Victory for Dundalk Gaels and O'Raghallaighs in Division 2

DUNDALK GAELS 0-14 STABANNON PARNELLS 0-9

Dundalk Gaels shook off the cobwebs of their Louth Intermediate Championship celebrations to complete their Division 2 League season with a five-point win away to Stabannon Parnells on Sunday morning.

The home side went into the game looking to avoid the relegation play-off, but defeat means that they have finished second from the bottom and will face neighbours, O’Connells, for the right to play in Division 2 next season.

Stabannon’s hopes of securing automatic survival were boosted in the early exchanges as they scored the opening point of the game but they were unable to build on that score as the Gaels quickly took over.

With Gary Shevlin, Jack Mullen and Dylan McKeown among the scores, the Dundalk men went in at the break with a healthy 0-7 to 0-2 advantage. Harry Butterly and Barry Lynch accounted for the Parnells points.

The second period saw the Mid Louth side prove more competitive as Butterly, Sean Reynolds and Dylan Shevlin saw them add to their tally.

However, the Gaels ensured they warmed up for their Leinster Club Championship opener with a victory with the help of points from Tom O’Connell and McKeown to see their side come out on top.

STABANNON PARNELLS: Podge Malone; Daniel Clinton, Alan Reynolds, Ryan Halpenny; Mark Byrne, Bobby Butterly, Barry Lynch (0-1); Ryan Shevlin, Sean Reynolds (0-2); Jake Corrigan, Harry Butterly (0-4), Jonny McGee; Robbie Callaghan, Dylan Shevlin 0-2, David Cluskey.

Subs: Aonghus Giggins for R Callaghan, Padraig Reynolds for B Lynch.

O'RAGHALLAIGHS 2-16 ST KEVINS 1-6

O'Raghallaighs secured Division 2 football for another season after scoring a comfortable win over St Kevins in Drogheda on Sunday morning.

The home side went into the game needing victory to be sure of finishing outside the relegation play-off place and they responded to the challenge in fine style with an impressive display that saw them come out on top by 13 points.

Despite finishing second best on this occasion, St Kevins will also remain in Division 2 for another season as other results went their way.

Goals from Ewan Sweeney and Barry Finegan proved vital for the winners, while Kyle McElroy was in fine form as he kicked nine points over the hour to ensure his side came out on top.

O'RAGHALLAIGHS: J. Flanagan, J. Morgan, A. Doyle, E. King, E. Sweeney (1-0), S. Murphy, D. Reilly (0-2), E. Moore (0-1), C. McGinty, R. Moore, K. McElroy (0-9), C. Rice, B. Rogan (0-3), B. Flanagan (1-1), O. Walsh.

Subs: O. Clutterbuck, K. Magee, L. Carton, P. Rice, J. Horan.