Rooney the supersub as Jocks edge out Fechin’s
Solid start proves crucial for Gaels
NAOMH Mairtin got their season under way with a hard fought win over St.Fechins in Monasterboice with JP Rooney proving to be the match-winner as he scored 1-3 after coming on as a second half sub.
St Fechins played with the wind in their backs but the early scores were shared before John Clutterbuck fired in the first goal of the game to give the Mairtins the advantage.
The Fechins responded in impressive fashion and with Jamie King in fine scoring form they went three points in front. However the teams went in level at half time 1-5 to 0-8 after points from Conor Whelan, Val Leddy and Eoghan Callaghan for the Mairtins.
Naomh Mairtin made a few changes at half time and they came out of the blocks strongly and regained the lead through points from Conor Whelan and a great score from Eoghan Callaghan. St. Fechins however were never too far behind and were kept in the game by some great free kick taking from King.
A Niall Devlin goal had the Fechins ahead once again but they were unable to maintain that advantage as Rooney’s introduction proved decisive. The former Louth player hit the net from a penalty and added three points to help his side to victory. MAIRTINS: Darren Morgan; Alan Downey, Paul Berrill, Jack McCarville; Padraig McDonagh, Thomas Sullivan, John Clutterbuck 1-1; Val Leddy 0-1, Gavin Mooney; Joe McGrane 0-1, Wayne Campbell, Conor Healy; Conor Whelan 0-4, Conor Morgan, Eoghan Callaghan 0-2. Subs: Jack Murphy for Healy, Eamonn McQuillan for J McCarville, JP Rooney 1-3 for C Morgan, Francis McCullough for C Whelan, Mark Whelan for A Downey, Adam Winters for P McDonagh.
FECHINS: Niall McDonnell; Leo McGrane, David Collier, Niall Carolan; Paul Dillon, Colm McCabe, Stephen McEvoy; Niall McCabe, Gerry Campbell; Matthew Flanagan, Brian Devlin, Joseph Corrigan; Niall Devlin 1-1, Jamie King 0-11, Harry Haughney. Subs: Evan Kelly, Alex Smith, Danny Burnell, Todd Reilly. A strong first half showing helped Dundalk Gaels take firm control of this Sheelan Cup clash at The Ramparts and in the end they emerged with a comfortable six-point victory.
The Dundalk men went into this game strongly fancied to get their season off to a winning start and they rarely looked in trouble as the Glen Emmets were unable to ask any serious questions.
Derek Crilly finished top scorer for the Gaels with five points and his accuracy helped the hosts to lead by 0-7 to 0-1 at the break.
The second half was a rather tame affair with the teams sharing four points as the Gaels cruised to victory. GAELS: Joe Donohoe; David McComish, Jamie Faulkner; Conor Morgan, Sean Murray, Oisin Murray, David Maloney; Derek Crilly 0-5, Sean McCann 0-1; Eamonn Kenny, Jamie Clarke 0-1, Barry Watters; Eanna McArdle 0-2, Gary Shevlin, Chris Sweeney. Subs: Emmet Lyndsey, Peter McGinnity, Padraig Fallon, Jordan Keating.
GLEN EMMETS: Conor Kelly; Evan Lynch, Evan English, Keith Boylan; Andrew Mooney, Stephen Healy, Jamie Farnan 0-1; Robbie Byrne, Sean Byrne; Sam Kenny, Ronan Grufferty, Keith Lynch; Ben Hilliard, Keelan O’Neill 0-1, Isaac Walsh. Subs: Joe Farrelly for B Hilliard, Gordon Healy for R Byrne, Aeneas McAuliffe 0-1 for K Lynch, Damien Grimes.