Goals crucial as intermediate champs make solid
ST BRIDE’S: Frank Noonan; Ronan Bailey, Mark Hoey, Darren Bailey; Philip Tynan, Liam Molloy, Johnny Culleton (0-1); Gareth Hall, Alan Dunne; Ross Kehoe, Kevin Hearty (0-3), Aaron Devin (0-2); Michael Keane, Neil Thornton, James Costello (0-1). Subs: Richie Halpenny for D. Bailey, Conaill Devin (0-1) for G. Hall, James Searson for P. Tynan, Niall Brennan for L. Molloy, Stephen Hilliard for A. Devin, Paul Halpenny for N. Thornton.
ST MOCHTAS KILKERLEY EMMETS 3-13 0-13
INTERMEDIATE champions, St Mochtas, got their 2019 season off to a winning start in a game that was a lot closer than then final scoreline suggests.
The opening period of the game was closely contested with St Mochtas receiving a boost when Eamon O’Neill scored the first goal of the game, while his side also had points from Cormac Smyth and Gerry Garland.
Kilkerley responded through Michael Begley, Tadhg McEneaney, Ultan McEneaney and Daniel McKeown as they drew level entering the closing stages of the half. However, Danny Kindlon had the final say of the half as he found the net to put his side 2-4 to 0-7 ahead at half time.
O’Neill and Englishby opened the second half with points, followed by Smyth hitting his second point sandwiched between two points from McEneaney. Michael Begley got his second point to keep Kilkerley very much in the game but O’Neill swiftly replied by pointing, then goaled from the penalty spot and before pointing again.
Kilkerley battled to the end but the gap was too much to bridge and Mochtas held out in a very exciting and competitive encounter.
Jason Callan; Cormac Callan, Philip Englishby 0-1, Tomas Kindlon; Liam Kindlon, Andrew English, Conor Garland; Eamon O’Neill 2-2, Danny Kindlon 1-0; Stephen McCooey, Gerry Garland 0-2, Shane Kieran; Cormac Smyth 0-2, Nigel Farrell, Brendan Duff. Subs: Paddy Duffy for N Farrell, Owen Lennon 0-3 for B Duff, Craig Lennon 0-4 for S Kieran, Nicky Browne for L Kindlon.
KILKERLEY EMMETS: Cillian Quigley; Tadhg McKeown, Adam Shields, Niall Mulholland; Cormac Bellew; Cillian Kampes, Sean Hand; Rian Hand 0-1, Cathal Bellew; Kieran Lennon, Michael Begley 0-3, Ewan McEnteggart, Ultan McEneaney 0-1, Tadhg McEneaney 0-6, Dan McKeown 0-2. Subs: C McGlynn for Lennon, S McElroy for McEnteggart, D Litchfield for U McEneaney, A McGuill for Mulholland, J Bellew for McGlynn, T Litchfield for D McKeown.
ST MARYS SEAN O’MAHONYS 1-5 0-7
A goal from Tiarnan Corrigan midway through the first half proved to be the difference as St Marys began their Group C campaign with victory at home to Sean O’Mahonys. Both clubs fielded experimental sides in what proved to be an entertaining encounter but it was the Ardee men who just about shaded it in the end.
After a cagey opening ten minutes it was the Dundalk side who got the first point on the board but their lead didn’t last long as Corrigan pounced for the only goal of the game in the 13th minute.
The O’Mahonys got back on