Kilkerley earn narrow win over Gers in Paddy Sheelan Cup opener

Sheelan Cup

Geraldines 1-5 Kilkerley Emmets 2-4

Kilkerley Emmets came out on top against Geraldines  in a low-scoring encounter at Haggardstown on Sunday morning as they got their season off to the best possible start.

Emmets opened the scoring with a goal from a Seán Hand penalty after five-minutes before Mathew Corcoran pointed to get the Gers off the mark.

James Bellew pointed for Emmets, but the hosts were back in contention when Kevin Pepper fisted to the net after 20-minutes.

However, Kilkerley edged in front at the break when points from Daniel McKeown and Ray Mulholland saw them lead by 1-3 to 1-2.

The visitors surged ahead early in the second-half when a point from Shane Lennon was followed by a goal from fellow substitute, Dean Bourton. Although Kilkerley didn’t add to their tally for the remainder of the game, the Gers could only manage two-points in reply and the Emmets held out for victory.

Kilkerley Emmets: Darren Meehan; Cillian Mulligan, Cormac Bellew, Niall Mulholland; Killian Kampes, Shaun McElroy, Connor Kirk; Ciarán Clarke, Andrew McGuill ; Rian Hand, Seán Hand (1-0), Ronan Mulholland; James Bellew (0-1), Ray Mulholland (0-1), Daniel McKeown (0-1)

Subs: Shane Lennon (0-1), Dean Bourton (1-0)

Geraldines: Darrin Kearney; Ryan Trainor, Nicky Mackin, Paul Clarke; Gareth Neacy, Jack Traynor, Sean Thornton; Shane O’Hanlon (0-2), Matthew Corcoran (0-1); Stephen Reidy, Conor Rafferty (0-1), Kevin Pepper (1-0); Shane Rogers, Des Reenan, Josh Arrowsmith

Subs: Glen Trainor (0-1), Paul McArdle, Gerard Hoey, Robbie Lynch, John Pepper, Shane Thornton, Paul Daly, Nicky Mackin

Referee: John Crawley