Blues have the goal-den touch

NEWTOWN BLUES ST FECHINS 2-11 0-11

THIS clash with the County senior campions and the newly promoted Division 1 team was always going to be a challenge for the home team, while Storm Dennis also provided some stiff opposition for both sides.

St Fechins, who had the wind advantage in the first half, opened the scoring with two points from play scored by Sean Kerrisk and Brian Devlin, The Blues responded in the sixth minute with a point from Ross Nally. Again Fechins hit back with a brace of points from Sean Kerrisk and mid fielder Pauric O’Donohoe.

The Blues only managed two more points in the first half and Fechins another five, three from Joe Corrigan and two from Niall Devlin as the hosts went in at the break leading by 0-9 to 0-3.

The Blues took firm control of the second half making more use of the wind clocking up an impressive 2-8 with Declan McNamara and Rob Carr hitting the net. The Fechins, who could only answer with two more points, made a number of substitutions in the second half but the fresh legs were unable to stop the Blues. Despite a number of good saves from goalkeeper, Niall McDonnell, the two goals were the difference between the two teams in the end. NEWTOWN BLUES: Ronan Brown; Alan Conor, Kevin Carr, Paul Moore; Daire Nally,0-1 Ciaran Cluskey Kelly, John Connolly; Chris Reid, John Kermode; Ian Connor 0-1, Conor Brannigan, Conor Moore; Johnny McDonnell, Ross Nally 0-7, Declan McNamara 1-0. Sub: Rob Carr 1-2.

ST FECHINS: Niall McDonnell; Cian Gorman, David Collier, Danny Burnell; Paul McEvoy, Harry Haughney, Alex Smith; Pauric O’Donohue (0-1), Joe Corrigan (04); Eoghan Ryan, Niall Devlin (0-2), Brian Devlin (0-1); Adam O’Neill (0-1), Cathal Doherty, Sean Kerrisk (0-2). Subs: Sdam Kirwan for P O’Donohoe, Nick Smith for A Smith, Evan Kelly for H Haughney, Dan McCabe for B Devlin, Eoin Hackett for C Doherty.