Fechin’s make early statement

ST FECHINS KILKERLEY EMMETS 1-11 0-11

ST Fechins got their season off to the perfect start when they recorded a three-point victory at home to Kilkerley Emmets on Sunday morning.

In a game that was very much in the balance throughout, the hosts produced the stronger finish as points from Joseph Corrigan and Niall Devlin saw them claim the victory.

It was the visitors who got off the mark first as Tadgh McEneaney opened the scoring with a point. However, the Fechins response was impressive as they struck 1-3 without reply to take command of the game, with the goal coming from Holcroft, who also added two points along with another from Niall Devlin.

This time it was Kilkerley who had to respond and they did so with a brace of scores from both Shane Lennon and James Fegan before Holcroft struck again for the Fechins. However, McEneaney and Lennon had the final say of the half with pointed frees to make it 1-4 to 0-7 at the break.

The home side made the better start to the second half with scores from Holcroft 0-3 and Conor Haughney. However, Kilkerley replied through Lennon (2), McEneaney and sub Ciaran McGlynn to level the game entering the closing stages.

Both sides went in search of victory but it was St Fechins who popped up with the vital scores as a brace from Corrigan was followed by another from Niall Devlin to seal the win.

ST FECHINS: Niall McDonald; David Collier, Niall McCabe, Paul Dillon; Conor Haughney 0-1, Colm O’Neill, Leo McGrane; Brian Devlin, Donal Ryan; Paul Mathews, Joseph Corrigan 0-2, Bevan Duffy; Matthew Flanagan, Niall Devlin 0-2, Ronan Holdcroft 1-6. KILKERLEY EMMETS: Cillian Quigley; Alan McGeough, Fintan Clarke, Ciaran Clarke; Cillian Kampes, Shaun McElroy, Cillian Mulligan; Ciaran Bellew, Adam Shields; Rian Hand; James Fegan 0-2, Sean Hand, Tadgh McEneaney 0-3, Shane Lennon 0-5; Dan McKeown. Sub: Ciaran McGlynn 0-1 for A McGeough, Barra McCarthy for F Clarke, Ciaran Murtaghh for C Kampes.