Boyle GAA Blog ...by Tony Conboy

North Junior ‘B’ C’Ship
Boyle V Tulsk at Croghan Sunday Sept. 20th
Let’s cut to the chase. Half time Tulsk 0.10 Boyle 0.2. Full Time Tulsk 0.14 Boyle 3.6. This had echoes of the famous Boyle folklore win over Michael Glavey’s at Tulsk from yonks ago. There was also a link present in Bernie Shannon a Boyle selector and a central ‘player’ in the drama of yore. Tulsk dominated the first half and looked in complete control leading by 8 points at half time. About 15% of the Boyle supporters decided to abandon Croghan on All-Ireland Sunday and return to the capital, Boyle. Yet the die-hards, always wanting to be there when something special happened, stayed. They were rewarded. Though Tulsk added the first second-half point Boyle clawed their way back with points by Lavin, Cox and O’Connor. A benevolent wind was an advantage. A penalty by Lavin on 17 minutes came back off the post and Darragh Greenan was on hand to tap it in. Tulsk, 0.11 Boyle 1. 5 left a three point difference. Darren O’Connor with a second goal levelled things a couple of minutes later. Tulsk came back with two points which were cancelled out by a forceful run by Lavin who crashed the ball to the net. Boyle in front on 29 minutes to which Brendan McQuaid added an insurance point despite a late minor by Tulsk. Tulsk were stunned and the Boyle supporters were ………It was an unusual game. The Boyle team, which was missing a number of possible members, was as follows: C. Beirne, C. Horan, J.Healy, J. McDermott, A. Finn, J.S. Lyons, Cillian Cox, Ciaran Cox 0.1, P. Lavin 1.1, B. McQuaid 0.2, D. Kelly 0.1, D. Greenan 1.0, R. Walshe, D. O’Connor 1. 2, B. Harvey with K. Kelly, T. Lowe and Ml.P. Gilmartin and M.O’Connor injured. A lot of Boyle players did well in that second half showing heart and determination and obviously had the influence of the management at half time going into the second half time. Beirne in goals was always sound with good kick outs. The fullback line struggling in the first half did well in the second. Cillian Cox made a great determined run at a vital stage while taking a big hit. Ciaran Cox came through in that half. Peter Lavin was enigmatic and did some fine things but should consider my fisted point theory close to goals. Darren O’Connor, though injured, was the main threat up front with Riche Walshe also a presence though some of the ball forward was off the runway for him. Karl Kelly worked hard when introduced giving a good and productive pass and working back in a defensive role. All in all a very good turn around and result. They now meet Western Gaels, who beat St. Ronan’s in Boyle on Saturday night, in the Northern final in the next week-end or so.
McGovern Directional Drilling Intermediate O’Gara Cup Final:
It is reported that the above will take place on next week-end against Roscommon Gaels who beat Kilmore this week-end past in the Senior C’Ship relegation issue. Boyle played R’town, in a challenge, last Friday evening but I heard nothing from it.

U 14s’ Div. ‘A’ League Final Win:
A gallant Boyle U 14 team defeated their bogey team of late, Strokestown, at Tulsk on Saturday evening in the County Div. ‘A’ League Final. Strokestown are current county champions and this has been the fourth meeting between the sides this summer with Strokestown as narrow victors in the Feile, C’Ship and Garda Cup. This was a cracking game with some great displays, fine football and swaying fortunes. Boyle had a good spread of nine points in the first half but were still behind at half time because of two Strokestown goals. A great Dylan Mattimoe levelling goal seven minutes into the second half gave Boyle the lift they needed with Strokestown struggling to put their stamp on the game because of the great all-round efforts of many of the Boyle players. Colin Goldrick with a great display and some great free kicks pushed Boyle in front. They ended strongly with Eoin Lavin pointing and providing the pass for Goldrick to score the insurance goal. The Boyle team was as follows: T. Halligan, R. Nerney, L. Brennan, P. Nally, B. McQuaid, E. McGrath, J. Regan, M.Lavin 0.1, C. Goldrick 1.6 four frees, S. Filan 0.1, E. Lavin 0.1, R. Finneran, J. Sweeney 0.2, D. Mattimoe 1.0, P. Goldrick 0.1 and young Boylan 0.1 i.e. eight people contributing to the scoring with a fine return from Colin Goldrick and two sweet points from Sweeney in the first half. While it is perhaps unfair to nominate players in this fine team performance there were star turns in the way Brennan came and attacked the ball at the back and the overall work rate of the back line against a very good opposition. The spread of the scores was a great thing as was the free taking of Goldrick with one senior effort in the second half. My ‘Man of the Match’, where there were a number of contenders, goes to Boyle’s centre back Evan McGrath. Not only had he to try and curb Strokestown’s best player Compton but he drove forward with a determination, courage and skill which was just great to watch. So well done to the boys, management, the parents who were very supportive and it was great to hear the traditional back to Boyle cavalcade in full voice for this final U 14 game of the season.