St John’s get off to a good star t in Intermediate

Grennan and McGowan kicked three points apiece, and Keane continuing his scoring exploits.

Enniscrone/Kilglass were struggling, but kicked some good scores through Oisin McCaffrey and JP Carden, while Brian Coleman also contributed to their first half scoring efforts.

Straight from the restart Alan Keane netted St John’s second goal after Enniscrone/Kilglass coughed up possession in the middle third, and a further point left matters at 2-14 to 0-5.

In a bleak position and well out of contention, Enniscrone/Kilglass started to bring the game to St John’s with Donal Mullaney and Nathan Hannon giving a superb midfield display in the second period against the physical combination of David Rooney and James Murphy, and the west Sligo side began to match St John’s in every sector.

Brian Coleman, scorer of 0-9 in all, started to become more influential while the introduction of Sligo minors Ciaran O’Dowd and Josh Ellis further aided the west Sligo sides cause.

A penalty from Shane Hargadon, after Brian Coleman was fouled, helped Enniscrone/ Kilglass reduce the deficit to 2-17 to 1-9 as the game entered the closing stages and they dominated the remaining ten minutes, with scores from Coleman (3), O’Dowd and Hargadon closing the gap further.

St John’s, who will be very disappointed with their showing in the second half, were relieved to hear John Doyle’s final whistle but nonetheless, they now find themselves in a good position to go through to the knockout stages.

St JOHN’S: Noel O’Donnell; Aaron Clerkin, Enda Roche, Neal Hayes; Oisin Cox (0-1), Paul McNamara, Niall Walsh (0-1); James Murphy, David Rooney (0-1); Mark Rooney, Brian McGowan (0-3), Daniel Smith (0-1); Alan Keane (1-7, 2fs, 2 45s), Ryan McManus (1-0), Fiachra Grennan (0-3). Subs used: David Bourke, Cathal Jordan ENNISCRONE-KILGLASS: Mark O’Hara; Michael John Crean, Cathal Mullaney, Eoghan Bourke; Oisin McCaffrey (0-1), Keith Carden, Kevin Cawley; Donal Mullaney, Nathan Hannon; Tom Mahon (0-1, f), John Paul Carden (0-1), Mark Gordon; Shane Hargadon (1-1), Mark Caffrey, Brian Coleman (0-9, 5fs). Subs used: Josh Ellis, Ciaran O’Dowd (0-1), Brendan Byron REFEREE: John Doyle.

The next round of fixtures in the Kennedy’s Intermediate Group 3 sees Enniscrone/Kilglass taking on St Patrick’s in St.Brendan’s GAA Park this Saturday at 7pm.

In the Intermediate Group 1, Shamrock Gaels are taking on Bunninadden in Corran Park at 5:30pm this Saturday.

Also in the same group, St Michael’s play Castleconnor in Cloonacool on Saturday. Throw-in for that game is at 7pm.

The other fixture in the Kennedy’s Intermediate Championship is the meeting of west Sligo neighbours Easkey and St Farnan’s.

That game is taking place in Enniscrone on Sunday, with a throw-in time of 1pm.