Pearses back in business after first championship win in three years

There were wins for Pádraig Pearses, St. Dominic’s and Oran in the Kepak Roscommon Senior Hurling Championship over the weekend.

Pádraig Pearses’ championship campaign received the injection of energy they craved as an excellent second-half performance took care of Athleague at Mulhern Park, Fuerty, on Saturday evening.

Dylan Ryan’s early goal handed the visitors an early boost, but with Ben McGahon and Cormac Kelly in decent scoring form, Athleague nudged 0-10 to 1-5 ahead at the break.

But Pearses signalled their intent at the beginning of the second half, hitting the first five points, and when Ryan grabbed his second goal in the 42nd minute, the Woodmount-based side were well on their way to their first championship victory since 2022.

Luke Corbett, Darragh Finn, Seán Canning and Daniel Staunton were outstanding for the winners as they registered a comfortable 2-19 to 0-16 victory.

In the other game on Saturday evening, a second-half turnaround from St. Dominic’s, thanks to a couple of goals from Naos Connaughton and Mickey Joe Egan, procured a 2-11 to 0-12 victory against neighbours Roscommon Gaels at Knockcroghery.

The Gaels were 0-7 to 0-5 ahead at half time, thanks to four frees from Ryan Conlon.

A fifth Conlon free alongside a point from play by Conor Grogan moved the visitors four points clear at the start of the second half. But a run of 1-3 without reply, aided by a quickly-taken free that procured a goal for Connaughton, turned the game in St. Dominic’s favour.

On Sunday afternoon, Oran marked the opening of its new pitch in Rockfield with a hard-earned 0-18 to 2-10 victory against Tremane.

Oran were the better side, particularly in the opening half, with the breeze at their backs. But ten first-half wides were a cause for concern alongside the concession of a sloppy goal — a Michael Kelehan sideline cut that deflected off an Oran player and ended up in the net — as they only led by 0-9 to 1-3 at the break.

But Paddy Fallon’s 13-point haul over the 60 minutes was the decisive factor, although Tremane scored a second goal through John Brennan after 37 minutes.

Oran always held the upperhand and were delighted to see Cathal Kenny make his first appearance of the season and contribute a point.

*Reports from all three of this weekend’s championship game in Tuesday’s Roscommon Herald.