County Finalists given an early wake up call by resurgent O'Raghallaigh's

CTI BUSINESS SOLUTIONS INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 1

GROUP 2

St Kevins 0-13 O’Raghallaighs 1-13

Last year’s beaten finalists St Kevin’s were brought back down to earth on Sunday evening in Ardee, as a late flurry of scores from O’Raghallaighs saw them clinch a victory very few people saw coming.

Ronan Phillip’s troops were seen as outsiders for this encounter, having not won a game in last year’s championship, alongside coming into the contest with a 16-game losing streak in Division 1 of the league. In comparison, their opponents had been in the mix-up for promotion in Division 2.

But form meant little to the team in green and white hoops, as buoyed on by a well taken goal from Kyle McElroy, they hit the final four scores of this contest, 1-3 in total, to turn a three-point deficit into a three-point victory. It leaves them full of confidence ahead of a round 2 clash with Mattock Rangers.

For Thomas McNamee’s troops, this will be a wake-up call. They led for most of this contest but were unable to find anything when it mattered down the stretch.

From being one half of football away from landing the Seamus Flood Cup last year, they are now just 60 minutes away from possibly exiting the competition at the first hurdle should Rangers, fresh from a stint in Senior Football, beat them in two weeks’ time.

Sean Reynolds lights up championship as Stabannon overcome Roche Emmets

It was the men from Philipstown that started this contest the brighter, despite starting the contest without their talisman TJ Doheny. They were at their best when moving the ball fast and through the centre channels, Cameron Maher and Karl Martin being the main assets as their solo runs cut through the Drogheda side’s defence.

O’Raghallaighs had the wind in their favour in the opening half. As a result they tried a more direct approach, one which saw them looking to get the duo of Ruari Moore and Kyle McElroy on the ball as much as possible, with both chipping in a point a piece in the first quarter.

However, they still trailed 0-4 to 0-2, courtesy of two frees from Cian Callan and one each from Evan and Cameron Maher.

But as the contest continued, scores were becoming harder to find, as a strong and physical O’Raghallaighs defence meant anytime they had to go through the phases St Kevins were made work for scores, as their marquee forwards were kept out of range, forcing them into mistakes.

Three quick fire scores from McElroy and Moore put their team into the lead for a short period, but they went the final 10 minutes of the half without a score, while efforts from Callan (2) and Evan Maher meant St Kevin’s took a two-point lead going into half time, 0-7 to 0-5.

The Philipstown men started brightly following the restart, bagging four of the first five scores via Evan Maher (2), Martin and Calllan to increase the gap to four before the end of the third quarter. But the momentum soon began to shift in their opponent’s favour.

In-form Kilkerley Emmets do just enough to overcome Young Irelands

While St Kevins rarely threatened a green flag, O’Raghallaigh’s came come close on numerous occasions in the second half, with both Alan Doyle and Ben Rogan denied by great saves from Danny Crosbie.

Throughout the contest the Drogheda side were extremely efficient from their own kickouts, only losing two of their 19 restarts throughout this contest.

This allowed them to create numerous attacking opportunities and coupled with some needless fouling from the Philipstown side, chances were plentiful for the 2022 Division 2 champions.

After trading two apiece, they then hit an unanswered 1-3 to clinch this game, all started by a superb goal on 55 minutes.

Emmet King dropped a ball into the square and it was McElroy who reacted fastest, rising high into the air to fist the ball home and leave the teams level.

Two more points quickly followed from Rogan and McElroy, before substitute James Smith fired over another in injury time to seal a three point victory which very few, if anyone, saw coming.

Sean O'Mahony's prove too strong for improving O'Connell's outfit

Joe Carroll: Lannleire a popular choice to win junior title

St Kevins: Danny Crosbie; Haran Khan, Finbar Lynch, Shane Meade; Karl Martin (0-1), Cameron Maher (0-2), Darren McMullen (0-1); Seanie Crosbie, Evan Maher (0-2); Eoin McKenna, Lee Crosbie (0-1), Keelan Maher; Cian Callan (0-6, 0-5 frees), Tom Matthews, Joe McArdle. Dylan Maher for McArdle (HT), Brian Callaghan for McKenna (51).

O’Raghallaigh’s: Joe Flanagan; Stephen Murphy, James Moonan, Emmet King; Ewan Sweeney, Alan Doyle, Scott Byrne; Ben Sweeney, Ruari Moore (0-3); Eoin Moore, Ben Rogan (0-1), Joe Meehan; Chris Smith, Kyle McElroy (1-8, 0-6 frees), Eseosa Omoregbe. Subs: Danny Morgan for Meehan (9), Danny Reilly for Byrne (46), Cillian Curran for Smith (46), James Smith (0-1) for Morgan (62).

Referee: Paul Burke.