the seal the victory. Delight for the Blues which surely more than made up for a tough season last year. Good luck in Philly!
Referee: Syl Doyle
Man of the Match: Brian Curran (Shannon Blues) The Blues captain kept the side going when the chips were down.
Donegal: P. Boyle, D. Reynolds, M. Canny, K. Mulhern, G. Reynolds, K. Cassidy, B. Donnelly, B. White, F. Clancy, D. Dolan, E. Kelly, K. Williams, D. Maguire. Blues: T. Sayers, C. Phelan, R. O’Callaghan, B. Curran, M. McGowan, S. Moriarty, D. Clark, D. Dineen, C. Cregg, J. Hynes, S. O’Connor, C. Rafferty, K. Hurley.
By Rory O'Donnell