Roche Emmets 1-10 Wolfe Tones/St. Nicholas 3-8

A slack second half effort cost the U15 boys a maiden victory of the campaign on Monday night.

Despite having Andrew McArdle in impressive form, the boys in blue conceded a five-point advantage to ultimately lose convincingly as the Drogheda combination bagged goals in crucial stages of the second half.

Minus the Corcoran cousins, James and Cathal, among others, Emmets took a youthful look but got off to a good start as McArdle hit three points – two from frees – only for the visitors to later strike for a goal in assuming the advantage.

However, Roche soon got back in front and when McArdle lifted the net, alongside Seán Conlon points, Brian McGuinness’s charges went to half-time with a 1-6 to 1-3 cushion.

Indeed, the gap was extended as Alex McArdle and Niall Connolly got in on the scoring act into the scoreboard end, though Tones/Nicks had the breeze in their favour and as Roche’s play fell apart, the game swung – Emmets conceding 1-5 to no-reply.

Andrew McArdle pointed to haul the deficit back slightly, though another major for the victors laminated the result in the Droghedean’s favour.

Roche: Seán O’Donnell; Eoin McArdle, Criomhthann McGahon, Donagh Conlon; Alex McArdle (0-1), Luca Craig-Haye, Conor Litchfield; Seán Conlon (0-3), Josh McGuinness; Carl Meegan, Niall Connolly (0-1), Mark Donohoe; Kyle Callan, Andrew McArdle (1-5), Ronan Bradley

Subs: Adam McGuinness, Jake Connolly

Referee: Stephen Murphy