St Josephs 5-16 Caulry 0-05

Blustery conditions at Mount Temple on Saturday afternoon didn’t deter a determined St Josephs outfit who had far too much firepower on the day over a disappointing Caulry side in the opening Division 4 encounter for both clubs. Competing in this division for the first time in seven years, a tough encounter was expected but apart from a relatively even opening quarter, it was all one way traffic for the Joeys. Fielding with two debutants in Noah Mc Donnell and Jake Gannon along with some switches from our games last season, we opening the game strongly and were four points up inside the opening 8 minutes through Jordan Mc Donnell (3) and Ben Mc Donnell(1). Caulry scored two frees in succession after 10 and 11 minutes to leave the scores at 0-4 to 0-2 in our favour. Two further points from Brian Keegan and Ben Mc Donnell put us four ahead once more before Brian Keegan finished off from close range for the games first goal in the 21st minute. Caulry had fired over their 3rd point two minutes earlier but with our backs marshalled by Alan Farrell, Eoin Kelly and Andy Conway in particular they were getting little change. Two goals within a minute by Jordan Mc Donnell after 25 minutes pushed the gap to 12 points at the break where we led by 3-06 to 0-3. Caulry fired over the opening point of the second half in the 3rd minute but when St Josephs fired in 1-2 without reply in a two minute spell in the 5th and 6th minutes, then the result was truly settled. The goal coming from Dean Slevin with Aaron Mc Donnell and Ben Mc Donnell claiming the two points. Further scores from Jordan Mc Donnell and Ros Elliffe increased the margin and with Ben Mc Donnell hitting over five of the final six points, the winning margin stretched out by the conclusion of the game. A good start but a hard one to gauge all the same as it is the first outing of the year and good results in February don’t always mean good results further on in the season. Nevertheless, a welcome start and well done to all who played and togged out for the first competitive match of 2023. Well done to the five debutants who played today namely Noah Mc Donnell,Jake Gannon,Thomas Conlon,Jamie Mc Donnell and Ciaran Keegan with two starters and three coming on as substitutes.

Team: Brian Fitzgerald,Eoin Kelly,Alan Farrell,Frankie Day,Andy Scally,Jake Gannon,Andy Conway,Noah Mc Donnell,Aaron Mc Donnell(0-1),Brian Keegan(1-1),Dylan Mc Donnell,Ros Elliffe(0-2),Ben Mc Donnell(1-7),Dean Slevin(1-1),Jordan Mc Donnell(2-4). Substitutions: Daniel Keegan for Dylan Mc Donnell; Thomas Conlon for Frankie Day; Jamie Mc Donnell for Aaron Mc Donnell; Niall Moran for Brian Keegan; Ciaran Keegan for Eoin Kelly