Quigley inspires Saints success

ST JOSEPHS COOLEY KICKHAMS 0-17 1-9 GERALDINES MATTOCK RANGERS NAOMH FIONNBARRA NAOMH MAIRTIN

INTERMEDIATE Champions, St Josephs got their new season off to a winning start with a five-point victory over Cooley Kickhams on Friday evening.

In a game that was evenly contested for much of the hour, it was the Joes who showed up that little bit better in front of the posts to ensure they collected the points. Alan Quigley proved to be the star man for the winners as he finished with a personal tally of nine points.

For the opening game of the season, both teams showed a good eye for the posts in the first half but it was the Joes, with the help of Quigley’s scores, that saw the lead by 0-10 to 0-7 at the break.

The Cluskey Park side stretched their advantage in the second half and although Cooley replied with the only goal of the game from Peter Thornton, it wasn’t enough to deny the Joes victory. JAMES Carraher landed a late point from a free to secure a draw for Mattock Rangers away to Geraldines on Friday night.

The game was in the balance throughout but the hosts looked to be on course for victory when they overturned a three-point interval deficit to level through the contest Michael Rogers’ eighth point of the game.

On 59 minutes Tiarnan Hand appeared to have sent over the winning score, but Mattock responded in the dying moments as Carraher stepped up to land his fifth free of the night to ensure a share of the spoils.

The first half saw the teams kick four points apiece but it was a goal from JP Watters that saw the Collon men take the initiative and lead by 1-4 to 0-4 at the break.

Michael Rogers scored three first half points along with a Shane O’Hanlon effort for the hosts in first half. NAOMH Fionnbarra turned in a strong second half peformance to claim victory over Naomh Mairtin in Ballygassan on Sunday morning.

In a game played in very windy, raw conditions the Finbarrs came out on top thanks to goals from Coalan Leech (2) and Jack Butterly.

It was the Jocks who made the brighter start to the match but the Barrs came back and the half finished even 1-2 to 0-5, thanks to Butterly’s goal.

The Finbarrs upped it a gear in the second half and managed to grind out the win in what was a competitive game up to the final whistle, with Leech’s brace proving decisive.