Olympus Rally, Wash. USA

Andrew Pinker will be looking for a repeat of his performance in Oregon [Photo/ Neil McDaid]

OLYMPIA, Wash., May 15, 2007 - The top rally drivers in the country will battle each other and the rugged terrain of the Pacific Northwest when the Rally America National Championship Series moves to Washington State for the Olympus Rally on May 19 and 20.
A demanding and technical course that winds through dense forest and over 125 miles of dirt and gravel roads in and around Olympia, Wash., the Olympus Rally is also known for the unpredictable -- and often inclement -- weather characteristic of the region. The constantly changing surface conditions produce hours of exciting racing action for competitors and spectators alike.
"The opportunity to race in the Pacific Northwest is a wonderful experience for our drivers and our fans," said J.B Niday, managing director of Rally America. "The Olympus Rally is an exciting and historic event for our national and regional racers to compete in. With a deep field of competitors, racers will compete on a variety of road conditions as they challenge one another for valuable points."
Although a new addition to the Rally America schedule for 2007, the Olympus Rally was part of the first SCCA PRO Rally Championship in 1973 and was a World Rally Championship race from 1986-1988. Rally racing legends such as Rod Millen, Juha Kankkunen and American John Buffum have claimed victories at the famed event.
Rally America drivers compete in street-legal vehicles that are modified for safety. Six vehicle classes, ranging from stock to highly modified, compete under the Rally America banner. Eleven different automobile manufacturers are represented in Rally America events, led by Subaru, Mitsubishi, Dodge, Ford and Volkswagen.

Entering the Olympus Rally, the top four drivers in the 2007 Rally America standings are separated by just 10 points. After three of nine events, Ken Block and co-driver Alessandro Gelsomino lead the standings, followed by Tanner Foust and co-driver Christine Beavis. The 2006 Rally America national champions, Travis Pastrana and co-driver Christian Edstrom, are third, while Oregon Trail Rally winner Andrew Pinker is fourth.

In addition to the 2007 Rally America National Championship title, drivers are competing for entry into X Games 13. For the second consecutive year, rally racing will be featured in the Summer X Games, with the first five races of the 2007 Rally America season serving as qualifying events for the popular action-sport competition.
-credit: olympusrally.com

Boston GAA, Sunday May 13, 2007

2007 Pat O'Brien Memorial Cup final, Donegal vs. McAnespies [Tyrone]

A great start to the 2007 season for McAnespies [Photo/report by Neil McDaid]

Lined out in the Tyrone away colors, Aiden McAnespies would get the upper hand on the Tir Chonaill men to claim the 2007 Pat O’Brien Memorial Cup.
McAnespies Peadar Nugent would inflict pain early with a point from play. Shortly there after Nugent would also work his way into the space driving one past Donegal’s keeper Jonathon Byrne.
Showing some great form Donnacha Gallagher would score from a free to get things rolling for Donegal. Michael McGinty would also bend one in under pressure from the McAnespie back line.

Donegal tried their best to keep Paddy McCusker wrapped up.[Photo/Neil McDaid]

By the half McAnespies were up by a goal and looked to be in control of the game. Donegal would net in the second, but McAnespies answered quickly with a brash of points to stay ahead. Although it is early in the season, McAnespies are looking like a team hungry to repeat their performance of '06, Donegal brought their B game and walked away empty handed . Final score 1-11 to 1-08

Like one from middle earth, McGettigan was flying low for the McAnespies [photo/Neil McDaid]

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Orla Benson Cup semi final, Tir Na Nog vs. The Boston Shamrocks

Shamrocks' Maura Walsh lines up one of her two points.[photo/Neil McDaid]

Tir na Nog faltered on their second chance to make it into the final of the Orla Benson Cup final next Sunday. Despite getting the first score on the board they were clearly out classed by The Shamrocks. An early goal from Paula Callaghan would see Shamrocks ahead at the half 1-03 to 0-03.
Shamrocks' Sinead Walsh would point from a free to open the scoring after the break. Despite their three points in the first half, Tir Na Nog had nothing for the Shamrocks in the second. Maura Walsh would add a couple of fine points from play to cap off a good effort. Final score 1-08 to 1-03.
From here it’s on to the cup final for the Shamrocks where they will meet Roscommon next Sunday.

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Sheehan Cup semi final, Cork vs. Fr. Toms

Tom's Kevin Kilkenny heading for the cork uprights [Photo/ Neil McDaid]

The rebels fall, and fall hard to Fr. Toms. There was little question where this game was going from the start. Toms' Mark Walden cranked up the tempo early, and terrorized the Cork uprights by driving home a few great points from play. A scramble in front of the Toms' net would result in a soft goal for Cork. This, along with a single point, would be as close as this game would get.

Finding himself open Toms' Kieran Moore would slip through the Cork back line and blast one into the back of the waiting net raising the green flag to push Toms ahead at the half.
Despite a point from a free in the opening minutes of the second half Cork were at sea without an oar. They were clearly outclassed and out hurled by the Toms. Final score 1:08 to 1:02.

Toms will go on to meet Tipp in the Sheehan cup final next Sunday. I expect that Tipp will have the upper hand over the Toms.