Saffrons make winning start against St Malachy's

Killucan 0-9, St Malachy's 0-5

In Shandonagh on Saturday evening, Killucan put their recent league final defeat behind them with this four-point win in what was a very poor game of football.

There were just 14 scores over 65 odd minutes and in truth there weren’t too many more attempts as the blanket defence from both teams held sway and it certainly wasn’t too pleasing for the onlooker to watch. A full 13 minutes elapsed before there was any score and 23 before Killucan registered their first. Both teams struggled for any type of cohesion or momentum, but it was the better scoring power from the Saffrons that proved the difference, although they did well to survive a late onslaught from a very wasteful St Malachy's side. That being said, Killucan will be glad of the points, while for the Saints it’s now a case of where do we get a win to maintain senior status even at this early stage, in what is a very competitive B section of the championship.

The first 13 minutes were instantly forgettable as neither side threatened the score board and the defensive shape of both led to wayward striking and endless turnover of possession. Following that, St Malachy's went on a mini spree as Shane Corcoran pointed two frees which he won himself and Stephen Fagan slotted over a long-range effort to give his side a three-point lead. Amazingly it would be 25 minutes before they troubled the score keeper again as Killucan eventually woke from their slumber. Eoghan Ahearn, from distance, Sean Leech, with a beauty and a Sami Clarke from a free, each pointed to draw the teams level.

In added time at the end of the half, Eamonn Cunneen put Killucan ahead with the score of the half and after a poor first half they led by 0-4 to 0-3 at the interval.

After the break the pattern of the game continued with both defences on top and stifling any sort of creative football, but the impressive Devin Hill doubled Killucan's lead with a wonderful point from near the sideline. Then Clarke started and finished a brilliant move to push the gap out to three points and Killucan were in the driving seat. Hill added to his tally and increased the lead on 42 minutes, but in that period St Malachy's squandered several scoreable chances and even a good goal chance. However, Cian Gavigan did point a free to narrow the gap.

The Castletown Geoghegan men pressed hard but could not penetrate a wall of Saffron jerseys and on the break, substitute Ciaran Doyle slotted over a lovely point. When Michael Doherty struck a marvellous long-range effort it looked as if Killucan had done enough to take the spoils, but they went into a complete defensive shell and allowed St Malachy's to come on to them. They were fortunate that substitute Jack Gallagher did not make them pay when his shot came back off the upright. Cian Gavigan did point from distance late on for the saints, but it was a mere consolation score as Killucan held on admirably for the spoils and an opening weekend victory.

Scorers - Killucan: Sami Clarke (1 free) and Devin Hill 0-2 each, Michael Doherty, Eamonn Cunneen, Sean Leech, Eoghan Ahearn and Ciaran Doyle 0-1 each. St Malachy's: Cian Gavigan (1 free) and Shane Corcoran (2 frees) 0-2 each, Stephen Fagan 0-1.

Killucan: Lorcan Treanor, Gary Greville, Sam Smith, Luke Darby, Cormac Boyle, Robbie Greville, Michael Doherty, Conor McKeogh, Eoin Keyes, Sami Clarke, Darren Finn, Eamon Cunneen, Devin Hill, Sean Leech and Eoghan Ahearn. Subs: Jason Gorman for Finn (36 mins), Rory Keyes for Eoin Keyes (39 mins), Ciaran Doyle for Boyle (52 mins), Jamie Mulkearns for McKeogh (58 mins)

St Malachy's: Alan Mangan, Arron Glennon, Naoise McKenna, Eoin Kiernan, Shane Clavin, Liam Varley, Jack Murphy, Cian Gavigan, Johnny Bermingham, Morgan Gavigan, Peter Murphy, Odhran Gavigan, Stephen Fagan, Darren Ruane, Shane Corcoran. Subs: Jack Gallagher for Ruane (36 mins), Conor Murphy for Odhrán Gavigan (42 mins), David Maloney for Bermingham (53 mins).

Referee: Enda Kenny (Ballinagore).