St. Michaels 1-17, Walterstown 1-10                                                                         

A dominant second half dislpay against a stiff wind in Bohermeen on Sunday morning propelled St. Michaels to what could yet prove to be a very important victory for them in this years IFC.

 After a cagey opening eight minutes, the winners showed early intent when Cian McFadden opened their scoring from a free after a converted free from Walterstown a minute earlier but the losers would have to wait until five minutes before half-time for their next score during which time St. Michaels tore into their challenge with top scorer Gearóid O'Malley punishing the Walterstown men for their indiscipline as he converted five frees on the trot to put his side five points to the good near the end of the second quarter. Walterstown converted two more frees before David Lynch added another minor for a 0-7 to 0-3 lead before referee Kieran Olwell blew the short whistle. 

O'Malley hit the opening point of the new half but the Walterstown men took full advantage of the wind and whittled away at the St. Michaels lead until they drew level thanks to a well struck goal on 41 minutes. Both sides exchanged minors with O'Malley (3) and Paddy Clarke (1) on target for the north Meath side. It was level pegging again on 57 minutes but well struck scores from O'Malley (4) Paddy Tobin (1-1) and Paddy Fitzsimons (1) put the winners back in front. Walterstown couldn't put a dent in the St. Michaels lead as their defenders came to the fore and the wheel fell off their wagon when Conor Gilsenan denied them goals on two occasions with excellent saves and they were also reduced to 13 men for the final five minutes, but when all's said and done St. Michaels were the deserved winners on the day.  

St. Michaels: Conor Gilsenan; Robert Briody, Ciaran O'Reilly, Daniel Murphy; Jack Griffin, Matthew Halpin, Brian O'Reilly; Paddy Fitzsimons (0-1), Paddy Clarke (0-1); Declan Reilly, Paddy Tobin (1-1), David Lynch (0-1); Jakub Bidzinski, Gearóid O'Malley (0-12), Cian McFadden (0-1).                                

Subs: Cathal Walsh for Briody 9min, Luke Kelleher for McFadden HT, Sam Briody for Fitzsimons 57min.                      

Report: Pascal Reilly PRO.

Tweet

Most Read Stories