GERALDINES 2-10
COOLEY KICKHAMS 0-7

Jim McEneaney provided the inspiration as Geraldines booked their place in the Senior Championship quarter-finals at the expense of Cooley Kickhams.

With both teams having lost to Dreadnots in their first outing this game would decide who would finish runners-up in Group 2 and in the end it was the Haggardstown side who emerged with a comfortable victory.

Despite losing an early goal to McEneaney, Cooley remained in contention and approaching the 40 minute mark were trailing by just one point. However, from the moment Shane O'Hanlon found the net on 43 minutes there was no way back for the Kickhams.

The Geraldines couldn't have asked for a better start as with just over two minutes on the clock, Jim McEneaney found the net.

Cooley responded well and pulled back two points from Brian White frees and after McEneaney and Michael Rafferty traded scores, the peninsula men suffered a setback when they lost James McShane to a black card.

The Gers stretched their advantage to four with three successive points from McEneaney but the Kickhams had the final say when Conor Rafferty sent over a close range free to cut the gap to 1-4 to 0-4 at half time.

The peninsula side looked as if they would mount a serious challenge when Patrick Sheelan and White claimed points to leave just one between the teams. However, they were unable to sustain the effort and a Michael Rogers point settled the Geradlines with a well-taken point.

His side then struck for a second goal from Shane O'Hanlon and when the same player added a point soon after it was 2-8 to 0-6 leaving Cooley facing an uphill task.

The Kickhams needed a goal to have any hope at that stage but despite a number of half chances they were unable to breach a strong Gers defence.

GERALDINES: Darrin Kearney; Ryan Trainor, Nicky Mackin, James Craven; Paddy Hoey, Gerard Hoey, Gareth Neacy; Shaun Callan, Stephen Reidy; Sean Thornton, Shane O'Hanlon 1-2, Michael Rogers 0-1; Conall Hoey, Jim Mc Eneaney 1-7, Glen Trainor. Subs: Dara Hammill, Matthew Corcoran, Paul Clarke, Josh Arrowsmith.

COOLEY KICKHAMS: Neil Gallagher; Conor Mc Guinness, Peter Thornton, Shane Marks; Patrick McGrath, Keith White, Alan Page; Brian White 0-4, James McShane; Ciaran Sheelan, Michael Kane, Michael Rafferty 0-1; Darren Marks, Aoghain Mc Guinness, Conor Rafferty 0-1. Subs: Patrick Sheelan 0-1, Thomas McGuinness, Richard Brennan, Michael Carron, Gerry Malone.

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