Roche Emmets 1-14 Oliver Plunkett’s 0-8

Roche cruised to victory in their first home league game of the campaign on Saturday night, making it a pair of wins from three outings in Division Two.

A much-improved performance following last week’s disappointment, Emmets were always in the ascendency and their superior conditioning ensured Plunkett’s were beaten long before the final whistle.

Barry O’Hare top-scored, yet again, with 1-5, though the winners were served especially well by Gerard Browne, Seán Dawe, James McDonnell, Martin Carroll and substitute Mikey McCourt.

Indeed, had it not been for the wastage of at least four clear-cut goal opportunities – including a second half penalty which O’Hare saw tipped around the post by Luke Haggans – the margin of victory would certainly have been in double figures.

Playing into the breeze, Emmets got off to the stronger start and registers by O’Hare, Shane Byrne and Glen Stewart had Paul Grier’s charges 0-3 to one up and in total control.

However, the physically-commanding Mell men began to impose themselves and drew level by the first waterbreak – albeit their threat stemmed largely from placed kicks.

A tight second quarter saw Dan O’Connell crack the crossbar with a dipping shot and while the ball just wouldn’t find its way into the net, Emmets went to the interval with a 0-5 to four cushion.

And a sharp opening to the second period saw the boys in blue strike five of the half’s first seven points with Kevin Callaghan, O’Hare, Mark Byrne and Stewart contributing finishes at the end of flowing team moves.

The younger of the Byrnes, Mark, even had a goal chalked off for square ball and it looked as if the major wouldn’t come when O’Hare’s spot-kick was halted en route to the net in the 48th minute – the penalty award was a result of Byrne being barged in the back.

But the three-pointer eventually arrived as O’Hare flicked in a looping delivery to seal the deal.

Emmets are on the road again on Friday night, travelling to Castlebellingham to oppose O’Connell’s.

Roche: Jamie O’Hare; Gerard Browne, Harry O’Connell, Dermot Carthy (0-1); Seán Dawe, James McDonnell, Caoimhín Reilly; Glen Stewart (0-2), Martin Carroll; James McArdle, Kevin Callaghan (0-1), Shane Byrne (0-1); Mark Byrne (0-3), Dan O’Connell (0-1), Barry O’Hare (1-5)

Subs: Mikey McCourt for McArdle, Robert Mackin for M Byrne

Referee: David Fedigan