Roche Emmets 1-10 Dundalk Young Irelands 2-3

The junior men maintained their unbeaten home record in Division Five with a deserved defeat of Dundalk Young Irelands at Páirc de Róiste tonight.

Fielding a team with an average age of 23, Roche never looked like losing even though Young Irelands were always in touch.

Emmets got off to a strong start and points by Conor Carthy, Robert Mackin and Dáire Reilly, along with Carthy’s drilled goal, had the boys in blue in control.

Irelands responded and registered a major of their own from the penalty spot, but a firm finish to the opening period saw Roche lead 1-5 to 1-2 at the break.

And the advantage was six following an intent third quarter which included notches by Carthy, Paul Carroll and Jack McKay.

Though Irelands had the gap back to two amid their best spell of the match, the concession of a second spot-kick handing the Hoey’s Lane outfit a lifeline, which they took.

But Mikey McCourt and James Murphy, with the score of the contest, settled any lingering uncertainty as Emmets made it two wins, a draw and a loss from four fixtures.

Roche: Evin Quigley; Kevin Quigley, Liam Rice, Niall Treanor; Jack McKay (0-1), Enda Murphy, Fintan Watters; Mark Reynolds, Mikey McCourt (0-1); Paul Carroll (0-1), Robert Mackin (0-3), Dáire Reilly (0-1); Adam Fee, Conor Carthy (1-2), Killian McKay

Subs: James Murphy (0-1), Ryan Watters, Owen O’Hare

Referee: Kevin Carroll