Killucan 3-07
Castledaly 0-14
Castledaly learned two valuable lessons in Cusack Park last Sunday evening. Firstly they learned that as reigning county champions they are now there to be knocked off their perch. Killucan showed scant regard for the green and golds in the opening half of their first round tie and were full value for their seven point half time lead.
Castledaly to their credit showed just why they are champions and looked a different outfit after the break. Taking the game by the scruff of the neck they kicked nine second half points to lead by a point with two minutes remaining.
Lesson number two it ain’t over till it’s over. Killucan, as is their nature, never gave up the fight. James Nugent took full advantage of a rare James Kinihan mistake and finished to the net to stun Padraig Farrell’s men.
While this win will be a big confidence booster for Ray Smyth’s men, it’s early days yet. From a Castledaly point of view, it is a timely reminder that retaining the title will be perhaps more difficult than winning it first time around. The availability of Kenny Larkin and Russel Casey are two major plusses for the Flanagan Cup holders. As their second half performance showed, they have the potential to have a big say in proceedings in this year’s championship.
Mullingar Shamrocks 0-9
Garrycastle 1-6
Last week I tipped Garrycastle to collect both points on offer here but as thing turned out they were blessed to take one. Both teams have genuine aspiration of reaching the concluding stages of this years championship, but will need to improve on this performance if these aspirations are to become a reality.
Good news for Westmeath supporters was the return to action of Dessie Dolan, Donie Donoghoe, and Kieran Gavin. All three will need to be fighting fit on June 14 when Westmeath take on the winners of Longford/Wicklow in a game that will be televised live at 2pm.
Garrycastle led 1-5 to 0-5 at the break, the goal coming from the boot of Seanie O’Donoghoe. Amazingly The Castle managed just a solitary second half point. Shamrocks controlled much of the second half proceedings but were left to rue some terrible missed opportunities.
Cathal Moore was inspirational up front for the Mullingar men but they will need to polish their shooting boots if they are to collect silverware this year. Anthony Cunningham’s men will be glad to have taken something from the game but likewise will be looking to improve in their next outing in a months time.
Athlone 3-8
St Malachy’s 0-9
Having lost the first round for the previous three years not surprisingly we were a little nervous this time around. St Malachy’s were without their chief talisman Alan Mangan who was an undoubted loss, but in Athlone we too were without a number of last years regulars.
Despite plenty of possession in the opening stages Athlone had difficulty finding the target and it was all of 16 minutes before the opening score was recorded.
Perhaps the biggest talking point of the game was the indiscipline that was shown at times. A total of seven yellows and two reds were issued. In truth it was a referee’s nightmare and in fairness to Ballynacaragy’s Brendan Keena he did a great job in difficult circumstances.
When players from both sides concentrated on playing football, some good moves were strung together. Goals win matches and thankfully from our point of view it was Athlone who found the net on three occasions. Mickey Greene cooly slotted home the opener following good approach play after 34 minutes. Tom Trainor added a second just after the break while John Egan marked his introduction with an opportunist’s goal with time almost up.
Athlone are glad to be off to a winning start but will realise that an improved performance will be needed if we are to match Coralstown/Kinnegad in their next outing in May.
Maryland 0-11
Bunbrosna 0-6
Last year’s intermediate champions Maryland got their senior campaign off to the best possible start with a convincing win over a disappointing Bunbrosna outfit. In fairness Bunbrosna were without the services of the two Newmans and Pauric Walshe and they will be sorely missed.
Bunbrosna will need to improve dramatically if they are to avoid a relegation battle. Maryland will be delighted with this start and will be no pushovers at this level.
Tyrrellspass 1-10
St Lomans 0-9
Denis Glennon again underlined his undoubted talent by leading Tyrrellspass to a four point win over St Loman’s. Glennon’s personal tally of 1-06 played a big part in his sides success. Martin Flanagan took his place on the bench but didn’t see action for the winners. Lomans made it difficult for the men from the Tidy Village, but one feels that Tyrrellspass have the greater potential to improve as the season progresses.
Coralstown/
Kinnegad 2-12
The Downs 1-08
Derby games are always difficult to call but Coralstown/Kinnegad made no mistake in their opening round clash with near neighbours The Downs. Colm Coyles notched up an impressive 2-12 en route to a 7 point win.
The Downs performance was well below that which they have shown in recent years and they will be keen to show improvement in their next outing. The winners have laid down a marker that they are a team to be reckoned with this year and could be big players in this year’s championship.
In summary, if the opening round of games have taught us anything it’s that this year’s championship is wide open and any one of five or six teams could win it.
