GAELIC SPORTS WORLD Issue 29 – July 4, 2015 | 页面 21

SENIOR FOOTBALL
WOLFE TONES
AIDAN MCANESPIES

1-11
4-11

A minutes silence was observed before the throw-in in
memory of the victims of the Berkeley tragedy.
By the end of the opening period McAnespies had built
up a healthy eleven point lead thanks to three goals and
some solid defending. Wolfe Tones struggled throughout,
and the goals had an obvious dispiriting effect on the side.
Having had a chance to regroup at the break the Tones
put in a far better performance in the second half, and
had McAnespies supporters shifting uncomfortably in
their seats for a bit. However, with the large lead and the
ability to spring a score when the Tones crept too close,
McAnespies came out with a third win from three games.
A blistering first half performance saw McAnespies into
an 11 point lead at the break. Michael Day was the leader
in the middle of the field this week, and
up front Chris Healy was in good form
netting a fine goal on the stroke of half
time having just missed an easier opportunity a minute beforehand.
Day opened the scoring with a point,
and the Headford man was in for a
goal 15 minutes later. McAnespies
first goal had an air of good fortune
about it. Healy’s free from the 21 hit
the post and Danny Tallon was first on
it to fire home from close range. The
Tones labored to make any inroads,
there were two fine scores from Neil
Flynn and Dan McCabe, however,
when faced with a McAnespies attack
the Tones had the look of a side that
was resigned to its fate.

The Tones found belief in the second half and played with
much more urgency and purpose. Marty Farrell provided the
finishing touch after the Tones capitalized on a turnover in
McAnespies own half. Four points on the trot followed and
the Tones play had some spark to it throughout the field. Ciaran Hurley and Farrell converted and although a comeback
was still a long shot, the turn in fortunes had some observers
concerned. Chris Healy eventually broke the duck and pointed, the Kildare man found some room after an early ball into
his corner to make it a clean 2 goal lead with 15 minutes left.
The sides traded scores to enter the final stretch and a goal
was badly needed if the Tones were going to set up an exciting
finale. In spite of some slick passing moves out of defence,
the Tones could not find a route to goal as McAnespies back
line played it tight. Healy pointed with 5 minutes to go to
make it a three score game, and the points now looked safe
for McAnespies. An injury time goal embellished the result,
and McAnespies must be feeling good with a 3 for 3 start to
the championship.

Cronin Dempsey keeps things going Tipp’s way. Photo Rory O’ Donnell.

21