JFC round-up: Plunketts and Mitchels impress
July 21, 2014
Robbie Coyle John Mitchells
The McDermotts were boosted by an early goal from Peter Osborne in this Group 4 encounter but the Plunketts hit back to go in at the break level at 0-5 to 1-2.
The Drogheda men were guilty of kicking a total of 12 wides in the first half but their shooting improved after the restart and with Robbie Brodigan, Rory Taaffe and Emmet Kelleher among the scorers, they pulled away in the final quarter to emerge comfortable winners.
Glen Emmets got off to winning start when they had a more comfortable than expected win over Westerns on Thursday night as they came out on top by 1-16 to 1-9.
With the Reaghstown men riding high at the top of Division 3, many were predicting that they would carry that form into the championship, but they proved no match for the Emmets.
The game was tight for much of the opening quarter but three unanswered points from followed by a Mark Noone goal on 30 minutes sent the Tullyallen side 1-7 to 0-4 ahead at half time.
The Emmets continued to dominate and went 1-16 to 0-9 ahead before Mick Martin hit the net for the last score of the game.
The John Mitchels secured top spot in Group 2 with a comfortable 3-18 to 0-4 win against the Cuahalain Gaels at Dunleer on Friday night.
The Ballybailie side went into the game in fine form following their victory over St Kevins in the opening round and took control with the first eight points of the game.
Cucuhlainn Gaels were hampered by the loss of captain, Francis O'Hagan, before the game but they did get off the mark through Eoin McDonald to trail by 0-8 to 0-1 at half time.
The Mitchels continued to dominate after the break and found the net through Robbie Coyle (2) and Diarmuid Durnin, with Aaron Rogers replying with a consolation goal for Gaels.
Nh Fionnbarra chalked up another high score as they made it through to the quarter-finals by topping Group 3 with victory over Lannleire at The Grove on Sunday evening.
After scoring 6-20 in their opening game against the Nicks, the 2013 runners-up continued that fine form as they came out on top by 2-19 to 0-8.
The Ballygassan side were slow to get into their stride in a first half that ended with them leading by 0-10 to 0-3.
A disappointing Lannleire side weren't able to mount a challenge in the second half and Finbarrs piled on the pressure with two goals, the second of which came from Jack Butterly.
Stabannon Parnells kept alive their faint hopes of making the Junior Championship quarter-finals when they scored four late points to defeat Dowdallshill by 0-13 to 1-8 at The Grove on Sunday evening.
In what proved to be a close contest throughout, Stabannon went in at the break leading by 0-8 to 0-6. Dowdallshill came out with great determination in the second half and a goal from Paul Gill helped them lead by 1-8 to 0-9 after 40 minutes.
It was looking good for the Hill at that stage but Stabannon rallied and kicked four points to claim victory as the Dundalk men missed late chances to take something from the game. Tweet
