Naps edge cracker
WOLFE Tones came out on top in this Drogheda derby to record their fourth victory of the campaign and heap more misery on their neighbours.
The result moves the Tones into sixth place in the table as they continued their recent good run of form and leaves the Nicks rooted to the bottom.
The winners were in impressive form in the first half as goals from Niall Smith and Jamie McCormack helped them take a 2-8 to 0-1 lead at half time.
The Tones completed the job in the second period to see off a Nicks side who scored through Philip Kirwan, Richie Campbell Johnny Carter and Kevin Walsh.
WOLFE TONES: C. Eustace (0-1); A. Gartland, R. Owens, A. Fanning; D. Haggins (0-1), S. Kelly, M. Lugoye; B. Kelly, J. Kelly; G. Cooney, N. Smith (1-4), D. Weldon (0-2); J. McCormack (1-5), M. Rafferty (0-1), K. Collier. Subs: G. Mohupi, D. Smith, S. Murray, J. Duffy (0-1), G. Kierans.
ST NICHOLAS: Shane Finnegan; Alan Gregory, Brian Carter, Tadhg Kelly; Ciaran O’Brien, Alex Finnegan, Richie Kelly; Johnny Carter (0-1), Adrian Gates; Stephan Hodgins, Kevin Walsh (0-2), Jack Downey; Phillip Kirwan (0-1), John Heeney, Richie Campbell (0-1). Subs: Declan Heeney for A Gregory; Paddy Murtagh for A Gates; Jason Maguire for J Downey; Keith Cluskey for R Kelly; Alan Dyas for John Heeney. FRIDAY was a beautiful evening for football and a real cracker was served up on the Rock Road where Na Piarsaigh kept themselves in the hunt for Division 3 honours with a win over Naomh Malachi.
Early points from Niall Franklin, Robbie Murphy and Mark Larkin settled Na Piarsaigh but the difference between the teams was never too much and the first half ended five points apiece.
Nh Malachi started the second half with a focus and drive that led to four quick points before Na Piarsaigh got a score. This point was the impetus that Na Piarsaigh needed to get them energised and goals from Mark Larkin and Eamonn McAuley along with points from Gerard Smyth and Ciaran Murphy to name a few helped towards a four-point victory.
NA PIARSAIGH: Peter Gallagher; Fearghal Mulholland, Jarlath Lyons, Stephen McGuinness; Ciaran Murphy, Joe Woods, Robbie Murphy; Gavin McGee, John Garvey; Mark Larkin, Michael Woods, Niall Franklin; Mark O’Hare, Gerard Smyth, Eamonn McAuley. Subs: Conall Shields for Mark O’Hare.
NAOMH MALACHI: Chris McCaughley; David Begley, David Rogers, Stephen Burns; Chris Smith, Stephen Smith, Ronan Greene; Padraig Moley 0-2, Jack Kirwan; Dylan Rooney 0-3, Collie Hoey, Noel Donaldson 0-1; Donal Begley 0-2, Mark Meegan, Collie Rooney 0-2. Subs: Kieran Murtagh, Daniel Lundy, Ronan McElroy, Liam McCann, Shane Rogers 0-1. Naomh Mairtin v St Patrick’s GFC, Thomas Mulholland, 8.00; Dundalk Gaels v St Fechins GAA, John Murphy, 8.00; Clan na nGael v St Josephs, Brian Brady, 8.00; Geraldines v Newtown Blues, Aiden Shevlin, 8.00; St Brides v Cooley Kickhams, Peter Hoey, 8.00; Mattock Rangers v Ardee St. Mary’s G.F.C., Declan Dunne, 8.00
Naomh Fionnbarra v St. Kevins, Kevin Brady, 8.00; Kilkerley Emmets v St Mochtas, Paul Finnegan, 8.00; O`Raghallaighs v Dundalk Young Irelands, David Fedigan, 8.00; Hunterstown Rovers GFC v Oilibhéar Pluincéad, Gerard Corrigan, 8.00; Dreadnots v Sean O Mahonys, Kevin Carroll, 8.00; Glen Emmets v Roche Emmets GFC, Tommy Mc Enteggart, 8.00
Na Piarsaigh v Wolfe Tones Football, Colin Mc Kenna, 8.00; Lann Léire C.P.G. v Westerns, Colm Mc Collough, 8.00; O’Connells GFC v Dowdallshill, Finton Levins, 8.00; Annaghminnon Rovers v Stabannon Parnells GFC, David J. Mc Ardle, 8.00; Glyde Rangers v Sean McDermotts, Patsy Connolly, 8.00 Louth v Meath (Drogheda), Fergal Smyth, 7.00