Joes Make Winning Championship Start Against Fechins

Anchor Tours SFC Group 1 Round 1

From Páirc Uí Mhuirí, Dunleer

St Josephs 4-12 St Fechins 2-14

Division 1 League runners-up St Josephs put their League Final disappointment firmly behind them with an impressive opening-round Championship victory over St Fechins at Páirc Uí Mhuirí, Dunleer on Sunday evening.

With reigning County Champions Naomh Mairtin also in Group 1, both sides would have been well aware of the importance of securing a positive result from this opening fixture.

Ben Collier (St Josephs) finishes his goal beyond Kyle Meegan (St Fechins)

The Dromiskin men settled the quicker, with Alan Quigley opening the scoring before Louth U20 captain Cormac McKeown found the net after excellent work from Ben Collier created the opportunity. St Fechins responded immediately, however, as James McGlew converted a free before Evan Dolan pounced on a loose ball to level proceedings after 10 minutes.

County man Conall McCaul restored St Josephs’ lead before Collier struck his sides second goal of the evening with a smart finish. Aaron McGlew responded instantly for the Fechins with a well-taken two-point free.

Michael McGlew (St Fechins) is pursued by Aidan Kieran (St Josephs)

Oisin Reidy, introduced for the injured Oisin McGuinness, added a point before Collier registered another score. Michael McGlew and Harry Haughney replied for St Fechins, with Joes captain Gabriel Bell squeezing a score in between. St Josephs led 2-5 to 1-5 after 20 minutes.

Wayne McKeever’s side then hit a decisive spell. Collier was once again at the heart of the action, creating an opening for Bell, who made no mistake as he buried the ball in the back of the net.

Reidy added another point before Ben McKeown split the posts from a tight angle. First-half substitute Ryan Walsh then added another score as St Josephs went into the interval holding a commanding 3-7 to 1-6 advantage.

Craig Doherty opened the second-half scoring inside the first minute, but Ronan Holcroft quickly responded for St Fechins. Bell and Aaron McGlew exchanged scores before Michael McGlew added another as the Termonfeckin side reduced the deficit to six with 20 minutes remaining.

McCaul added a free before St Josephs were awarded a penalty in the 44th minute following a goalmouth scramble. Bell’s goal-bound effort had been blocked with the foot, prompting referee Ultan McElroy to point to the spot. McCaul stepped up and made no mistake, hammering the penalty into the top corner.

St Fechins refused to surrender, with Holcroft responding with an excellent two-pointer before Niall McDonnell added another point. The visitors then found the net through Evan McCluskey to reduce the gap to four with 10 minutes remaining.

Alan Quigley (St Josephs) gets a shot off despite pressure from Niall McDonnell (St Fechins)

Bell and James McGlew exchanged points before McGlew added another shortly afterwards. Conor Neary responded with a score, but St Josephs remained composed as the game entered its closing stages.

The Dromiskin side managed the final minutes with impressive control, with Conall McCaul particularly influential in winning primary possession and helping his side see out a deserved victory.

Full Time: St Josephs 4-12 St Fechins 2-14

Man of the Match – Ben Collier (St Josephs)

A standout performance from Collier, who played a key role throughout, scoring 1-1 and creating goals for Cormac McKeown and Gabriel Bell. A constant threat from start to finish and dictated play alongside Conall McCaul

Ben Collier (St Josephs) was in flying form on Sunday evening

St Josephs team: Aaron Gray; Cian Sheridan, Aidan Kieran, Rian Devlin; Ben McKeown (0-1), Cormac McKeown (1-0), Gabriel Bell (1-3); Conall McCaul (1-2, 1-0pen, 1f), David Kieran; Michael O’Brien, Ben Collier (1-1), Craig Doherty (0-1); Alan Quigley (0-1), Oisin McGuinness, Conal Smyth.

Subs: Oisin Reidy (0-2) for Oisin McGuinness (8 Mins), Conor Neary (0-1) for David Kieran (52 Mins), Jack Mulligan for Alan Quigley (57 Mins), Killian McDonnell for Conal Smyth (59 Mins), Cormac Marmion for Gabriel Bell (63 Mins).

St Fechins team: Kyle Meegan; Rob McCarthy, Ciaran McGinty, Garbhan O’Reilly; Paddy Keane, Colm O’Neill, Michael McGlew (0-2); Colm Hackett, James McGlew (0-3, 2f); John O’Connell, Aaron McGlew (0- 3, 1tpf), Niall McDonnell (0-1); Harry Haughney (0-1), Evan Dolan (1-0), Ronan Holcroft (0-3, 1tp).

Subs: Ryan Walsh (0-1, 1m) for John O’Connell (28 Mins), Evan McCluskey (1-0) for Paddy Keane (46 Mins), Adam O’Neill for Garbhan O’Reilly (59 Mins), Evan Kelly for Ciaran McGinty (60 Mins).

Referee – Ultan McElroy (Kilkerley Emmets)

Photos – Ciaran Culligan