Mattock Rangers Edge Hard-Fought Contest Against St Kevins
CTI Business Solutions IFC Group 4 Round 1
DEFY Páirc Mhuire, Ardee
Mattock Rangers 1-12 St Kevins 0-13
Mattock Rangers opened their CTI Business Solutions Intermediate Football Championship campaign with a hard-fought two-point victory over St Kevins at DEFY Páirc Mhuire in Ardee.
Jason Condon (Mattock Rangers) makes a clean catch
St Kevins began brightly, with Cameron Maher opening the scoring inside the first minute. Liam Flynn responded for Mattock before Lee Crosbie and Maher helped the Philipstown side move 0-3 to 0-1 ahead after 15 minutes.
Mattock gradually found their rhythm, however, with Flynn adding another score before the game’s defining moment arrived on 22 minutes. Sean Flynn found the net to give Mattock Rangers a crucial boost.
A Rob Holmes point extended their advantage, but St Kevins remained firmly in contention. Cian Callan landed an excellent two-pointer before the break to leave the sides level at 0-6 to 1-3 at half-time.
TJ Doheny edged St Kevins ahead shortly after the restart, but Mattock responded strongly. Tom Grimes, Adrian Reid and Holmes all registered before Ben McKenna produced a superb two-point free.
Jack Thompson (Mattock Rangers) is tackled by TJ Doheny (St Kevins)
Jack Thompson added another as Mattock opened up a five-point advantage, but St Kevins mounted a determined late comeback. Callan struck another two-pointer, while Finn Carter, Lee Crosbie and Darren McMullan all added scores.
There was one final opportunity for St Kevins to snatch a dramatic equaliser, but McMullan’s close-range effort was palmed over rather than finding the net as the final whistle sounded moments later.
Mattock Rangers held on to begin their championship campaign with an important victory.
Full-Time: Mattock Rangers 1-12 St Kevins 0-13
Mattock Rangers team: Stephen Smith; Rian Hickey, Shane Maguire, Ben Quaile; Ben Watters (0-1), Terry Donegan, Tom Grimes (0-2); Ben McKenna (0-2, 1tpf), Jason Condon; Rob Holmes (0-2), Cathal Fleming (0-1), Jack Thompson (0-1); Oisin McKenna, Sean Flynn (1-0), Liam Flynn (0-2)
Subs: Adrian Reid (0-1) for Liam Flynn (25 Mins), Daire Englishby for Terry Donegan (43 Mins),
St Kevins team: Danny Crosbie; Niall Gregory, John Callaghan, Keelan Maher; Darren McMullan (0-1), Cameron Maher (0-2, 1f), Donnacha Boylan; Evan Maher (0-1), Finn Carter (0-1); Robbie Mathews, Shane Meade, TJ Doheny (0-1); Tom Mathews, Cian Callan (0-4, 2tp), Lee Crosbie (0-3, 1f)
Subs: Jacob Finlay for Tom Mathews (half-time), Liam Magee for Donnacha Boylan (50 Mins), Brian Callaghan for Robbie Mathews (55 Mins)
Referee: Damien Connor (St Patricks)
A goal-mouth scramble sees Stephen Smith (Mattock Rangers) clear the lines
Photos: Ciaran Culligan
