All County Football League Division Three (round three)
St Malachy’s 4-12 Wolfe Tones 1-05
Markets based St Malachy’s gained their opening win of the season on Wednesday evening last as they proved too strong for Wolfe Tones with Patrick ‘Rick’ Smyth leading the way in what was to be a comprehensive victory.
The Mals were quick to open their account with the excellent Patrick Smith finding the net in the early stages following up with a well taken minor shortly after.
An Aiden Connor free which floated between the posts in the 10th minute added to the Market men’s advantage but the Tones soon signalled their involvement as they collected a brace of point before the end of the first period as the game progressed on a dry terrain under a cool bright sky.
St Malachy’s added a second goal shortly after the visitors opened their scoring via a sweetly delivered David Casey goal. This was followed by a point from the ever busy Patrick Smyth, plus another minor from the foot of John Mc Givern.
Wolfe Tones showed they were not there just to make up the numbers as a well delivered spot kick was despatched to the back of the St Malachy’s net as the end of the first period approached but the last say was to belong to the Mal’s as back to back white flags raised in turn by Vernon and Mc Cavanagh, ensured a 2-06 to 1-03 interval advantage for the home side.
St Malachy’s returned to action on the positive with an excellent finish from A Connor to add a point to their total.
Carson and Vernon were dominating in the central zone with the former and the ever available Patrick Smith raising back to back white flags in sequence, before the Tones were to make another contribution on the board with a point.
That late score did conclude the employment of the scoreboard attendant for the Tones with St Malachy’s ending on a positive note as both Millar and the hard grafting Mc Givern added goals apiece to see their side conclude with both points secured.
A great performance all round for the St Malachy’s men and a welcome victory. Although well beaten in the end the Tones did have possession aplenty but wayward finishing in front of the posts cost them dearly.
This was a fine win for the Markets men with a strong individual performance from Patrick ‘Rick’ Smyth central to a 4-12 to 1-05 winning scoreline.
St Malachy’s
F Mc Bride, C Connelly, S O’ Neill, P Carlisle, D Quinn, A Dobbin, D Casey (1-00), c Vernon (0-02), S Carson, R Maneely, A Conor (0-02), J Mc Givern (1-02), S Lynch, P Smyth (1-04) K Mc Cavanagh
Subs M Millar (0-01) for K Mc Cavanagh