Pearses bounce back while Roscommon Gaels earn bragging rights
Jack Tumulty and Eddie Nolan had big influences on their sides' respective championship victories this evening. Picture: INPHO/Tom Maher
Reigning senior football champions, Pádraig Pearses, got their championship campaign back on track with a thrilling 1-17 to 1-14 victory in a rip-roaring contest against neighbours Clann na nGael in Woodmount.
The home side welcomed back Jack Tumulty, Eoin Colleran and Caelim Keogh to their starting line-up, with Tumulty, in particular, have a big influence on the game, hitting 1-4 from play.
Conor Ryan was also exceptional for the winner as Frank Canning’s side put their opening round defeat against St. Faithleach’s well and truly behind them.
After an early black card for Dylan Sumner, Pearses took control to reel off the next six scores on the bounce, including a couple of two-pointers from Paul Carey and Lorcan Daly.
But a Clann penalty, which was converted by Ciarán Lennon after Graham Pettit was fouled, hauled the visitors back into contention.
By the midway mark, Pearses held a narrow 0-9 to 1-5 buffer, and they stretched that lead further on the resumption.
Tumulty’s goal further embellished the home side’s dominance but Clann recovered, and an Emmet Kenny point left the sides deadlocked at 1-12 apiece.
The sides swapped the next four points before Paul Carey, Adam McGreal and Tumulty sealed the win for Pearses.
In the other local derby of the evening at Lisnamult, Roscommon Gaels earned the bragging rights against Oran with a 1-15 to 0-16 victory.
A cagey opening half saw Oran lead by 0-8 to 0-7 at the change of ends — a couple of two-pointers from Darragh Walsh edging Pat Regan’s side in front.
But Mark Dowd’s side looked more assured in the second half, and Tim Lambe’s 55th minute goal effectively decided the contest.
As expected, St. Brigid’s had things all their own way as they beat Western Gaels, 3-23 to 0-15, in Kiltoom.
The home side surged 1-7 to 0-0 ahead early on, thanks to Robbie Dolan's goal after a fine run by Brian Stack.
Seán McDermott finally opened Western Gaels account but Eddie Nolan’s first goal of the evening saw Anthony Cunningham’s men lead by 2-14 to 0-5 at hakf time.
Nolan pounced for his second goal of the game after the break to put the icing on the cake for the home side, although the sight of Roscommon defender, Pearse Frost, limping out of the fray will be a cause for concern for the championship favourites.
In the only game played in the Ward Bros Intermediate Football Championship, Shannon Gaels pushed Strokestown all the way before the Black and Amber emerged with a 1-22 to 1-15 triumph.
Evan Corcoran’s early penalty gave the visitors some encouragement, and they were full value for the 0-9 to 1-6 half-time scoreline.
But the home side brought on Shane McGinley, Seán Mullooly and Keith Murphy in the second half, and although the sides were level heading into the final quarter, Strokestown finished with a flourish to emerge seven-point winners and secure their place in the quarter-finals.
