McAnespies Senior team in Boston (Current Boston Champions) are in the final again this year. Gary Comerford has been playing midfield for these for the past few years and seems to be solid as a rock for them. I wonder how he would perform in the Green White and Gold if he could be persuaded to come back??? http://www.aidanmcanespiegfcboston.com/
SFC Semi Final
McAnespies 1-08
Donegal 0-09
Mac's beat Donegal
A Kevin Reilly goal shortly into the final quarter saw McAnespies break free from a tied and tight encounter with the goal the boost Mac's had wanted while a battling Donegal just could nor pull back arrears when it mattered most.
The pitch was very heavy after the rain but we did have the return of the sun for our third game as the rain clouds moved on and the very large crowd was now happier with a nice blue sky overhead. There was no wind to speak of but it was very sticky and very muggy for the players down on the field.
Mac's started brightly with two quick points, one a nice John O'Brien effort of the ground, the other a Colm McCrory free. McAnespies midfielder, Kevin Reilly had a good goal effort stopped from kkeper, Martin Callaghan after three minutes, with Mac's looking eager in attack.
Donegal's attacking unit was noticeably missing the lively Kerryman, Paddy Kelly and this would be a blow to their cause. They started slowly but on 10 minutes Meath's Martin Penrose pointed to level, before Kevin Cassidy made it a one point lead for Donegal by the end of the first quarter.
Little in it thus far. Did we expect anything else from these two great rivals? Hardly! Their pairing normally a battle, but now in the men's senior football semi final it becomes an event.
Donegal edged into a two point advantage through a Johnny Moroney effort. Soon after, Reilly for Mac's getting forward again forced another great save from Callaghan with the keeper doing well to keep his net goal free to date.
The sides swapped late first half points to see Donegal ahead by the minimum with Mac's right behind and having created the better goal chances thus far.
Within a minute of the second Mac's through Peader Byrne had the sides level before John O'Brien got his second of the day to push Mac's ahead with 20 remaining.
Stalemate followed with neither gaining a clear advantage.
Donegal tied things again on the 19th minute and the last 10 looked set to continue as dogged and as tight as the previous 50.
But that was when Kevin Reilly tried once more for the net and this time succeeded at the third effort. An illegal double punched handpass from the tired looking Donal McNulty, resulted in a quick McAnespie free that found Reilly in space and he fired home.
The Mac's had got that goal they couldn't get in the first and Donegal were in trouble with 5 left on the clock.
Good Donegal pressure saw two Penrose frees reduce arrears to one with a miniute left of normal time remaining, though stoppage time was beckoning as injury delays had curtailed matters somewhat.
Then a turning point arrived.
Donegal broke for goal. McAnespies defended.
Penrose bearing down was bottled up but maneuvered to palm over defenders including the out rushing Donegal keeper. The ball was sent forward to an empty net. It trickled on. Everyone gave chase. It still trickled on. The crowd left their seats. Defenders tumbled after ball to the line but the ball kept going. Surely a goal for Donegal?
The ball hit the right post and next bounced wide. Ecstasy for McAnespies, but agony for Donegal.
A minute into injury time Mac's, McCrory put over but Donegal fought back when Penrose two minutes later brought it back to one.
John Moroney had a chance to level but shot wide. Donegal attacked once more and could have been deemed unlucky that a free in a score-able position was not awarded.
Six minutes into injury time the irrepressible Reilly once more delivered when fisting over for the final score and a thrilling win for the defending champions.
Donegal relied too much on Penrose for scores and Kelly would have been a help.
Mac's just about deserved the win, creating the better scoring chances and now go on to play Gael's in the final and the champions will have their hands full to retain their title as the Gaels are a good side.
Teams and Scorers -
McAnespies - D.Traynor, D.Kealy, N.Kerr, S.McGill, C.King, A.Feeney 0-1, G.Comerford, K.Reilly 1-1, P.Byrne 0-1, C.Donnelly 0-1, C.McCrory 0-2 (fr's), John O'Brien 0-2, N.Regan. Subs, S.Mulligan, B.McGhettigan.
Donegal - M.Callaghan, J.Carr 0-1, R.McTiernan, E.Docherty, J.Moroney 0-1, K.Cassidy, M.McGinty 0-2, D.McNulty, P.Roper, M.Penrose 0-5, K.Curran 0-4 (3fr's), F.Granaher 0-1, P.McNulty 0-1. Subs M.Kennedy, P.Friel, D.McFadden, C.Keeney.