ST EUNAN’S COLLEGE got their Rannafast (Ulster Under-161⁄2) campaign off to a disappointing start today with a seven point defeat to an Abbey CBS side from Newry.
St Eunan’s College 3-6 Abbey CBS 3-13
The game was played in a blustery Garvaghey, with a strongbreeze crossing the field plus the players had to factor in the wetand slippery conditions underfoot.
St Eunan’s were somewhat under strength with a five of last year’s victorious Treanor Cup team carrying injuries into this fixture. The College only lined out with 19 fit players when the ball was thrown in.
The College lads made the brighter start with Conor O Donnell pointing from an early free. O’Donnell was also the provider with a great pass that Darragh Ellison finished with some style to leave the Letterkenny lads in the driving seat.
A few mistakes and basic handling errors let the Abbey CBS side back into the game with the College side conceding
two soft goals. Coupled with with some fine long range scoring pushed the Abbey side into the lead reaching half time. Michael Gallagher and Conor O’Donnell did add two further points to leave the half time score 2-5 to 1-5 in favour of the Newry side.
No changes were made at half time to the College side. Once again Conor O’Donnell pointed from a free at the start of the second half but St.Eunan’s were to go until nearly the 20th minute before they added their next score.
Abbey CBS hit a purple patch and knocked over some fine long range scores to really stamp their authority on the
game. The score line moved to double figures 2-10 to 1-5 for the Newry men.
Shane O Donnell responded well with a fine run through the heart of the Abbey defence to finish a fine solo effort on goal. A further mistake in defence let the Abbey team in for their third and final goal. Ronan Frain added a close range goal effort late on for the College but it was it was enough on the day.
Next up for the College is St.MacCartans ,Monaghan on Wednesday next again the venue is Garvaghey.
Scorers: Conor O’Donnell 0-4, Daragh Ellison 1-3, Shane O’Donnell 1-0, Ronan Frain 1-0, Michael Gallagher 0-1.
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