Round 1: St. Patrick's Day Cup Results

Round 1 Match Reports

Shannon Rangers 0-13 Celts 1-04

The San Francisco GAA season kicked off at Beach Chalet, Outer Sunset District on Sunday last with three games down for decision in the St. Patrick’s Day Cup competitions.

The opening game of the season saw the Shannon Rangers from the Peninsula account for the youthful San Francisco Celts 0-13 to 1-4. Despite being level at half-time the Rangers pulled away in the second half to win by six points, powered on by Offaly man Karl Flynn (0-5), Vinnie Kavanagh (0-3) and Eamon O’Keeffe (0-3). Aidan Morrissey (0-1) at midfield and Martin Crean in defence had fine individual performances. The Celts had started brightly in the opening period with Aidan O’Flynn and Jimmy Flynn (0-1) being involved with many of the fine passages of play the Celts put together. Kevin Power from Half Moon Bay netted the Celts only goal.

Jimmy Flynn was the best player on display for the Celts while goalkeeper P.J. Materson was called upon numerous times to deal with the onslaught of Shannon Ranger attacks. Materson capped a fine performance in goals by denying Ranger Karl Flynn a penalty goal with a fine save midway through the second half. The Rangers ran out worthy winners in the end to start their season off on a winning note.

Shannon Rangers; John Loughnane, Martin Crean, Timmy O’ Gorman, Benny Niland, Michael Meehan, Brendan Caldwell, Vinny Kavanagh (0-3), Aidan Morrissey (0-1) Karl O’ Flynn (0-5), Eammon O’Keeffe (0-3), Timmy Brosnan (0-1), Willie Brosnan, Patrick O’Sullivan.

Celts; P.J. Materson, Daniel Bello, Kevin Leahy, Colm Walsh, Aidan O’Flynn, Jimmy Flynn (0-3), Martin Joyce, Neil Hunt, Joey McCarr, Dennis DeBattista, Kevin Power (1-0), Joey Guntren, Thomas Power, Tim Driscoll.

Referee: Malachy Higgins.

Michael Cusacks 4-12

St Brendans 2-6

The Michael Cusacks defeated the ever improving St. Brendans from the East Bay in the second match of the day 4-12 to 2-6. Donegal native Kevin White at left corner forward for the Cusacks was a constant thorn in the side of the St. Brendans all afternoon. White was involved in most of the Cusacks build up play and notched up an impressive 1-5 from play during the game. Eddie Clancy had the Cusacks ahead inside the first two minutes of play with a point from play. Clancy shortly afterwards shot home the Cusacks first goal with a well placed shot beyond the diving Kumer, Brendans keeper. Clancy would add another point from play before being substituted for one of the many back up Cusack players on display. Brain Conn had the Brendans goal in the first half with Paul Kavanagh added his sides only point of the half. The Cusacks led 2-8 to 1-1 at half time. Try as they might in the second half the St. Brendans could not get the better of a resolute Cusacks defence. A goal from Paul Gilmore midway through the half, and later points from Paul Kavanagh (0-1), Paul Kavo (0-1) and Jorge O’Hara (0-2) was too little too late for the east Bay side.

For the Cusacks, Seamus O’Gara gave a powerful display at midfield, chipping in with a goal and a point from play. Martin Ferris (until he went off injured) and Declan O’Donnell gave fine displays in defence along with Ali Downey. Philip McCarthy and White continued to out play their opponents throughout much of the match before McCarthy scored a great goal late in the game to kill off the St. Brendans. This is the tenth anniversary of the Michael Cusacks club and they will be hoping for some silverware at the end of the season based on this performance.

Michael Cusacks; Mossy Offord, Declan O’Donnell, John Nolan, Martin Ferris, Padraig Geohegan, Conor Byrne, Philip McCarthy (1-0), Seamus O’Gara (1-1), Fergus O’Sullivan (0-1), Eddie Clancy (1-2), Aidan O’Rourke (0-1), Ali Downey, Kevin White. Subs: Padraig Grogan (0-1), Eamon McCusker, Colm Kilpatrick, Kevin Mooney, Mark McKenna, Jim O’Driscoll, Tim Shaw, Anthony Sheehan, Adrian Moloney, Kevin Mooney.

St. Brendans; Jeff Kumer, Michael McKeenan, John McNally, Eddie Corbian, Shane Corbian, Paul Gilmore (0-1), Aidan O’Sullivan, Paul Coffee, Brendan Dooley, Sean Mockler, Fergal Cleary, Brian Conn (1-0), Paul Kavanagh (0-3), Paul McAleese, Brian Boland, Paul Dooley, Paul Breslin, Mike Breslin, Jorge O’Hara (0-2).

Referee: Aidan Morrissey

Ulster A 1-8

Young Irelanders 0-5

In the final match of the day, Ulster A footballers made hard work of defeating the Young Irelanders on a score line reading 1-8 to 0-5. Despite having most of the possession Ulster were guilty of over playing the ball on a number of occasions. In fact, if the Young Irelanders had a bit of luck in front of goal then they may have won this game. Young Irelanders deserve credit for their efforts during the course of the game and really gave the Ulster a tough game.

Best for the Young Irelanders were: Paddy White in goals, Kieran Curtin, Marty Deane, and Seamus Moore at corner forward. Ulster relied on the skills of their forwards Gary Foley, Thomas Hynes, Ryan McCauly to point their way to victory. Foley and Hynes are new additions to the Ulster team and they will prove a handful for any defence during the course of the forthcoming 2004 season. Ross McKenna and Sean O’Neill played well in defence for Ulster. It is early days yet in this years campaign, but the Ulster will have to improve if they hope to take back the City Championship they lost last year to the Sons of Boru, later on this summer based on this performance.

Ulster A; Fergal Clancy, Sean O’Neill, Michael McGlone, Ross McKenna, Declan Rafferty, Killian Feely, James Downes, John Healy, Sean McCann, Thomas Hynes (1-2), Gary Foley (0-2), Ryan Cawley (0-3), Eugene Cudden (0-1) Sub: Austin McKenna.

Young Irelanders; Paddy White, Rob O’Keeffe, Fiachra McCalron, Cathal O’Neill, Ian Bagle, Eamon Coen, Mark Fitzell, Kieran Curtin (0-2), Ron O’Hehir, P.J. Parr (0-1), Martin Dean (0-1), Seamus Moore (0-1), Noel Costello, Brain Curran, Mark Dixon.

Referee: Declan O’Donnell.