JFC Group 2
Laochra Loch Lao 0-15 Eire Og 5-5
They say points win prizes but goals win games and that was very much in evidence at Colaiste Feirste in the opening game of the Junior Football Championship, Group 2 on Friday night.
The Irish language team went into this one as favourites, having finished second in the league but had no answer to a slick moving and well marshalled Eire Og.
Eire Og were strong in defence with Laochra Loch Lao unable to break through for the goal that might well have turned this game in their favour while Eire Og gave a demonstration of fine finishing over the hour.
It was Laochra Loch Lao who opened brightly and they shot into an early 2 point lead thanks to Daire McMenamin and Rian McShane before their opponents replied with their opening goal of the evening through Patrick McNelis with only 4 minutes gone.
Ronan Donnelly added a second major for the Og’s in the 10th minute and again their fast transition from defence to attack opened up the Laochra defence.
Rolbeard MacSlacals replied with a point for the hosts but this was quickly cancelled by a fine effort from Ronan Donnelly at the other end with 17 minutes on the clock.
MacSlacals was doing all in his power to get his side going as he pointed a free for his second of the evening but the visitors continued to look dangerous on the quick counter attack and Patrick McNelis struck for his second and his sides third with ten minutes remaining to the break.
Two well struck 2 pointer from the excellent MacSlacals and another single from the same player had it back to one as half time approached with Conall Smyth hitting a late score for Eire Og to leave them 2 ahead at the break.
Kevin Devine reduced the gap to one with a point on the restart and it seemed to be turning the way of Laochra Loch Lao when Sean O’Heachan got down well to save Conor McKenna’s penalty in the 3d minute.
They refused to heed the danger signs however as Mark Graham was left unmarked to gather a rebound of a Laochra upright and bury it in the net and move the visitors four ahead again.
Diarmaid MacPilib responded directly from a ‘45’ to close the gap to three again but Eire Og were playing some excellent football and Patrick McNelis fired over a fine point.
Eire Og continued to edge the exchanges as their opponents tried in vain to negate their goal threat and Conall Smyth got in for their fifth major with 9 minutes remaining and it looked as good as over.
Rian McShane from play and Diarmaid MacPilib with a 2 pointer free reduced the gap to four again but a Lorcan McIlroy converted free and another from play from the impressive Smyth ensured that there would be no way back for the Colaiste Feirste side.
They did hit the final point of the evening through Kevin Devine but it was too little-too late and it is Eire Og who are off to a flying start in this year’s championship.
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