Dominic’s make winning return to senior ranks

Hodson Bay Group SFC (Group B) Round 1

St Dominic’s 2-6

Michael

Glavey’s 0-10

< SEAMUS DUKE

St Dominic’s return to the senior ranks was a successful one as they had two points to spare against Michael Glavey’s in Knockcroghery last Friday night in a game that started in benign conditions but ended in a downpour.

Two goals in the first quarter proved crucial as Dominic’s went on to close out the win after Glavey’s had staged a comeback after half-time.

The fact that this was a poor, error-strewn match won’t bother Dominic’s as victory in this first

- Callington Ltd IFC Roundup Éire Óg off to a flier!

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In Group A, last year’s finalists Éire Óg made a super start to their campaign as they travelled to Kiltoom and came away with a nine-point win. The Loughglynn side were 1-7 to 0-6 up at the break. Conor Cox scored 2-6 for them in what was a comfortable victory.

In the other game in that group, there was a very important win for Shannon Gaels in a local derby against Kilmore. The Croghan side came out on top by 0-9 to 0-4 in a low-scoring match, having led by 0-6 to 0-2 at the break.

In Group B, there were two very impressive performances from teams expected to be involved at the business end of this year’s championship.

St Croan’s defeated Kilbride by seven points, scoring 2-10 in the process, while Fuerty easily overcame St Aidan’s by 3-14 to 0-5 with Niall Kilroy scoring 1-7.

In Group C, Elphin, who were relegated from the senior ranks last year, edged out a gallant Pádraig Pearses side but it took a late appearance from Fintan Cregg to seal the win. Cregg came on with ten minutes remaining, scored two points and was influential as Elphin scored 1-2 late in the contest to prevail by 1-12 to 0-10.

Castlerea St Kevin’s started their campaign in fine style as they were the comfortable 1-10 to 0-5 winners against Creggs. The only goal of the game came from the impressive Adam McDermott (who scored 1-5) 12 minutes into the second half.

fixture in the group is very important with games against St Brigid’s and Pádraig Pearses coming up. By contrast Glavey’s are now on the back foot in the group after only one match.

Both sides lined out without several key players. Keith Doyle was an absentee from the Dominic’s side, while Glavey’s, without Andy Glennon, Cathal Heneghan, and Dylan Ruane, struggled up front. In the end, the introduction of Dominic’s subs Daire Keenan and Jamie Tiernan proved a major factor and swung the match for the home side in the end.

After Sean Burke had opened the scoring for Glavey’s in the first minute, the next two scores of the game were goals for St Dominic’s. In the second minute Tommy Hurley’s excellent pass was finished by the influential

Eoin McCormack, and in the 13th minute, Karol Feerick and Cian Kelly set up Hurley who volleyed soccer-style to the net.

Caoileann Fitzmaurice was keeping Glavey’s in the hunt with some excellent free taking and at half time it was Dominic’s 2-1 Glavey’s 0-4.

Glavey’s played their best football in the third quarter and twice they came to within a point, but the late introduction of subs Keenan and Tiernan who got three fine points from play between them, saw Tomás Gilleran’s side over the line.

St Dominic’s: Cormac Miley; Micheal Byrne, Jack Lohan, Anthony Naughton; James Miley, Eoin McCormack (1-1), Ethan Connaughton; Paddy Fallon, Senan Farrell; David Gately, Karol Feerick, Cian Kelly (0-1); James

Miley, Darren Donnelly, Tommy Hurley (1-1). Subs: Daire Keenan (0-2) for Kenny (46), Jamie Tiernan (0-1) for Farrell (46), Sean Naughton for Byrne (51).

Michael Glavey’s: PJ Donnellan; Pat Morris, Shane O’Malley, Matthew Frayne; Conor Ruane, Conor Hussey (0-1) David Frayne; Caoileann Fitzmaurice (0-5, 4 frees), Liam Cregg; Darragh Flynn, Neil Morris, Gary Patterson; Darragh Heneghan, Stuart Daly, Sean Burke (0-3, 2 frees). Subs: Tom Murphy for Morris (22), Daniel Hagney (0-1) for Patterson (39), Luke Ruane for Hussey (51).

Referee: Jimmy Donoghue.

Man of the Match: Eoin McCormack (St Dominic’s)