Division 1 Roundup: Reigning champions begin league with shock defeat

Hollywood Developments Division 1 Round 1

ST BRIDES 1-20 NEWTOWN BLUES 0-15

St. Brides had a surprising yet extensive eight-point win over Newtown Blues last Thursday evening in Páirc an Chuinnigh. Kieran McArdle and Seán Marry were the architects on the night for the Knockbridge men, with 1-10 notched between them.

Although playing against a strong wind, the hosts started off the better with an early Sean Marry major. Andy McDonnell inspired the Blues to move up a gear after this with three unanswered points to make matters level on 15 minutes. 

McArdle edged the home side in front, but this was cancelled out immediately by Jamie Kelly on 18 minutes. Yet the reds would lead at the interval 1-7 to 0-8.

After the restart, the hosts raced ahead with five additional points in a row within four minutes. The visitors eventually got off the mark on 38 minutes when Daire Nally slotted over.

However, Tom Franklin’s side dominated the finale, forcing Johnny McDonnell into numerous saves and picking up the opening points of the season.

ST BRIDES: Aaron Devin; Paraic Mackin, Ronan Bailey, Evan Wynne; Andrew Smyth (0-2), Cillian Kirk (0-1), Daniel McArdle (0-1); Bernard Laverty, Patrick Reilly (0-2); Sean Brennan (0-1), Ciarán Deane (0-1), Ross Murnaghan (0-1); Nathan Kirk (0-1), Sean Marry (1-4), Kieran Mc Ardle (0-6). SUBS: Stephen Hoey, Richard Halpenny, Jake McNamara.

NEWTOWN BLUES: Johnny McDonnell; Joe Harte, Ciaran Cluskey Kelly, Cathal Broderick; Conor McGuirk, Emmet Carolan, Ian Connor (0-1); Evin McConnon, Andy McDonnell (0-1); Jamie Kelly (0-1) Daire Nally (0-2 frees), I Farrell; Zach Levins (0-2), Conor Branigan (0-6, 0-3 frees), Emmet Murray (0-2). SUBS: Coinneach Farrell for McConnon.

ST MOCHTAS 1-9 SEAN O’MAHONYS 0-8

St Mochtas kicked off their season on a positive note when they recorded a four-point win over Sean O’Mahonys at the Point Road on Saturday evening.

A second half goal from Danny Kindlon went a long way to ensuring the Louth Village men made the trip home with both points in the bag.

The first half proved to be an entertaining end-to-end encounter as the teams traded scores throughout.

Ben McLaughlin and Terry Kelly were among the scores for the hosts, but it was St Mochtas who were ahead at the break with Cormac Smyth and Sean Flynn helping them lead by 0-6 to 0-4.

The pattern continued in the second half as the Louth Village men maintained their advantage, with Kindlon’s goal proving to be the decisive score of the game.

ST MOCHTAS: Jason Callan; Liam Lawlor, Ben Goss Kieran, David Lennon; Conor Garland, Andy English, Oisín Callan; Sean Flynn (0-3), Danny Kindlon (1-0); Darren McMahon, Jamie Farrell (0-1), Liam O’Flaherty; Gerry Garland (0-1), Cormac Smyth (0-4), Gavyn Short. Subs: Philly Englishby for G Short, Ryan Cash for L O’Flaherty, Eamonn O’Neill for G Garland, Barry Mullholland for D Kindlon.

SEAN O’MAHONYS: Eddie Maguire; Calum Smith, Chris O’Neill, Ciaran Jameson; Brian McGurk, Kian McEvoy, Oisin Breen; Tiarnan Cassidy (0-1), Conor Martin; Sean Cassidy (0-1), Ben McLaughlin (0-3), Kyle Carroll; Thomas Rice, Stephen Kilcoyne, Terry Kelly (0-3). Subs: Conor Makin for O Breen, Conor Finnegan for K Carroll, Keith McLaughlin for S Cassidy.

ST MARYS 0-16 ST FECHINS 0-10

The first League match of the season proved to be a frustrating one for the visitors St Fechins as they failed to capitalise on their possession and went down to a five-point defeat.  

The first half was a very close affair. The Marys opened the scoring, but the Fechins responded with a point from Niall Devlin. The teams exchanged points again, Joe Corrigan for the Fechins and then Ronan Holcroft for Ardee who put the visitors ahead for the only time in the match.

Ardee had a goal chance saved by Niall McDonnell and the rebound was cleared off the line by the hard-working backs.  

The first half saw the sides level six times but in the final minute of the first half St Mary’s added another point to lead by 0-7 to 0-6 at the break.  

The second half opened with a Niall Devlin point from a free to level the match, as St Marys pointed twice with Niall again finding his target from another free.

The Ardee side then went up a gear and were far more decisive and accurate up front than the Fechins, who got turned over on a number of occasions. 

Conor Gillespie and Kian Moran top-scored for the winners with three points apiece, while Darren Clarke and Jonathan Commins were also on target.

ST MARYS: James McGillick; Tiernan Corrigan (0-1), Paraic McKenny, Carl Gillespie; Kian Moran (0-3), Jonathan Commins (0-2), Tadhg McDonnell (0-1); Robbie Leavy, Evan Malone; Cillian Keenan, Shane Matthews (0-1); Conor Gillespie (0-3); Paudy Clarke, Ronan Carroll (0-3), Luke Matthews. Subs: Conor Hennessy for E Malone, Darren Clarke (0-2) for P Clarke, Dean Matthews for L Matthews.

ST FECHINS: Niall McDonnell; Mark Holohan, David Lally, Danny Burnell; Lee Grifferty, David Collier, Neal Hodgins; Eoin Hackett, Harry Haughney (0-1); John O’Connell (0-1), Colm O’Neill (0-1), Joe Corrigan (0-1); Ronan Holcroft (0-1), Aaron McGlew, Niall Devlin (0-5). Subs: Cain Gorman for D Collier, Shane Reilly for L Griffertly, Adam Kirwan for C O’Neill, James McGlew for D Lally, Brian Devlin for J Corrigan.

GERALDINES 3-12 O’RAGHALLAIGHS 2-11

A late change of venue and the loss of home advantage didn’t appear to affect the Geraldines as they ran out winners against O’Raghallaighs on Saturday evening.

The game was initially postponed due to an unplayable pitch at Haggardstown, before being refixed for Newfoundwell, where the Gers came out on top in an entertaining encounter.

The Raghs impressed in the first half and displayed their eye for the target, as they registered seven points. However, the Geraldines kept themselves in the game as a goal from Jim McEneaney saw them go in at the break level at 1-4 to 0-7.

Both sides showed good attacking intent in the second period and the result was in doubt throughout.

The Drogheda side gave themselves hope of an opening day victory with two goals but at the other end, Brian Cafferty and Ben Gartlan found the net to give their side victory despite ending the game with 14 men after the dismissal of James Craven.

GERALDINES: Conor Rafferty; Tiarnan Hand, Gareth Neacy (0-1), Jack Traynor; John McGrohan, Beanón Corrigan (0-1), Thomas McNamara; Michael Rogers (0-3), Brian Cafferty (1-1), Eoin McDonnell, James Craven; David O’Connell; Jamie Callan, Jim McEneaney (1-3), Ben Gartlan (1-1). Subs: Josh Arrowsmith (0-2), Ryan Brennan, Barra Duffy, Tom Cunniffe. 

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MATTOCK RANGERS 2-8 ST PATRICK’S 1-10

For the second time this season, Mattock Rangers travelled down the same road as Joe Biden did days previously, and with two points in tow.

St Patrick’s looked to have avenged the Sheelan Cup final defeat only for Cathal Fleming to snatch the victory with a late free.

The hosts rattled off six points in a row thanks to Cathal Grogan at full forward accounting for half. Despite being outplayed, Fleming kept the Collon men in touch at the break with a penalty he won himself to make it 0-7 to 1-3 at the interval.

Another penalty from Fleming looked to give Mattock the edge right upon the resumption. Instead, Conor McGuinness raced along the endline to fire the hosts back in front. On an even keel, and a draw in the offering, Fleming tipped the balance in the frantic finish.

MATTOCK RANGERS: Stephen Smith; Ben Quaile, Eoin McCloskey, Ben Markey; Alan Caraher, Brendan Leacy, Terry Donegan; Cillian Hickey, Ryan Leneghan; Ben McKenna (0-2), Aaron O’Brien (0-1), Shane Hickey (0-1); Robert Holmes, Cathal Fleming (2-4), Oisín McKenna. SUBS: James Caraher, Adria Reid.

ST. PATRICK’S: Martin McEneaney (0-2 45’); Martin McEneaney Cillian White, Padraig Duffy, Barry Dunne; Conor Grogan (0-2), Dessie Finnegan, Joe Connor; Martin Breen, Matt Pagni; Aidan McCann, Tom McCann, Adam Finnegan; Tadhg O’Connor, Cathal Grogan (0-5, 0-4 frees), Conor McGuinness (1-1.) SUBS: Jack Elvin, Sean Fearon.

NAOMH MAIRTIN 1-10 DREADNOTS 0-5

The recent Sheelan Cup winners Naomh Mairtin continued that early season promise with a comprehensive win in Clogherhead over hosts Dreadnots last Thursday night.

Kicking off the league campaign in style, Conor Whelan was unmarkable at times as he took the contest to the home side with seven points. Craig Shevlin accounted for all of the Dreadnots scores on the night.

With four county players unavailable, Dreadnots struggled for a foothold in the game. Jack Murphy found the net to push the impressive visitors' advantage, as they emptied the bench in the finish.

NAOMH MAIRTIN: Joe Gordon; Tadhg O’Brien, Thomas Sullivan, Paul Murphy; Evan Whelan, Sean Healy (0-1), Jack Murphy (1-0); Wayne Campbell, Dara McDonnell; Craig Callanan, Val Leddy (0-1), Joe McGrane; Ben Callanan, Conor Whelan (0-7), Stephen Campbell. SUBS: Darragh Dorian (0-1) for Stephen Campbell, Craig Lynch for Joe McGrane, Cathal Dorian for Paul Murphy, Colm Egan for Tadhg O Brien, Oisín Gray for Ben Callanan.

DREADNOTS: Ciaran Cunningham; Alex Bolger, David O’Brien, Joshua Kirwan; Cathal Lynch, Barry Faulkner, Aaron Scullion; Cian McEvoy, Darragh Shevlin; Conor Shevlin, Padraic Smith,Ciaran Finnegan; Callum Skinnader, Pop Rath, Craig Shevlin (0-5).  SUBS:Dean Hyland for Callum Skinnader, Sam Reilly for Joshua Kirwan, Ciaran Caffrey for Conor Shevlin.