All-County Football League Division One
Lamh Dhearg 0-13-0-12 St Johns
By Kevin Herron at Hannahstown
The All County Division One football league kicked of this afternoon with a mouth-watering clash between Lamh Dhearg and St Johns and it didn’t fail to disappoint as the Dhearg edged out the Johnnies 0-13-0-12 in a tightly contested encounter at Hannahstown.
The free taking qualities of Paddy Cunningham and Patrick McBride accounted for the majority of the first-half scores as the hosts led 0-07-0-06.
Lamh Dhearg appeared to have seized the initiative and were four points to the good with ten minutes remaining. However St Johns didn’t wilt and set-up a grandstand finish as they edged their way back into contention. As it turned out it was not to be as the men from Hannahstown held firm to pick up maximum points.
St Johns came out of the blocks quickest on a bright afternoon on the edge of the black mountain and held an early two-point advantage.
Lamh Dhearg’s Declan Lynch runs at the St. John’s defence
Paddy McBride converting back to back frees – Ryan Murray popped the ball over in response and Lamh Dhearg were back on level terms within eight minutes thanks to Paddy Cunningham’s first converted free of the afternoon.
Cunningham proceeded to kick a further three converted free’s on the trot as his side were firmly on the front foot – in between these scores St Johns were dealt a blow as Domhnall Nugent was black carded eleven minutes into his return to footballing action.
By the midway point in the half Lamh Dhearg were 0-05-0-02 to the good, though an excellent score from Ryan McNulty and a third converted McBride free put the bare minimum between the sides.
Indeed the final four scores of the half came from the exact scenario – Paddy Cunningham twice extending his sides lead to two-points, but McBride responded in each instance as Cunningham’s six points ensured his side held a slender 0-07-0-06 advantage at the interval.
Conor Johnston levelled the scores for the second time within sixty seconds of the restart as his shot was allowed to take a bounce and over the top of the crossbar.
The game began to open up but St Johns failed to make the most of a bright opening to the second period and Ryan Murray eventually doubled his afternoon account to edge his side 0-08-0-07 ahead.
Cunningham and McBride traded converted frees before Cunningham caught St Johns napping with a quick free to Kevin Quinn which yielded the corner-forwards first score of the afternoon.
The ever green Cunningham registered his eighth point of the afternoon to give his side a three-point cushion at the midway point in the second-half (0-11-0-08).
St Johns goalkeeper Padraig Nugent roamed forward and cut the deficit with a converted free to keep St. John’s in touch but points from Quinn and Cunningham in response had the hosts on course for victory, 0-13-0-09 ahead with ten minutes to go.
St Johns weren’t about to throw in the towel though and successive converted frees from Paddy McBride halved the deficit with five-minutes remaining.
There was almost a scare for Lamh Dhearg as goalkeeper John Finucane spilt the ball in the area though a combination of last ditch defending saw the visitors have to settle for a 65’ which Nugent failed to convert.
Michael Dudley put the bare minimum between the sides going into added time but the Lamhs were able to see out additional time and claim an opening day win on a scoreline of 0-13-0-12.
Lamh Dhearg: J Finucane, C Nolan, P Larkin, C McIlvenny, D Lynch, M Herron, M McGarry, P Fitzsimons, C Hannon, E McKeown, R Straney, B Rice, P Cunningham (0-09f), R Murray (0-02), K Quinn (0-02). Subs: M Finnegan for R Straney (46 mins), R Diamond for C Nolan (53 mins), R Fegan for C McIlvenny (63 mins).
St Johns: P Nugent (0-01f), A Douglas, R McNulty (0-01), L Laverty, M Dudley (0-01), S Tierney, L Pedan, M Fitzpatrick, S McDomagh, J Hannigan, C Johnston, P Donnelly, P McBride (0-08f), D Nugent, C Johnston (0-01). Subs: C McGlade for D Nugent (black card – 11 mins), R McCaffrey for S Tierney (52 mins), J Garland for C McGlade (54 mins).
Referee: Colm McDonald (St Galls).
Paddy Cunningham who was in excellent form from the placed ball and finished with 0-9 for Lamh Dhearg 
Paddy McBride who finished with 0-8 for St. John’s 
Michael O’Muircheartaigh who is guest speaker at St. John’s presentation dinner tonight took in the game against Lamh Dhearg at Hannastown this afternoon
Brian Smyth, Vice Chairman of Lamh Dhearg and Paul Buchanan PR.O. present a cheque for £200-00 to paddy McIlwaine who was receiving it on behalf of the Saffron Gael