GAA Round Up: Kevin Mullen Shield

Annaghminnon Rovers 3-8

Wolfe Tones 2-5

Annaghminnon Rovers got their season off to the best possible start when they got the better of Wolfe Tones at Darver on Wednesday night.

A strong first half display was the key to victory for the Stonetown side as they ended up winning by a margin of six points.

Two early goals from Shane Grimes and Dwayne Markey set the tone for Rovers who found themselves in a strong position at the break with a 2-3 to 0-2 lead.

The Tones did raise their game in the second half and struck two goals from substitute Alan Wilton.

However, Annaghminnon were not to be denied and saw the game out with the help of a second Markey goal and strong performances from Colin Campbell, Conor Russell and Nathan Buckley.

Annaghminnon Rovers: Ciaran O’Reilly; Chris Connolly, Niall Brennan, Tiarnan O’Brien; Nathan Buckley, Colin Campbell, Paul McArdle; Anthony Brennan, Conor Russell 0-2; James O’Connor, Rory Phelan 0-2, Dylan McArdle 0-1; Fergal Markey 0-1, Shane Grimes 1-0, Dwayne Markey 2-2. Subs: Richie Ashfield, Paul Tierney, Aidan Lee Martin, Micheal Marron, Diarmuid Murray, Heljvis Daugulis, Padraig Russell.

Wolfe Tones: Alan Sweetman; Danny Byrne, Reece Owens, Adam Gartland; Kevin Brady, Sean Flanagan, Rhys McGovern; Cailean Floody, Alan Fanning; Liam Gaffney 0-1, Dwayne Leavy, Sean McQuail; Andrew Faulkner, Chris Cudden 0-4, Mark Healy. Subs: Alan Wilton (2-0) for A. Faulkner; Marc Lugoye for C Flood, Dean Haggins for A. Fanning, Gareth Cooney for S. McQuail.

NH Malachi 1-10

Dowdallshill 0-6

Dowdallshill’s new season began with a defeat at a cold but dry Darver, yet the scoreline could have been tighter had the town side taken their goal chances.

Jack McGailey was particularly unlucky after his long-range effort in the first half was deflected onto a post by the Mals keeper, with Tommy Craig going close to finishing the rebound.

Early in the second half, a foot block earned the ‘Hill a penalty, only for McGailey’s effort to fly over rather than under the crossbar.

There was plenty of honesty in the performance with Sean Duffy giving his usual iron man display in defence, aided by the likes of Stephen Murray and Kevin McGonigle. Ryan Larkin, Keenan McGavisk, Donal Magennis and the returning Kenneth Edu were others worthy of mention.

A lot to build on for team trainer Colin Corrigan, and some new blood off the bench which hopefully augurs well for the games to come.

Dowdallshill: Emmet O’Brien; Peter Hughes, Sean Duffy, Paudie Murray; Kevin McGonigle, Stephen Murray (0-1), Luke O’Brien; Ryan Larkin, Donal Magennis (0-3); Keenan McGavisk, Jack McGailey (0-2), Kenneth Edu; Tommy Craig, Cian Griffin, John McKinney. Subs: Dylan McDonald, Darren McArdle, Tommy McKinney and Gary McArdle.

NH Fionnbarra 5-8

Sean McDermotts 2-10

Jack Regan was the hat-trick hero as Nh Fionnbarra made a successful start to the new season.

The Ballygassan side came out on top in an entertaining Kevin Mullen Shield Group 2 encounter on Saturday night.

Regan, who finished with an impressive tally of 3-4, pounced for his first goal in the opening half, with Conor Osborne and Ciaran Murphy also finding the net.

The McDermotts were also in good form at the other end and grabbed two goals to cut the deficit to 3-8 to 2-5 at the break.

The scoring rate dropped in the second half but Regan’s input was decisive as his two goals ensured the Barrs came out on top.

NH Fionnbarra: Fionn McQuillan, Sean Boyle, Chris McGlynn, Oisin Madden, Cormac McArdle, Kalum Regan, Dylan Hanratty, Colm Smith, Adam Hanratty, Jack Murtagh, Aaron Kearney, Conor Osborne (1-0), Ben Turley (0-1), Jack Regan (3-4), Ciaran Murphy (1-2). Subs:: Colum Kierans for D Hanratty, Liam Markey for O Madden, Ronan McCreesh for C McGlynn, Chris McGlynn for A Kearney, Padraig Butterly (0-1) for C Osborne.

Sean McDermotts: F. Moran; R Kerley, N Commins, I McDonald; D Reilly, D. McArdle, I. Corbally; E Duffy, N. Tuite; D Commins, C Walsh, J McGuinness; D. McCourt, M. Little, B McGahon. Subs: D. Brennan, M Duffy, S Halpenny.