St. Kevin’s/Stabannon Parnells/O’Connell’s/John Mitchel’s 2-11 Roche Emmets 0-10
A committed effort by the U17 boys went unrewarded against an extraordinary mid-Louth conglomerate in Stabannon on Friday night.
Fielding just two full U17s in a panel which also included six players togging out two years underage, Roche led at half-time – a DD Reilly free, his fourth point of the opening half, putting the boys in blue 0-5 to four in front.
John Hodgers’ searing pace caused the hosts serious problems during the first half-hour as Roche broke at speed against physically superior opposition before converting some wonderful points – Hodgers and Reilly points from the top drawer drew Emmets level before the latter knocked over some fine frees, including his last just before the interval.
Kevins/Stabannon/O’Connell’s/Mitchel’s will have rued some wasteful shooting at the break. They dropped balls into Oisín Nash’s safe hands while shooting seven first half wides – a tally which reached 17 by the close of play.
The game turned upon the introduction of Louth minor star Seán Reynolds at halfway, he along with powerhouse midfielder Cameron Maher dictating the affair thereafter. The pair immediately set about driving their team of clubs towards a third victory of the league as Roche saw their slender advantage obliterated within three-and-a-half minutes of the throw-in.
A quickfire return of 2-2 put the game beyond grasp and while battler supreme Matthew McArdle got Emmets on the scoresheet, followed by registers by Tomiwa Osho, Reilly (2) and Seán Conlon, the outcome was beyond doubt as the combination side peppered the visitors’ rear-guard.
Roche: Oisín Nash; James Loughran, Criomhthann McGahon, Conor Callan; Luca Craig-Haye, Callum Grant, Taylor Ward; Matthew McArdle (0-1), Ryan Rice-Martin; Luke O’Connell, Tomiwa Osho (0-1), John Hodgers (0-1); James Corcoran, Eoin Maguire, DD Reilly (0-6, five frees)
Subs: Seán Conlon (0-1) for Hodgers, Josh McGuinness for Grant, Conor Litchfield for Loughran
Referee: Cathal O’Brien
