Mary’s have it easy in one-sided derby

ST. MARY’S made winning look easy as they handed town rivals St. Joseph’s a 15-point drubbing in this one-sided Amber Springs/ Ashdown Park Hotels Intermediate football championship Group B game in Taghmon on Sunday.

The very thought of defeat wasn’t entertained by either side in the lead-up to this game, but St. Mary’s emerged with the bragging rights, while also taking two crucial points to maintain their one hundred per cent record.

They totally dominated this game against a poor-quality St. Joseph’s who were totally outclassed in every sector of the pitch, so much so that the eventual winners’ victory margin could have been greater.

The opening quarter gave little indication of what was to follow, with St. Joseph’s leading by 1-1 to 0-3 at the end of it, their goal a seventh-minute finish from Wayne Carty, while Martin O’Connor (two, one free) and Eddie Pitman responded.

The Mary’s finishing during this spell was wayward, but eventually they began to turn their outfield dominance into scores. Dermot Flood crashed home a fine goal two minutes from the interval, having linked up with Donal O’Leary, to give his side a 1-6 to 1-1 lead.

Barring that opening ten minutes, St. Joseph’s were totally outclassed, with the pattern of play to continue right through the second period as St. Mary’s moved the ball at pace and set up a constant stream of attacks, as they totally dismantled the opposition.

Within seven minutes of the re-start Jason Swords extended his side’s lead, while the Joseph’s solitary second-half point arrived three minutes later through a Dean Roche free, ending a 30-minute barren spell without a score.

Despite their wayward shooting, kicking 17 wides in total, St. Mary’s continued to extend their lead. Full-forward Donal O’Leary got in on the scoring act with his side’s second goal twelve minutes from the end, while he also kicked over two splendid long-range points as the Joseph’s challenge disintegrated.

St. Joseph’s were not helped when Stephen Kearney was straight red carded eight minutes into the second-half following an off the ball incident, and their opponents closed out the game with a Dermot Flood 60th-minute goal to give them a second comprehensive and impressive victory.

St. Mary’s: Paul Dempsey; Mark Doyle, Christy Lane (0-1), Gary Murphy; Gavin Cullen, Alex Lynch, Alan Lynch; Robbie Kenny, Graham Carty (0-1); Eddie Pitman (0-2), Dermot Flood (2-1), Ross Lynch; Roy Doyle, Donal O’Leary (1-2), Martin O’Connor (0-3 frees). Subs. - Jason Swords (0-1 free) for R. Doyle, Pierce Dooley for O’Connor, O’Connor for Kenny.

St. Joseph’s: Jamie McMahon; Paddy King, Calum Frankis, Eddie Byrne; Seamus King, Stephen Kearney, Paddy Harnett; Jim Berry, Andy Moore; Ashley Houghton, Wayne Carty (1-0), Gary Byrne (0-1); Dean Roche (0-1 free), Derek Bergin, Eddie Lawlor. Subs. - Darren Dempsey for P. King, Philip Leniston for Bergin, Ciarán Walsh for P. King.

Referee: Seán Whelan (St. Martin’s).