Kilkerley Emmets 1-12 Roche Emmets 1-10

A disappointing second half display cost the junior men victory in Kilkerley on Tuesday night – a return of just three points after the restart seeing our second string go down having led 1-7 to 1-5 at the interval.

The affair was topsy-turvy and ferociously physical, but it was Roche’s inability to mind possession which cost the team dearly as time and time again the hosts profited from lax play.

A tight opening saw both outfits exchange scores, though Conal McEneaney tucked away a penalty to the net to give our neighbours a narrow waterbreak advantage.

John McGrane had punched home an earlier three-pointer to put Roche in control and when wrestling back the initiative during the second quarter, registers from Mark Byrne, Dermot Carthy and James McArdle saw Roche turn around ahead.

However, a slow start to the second period allowed Kilkerley to take a lead they never appeared likely to relinquish. While defending stoutly, Roche’s offensive threat lessened as fatigue set-in, leading to an inevitable loss, the team’s first of the campaign.

Roche: Evin Quigley; Liam Rice, Caoimhín Reilly, Kevin Quigley; Adam McKay, Dermot Carthy (0-1), Fintan Watters; David O’Connell, Mark Reynolds; James Murphy, James McArdle (0-4), Paul Carroll; Mikey McCourt, John McGrane (1-0), Mark Byrne (0-4)

Subs: Eugene Murray (0-1), Robert Mackin, Dáire Reilly, Killian McKay, Jack McKay

Referee: Stephen Fitzpatrick