Naomh Malachi too strong for Westerns

NAOMH MALACHI WESTERNS 2-7 1-3

NAOMH Malachi eased into the semi-final of the Kevin Mullen Shield when they proved too strong for the Westerns at Darver on Tuesday night.

The Courtbane side were on top throughout the game and after taking a four-point lead into the break they confirmed their place in the last four with goals from Jamie Kelly and Keelan Conlon.

The Mals took the lead after two minutes when Shane Rogers was on target but it wasn’t until the end of the third quarter that they added to their tally and points from Rogers and Donal Begley helped them stretch the gap to five points.

The Westerns got off the mark just before the interval when Conor Kerr found the target to cut the deficit to 0-5 to 0-1.

Paudi Moley opened the scoring for the Malachis in the second period as they continued to dominate the game. After eight minutes a goal from Jamie Kelly had his side firmly in control before Keelan Conlon found the net on 26 minutes to put the game beyond doubt.

The Westerns hit back in the dying moments with a goal from Stephen Boylan but it proved little consolation as the Malachis advanced to the semi-final. NAOMH MALACHI: Christopher McCaughley; Ciaran Murtagh, Chris Smith, Conor Begley; Donal Mulholland, David Begley, Pete McShane; Paudi Moley 0-1, David Rogers; Donal Begley 0-1, Shane Rogers 0-4, Stephen Smith; Stephen Burns, Jamie Kelly 1-1, Patrick Smith. Subs: Mark Meegan, Paul Gogarty, Emmet Mullen, Keelan Conlon 1-0, Ronan McElroy.

WESTERNS: Peter Shiels; Liam Murray, Shane Matthews, Colin Martin; Mick Martin, Terence Sweeney, Andy Murray; Finn Duffy, Ciaran Scriven; Conor Kerr 0-2, John Murray, Sean McGuinness; Ciaran Campbell 0-1 Anthony Durnin, Ryan Duffy. Subs: Stephen Boylan 1-0 for S Matthews, Aidan McGarrell for T Sweeney, Patrick Kerley for A Durnin.