Louth GAA: High flying Roche secure Brides playoff

Glen Stewart on the attack for Roche. Pic: Arthur Kinahan

placeholder image — Glen Stewart on the attack for Roche. Pic: Arthur Kinahan

Hollywood Developments Division 2

KILKERLEY EMMETS 0-11

ROCHE EMMETS 2-11

Roche Emmets' ascension continued as they defeated Kilkerley Emmets in the delayed round 12 match in Division two of the Louth league.

The victory now secured Jamie O’Hare’s side a playoff with St. Brides to play in Division 1 in 2024.

Fresh from their Leinster exploits they used all that fitness to sway the game throughout and to clinically pull away with that advantage in the closing stages.

Much like their Championship tie, Roche led for the majority of the contest with a late goal from Barry O’Hare settled the tie.

Also a difference from the championship saw Shane Lennon start at home in the local derby.

Lennon was influential once again and gave the hosts a brief early lead until the Roche takeover.

Mark Byrne struck the back of the net to push the intermediate champions to a 1-4 to 0-4 lead at half time.

That Byrne identity was there again in the third quarter with Mark and his brother Shane dominating the third quarter.

Tadhg McEnaney and Lennon again ensured Kilkerley would stay in touch without ever threatening.

O’Hare sealed the deal and with the form they are in, the Faughart men will fancy their chances of Cardinal O’Donnell football next season.

KILKERLEY EMMETS: Ultan McEnaney; Cormac Bellew, Cillian Mulligan; James Fegan; Ewan McEnteggart, Cathal Bellew, Ciarán Clarke; Kieran Murtagh, Aaron Crawford; Shaun McElroy, Fintan Brady 0-1, Fionn Cumiskey; Shane Lennon 0-7 (3f), Tadhg McEnaney 0-4 (3f), Mícheál Begley. SUBS: Darragh Conlon for S McElroy, Darren Geoghegan for J Fegan, Patrick Murtagh for C Clarke.

ROCHE EMMETS: Jamie O’Hare; Adam McKay, David Quigley, Aidan Grant; James McDonnell, Peter Lynch, Gerry Browne; Glen Stewart 0-1, Dan O’Connell; Seán Dawe, Liam Dawe 0-1, Mark Byrne 1-1; DD Reilly 0-1, Shane Byrne 0-1, Barry O’Hare 1-6. SUBS: Dermot Carthy for McKay, Marty Carroll for O’Connell, Liam Carthy for Sean Dawe, Ryan Rice Martin for Mark Byrne.

REF: Stephen Fitzpatrick (Clan Na Gael)