Eskra among the big winners in first round of Div 3 games

ESKRA 8-21 KILLYMAN 1-3

THIS turned out to be a high-scoring seasonal debut for hosts Eskra in ACL Division Three but visitors Killyman had a tough opening night at the office despite the St Mary’s battling all the way to the finish.

The home team were quick out of the new season blocks and by half-time had taken command of the match by the sizeable margin of 5-13 to 1-1. Eskra maintained their tight grip on proceedings throughout, although Killyman kept trying to make an impact and the St Mary’s did net a consolation goal along the way.

Friday’s first score on the board after three minutes proved to be a goal as Cormac Arkinson palmed home after a well-constructed move comprising quick build-up work from Mickey Woods and Johnny Hackett.

Killyman were already feeling the pinch as Conor O’Hagan, Cathal Meegan and Niall Marlow tagged on home points. Cathal Arkinson, Cormac Arkinson and Joe McCarroll(0-2) gave Eskra a 1-7 to 0-0 advantage by the 15^th minute.

Cormac Arkinson got his second goal of the game when more well-worked approach play unhinged the St Mary’s defence for a 17^th minute strike. There was some small respite for Killyman at the other end as Enda McGahan converted a free to get the scoreboard going.

Eskra returned to attacking mode and pocketed a third goal 22 minutes in through Johnny Hackett following clever play by Mickey Woods. Conor Hackett then sourced possession in defence and the Emmets raced forward for Conor O’Hagan to place home his side’s fourth goal; this after O’Hagan had pointed a bit earlier.

The host side strung several fast-paced moves together that produced a steady flow of scores and Conor O’Hagan bagged a second goal as the Emmets continued to build up their tidy tally.

Cormac Arkinson and Joe McCarroll at the double extended the Eskra lead further but the St Mary’s received a timely boost close to half-time as they carved out a goal chance that Cathal McGahan took well.

Joe McCarroll and Luke Kelly sent over home scores before the break plus McCarroll was on target again after the restart. Enda McGahan chalked up a point in reply and Ryan McKenna also got on the mark for the St Mary’s.

There was a third goal for Cormac Arkinson in the 42^nd minute, with Meegan and McCarroll points arriving too. An additional McCarroll score preceded a Mickey Woods effort and Johnny Hackett netted his second goal not long after. Cathal Meegan completed the goal returns in the closing stages for Eskra.

Glenelly 1-21 Brackaville 1-6

Glenelly made a winning return to league football with this clear-cut home success over Brackaville on Sunday and the St Joseph’s scored a string of well-worked points in the process.

It was the East Tyrone team that enjoyed the better of the early exchanges through a Ronan McHugh goal but Glenelly grew in stature as the half progressed. Cormac McBride supplied the St Joseph’s goal as the hosts went on to establish an interval advantage of 1-8 to 1-3. Lorcan McCullagh and Nathan McLaughlin were prominent in point terms as Glenelly got to the front.

Brackaville kept battling way but the Roes could not muster enough second half scores despite Shea Fee and Daire Carberry getting on the score list alongside Gary Ferguson who claimed three points overall in the game.

The home St Joseph’s reeled off thirteen points in the closing 30 minutes with Lorcan McCullagh and Nathan McLaughlin sharing a tally of eight points between them by the finish of play. Cormac McBride concluded on 1-2 and Ronan O’Kane scored three points into the bargain. Eoghan McConnell(0-2), Rory Kennedy, Cathal O’Neill, Conal Furey, Eamon McConnell, Seamus Harkin and Kevin McConnell wrapped up the Glenelly score account as the league launched in good style for the St Joseph’s.

Urney 0-9 Killeeshil 2-13

Killeeshil began their 2024 programme in winning fashion away at Urney as the St Mary’s bid to bounce back this year from relegation following the play-off phases in 2023.

The host St Columba’s endeavoured to stay right in the mix but they were unable to match strides with Killeeshil on the scoreboard as the match developed. Ryan Henry had a tidy seven-point haul on behalf of the home team and Kyle Henry contributed two to the St Columba’s cause.

Urney would have needed a goal or two to make more inroads on the situation but they couldn’t break through for a three-pointer against the Killeeshil defence. The St Mary’s, for their part, managed to convert a brace of goals from Ciaran O’Neill and Michael O’Neill that helped the guests gain a solid foothold on proceedings.

Tomas Hoy scored seven points on the day for Killeeshil as the St Mary’s secured an opening round victory and one that they will be keen to build upon over forthcoming weeks. The right result didn’t materialise this time for Urney but the St Columba’s have plenty of fixtures featuring up ahead to focus on.

Clann na nGael 1-11 Augher 5-13

Augher arrived in North Tyrone aiming for a positive beginning to the season and the St Macartan’s found their goal-scoring touch to deny the spirited efforts of Clann na nGael.

Clann na nGael registered 1-11 but the concession of those five goals gave the home team a sizeable task. Ciaran Kerlin scored Clann na nGael’s goal in the first half and Shea Browne led their pointed efforts with four. Conor McAleer had three points and Terence McCaughey contributed two. David Conway and Mark Henry also featured on the scoresheet.

The away side had the better of the opening exchanges and by the break they were 3-7 to 1-8 ahead on the scoreboard. Two further Augher goals were scored during the course of the second half as Dara Kavanagh finished on a 2-5 return overall. Raymond McElroy also netted twice plus he added a point as well.

Eoghan Keenan (1-1) supplied the remaining goal for the St Macartan’s, with Tiarnan McElroy chipping over four points. Ben Trainor and Odhran McGinn also supplied scores. Clann na nGael continued to push for scores but Augher’s ability to take goal opportunities at the opposite end of the field settled matters.