Matthews goals the difference in Saints success
St Fechin’s Naomh Moninne
THIS opening round Senior Championship defeat for holders Naomh Moninne was inflicted by the team they beat in last years final, St Fechins in a keenly contested match played out in Darver last Thursday night.
Two second half goals from the impressive Paul Matthews would prove to be the difference between the sides at the final whistle. Defeat means that the Dundalk side must now beat Mattock Rangers in the second round of games this Thursday night in Darver to keep alive any hopes they have of retaining the Paddy Kelly Cup.
The Fechins opened the scoring with a Paddy Lynch long range pointed free but they soon trailed their opponents when corner forward David Yore half volleyed the sliotar to the net on three minutes.
Lynch responded with another pointed free before midfielder Darren O Hanrahan rounded off a good solo run with a good point to restore his sides two point lead.
However this lead was wiped out on 12 minutes when the Fechins struck for their first goal when Seaghan Conneeely fired home in style from just inside the
Results 3-14 1-13
20 metre line.
The sides shared the next four points before a brace of pointed frees from top scorer Paddy Lynch had his side leading by 1-6 to 1-3 on 27 minutes. One particular score stood out when Lynch fired over direct from a sideline cut Joe Canning style.
In the time that remained to the break Lynch and Darren Geoghegan exchanged further points from placed balls to leave the Termonfeckin outfit leading 1-7 to 1-5 at half time.
Brian Bradys side reduced the arrears on the resumption when young Geoghegan pointed a 20 metre free for a foul on David Yore who was denied a second goal when called back by an early whistle from the referee.
They still trailed by one,1-8 to 1-7 on 41 minutes eventhough they were lucky not to concede a second goal when the Paddy Lynch struck the crossbar with an effort from a tight angle.
His side though did grab a second goal on 42 minutes however when Paul Matthews fired home despite the best effort of keeper Donal Connolly who managed to get a stick on the shot but failed to keep it out.
A good brace of points from play from Michael Ryan and another Lynch point also from play saw the South Louth side now six points in front 2-11 to 1-8 on 47 minutes.
Moninne did get it back to just four on 50 minutes with successive points from Darren Geoghegan but defeat was inevitable three minutes later when Paul Matthews struck for the winners third goal when he smashed to the net.
To their credit the Dundalk outfit fought gamely to the final whistle and they were rewarded with three good late points from Geoghegan, David Yore and substitute Ultan McEneaney but it was not be enough to deny last years beaten. ST FECHINS: Stephen Hackett; Cormac McAuley, Conor Relihan, Caoimhin Seery; Micheal Byrne, Oisin Byrne, Liam Ryan; David Stephenson, Donal Ryan; Saeghan Conneely1-0, Niall Devlin, Brendan Hynes; Michael Ryan 0-2, Paddy Lynch 0-10 (8f), Paul Matthews 2-2. Subs: John Crosbie for B Hynes (46), Vincent Hynes for D Stephenson (47), Brian Stephenson for P Lynch (56), Colin Griffin for M Byrne (60). NAOMH MONINNE: Donal Connolly; Donal Lee, Chris Lennon, Paul Challoner; Mattie Fee, Oisin Drumm, Philip Englishby; Darren O Hanrahan 0-1, Feidhelm Joyce; Tadhg Moore, John Martin, Darren Geoghegan 0-10f; David Yore 1-1, Johnny Carter, Stephen Rafferty. Subs: Daire Flanagan for Paul Challoner (49), Ciaran McGlynn for S Rafferty (50), Ultan McEneanay (0-1) for J Carter (53), Stephen Ryan for T Moore (55), Ferdia Hoare for J Martin (59).
REFEREE: Jim O Rourke (Monaghan).
GAA SCOREBOARD