St Kevin’s clinch it

ST Kevins recorded a great win over Naomh Fionnbarra on Sunday at the newly renovated Philipstown pitch.

The first half was a low-scoring affair that ended with the Barrs leading by 0-5 to 0-3 with Cian Callan, Dylan Maher and Patrick Clarke on target for the hosts.

The Philipstown men started the second half brightly with a goal from Seanie Crosbie. The Barrs responded with a goal of their own after Jack Butterly teed up Padraic Murphy to slam the ball into the net.

Both sides missed a lot of chances but the Kevins slowly clawed their way back into the game with three points.

The Togher men responded with a couple of points from Padraic Murphy to retain a slender lead. A late goal from Cian Callan swung the game in the Kevins favour followed by two further points to put the Philipstown men four points to the good. The Finbarrs pressed hard for another goal but it was all in vain.

There was further good news for the Kevins with Liam Boylan, Paul Duff and Enda McKenna all returning from injury.

ST KEVINS: Danny Crosbie; John King, Finbarr Lynch, Patrick Duff; Aaron Khan, Seanie Crosbie (1-0), Dylan Maher (0-1); Andrew Campbell, Lee Crosbie; Darren McMullan, Aaron Roche, TJ Doheny; Cian Callan (1-1), Patrick Clarke (0-4), Shane Meade (0-2). Subs: Liam Boylan, Paul Duff, Enda McKenna.

NAOMH FIONNBARRA: Matthew O’Reilly; Hugh McGrane, Kieran Lenehan, Kalem Regan; Bryan Sharkey, Hugh Osborne, Chris McGlynn; John Doyle, Darren McConnon; Adam Hanratty 0-1, Conor Osborne, Mairtin Murphy, Jack Butterly 0-1, William Woods 0-3, Padraig Murphy 1-2. Subs: Ciaran Markey for M Murphy, Thomas McCreesh for B Sharkey, Martin O’Neill for D McConnon. THERE is no doubt that the difference between the teams was county midfielder Tommy Durnin who had an outstanding match playing a part in all of the home side’s scores.

Once he gained procession, the Sean’s found it very difficult to hold him but having said that the visitors could have been in a much better position at the break after squandering two goal chances and not taking advantage of a strong wind.

The home side made much better use of the elements in the second half placing the county man up front and getting the ball to him at every opportunity, while Ciaran Campbell scored the vital goal. Once again Danny Commins had an outstanding match for the Sean’s while goalsscorer Lorcan Myles, along with Sean McMahon and Peter Osborne were others to catch the eye.

WESTERNS: Jonny Brennan; Andy Murray, Ray Quinn, Liam Murray; Ciaran Scriven, Dylan Ogle, Colin Martin; Tommy Durnin 0-5, Stephen Boylan 0-1; Terence Sweeney 0-1, Anthony Durnin 0-1, Patrick Kerley; Ryan Duffy, Jack Ogle 0-2, Conor Kerr. Subs: Liam Hoey for T Sweeney, Ciaran Campbell 1-0 for R Duffy, PJ Marron for P Kerley. JOHN Mitchels played host to the Wolfe Tones in a tight contest on Sunday last and it was the home side who started well with some fine scores against a strong breeze in the first half. Tones however found scores to reply and at the half time break it was 2-4 to 1-5 to the Tones.

During the second half the Tones found themselves kicking seven wides and missing a penalty, which was saved by sub keeper Brendan McMahon. Mitchels managed two points to bring the scores level when Tones pulled away again with scores from Adam Gartland and Patrick Fanning.

As the game drew to a close, the Mitchels tucked away another free and in the fifth minute of injury time a free on the inside of the 45 proved to be the leveller. JOHN MITCHELS: Gerry Maguire; Anthony Coyle, Niall Carroll, Alan Mackin; Barry Kirk 0-1, Aaron Kane, Mikey Nulty; Stephen Coyle, John Gallagher 1-5; Kevin Gallagher 0-1, Gareth Kane 0-1, Trevor Matthews 0-1; Stephen Bingham, Rory Durnin, Donal Rahill 0-1. Subs: Brendan McMahon, Ryan Carroll, Shawni Dowdall, Keith Durnin

WOLFE TONES: Paddy Healy; Kevin Collier, Graham Fanning, Adam Gartland 0-1; Paddy Fanning 0-2, Sam Kelly, Eoghan O’Shea 0-1; Cathal Bergin 1-0, Dean Haggins; Jake Kelly, Niall Smith 0-1, Jordan Duffy; Andy Faulkner, Darren Weldon 1-0, Chris Cudden 0-2. Subs: Conor Redmond for J Kelly, Paul Fleming for A Walker.