Oliver Plunketts turned in a solid team display as they recorded a 1-15 to 0-13 victory over Young Irelands in their Division 2 clash at Dundalk on Saturday night.

The Drogheda men had the better of things throughout the game and a goal from Emmet Kelleher midway through the first half put them in charge. However, with the help of scores from Dermot Mone, the hosts hit back to reduce the gap to 1-5 to 0-7 at half time.

Young Irelands drew level early in the second half but that was as good as it got for them as the Plunketts reasserted control and points from Kelleher, Sean Callaghan and Conor Earley helped them score a deserved five-point win.

Hunterstown Rovers made the trip to Drogheda to take on O Raghallaighs in their opening  fixture of the campaign and after a fine all-round performance they returned home with a 2-13 to 0-7 win.

The visitors did most of the damage in the second half and goals from Alan Landy and a Ryan Burns penalty inside five minutes during the third quarter proved decisive. The Drogheda men were disappointing on the night and were unable to respond as they slumped to a 12-point defeat.

The first half was a more even affair but saw Rovers lead by 0-6 to 0-3 at the break with Brendan Lennon and Padraig Matthews contributing points. Ben Rogan top scored for the hosts on the night with three points.

Meanwhile, St Fechins came through a high-scoring clash with O'Connells at the Grove as they secured a 3-19 to 2-15 victory.

The O'Connells got off to a great start when Niall Conlon scored the first goal from a penalty in the opening minute, but the Fechins hit back to lead by 0-11 to 1-6 at half time.

Goals from Ronan Holcroft and Danny Burnell put the Fechins in charge in the second half, before Holcroft put the game safe with his second goal. The O'Connells battled until the end and hit the net through Conor Culligan but it wasn't enough to save the game.

A first half goal from Derek Mulligan help St Josephs claim both points as his side ran out 1-8 to 0-7 winners over St Brides in a tight contest.

Mulligan's goal came after just six minutes and although the Brides responded with points from Sean Marry (2), Patrick Reilly and Ross Kehoe, it was the Joes who wen in leading by 1-3 to 0-4 after late scores from Craig Doherty and Conal O'Hanlon.

The Brides fought hard in the second half but were unable to get through for the goal they needed as the Joes defence held out to claim victory.

A goal from Caolan Leech in the dying moments helped Nh Fionnbarra secure a 2-9 to 1-9 win over Glen Emmets at Tullyallen.

The hosts got off to the worst possible start when Jack Butterly found the net seconds after the throw-in as the Emmets keeper hadn't taken up his position. That goal proved crucial as the Barrs went in at the break leading by 1-6 to 0-6.

The home side hit back in the second half and went ahead in the closing stages when James Butler struck for a goal. However, William Woods levelled the game before Leech fisted the ball home to give his team a winning start.

In the remaining game in Division 2, St Mochtas travelled to Dundalk on Wednesday night and scored a 0-16 to 1-9 win over Na Piarsaigh.

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