O'Connells 1-12 Sean O'Mahonys 0-10

O'Connells recorded the first victory of the Senior Championship when they came out on top against Sean O'Mahonys in Group 2 on Saturday evening.

The game in Haggardstown saw the Bellingham side come out on top in a game that was keenly contested and evenly balanced for much of the hour.

However, a first half goal from Cian Doyle and a strong finish helped the O'Connells get the better of the reigning Intermediate Champions.

The O'Mahonys were hoping to continue their impressive championship form of last season, but their hopes were hampered by a number of absences through injury, including the pivotal John O'Brien.

They weren't at their best in the opening period and were punished for missing chances as Salem Rifaie, Cian Doyle and Stuart Reynolds scored in the opening minutes, while they were also fortunate not to concede a penalty.

The O'Mahonys replied with two quick points from Stephen Kilcoyne but the O'Connells hit back with the all-important goal on 20 minutes. Reynolds, who had a fine game orchestrating things around the middle and kicking six points, sent in a wonderful pass to Doyle, who collected on the run and rattled the net.

Stephen Kilcoyne and the impressive Peter Nixon raised white flags to keep their side in touch, but the Mid Louth men finished on top and scores from Niall Conlon and Reynolds extended the lead to 1-5 to 0-4 at half time.

The O'Mahonys began the second half determined to get back into the game and were rewarded with early points from Ben McLaughlin and Conor Finegan. Paul McKeever replied for the O'Connells on 38 minutes but three further points from Kilcoyne in response to a Reyonlds effort meant that with a quarter of an hour to play, the gap was down to 1-7 to 0-9.

At that stage the Dundalk side appeared to be gaining control of the match but they missed two chances to draw level and their opponents took full advantage.

Not surprisingly it was Reynolds who provided the inspiration with another excellent point from outside the 45m line, while Jackie Agnew adding another quality point soon after.

The O'Connells tails were up at that stage and they made sure the job was completed with late scores from Reynolds (2) and Conlon in reply to a Kilcoyne free.

O'CONNELLS: David Eager; Andrew Shields, Conor Byrne, Keith Ryan; Jason Carroll, Jackie Agnew 0-1, Keith Woods; Sean Cairns, Dean Stanfield; Paul McKeever 0-1, Niall Conlon 0-2, Salem Rifaie 0-1; Conor McGill, Cian Doyle 1-1, Stuart Reynolds 0-6, 4f. Sub: Conor Culligan for P McKeever.

SEAN O'MAHONYS: Kevin Brennan; Gary Mulligan, Pat O'Brien, Michael Clarke; Keith McLaughlin, Kurt Murphy, Shane Brennan; Conor Crawley, Conor Martin; Liam Dullaghan, Peter Nixon 0-1, Conor Martin 0-2; Stephen Fisher, Stephen Kilcoyne 0-6, 4f, Ben McLaughlin 0-1. Subs: Barry O'Brien for S Brennan, Jonathan Connolly for B McLaughlin, David Dowling for S Fisher.

REFEREE: David Fedigan

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