Referee: Kevin Levins
Roche began brightly with a first minute point from Peter McShane but they proceeded to kick a string of wides and had a penalty well saved. This early period seen Roche have more and better chances but the O’Mahonys gradually moved into contention and created lots of chances but they too were wayward in their shooting. In Liam Crawley they had the best forward on show with 5 points to his name in the first half. His accuracy insured that by the time of the ‘short whistle’ his team were in front 6 points to 4.
The second half began as the first with an early Roche point from Philip Quinn but the O’Mahonys responded through points from Paul Murray and Paul Savage leaving the score 8 to 5. Against the run of play Roche found a goal from Owen O’Hare which was taken well following a Roche attempt which was not effectively cleared which found its way into the arms of O’Hare who netted well for the only goal of the game. The O’Mahonys shook off that setback and were all over Roche, scoring three points but should have been more in front from the amount of play they had in the Roche half. Sean O’Hare in goals performed well through this period to keep Roche in the game. This prompted Roche to make switches, changing David Quigley to centre-half on the O’Mahonys sub David Crawley who was conducting all of his teams manoeuvres by raiding into mid-field for position. Quigley’s arrival curbed Crawleys influence and allowed Roche get forward for three pints from Patrick Quigley, Duane Callan and David Quigley to bring the teams level at 11 points each. But Paul Murray pointed a good move which appeared to settle the matter in the O’Mahonys favour a minute over time but Roche won position from the kick out and forged forward for Patrick Quigley to point and share half the spoils in an entertaining game with a number of fine scores from two youthful teams on a pleasant St. Patricks morning.
Roche: Sean O’Hare, James Tiffney, David Quigley (1pt), Niall Treanor, Conor Martin, Joe Bishop, Karl Muckian, Tom Quigley, Duane Callan (2pt), Philip Quinn (1pt), Patrick Quigley (2pts), Owen O’Hare (1-1), Barry McConnon, Seamus Haughey (1pt), Peter McShane (1pt). Sub. Paul Callan for Karl Muckian second half.
O’Mahonys scorers: Liam Crawley 6pts, Paul Murray 2pts, Conor Brennan, Owen Hanratty, Paul Savage and No 8 a point each.
