San Francisco Finals - Sunday August 20th

Mens Junior B Football - Ulster 1-14 Sons of Boru 0-2
Mens Junior A Football - Celts 1-13 YI/St. Brendan's 1-6
Mens Intermediate Football - Shannon Rangers 0-16 Boru 1-11
Mens Senior Football - Ulster 2-15 Naomh Padraig 1-10

Reports by Staff Reporter.

Mens Junior Final
CELTS 1-13 YISBs 1-06

The first half of this contest was an evenly matched and entertaining one with good passages of open football from both sides.Celts surged into a 3 point lead thnks to the accuracy of Finn Sharpley who punished any indiscretion in the reargaurd of the combo.The combo came right back and notched up some great points, notably from Dan McCabe from 40yds, a Martin Mooney fisted score was followed immediately by a soccer style finish to the back of the net by the vociferous corner forward,indeed Mooney would be a big loss to the combo when retiring injured early in the second half.Finn Sharpey and a great point from Aidan O'Flynn saw the Celts go in at the half leading 1-05 to 0-08.

The early exchanges after the restart saw Celts begin to win the battle in midfield and a great goal by Vinny Foley instilled a new vigour in the Celts attack.2 further points from Foley and a Sharpley free put 5 points between the sides and YISB's were running out of ideas and tiring visibly.Indeed they would add only 1 point in the 2nd half from Allen Doyle and the introduction of veteran John McCormack and Aidan O'Sullivan who both tried hard failed to turn the tide.When a late point from substitute Jimmy 'Marley' Flynn put 7 between them Celts wouldn't be caught and after coming close last year finally crowned an impressive year with the Junior A title.

Celts' Vinny Foley and Finn Sharpley were ably assisted by Aidan O'Flynn, Teddy Gunthren and James Daly.Best for the vanquished were Ray O'Callerin, Martin Mooney and Tom Carroll.

Congrats to all involved with the winning outfit and best of luck in the North Americans to these young lads who are a product of the local underage program.

Mens Intermediate Final
Shannon Rangers 0-16 Sons of Boru 1-12

This superb game was a ding-dong affair that hung on a knife-edge right to the very last whistle.It was a battle of 2 corner forwards both drawing on every last ounce of talent to provide a spectacle of the highest calibre.Gilbert O'Sullivan kicked some amazing points from all angles and was the focal point of Rangers attack all game long.On the other side Kevin Murray of Boru gave a masterclass in the art of placed ball kicking, and if there is a better exponent of this art playing Gaelic football at any level anywhere, this observer has yet to see it.Murray was unrelenting, kicking free's from up to 60 yards ,he added a fine goal after a trademark Boru build-up from the rear saw him finish to the net.Both goalkeepers produced fine one on one saves within a minute of each other, when Enda Butler kicked a point with a minute to go to the half the score was 1-06 to 8 pts in favor of Boru who had lost Joe Reilly through injury when he was very influential in attack, setting up a lot of good play.

The second half was to be played at the same breakneck pace, interupted by referee Sean Jones recieving treatment for cramp.Brian Reilly and Enda Butler who was being supported ably by Kevin Meaney were fielding some great ball in centrefield.After 2 Enda Butler points for Rangers, Ciaran O'Hare split the uprights from 55 yds followed by 2 more Murray frees, one from all of 60 yards to put Boru in front again and one sensed they might just shade it.But 'Gilly' rose to the occasion with another point followed by a rasper from Niall Donoher which had Bertie beaten only to clip the crossbar and go over.Gilly then added another from 35 yards.When Gilly and Donoher combined for a point from a well worked free time was almost up with Rangers 2 up.Boru threw everything into attack and won a 45 after a few nervous moments and some great fielding near the Rangers goal.Bertie came forward to drop the kick into the large box, however his effort just floated on the breeze and went over for a point.This was the end of the line for the battling Boru outfit as Sean Jones blew for the end.Rangers had reclaimed the title they last held in 94, and will remember this win for a long time to come.Boru lost nothing in defeat and will be back to fight again.

Gilbert O'Sullivan was man of the match giving an exhibition of top drawer finishing and all aroud play.Enda Butler and Kevin Meaney were excellent with the tireless Paul Coffey having a great game coming forward from defence.

For Boru Kevin Murray was peerless, helped by an impressive Brian Reilly, Andy Fogarty and Paul O'Callaghan.