Roche Emmets 4-10 O Raghallaigh’s 2-9

The U15s gave a second half exhibition to keep alive their championship hopes with a seven-point victory at home to O Raghallaigh’s on Monday night.

Having lost their round one clash last week, the win – and its comprehensive margin – means Roche will reach the last four provided O Raghallaigh’s account for Sean O’Mahony’s/Dowdallshill/Na Piarsaigh/Dundalk Young Irelands by between two and 10 points.

Such a favourable permutation looked out of the question midway through the opening period as the visitors took a hold of the fixture, but quickfire goals by Cathal Corcoran and Eoghan McArdle handed Roche a lifeline which they grasped without hesitation.

Trailing by just a point at the interval, 1-7 to 2-3, the gap grew to four after O Raghallaigh’s broke away from the throw-in and buried the ball in the back of Mark Donohoe’s net.

But, thereafter, Emmets were simply outstanding. They oozed honesty and effort in their play with Josh McGuinness and James Corcoran battling to a standstill at midfield, providing the forwards with a platform to take the game to the faltering Droghedeans.

Brian McGuinness delivering his full-time de-brief.

Prolific Andrew McArdle’s dropping free, which deceived the away boys’ goalkeeper, got the recovery underway and with Seán Conlon coming to the fore, and Corcoran and McArdle accurate from dead balls, Emmets soon took control.

With Donohoe ever so composed between the sticks, and Criomhthann McGahon, Ciarán Levins and Luca Craig-Haye among those playing out of their skins across a steady backline, O Raghallaigh’s simply had no answer.

A looped free-kick by powerhouse Corcoran put gloss on the scoreboard – yielding Roche’s fourth major – and the fixture was rounded off by Conlon’s outrageous point from along the right flank.

The team’s first win of the year, after so many agonising outings, their reward may well be a championship semi-final berth.

Roche: Mark Donohoe; Robert Keenan, Criomhthann McGahon, Donagh Conlon; Ciarán Levins, Luca Craig-Haye, Seán O’Donnell; Josh McGuinness, James Corcoran (1-4, 1-3 frees); Ronan Bradley, Carl Meegan, Eoghan McArdle (1-0); Seán Conlon (0-3, one free), Andrew McArdle (1-3, 1-2 frees), Cathal Corcoran (1-0)

Subs: Jake Connolly, Adam McGuinness

Referee: Colin McKenna (Young Irelands)