Douglas get their AOS Security Seandún Junior A Football Championship off to a flyer with victory over St Michael's

Douglas 1-15 (1-0-15)

St Michael’s 1-14 (1-1-12)

Holders Douglas got their AOS Security Seandún Junior A Football Championship campaign off to a winning start as they defeated St Michael’s, before a sizeable attendance at Ballinlough.

With the elements in their favour for the opening half, Douglas made the better start, while their goal midway through the opening half was to prove the difference between the sides. 

They were outscored 1-7 to 0-6 in the second half, with St Michael’s goal credited to Alan Nolan with the game’s last play.

Douglas were quick off the mark as Diarmuid McCarthy scored two points from play and Jimmy Harte also got one. 

Rob Hanley converted a free to give Douglas a four-point advantage.

St Michael’s began to turn the screw as Sam Murphy slotted over two points, including a free. 

Conor Grainger added a further point to level matters at 0-4 apiece, midway thought the opening half.

Entering the second quarter, Douglas were back in the lead as Douglas net-minder Michael Kelly set up Chris O’Keeffe for the game’s opening goal.

Douglas continued to have St Michael’s pinned back. Neville O’Leary tagged on two unanswered points and O’Keeffe also added one. McCarthy also pointed a free to give Douglas a lead of 1-8 to 0-4.

St Michael’s responded with the game’s only two-pointer by Kyle Leahy, which was followed by a free by Sam Murphy. 

Gearoid O’Sullivan responded with a point for Douglas, which left his side leading 1-9 to 0-7 at the break.

O’Leary got a point for Douglas, before St Michael’s seized the initiative. 

They added five points without reply, including two from placed-balls, which left the minimum between the sides.

Gearoid O'Sullivan replied with a point from play for Douglas, before Murphy and O’Keeffe traded pointed frees.

Murphy exchanged points from play with O’Keeffe and Eoin O’Sullivan, before St Michael’s got their goal at the death.

Scorers for Douglas: C O’Keeffe 1-3 (0-1f); D McCarthy 0-3 (0-1f); N O’Leary 0-3; R Hanley 0-2 (0-1f); G O’Sullivan 0-2; J Harte, E O’Sullivan 0-1 each.

St Michael’s: S Murphy 0-7 (0-4f); A Nolan 1-2; K Leahy 0-3 (1 2pt, 0-1 45); C Grainger, D Cremin 0-1 each.

Douglas: M Kelly; E Corby, S Geaney, C O’Donoghue; S O’Rourke, D Reddington, C Reddington; G O’Sullivan, N O’Leary; J Hartnett, R Hanley, E Collins; D McCarthy, C O’Keeffe, J Harte.

Subs: S Barron for Hartnett, B Lynch for C Reddington (both h/t), K Hayes-Curtin for Geaney (48), E O’Sullivan for Harte (53), D Lenihan for Collins (56).

St Michael’s: M Whelan; M Burr, J Heylin, T Murphy; C Grainger, C Hanley, P Quill; K Leahy, T Grainger; L Fogarty, A Nolan, J O’Sullivan; S Murphy, D Cremin, D O’Sullivan.

Subs: R Fee for Fogarty, J Lenihan for J O’Sullivan (both 42).

Referee: Brendan Barrett (Shamrocks).