Loughcrew 3-15 (24) Blackwater 1-08 (11)

Loughcrew opened up their 2025 Regional campaign in convincing fashion with a 14 point victory over neighbours Blackwater, in Dunganny on Sunday afternoon.

Last years games were marred by wet and windy nights but unfortunately this Sunday afternoon game didn’t have the desired effect weather wise as it was just as wet and miserable in Dunganny albeit abit brighter than usual!

Loughcrew started the game at a blistering pace with an early point for Colin Hawdon before further points were added from Pearse Sheridan and Keith Connell before Lee Healy got Loughcrews first goal of the afternoon, with a close range effort in the seventh minute, there might be some debate on who touched the ball last before it crossed the line but I’ve stuck with Lee who got the final touch!

That score was followed up with two excellent scores from Oran Mulvaney as the big midfield man sauntered forward and fired over in quick succession, to leave Loughcrew leading by eight points by the 12th minute.

Blackwater who were struggling to get to grips with things early on, finally opened their account with a point from play for Conor Lynch before Hughie Corcoran showed his class as he added two further points for the Blackwater men by the 18th minute to reduce the gap to five points.

An excellent run forward from Shane Gibney was rewarded when he fired over from play in the 19th minute before Blackwaters Declan Reilly pulled one back for his side.

A second point from Pearse Sheridan in the 23rd minute extended the lead again, and Loughcrew had Keeper Dylan Scully to thank as he pulled off a fine save from Blackwaters Shane McDonnell in the 26th minute.

Points for the midfield partnership of Sean Reilly and Oran Mulvaney boosted Loughcrews lead again, so when Referee Liam Reddy blew the half time whistle Loughcrew led on a scoreline of 1-09 to Blackwaters 0-04.

Blackwater opened the second half with intent but solid defending from Loughcrew ensured no easy chances were coughed up early.

From that work rate the first score went to Loughcrew and Pearse Sheridan in the 36th minute, before Blackwaters Brian O’Reilly took his sides first score of the half a moment later.

Excellent defending from Bobby Masterson was the catalyst for Loughcrews next score as he worked tirelessly before working the ball forward with Lee Healy firing over in the 40th minute.

While the attackers were doing their job well, the defensive unit of Loughcrew were operating equally as good with Shane Gibney and Dylan Garrigan intercepting and sweeping up any loose ball to deny any clear chances to the opposition.

Another point for Pearse Sheridan pushed Loughcrews lead out and they were to extend it further in the 44th minute when Lee Healy finished to the net, no question marks over this one as Healy was on hand to finish to the net from Sean Reillys tap down.

A point for Brian O’Reilly got Blackwater scoring again but a point for Cian Blake and a third Loughcrew goal, this time for CJ Healy, put to bed any hope of dramatic ending to this game in the 48th minute.

Credit to Blackwater, they kept battling and were rewarded with a well taken goal for Harry O’Higgins in the 51st minute. They could have had another goal chance but again Dylan Scully was on hand to deny the threat.

The first Loughcrew pointed free of the afternoon was converted in the 56th minute when Pearse Sheridan fired over before Blackwaters Shane McDonnell got his name on the score sheet with a fine point from play a couple of minutes later.

But the afternoon belonged to Loughcrew and Cian Blake wrapped things up with a point from play in the 60th minute, that score enough for Referee Liam Reddy to blow the final whistle, so the full time score read Loughcrew 3–15 to Blackwaters 1-07.

Loughcrew Team: Dylan Scully, Bobby Masterson, Dylan Garrigan, Shane Gibney(0-01), Luke Blake, Jason Scully, Lee Healy(2-01), Oran Mulvaney(0-03), Sean Reilly(0-01), Darragh Tuite, Pearse Sheridan(0-05(1f)), Keith Connell(0-01), Cian Blake(0-01), Colin Hawdon(0-01), Cormac Brown

Subs: CJ Healy(1-00) for D.Tuite 38’, Ryan Kevin for K.Connell 38’, Oisin McDermott for B.Masterson 47’, Daire Shine for C.Hawdon 48’, Rian Mulvaney for D.Scully 56’

Blackwater Team: Johnny Lynch, Declan Mullen, Ciaran O’Reilly, Luke Fagan, Jack Griffen, Brian O’Reilly(0-02), Daniel Murphy, Cian Sheridan, Shane McDonnell(0-01), Darragh O’Reilly, Liam Ward, Conor Lynch(0-01), Cian McFadden, Hughie Corcoran(0-02(1f)), Declan Reilly(0-01),

Subs: Harry O’Higgins(1-00, Paul Lynch, Brian McCormack, Jude Gilsenan

Referee: Liam Reddy

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