Roche Emmets cemented their place as favourites for this year’s Junior Championship with a comprehensive 3-16 to 1-5 win over a spirited St Nicholas team in Stabannon on Friday evening. Barry O’Hare starred for the winners as he finished with a total of 1-12.

Early in the first half half both teams had their share of possession but it was Roche who converted their possession into scores, taking a four-point lead. A fine long-range effort from Johnny Carter put the Nicks on the scoreboard midway through the half. Roche began to dominate, adding 1-2 with no reply including a goal Liam Carthy. Sam Reilly added a point to the nicks tally and then a goal from Vinny O'Hare had the Drogheda men back within touching distance. A late flurry from the Emmets, including a Barry O’Hare goal, had them walking in with a deserved half time lead of 2-9 to 1-2.

The second half was much the same as the first, St Nicholas who were down to 14 men, were working hard in defence but the Roche forward line were patient, picking holes and adding to their tally.

Shane Byrne added a third goal for the winners while points from Alex Finnegan, Phillip Kirwan and a Vinny O'Hare free were all the Nicks could show for their endeavours.
 
 Glyde Rangers are also fancied to challenge for the Christy Bellew Cup this year and they made a winning start when scoring a 1-15 to 1-8 win over Westerns at Louth Village on Saturday night.

Trevor O’Brien was the man in form for the winners as he finished with 1-6 to his credit, with the goal coming at an important stage in the second half.

Glyde got off to a fine start with O’Brien, Martin McArdle, Conor Sheridan and Niall Sharkey on target. However, a Stephen Boylan point and Conor Kerr goal saw the Westerns back on level terms.

Glyde then finished the half strongly with Gareth Moran adding to the tally as they went in leading by 0-9 to 1-3 at the break. Points from Anthony and Tommy Durnin cut the gap down to one, but Glyde responded well and O’Brien’s goal put them back in command as they went on to score a deserved win.
 
Stabannon Parnells also made it a winning start as they held off the challenge of Cuchulainn Gaels at Clan na Gael Park on Friday night to win by 2-13 to 0-8.

The Omeath men got off the mark first through Cian McDonald but Stabannon hit back to take the lead with a Robbie Callaghan goal on 15 minutes. Jody Keenan had a second point for Gaels but with Aonghus Giggins in fine form, the Parnells went in at the break leading by 1-4 to 0-2.

Two early points from Ray Phillips gave the Omeath side hope but Stabannon regained the initiative and scores from Giggins, Daniel Bannon and David Cluskey had them on course for victory before Colm Giggins added a second goal in the closing stages.

Nh Malachi are also up and running in the Junior Championship after a strong finish saw them defeat Dowdallshill by 0-17 to 0-8 at Clan na Gael Park on Friday night.

The winners began well and with Padraig Moley and Ronan Greene in good form they raced into a 0-6 to 0-1 lead. However, Noel Finnegan led the Dowdallshill revival and at the break the Dundalk men had reduced the gap to 0-8 to 0-3.

Dowdallshill cut the gap to two points early in the second half and were unlucky not to find the net through Gerry McShane and Stephen Murray.

However, the Courtbane side upped a gear in the final quarter and with Colin Rooney finding his range they ran out comfortable winners in the end.
 
John Mitchels also got points on the board as they came from behind to defeat Annaghminnon Rovers by 6-17 to 1-6 at Louth Village on Friday night.

Rovers came flying out of the blocks and had the first score from Shane McMahon before Damien Tackney added a goal.

However, the Mitchels responded well and goals from Ben O’Brien and Stephen Coyle had them leading by 2-6 to 1-3 at half time.

The second half saw the Ballybailie side take complete control and they added goals through O’Brien, Robbie Coyle, Trevor Matthews and Mikey Nulty to cruise victory. Davd Marron added three points for Rovers in the second half. Na Piarsaigh turned in a strong second half display as they defeated Sean McDermotts at The Grove on Sunday afternoon by 4-17 to 2-10.

The first half was a closely contested affair that ended with Na Piarsaigh holding a slender 0-10 to 1-6 lead with the McDermotts goal coming from Lorcan Myles.

Na Piarsaigh started the second half focused and determined and by the 13th minute it looked like the game was over as a competition, as they scored 3-4 without reply.

The McDermotts refused to give up and got the next four scores, one of which was a goal from a Tony Kelly penalty. But Mcs never gave up and they got the next 4 scores, one of which was a goal scored from the penalty spot.

It took two points from Robert Murphy in the 27th and 28th minutes to put the game beyond the Seans, while a goal from David Boyle in the 29th minute was the icing on the cake, while the last point of the game came from John Garvey.

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