Donegal captures Junior trophy in Boston 02.09.08
Boston Junior A Championship Final, Canton, MA

The Donegal club in Boston has had a great season of football with a large number of players from all parts of Inishowen and the rest of the county making the trip for the summer. The team were celebrating recently after clinching the Junior A Cup against Aidan McAnespies in Canton Masachussetts. Donegal...1-9 Aidan McAnespies...0-10 DONEGAL captured the Junior A Football Championship recently in a very exciting, bruising, and tense encounter with Aidan McAnespies in Boston. Donegal played some great football and Carrigart forward Paul Boyce and former Tyrone minor Aiden O’Hagan proved huge factors in their victory. In defence Urris man Damian Harkin along with Rory Grant of Burt played out of their skins to thwart every MacAnespies' attack. In goals Emmet McLaughlin of Moville had his best match of the year, a number of magnificant first half saves meant that the Macs failed to hit the net in the junior final. Jonathan Byrne competed well in the middle of the park and Urrisman Paul Friel and Shane Kelly battled tirelessly in the forward line.

Donegal led from the start but McAnespies made it close at the end, almost pulling off a late victory as Gary Hennessey’s shot flew over rather than under in bar during injury time. Who would have thought that the same Donegal team defeated by Macs by 13 points earlier in the season could have beaten a Macs' team going for their third title in a row. Donegal got off to a great start in the first meeting of the day between the two clubs, and got into a five points to two lead after 15 minutes. Captain Paul Friel got on the score sheet after a number of darting runs that had the Macs defence in knots. On most occasions the Macs defence had no answer but to foul the lively Urris man. Malin man Jonathan Byrne even got his name on the scoresheet as a ball driven out

of the Donegal defence managed to find the Donegal midfielder. From 40 yards out the former Malin goalkeeper managed to find the mark. McAnespies then had the better of things for the remainder of the first half, but missed several good chances to score. In contrast, Donegal’s only foray forward resulted in a Paul Boyce point that lifted the siege. McAnespies’ Shane Lynn made it six points to three at the half with the game very much open.
	Possession was keenly contested around the middle of the field, and each side fought hard to gain an advantage. Jonathan Byrne and Belfast man Simon McDonagh for Donegal and Thomas Tuite and Shane Lynn for McAnespies contested everything as if their lives depended on it. McAnespies made inroads early in the half and reduced the deficit to a point with scores from Eugene McKenna and Tuite. However, Donegal came back with a score from a Paul Boyce free. Boyce then won a penalty that was taken by
Aiden O’Hagan. O’Hagan’s well directed shot found the back of the net and Donegal were five points to the good. McAnespies made a huge effort to cut into the lead. Barry Brogan ran from corner back to point, and Shane Lynn, McKenna and Nigel Regan each pointed to make it a two point game with less then 3 minutes left. Former Robert Emmet's clubman Ricky Rush pointed to put Donegal three to the good again, but Gary Hennessey rushed through from midfield immediately from the ensuing kickout and his shot from the 21-yard line flew over the bar – a goal would have tied it. McAnespies put the pressure on Donegal in the final minutes in an effort to get the goal that would win the game by 2 points. Inishowen players not available for selection on final day included Carndonaghs Gareth Ruddy and Mark Canny. Both men played some part in getting Donegal to the Boston final Donegal: E. McLaughlin (Moville), D. Harkin (Urris), R. Grant (Burt), K. McGee (Robert Emmets), D. McNulty (Fermanagh), F. Granaghan (Bundoran), S. McDonagh (0-1) (St.Johns, Antrim), J. Byrne(0-1) (Malin), Paul Friel (capt) (0-1) (Urris), Adrian O’Hagan (1-2) (Galbally, Tyrone), Paul Boyce (0-3) (Carrigart), M. Corr (Galbally, Tyrone), S. Kelly (Urris). Subs: Ricky Rushe (0-1) (Robert Emmets), Paddy O'Connor (Cahir,Tipperary), Danny Friel (Urris), Eamon Kelly (Buncrana), John Deery (Malin), Brian Boyce (Carrigart). Macs: B. Arkinson, Barry Brogan (0-2), B. McMenamin, N. Clancy, C. Dempsey, Thomas Tuite (0-1), Shane Lynn (0-2), G. Hennessey, Nigel Regan (0-2), M. Doherty, E. Daly, P. Nugent, Eugene McKenna (0-4).