Walterstown 3-13 St. Michaels 0-20

St. Michaels pushed hard for an equalising 2 pointer deep into injury time in this hard fought intermediate Group B opener but couldn't find the range to level the game at Kilmainham.

Walterstown came out of the blocks at championship pace and had 4 points on the board in the opening 6 minutes before Shane McDonnell raised a white flag after good work from Gearóid O'Malley. Walterstown responded immediately with a 2 pointer free before O'Malley kicked the first of his five 2 pointers of the day from a placed ball. Walterstown pushed on with three more minors on the trot to give them six point advantage when the busy CJ Lynch on his championship debut, won a long delivery and slotted over a point. O'Malley struck for 2 again off the deck as St. Michaels came alive and worked further scores from Matthew Halpin, O' Malley again and Lynch (2). Indiscipline at the back meant the ball was brought forward for Walterstown to level the game but O'Malley struck a huge 2 pointer before the break to give the North Meath men a two point advantage at the half time whistle, 0-12 to 0-10.

The first score of the new half was a Walterstown goal quickly followed by another O'Malley 2 pointer and a McDonnell point to keep the advantage. Walterstown soon followed up with another goal from a quick break but St. Michaels responded again through O'Malley and Lynch (frees). The concession of a 3rd goal proved fatal for St. Michaels and this was followed up by a 2 pointer free which gave Walterstown a five point advantage with a couple of minutes left on the clock leaving St. Michaels a near impossible task with time running out. Shane McCormack got one back and O'Malley obliged again with 2 which left it a one score game. Walterstown stood firm as a couple of St. Michaels attempts dropped short and they held on for the win.

St. Michaels will meet Clan na nGael in round 2 in two weeks time.

St. Michael's: Graham Dooner; Ciaran O'Reilly, Dan Murphy, Cathal Walsh; Jack Griffin, Brian O'Reilly, Matt Moriarty; Cian Sheridan, Matthew Halpin (0-1); Declan Reilly, Shane McDonnell (0-2), Paddy Tobin; Gearóid O'Malley (0-12), Lee Morris, CJ Lynch (0-4).

Subs used: Robbie Briody for Tobin (35 mins), Ciaran Lynch for Morris, Shane McCormack (0-1) for Sheridan (52 mins)

Referee: Keith Sheerin 

 

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