Cullen pull away from Lyre in second half

Cullen 2-12 Lyre 1-8

CULLEN packed too much scoring power for Lyre in the opening clash to the Ducon Cup (Duhallow JAFL) in the Cullen hosting.

At the end of the hour, there was no disputing that the home side emerged as worthy winners. Competitive in the opening spell, Cullen were much the better side on the turnover and availed of the elements to confirm their superiority.

Encouraging for both sides, new faces were introduced to adult football, all acquitted themselves well in demanding conditions. Indeed Lyre held their own in the opening half, spurred on by James McAulliffe, Kevin Tarrant and Cathal O’Donoughue , they capitalized on opportunities for Alan Coughlan and Liam O’Brien to point.

However Cullen bagged a defining goal from Tomás O’Keeffe to shade matters 1-5 to 0-7 at the interval. The complexion of the contest changed on the restart, Cullen proceeding to dominate through the input of Conor Kerins, Gearóid Twomey, Walsh and O’Keeffe

Walsh led the way with a smashing goal with Twomey, O’Keeffe, Aaron Nolan and newcomer Kieran Duggan adding points. Lyre found it difficult to penetrate though their brave efforts yielded a goal from Alan Kearney.

CULLEN: L Mullane; C O’Connor, S Fleming, M O’Riordan; D O’Riordan, C Kerins, J Twomey; D Twomey, P Fleming; A Nolan 0-1, G Twomey 0-3, M Twomey; C Walsh 1-4, K Duggan 0-1, T O’Keeffe 1-3. Subs: C Morley, J Hickey, S O’Riordan, C O’Riordan.

LYRE: L Philpott; J Archdeacon 0-1, J McAulliffe, D O’Donoughue; S Kelleher, K Tarrant, R O’Connell; M Twomey, C O’Donoughue; L Murphy, A Coughlan 0-3, C Crowley 0-1; F Murphy, L O’Brien 0-2, A Kearney 1-0. Sub: J Fogarty 0-1

REFEREE:

D O’Leary (Kiskeam).