Ryan rescues St John’s

DESPITE this being the opening round, with so many twists and turns to come in the group stage, Easkey set down a marker when overcoming Bunninadden by nine points, 1-15 to 1-6, last Saturday evening in wet conditions at Kilcoyne Park, Tubbercurry.

Sligo Senior hurler Andrew Kilcullen top-scored in this Connacht Gold Intermediate Football Championship Group Two contest, shooting six points, two other county hurlers, Joe McHugh and Daniel Rolston, contributing 0-4 and 1-0 respectively for the winners.

It was Andrew Kilcullen who helped give Easkey an ideal start – his storming run led to a fisted goal

Connacht Gold IFC

Group Two – Round One Castleconnor 0-16 St John’s 3-7

WHEN a team shoots 16 points, as Castleconnor did here, victory is expected. But this impressive tally, half of which came from county player Sean Carrabine, wasn’t enough because (a) Castleconnor conceded three goals and (b) they let in a third goal with the last kick of the game at Seamie Donegan Memorial Park on Saturday evening last.

St John’s, who grabbed a share of the spoils when Ryan McManus netted from a rebound after his late free was blocked, will be delighted to have avoided defeat in this Connacht Gold Intermediate Football Championship Group Two game.

Castleconnor, who let slip a five-point lead in the closing stages, finished with 13 players due to the exits of Ronan Wilson (red card) and Sean Carrabine (black card). St John’s were also at a numerical disadvantage because of Charlie Harrison’s enforced exit (two bookings).

The opening period was evenly-contested – Castleconnor were 0-8 to 1-3 ahead at half-time. St John’s led 1-2 to 0-2 at the water break thanks to Ian Rossiter’s goal. Only a fine save from Castleconnor goalkeeper Kenneth Healy prevented a St John’s goal early on from Michael O’Hehir’s effort. There were excellent first-half scores for Castleconnor from Paul Flynn, Luke Munnelly and Sean Carrabine.

Castleconnor went three points clear shortly after the interval but a second goal for St John’s – Luke Rodgers on target – levelled the scores.

A burst of scores – five points without reply – appeared to have

Shane Kilgannon, Niall Kilcullen, Noel McGuire, Ian Barrett, Hayden Gilroy, Eanna Moylan, Mikey Gordon (0-3, 3f), Eugene Mullen, Rory McHugh, Dylan Sloyan, Joe McHugh (0-4), Jack Scott, Andrew Kilcullen (0-6, 4f), Daniel Rolston (1-0), Kevin Duffy (0-2)

Subs used: Eoghan Rua McGowan, Brendan McGrath, Jonathan Conway, Fionn Moylan, Bernard Feeney Bunninadden: Jason McDonagh, Peadar McManus, Stephen Anderson, Karl Brennan, Colm Doddy, Michael Gormley (0-1), Niall O’Donnell, Adrian Frain, Matthew Clavin, Cian Brett (0-1), Conor Murray, Rory O’Dowd (1-0), Barry Cafferky (0-1, 1f), Daniel Cafferky, Oisin Gorman

Subs used: Conor Mitchell, Oisin McDonnell (0-3), Michael Gorman, Kyle Gormanly, Roland Scanlon

Referee: Gavin Cawley put Castleconnor in control, 0-14 to 2-3, but a brace of scores from Ryan McManus kept St John’s in contention.

The game’s conclusion saw cards shown and St John’s coming back from the brink with an unanswered 1-2.

Castleconnor: Kenny Healy, Rory Healy, Cian Barrins, Fergal Boland, Patrick Cooney, Keith Earlis, Eoin Kent, Sean Carrabine (0-8), Paul Flynn (0-2), Ronan Wilson, Ciaran Kilcullen, Thomas Langan, Micheál Cahill (0-1), Luke Munnelly (0-3), James Tully

Subs used: Eoin Flynn (0-1), Calum Quinn

St John’s: Jack Doyle, Enda Roche, Conor Sweeney, James Burns, Feidhlim Murphy (0-1), Paul McNamara, Michael O’Hehir, Oisin Cox, Cathal Jordan, George Chambers, Ryan McManus (1-3), Shane Regan (0-1), Ian Rossiter (1-0), Luke Rodgers (1-1), Charlie Harrison Sub used: Rory Martyn (0-1), David Burke, Brian O’Connor

Referee: Gus Chapman