St Marys 2-5 Dunshauglin 4-9

St Marys hosted Dunshauglin on Wednesday evening in the first round of the Reserve Cup Division 4B in a calm yet cold Donore.

Due to a number of injuries, the home side lined out with a squad of 16 players, compromising a very diverse lineup with 4 players 40 and over, and 6 more players 21 and under.
The away side started with a spring in their step, hitting the home side with a couple of early goals before the home side opened their account, through an Eoin Jackson free on his adult team debut. As the half wore on, Marys began to get to grips with the challenge presented and indeed the new rules, first team selector Lochlainn Hill in particular finding it challenging to adapt to the solo and go rule in particular. The home side were defending vigorously and enjoying plenty of possession, and could’ve been closer on the scoreline only for some wayward shooting, first team manager Nicky Gogan responsible for a couple of wild  two point efforts. In the lead in to the half time whistle, Adam Craven pointed on a familiar burst forward up the field, before Marys had a clear sight of goal on two occasions, Ronan Everard got forward from his wing back berth to fire narrowly wide. Soon after, Gogan found himself 1 on 1 but blazed over the bar with the goal at his mercy.
Management team Sean Loughran, Robert Victory and Barry Hughes reorganised the group at half time, knowing it would take all the home sides energy to deal with a youthful and well drilled Dunshauglin team in the second half.

The sides traded scores early on in the half, the impressive Jackson pointing again for Marys. The home side were battling hard, and were rewarded when second half substitute James Lynch found the bottom corner with a close range effort to narrow the gap further. Dunshauglin countered a few minutes later and found the net for the 4th time, their full forward palming to the net despite the best efforts of Marys netminder Peter Waters. Further points from Everard and a well worked goal from Craven after quick thinking from Robbie Callaghan brought the Marys total to 2-5. Dunshauglin tagged on a couple of points of their own, to ensure a reasonably comfortable victory in the end. Overall, a very productive workout for both sides, with St Marys back in action on Thursday night for a trip down to face Moynalty in round 2 of the Tailteann Shield.

St Marys: Peter Waters; Eirin Madden, Neil Floyd, Tadhg Lynch; Ruairi Condra, Adam Craven, Ronan Everard; Gary Slevin, Eoin Jackson; Lochlainn Hill, Nicky Gogan, Andrew Duignan; Eoin Kelleher, Brian Smith, Robbie Callaghan. Sub: James Lynch for Slevin.

Referee: Pat Clarke

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