Lannleire conquer 'Hill in thrilling tie
KEVIN MULLEN SHIELD GROUP B
Dundalk Young Irelands Mickey Shields tries to hold back John Kermode (Newtown Blues)
Wednesday March 10 2010
Lannleire 3-7 Dowdallshill 2-7 A YOUTHFUL Lannleire side opened their account at a sunny Dunleer as a virtuoso performance from Noel Finnegan (2-6), failed to prevent a defeat for Dowdallshill.
Finnegan, who was named in the half-back-line before the game only to be switched to attack following the late withdrawal of Donal Sheridan, proved deadly accurate in front of the posts, and his two quickfire goals during the third quarter gave the 'Hill a lifeline, from a position of being eight points in arrears.
Lannleire finished the first half 1-5 to 0-4 ahead, thanks to a goal from the impressive Darren Noone. The second half was a closer fought affair with Lannleire holding on for a narrow victory in the face of Finnegan's double strike.
Best for the winners were Thomas Doyle, Bob Murphy, Breen McGuinness, Darren Noone and Patrick O'Connor, while Finnegan and Anton Rogers impressed for Dowdallshill. with 1-7 without reply, including a goal from Keith Rooney to open a 1-8 to 1-1 lead at the break.
The Tullyallen men eased off the gas after the break but outscored their hosts by 0-7 to 0-3 to open their account for the year.
The winners saw good displays from Mark Noone, Keith Rooney and Martin Morgan. Annaghminnon Rovers 3-7 St Kevin's 1-9 TWO second-half goals from Mickey Brennan and Padraig Murray proved crucial as Annaghminnon Rovers got their campaign off to a winning start in Stonetown on Sunday morning.
The sides were level at the break as a Keith Byrne goal kept Rovers in the hunt at 1-1 to 0-4.
Gareth Boylan netted a second-half goal for Kevin's, but the strikes from Murray and Brennan helped Rovers to a four-point win.
They were best served by Brennan, Martin O'Hare and Declan Lambe, while David Creahan and Gareth Boylan stood out for Kevin's.
