Rovers and Ireland Irelands still top

HUNTERSTOWN ROVERS 1-14 KILKERLEY EMMETS 0-15

HUNTERSTOWN Rovers maintained their unbeaten start to Division 2 when they struck late to deny Kilkerley Emmets at home on Friday night.

Having dropped their first point against Lannléire in their previous outing, it looked as if Rovers might come up short again when they trailed entering injury-time. However, they rallied with points by Ryan Ward, Jamie O’Callaghan and Patrick Taaffe to claim the spoils.

There was little to choose between the teams throughout and it was Kilkerley who had the edge early on as scores by Ewan McEnteggart, Conor Quigley, Micheál Begley and Tadhg McEnaney had them 0-5 to 0-4 ahead. Rovers then hit the lead when O’Callaghan scored the only goal of the game.

However, Emmets responded and with Darragh Conlon among the points, they went in level at 1-5 to 0-8.

The second half followed a similar pattern with the game in the balance throughout. Kilkerley looked on course for the win when Ronan Deery pointed to put them ahead but Hunterstown hit back at the death to seal victory. HUNTERSTOWN ROVERS: Donovan Sheridan; Conor Reaburn 0-1, Micheál Reid; Euan Woodlock; Dáithí Carroll, Patrick Taaffe 0-1, David Finn; Shane Halpenny 0-1, Jason Monaghan 0-1; Jamie O’Callaghan 1-1, Aaron Levins, Ciarán Russell; James Rogers, Alan Landy 0-2, Glen Mathews 0-6. Subs: Dean Burns, Cillian Taaffe, James Russell, Ryan Ward 0-1.

KILKERLEY EMMETS: Callum Mulholland; Cormac Bellew, Cillian Mulligan, Conal Brady; Ewan McEnteggart 0-1, Patrick Murtagh 0-1, Ronan Deery 0-1; Kieran Murtagh, Darragh Conlon 0-1; Aidan Corrigan, Conor Quigley 0-2, Fionn Cumiskey; Tadhg McEnaney 0-6, Micheal Begley 0-2, Brian Brady 0-1. Subs: Shaun McElroy, Michael Kirby, Conall McEnaney.

REFEREE: Stephen Johnson (Glen Emmets). STABANNON PARNELLS 4-16 LANNLÉIRE 2-5

STABANNON Parnells picked up their first win of the Division 2 campaign when they defeated Lannléire at home on Friday night.

Following encouraging performances without points, Parnells came good and with the help of Harry Butterly’s stunning 3-9, they emerged with a comfortable victory.

Lannléire went into the game on the back of a draw with Hunterstown Rovers in their last outing but they were unable to build on that performance as the hosts got on top from the early stages.

Butterly and Daniel Clinton hit the net for Stabannon in the first half but those scores were cancelled out by two Paul Callan goals. However, the hosts were in better form and went in at the break with a 2-10 to 2-2 advantage.

The Dunleer men never looked like being able to mount a comeback and Butterly added two goals to keep his side in control. Points from Paul Callan (2) and Kyle Van Rhyn were all Lannléire could muster in the second period, while Dylan Shevlin, Seán Reynolds, Bobby Butterly and Ryan Shelvin also among the scores. STABANNON PARNELLS: Pádraig Malone; Barry McCoy 0-1, Eamonn Callaghan, Ryan Halpenny; Daniel Clinton 1-0, Alan Reynolds, David Cluskey; Colm Giggins, Dylan Shevlin 0-3; Jake Corrigan, Bobby Butterly 0-1, Johnnie McGee; Seán Reynolds 0-1, Ryan Shevlin 0-1, Harry Butterly 3-9. Subs: Niall Cluskey for McCoy,

Mark Byrne for McGee, Tadhg Carroll for R Shevlin, Pádraig Reynolds for H Butterly.

LANNLÉIRE: Liam Callan; Thomas Doyle, Jason Torris, Alex Carroll; Mark Grogan, Caoimhín Maher, Mathew Malone; Kyle Van Rhijn 0-1, Darragh Malone; Cian Kearney, Ian Mulroy, Cathal McEvoy; Paul Callan 2-4, Bob Murphy, Ryan McArdle. Subs: Pierce Hawkins, Paul Doyle, Luke Dunne-Boylan.

REFEREE: Colin Halligan (Roche Emmets). YOUNG IRELANDS 0-12 CLAN NA GAEL 0-9

YOUNG Irelands earned the local bragging rights as they came out on top in this Dundalk derby at Páirc Éire Óg on Friday night.

Ruairí Kelly and Jordan O’Donoghue were the scorers-in-chief as the hosts turned in a strong second half display to claim the points.

O’Donoghue struck the first two points of the game only for Liam O’Hanlon to respond in kind and level matters on 11 minutes. The second quarter was equally tight as Kelly struck either side of a Billy Smith point, before O’Hanlon levelled at four points apiece in first half stoppage-time.

The teams shared the first four points of the second half as the contest remained in the balance. However, with Dean Maguire, Peter McStravick, James Prendergast and Derek Maguire among the scores, Young Irelands surged ahead.

Clans hit back late on through another O’Hanlon brace but it was too late to deny Young Irelands who held out for a three-point win. DUNDALK YOUNG IRELANDS: Fergal Sheekey; Conn O’Donoghue, Ciarán Murray, Brendan Prendergast; Jamie Browne, Seán Murphy, Liam McStravick; Ruairí Kelly 0-3, Peter Nixon; Dean Maguire 0-1, Jordan O’Donoghue 0-3, Cian O’Donoghue; Derek Maguire 0-1, Caolan McCabe, Jack Watters. Subs: Peter McStravick 0-2, James Prendergast 0-2, Jack McArdle, Evan McArdle.

CLAN NA GAEL: Seán Smith, Brian McDonnell, Craig Callan, Conor Smith; Paul Crewe, Jack Callan, Mark Lee; Conor Noonan, Shane Carroll 0-1; Gavin Gaffey, Liam O’Hanlon 0-5, Shay Coleman; Micheál McDonnell, Billy Smith 0-2, Mark McGeown 0-1. Subs: Ellis O’Carroll for C Smith, Aodhán Kirk for Gaffey.

REFEREE: Kieran Olwell (Moynalty). GLEN EMMETS 2-12 O RAGHALLAIGHS 2-10

GLEN Emmets turned in a strong second half performance to claim maximum points at home to O Raghallaighs on Friday.

Alex Carolan and James Butler pointed in the dying minutes to seal an impressive comeback for their side.

The Drogheda men looked to be on course for their first win since the opening day of the campaign when they led by five points at the break.

However, their challenge faded in the second half as Emmets struck two late points to snatch victory.

O Raghallaighs had the better of the first half and two goals inside a minute just before the end of the first quarter helped them take charge.

However, Emmets kept in touch thanks to a goal by Jamie Gilkes to cut the gap to 2-6 to 1-4 at half-time.

With Jamie Farnan, Sam Kenny and Paddy McHugh adding points, the hosts gradually cut the gap, while a goal by Diarmuid Cullen helped them get back on terms. Emmets built on that momentum in the closing moments as Carolan and Butler saw them over the line. GLEN EMMETS: Ian O’Reilly; Emmet Delaney, Cathal Maguire, Jamie Farnan 0-1; Keith Boylan, Evan English, Tom Grimes; Cian Talbot 0-1, Sam Kenny 0-1; Paddy McHugh 0-1, Jamie Gilkes 1-0, Calum Wogan; Brian Maguire, James Butler 0-7, Diarmuid Cullen 1-0. Subs: Eoghan Maguire, Alex Carolan 0-1, Rhys Fordham, Conor Kelly, Ronan Grufferty. REFEREE: Declan Dunne (John Mitchel’s). ST BRIDE’S 2-10 ST KEVIN’S 1-13

IN A closely-contested game in Knockbridge, St Bride’s and St Kevin’s played out an exciting draw on Friday night.

The game opened with St Kevin’s quickly making their mark, thanks to early points by- Tom Matthews and Lee Crosbie. St Bride’s responded quickly, with Donal McArdle netting a goal after a well-executed sequence involving Ross Murnaghan.

Bride’s scored a second goal later in the half when a long pass found Andrew Smyth and without hesitation, he found the net. Seán Marry kicked a number of points from both play, marks and frees. At half-time, Bride’s led by 2-6 to 0-7.

The second half saw both teams add to their tallies in an effort to claim victory. Kevin’s produced a commendable comeback spirit, notably through Adam Cromwell and Cameron Maher scores. A notable moment was Evan Maher’s impressive goal.

Despite this, Bride’s managed to keep their lead for much of the half with contributions from Evan Wynne and Smyth but the match ended level.

ST BRIDE’S: Aaron Devin 0-1; Ronan Bailey, Cillian Kirk, Laurence Steen; Stephen Hoey 0-1, Ross Murnaghan, Micheal Keane; Josh O’Hare, Neil Thornton; Richard Halpenny, Andrew Smyth 1-1, Kevin Hearty; Evan Wynne 0-1, Seán Marry 0-6, Donal McArdle 1-0.

ST KEVIN’S: Danny Crosbie; Dylan Maher, Seánie Crosbie 0-1, Seán Powderly; Cameron Maher 0-4, Brian Callaghan 0-1, Darren McMullan; Evan Maher 1-2, Lee Crosbie 0-2; Jack Stokes, Cian Callan, Ciarán King; Tom Matthews 0-2, Adam Cromwell 0-1, Keelan Maher.

REFEREE: Stephen Devlin (Naomh Fionnbarra).

DUNDALK GAELS 1-8 ST JOSEPH’S 2-14

ST JOSEPH’S had too much quality for Dundalk Gaels in Dundalk on Friday night, ensuring the Dromiskin/Darver natives got back to winning ways in the second tier.

In just the second minute, Joe’s goalkeeper Adam Cassidy dived full length to his left to pull off an excellent save from a Tom O’Connell penalty, before his side got off the mark with two Ben Collier points.

Conor Neary added a point and on 12 minutes, a Conall Smyth turnover sent Conall McCaul through for the opening goal of the game. A minute later, Pearse Grimes-Murphy made space to shoot over his first score of the game.

Joe’s raised a second green flag when Gabriel Bell and Killian McDonnell combined for Bell to finish off a fine move on 15 minutes.

Dylan McKeown got Gaels off the mark two minutes later but McCaul and Neary responded in telling fashion.

The hosts hit back when O’Connell hit the net and then Luke Murray added a point. Grimes-Murphy and Liam O’Connor traded points before the break to leave Joe’s leading by 2-7 to 1-3.

The second half was end-toend with both sides having their fair share of chances. O’Connell’s powerful shot just cleared Joes’ crossbar, while Smyth saw his shot from close-range also go over.

McKeown narrowed the margin with two fine points from a free and a second from open play, to make it 2-8 to 1-6 on 42 minutes. Following good work from the left by Joe’s, it was Grimes-Murphy who pointed off his left from the narrowest of angles with Alan Quigley adding another soon after.

Gaels got through to add two further points to reduce the margin down to five.

Joe’s pointed when Smyth split the posts and in added-time, they added points by Neary and McCaul after good work by Alan McKenna and a superb closing score from distance by Grimes-Murphy. DUNDALK GAELS: Adrian Rafferty; Pádraic Tinnelly, Oisín Murray, Jack Mullen; Shaun Duffy, David McComish, Paddy O’Connell; James O’Connell, Liam O’Connor 0-1; Gary Shevlin, Luke Murray 0-2, Liam Coleman; Cian Walsh, Tom O’Connell 1-1, Dylan McKeown 0-4. Subs: Seán Lambert, John O’Hare.

ST JOSEPH’S: Adam Cassidy; Rian Devlin, Michael Staunton, Cormac McKeown; Killian McDonnell, Gabriel Bell 1-0, David Kieran; Conor Neary 0-3, Killian Staunton; Cormac Marmion, Conall Smyth 0-2, Pearse Grimes-Murphy 0-4; Oisín McGuinness, Ben Collier 0-2, Conall McCaul 1-2.

Subs: Alan Quigley 0-1, Jack Mulligan, Alan Lynch, Alan McKenna.

REFEREE: Stephen Murphy (Naomh Máirtín).

DIVISION 3A

OLIVER PLUNKETT’S 2-13 NA PIARSAIGH BLACKROCK 1-4

OLIVER Plunkett’s maintained their winning start to the Division 3A campaign when they made it four wins from four in Mellon Friday night.

It hasn’t been an easy start for Na Piarsaigh Blackrock but they produced an improved display, particularly in the first half, before the hosts pulled away after the break.

Ciarán Murphy fired in the first goal of the game in the opening period but Plunkett’s responded well and at the break, had established a 0-8 to 1-2 advantage.

After the restart, the Drogheda men continued to impress in front of the posts and they sealed a comfortable victory with goals from Stephen Keeley and Ben Boyce. OLIVER PLUNKETT’S: Luke Haggans 0-2; Cillian Matthews, David McTeggart, Ricky Bateson; Barry Reynolds 0-1, Gary

Keogh, Cillian Smith 0-1; Shaun Smith, Stephen Keeley 1-2; Jamie Byrne, Adam Smith 0-1, Seán Rice; Seán Boyle, Kristian Nolan 0-3, Seán Callaghan 0-2. Subs: Killian Nolan, Ben Boyce 1-1, Robbie Brodigan, Alex Shields, Cian Nelson.

NA PIARSAIGH BLACKROCK: Brooklyn Kenna; John Galligan, Shane Roddy, Chris Kellett; Stephen McGuinness 0-1, Joe Woods, Tommy Muckian 0-1; Mark O’Hare, Michael Woods; Gerard Rice, Ciarán Murphy 1-0, Seamus Reid; James Mahoney 0-1, Robert Murphy 0-1, Jamie Fealy. Subs: Seamus Gonnelly, Jarlath Lyons, DJ Griffin.

REFEREE: Fiachra Lambe (O Raghallaighs).

NAOMH FIONNBARRA 0-9 GLYDE RANGERS 1-7

GLYDE Rangers recovered from their midweek defeat at the hands of John Mitchel’s as they claimed a narrow win over Naomh Fionnbarra.

Having lost by a point at home on Tuesday night, this time Glyde did enough to ensure they came out on the right side of a similarly tight scoreline.

The game in John Markey Park proved to be a lively affair with the visitors surviving a second half revival before hanging on for victory.

The opening half saw Glyde have the edge and they made that count as a goal by Darren McKeever saw them turn around with a 1-4 to 0-2 advantage.

After the restart, Barrs found their rhythm and gradually clawed their way back into the game on a night when Michael McArdle, Thomas McCreesh and Aaron Kearney were on target.

However, with ace marksman Ciaráin Sheridan bringing his tally to three for the night, Glyde held out for the win.

NAOMH FIONNBARRA: Fionn McQuillian; Kalum Regan, Ronan Callaghan, Leo Kelly; Sean Boyle, Hugh Osborne 0-1, Dylan Hanratty; Adam Hanratty 0-1, Thomas McCreesh 0-1; Ronan McCreesh, Conor Osborne 0-1, Ciarán Murphy; Jack Regan 0-1, Michael McArdle 0-2, Conor Boyle. Subs: Jack Murtagh, Aaron Kearney 0-2, Ben Turley.

GLYDE RANGERS: David Brennan; Aaron Myles, Conor McCullagh, Mark McKeever; Fiachre Sheridan, Darren McKeever 1-0, Lee Finnegan; Jack McKeever, Tadhg Kellett; Leigh Byrne, Oisín Lynch 0-2, Pauric Kearney; Kevin Teather 0-1, Ciaráin Sheridan 0-3, Barry Brennan. Subs: Seán Devanney 0-1, Conor Sheridan, Adam Sweeney.

REFEREE: Colm Keenan (Cooley Kickhams).

JOHN MITCHEL’S 1-9 O’CONNELL’S 0-14

O’CONNELL’S bounced back from last week’s defeat with a twopoint victory over John Mitchel’s in Ballybailie on Friday evening.

Robert Quigley got the first two points of the game for the visitors and a point by Michael Quinn had the home side on the board after 10 minutes. Points by Jackie Agnew and Evan Kearney increased their team’s lead to three but John Gallagher and Trevor Matthews scored points for their side to cut the lead to one.

Both teams missed goal chances and were finding scores hard to come by as Cailum Woods and Quigley got the last two points of the half to leave the score at the break 0-6 to 0-3.

The Bellingham side started the second half with two quick points in the first minute from Agnew and Quigley, while another one by Agnew a couple of minutes later put six between the sides. Mitchel’s replied with the next three points from Gallagher, Jamie Durnin and Jake Gillespie.

After 40 minutes, the sides were level after a long ball found Matthews and he made no mistake, shooting to the roof of the net.

Woods got his second point of the game to give the visitors the lead again and further points by Kearney and Bernard Osborne left three between the sides, 0-12 to 1-6, with 10 minutes to go. Niall Conlon increased the lead to four and another point by Agnew left five between the teams with 60 minutes on the clock.

An excellent 45 from John Bingham and a free by Gallagher cut the margin to three. Gillespie got the last point of the game for the Ballybailie side just before the final whistle but it’s O’Connell’s who now have three wins from four played in this league.

JOHN MITCHEL’S: David Anderson; James Sands, Mitchell Keenan, Alan Mackin; Aaron Kane, Mikey Nulty, Jamie Durnin 0-1; Andrew Bingham, Aaron Keely; Michael Quinn 0-1, John Gallagher 0-3, Tristan Knowles; John Bingham 0-1, Trover Matthews 1-1, Jake Gillespie 0-2. Subs: Liam Devitt, Anthony Coyle.

O’CONNELL’S: John Brennan; Sam Shearman, Conor Byrne, Jack McGeough; Emmet Byrne, Stuart Osborne, Liam Kiernan; Justin Cooney, Seán Cairns; Jackie Agnew 0-4, Cailum Woods 0-2, Bernard Osborne 0-1; Niall Conlon 0-1, Robert Quigley 0-4, Evan Kearney 0-2. Subs Nathan Carragher, Harry Kierans, Seán Geeney.

REFEREE: Thomas Carr (Newtown Blues).

DIVISION 3B

WOLFE TONES 0-10 ANNAGHMINNON ROVERS 1-11

ANNAGHMINNON Rovers made light of the trip to Drogheda with an excellent, four-point win over Wolfe Tones.

Dwayne Markey’s goal proved crucial in the tight game and allowed the visitors to take control of proceedings.

After a slow start to Division 3B, Tones manager John Garvey will feel his side are getting closer by the week. Eoghan Brennan and Mark Healy impressed for the hosts but Rory Phelan kept the gap for the Stonetown outfit. Full of confidence and pushing for promotion themselves, Annaghminnon saw Paudi Russell came up from corner back to score. ANNAGHMINNON ROVERS: Rory Phelan 0-6, Dwayne Markey 1-4, Paudi Russell 0-1.

REFEREE: Kevin Levins (Hunterstown

Rovers).

DOWDALLSHILL 1-5 SEAN MCDERMOTT’S 1-18

A STRONG second half from Sean McDermott’s gave them all the points at St Brigid’s Park on Friday night against winless Dowdallshill. The victory gives the Churchtown men some renewed vigour at the top of Division 3B

The Dowdallers trailed by 0-11 to 1-1 at half-time but played their best football of the year. Trusty Noel Finnegan slammed home the goal but Seans would dominate from that point onwards.

Youngsters Matthew Little and Donnacha McCourt found their range along with the impressive Emmet Duffy. It was Duffy who got the major from a sublime pass by Tony Kelly who had only just come on late in the game. DOWDALLSHILL: Ridwan Bodunrin; Kenneth Edu, Peter Hughes, John McKenny; Paddy McKenna, Seán Duffy, Dylan McDonald; Stephen Murray 0-2, Jack McGailey 0-1; Keenan McGavisk, Luke O’Brien, Tommy Craig; Thomas McKenny, Ray Campbell, Noel Finnegan 1-2.

SEAN MCDERMOTT’S: Emmet Duffy 1-5, Leon Myles 0-5, Niall Babbington 0-3, Matthew Little 0-2, Donnacha McCourt 0-1, Kevin McMahon 0-1, Seán McMahon 0-1 and Dean Brennan 0-1.

REFEREE: Craig Kirwan (Wolfe Tones).

ST NICHOLAS 1-13 CUCHULAINN GAELS 2-9

ST NICHOLAS left it late to maintain their 100pc start to Division 3B on Friday evening.

In a tight encounter, both defences were on top for large parts of the game and it was the home side that took an early lead through Fionn Meagher and two Paudi Downey frees.

Cuchulainn Gaels fought back against a stiff breeze with a free themselves but Meagher and Shane Downey were a constant threat throughout and both added a point each to extend the lead. The visitors got back into the game with a fisted goal from James Sharkey and two more frees to only trail by one at the break.

With the aid of the breeze in the second half, Gaels kept the pressure on and took a lead with Sharkey’s second goal. St Nicholas stayed in touch with points by Sam Reilly and another Meagher effort.

The result turned on its head when Paudi Downey found the roof of the net with five minutes to go. The winning score stemmed from Rian Farrell’s excellent defensive work which pushed the Nicks forward and ended with Lee Kavanagh raising a white flag with the stunning winner.

ST NICHOLAS: Shane Finegan; Stephen Finegan, Alex Finegan, Caebhan Housidari; Rian Farrell, Ruairí Hanlon, Aaron Flanagan; Cian Flynn, Sam Reilly 0-1; Phillip Kirwan, Lee Kavanagh 0-2, Con Sheehan; Fionn Meagher 0-4, Paudi Downey 1-5, Shane Downey 0-1.

CUCHULAINN GAELS: Seamus Quigley; Peter Morgan, Seán Brennan, Euan McArdle; Callum Fearon, Seamus McCabe, James Keenan; Rammie Phillps 0-1, Larry Brennan; Adam Sharkey, Micheál McCabe 0-2; Phillip McGovern 0-1, Stephen Mullen, James Sharkey 2-5, David McQuaid. Subs: John Morgan, Jamie Molloy.

REFEREE: Shane Russell (Annaghminnon Rovers).

WESTERNS A NAOMH MALACHI A

AN injury to a Naomh Malachi player saw this game abandoned in Reaghstown. Westerns remain unbeaten in this season’s Division 3B as a result, trailing only St Nicholas having played a game less.