Ragh’s title credentials pass major examination

O RAGHALLAIGHS HUNTERSTOWN ROVERS 1-15 2-11

O Raghallaighs strengthened their position at the top of Division 2 with a narrow win over rivals Hunterstown Rovers on Friday night.

As a result, the Drogheda side are now four points clear of their opponents and Kilkerley Emmets who were also defeated on the same evening.

After suffering their first defeat of the season in the previous outing, Hunterstown came into this game determined to bounce back and keep their promotion hopes alive.

It was going according to plan in the first half as points from Ryan Burns, Tony McKenna and Brendan Lennon along with a goal from Alan Landy had them leading by 1-6 to 0-6 at the break.

The O Raghllaighs responded to the challenge in the second half and increased their threat in attack with Ruairi Moore in fine form as he finished with nine points to his credit.

Hunterstown kept their hopes alive when Burns added a second goal on 45 minutes. However, the Drogheda men were not to be denied and a goal from Olan Walshe seeing the teams draw level in the closing minutes, with Ruairi Moore clinching an impressive ninth point to claim the game for the North Roaders.

O RAGHALLAIGHS: Joe Flanagan; Stephen Murphy, Ciaran Brassil, Tomas Callan; Eoin Moore, Dean Byrne, James Moonan; Alan Doyle, Robert Mulroy; Jack Carr, Barry Flanagan (0-2), Olan Walsh (1-0); Chris Smith (0-2), Ben Rogan (0-2), Ruairi Moore (0-9). Subs: Cillian Curran, Len Murphy, Daniel Morgan, Sean Grennan, Kevin McGee, Ciaran Reilly, Matthew Moore, Tom Mullins, Conor Higgins, James Morgan.

HUNTERSTOWN ROVERS: Niall Carrie; Brian Matthews, Richie Taaffe, Martin Lennon 0-1; Conor Matthews, Patrick Taaffe, Robbie McNiece; Tony McKenna 0-1, Mark Brennan; Paddy Mooney, Paul Carrie, Brendan Lennon 0-1; Alan Landy 1-3, Ryan Burns 1-3, Glen Matthews 0-2. Sub: Robbie Brennan for M Brennan.