Chris Óg Jones in lethal form as Uibh Laoire lay down marker against Kiskeam

Uibh Laoire 3-18 (3-3-12) Kiskeam 0-17 (0-5-7) 

Cork star Chris Óg Jones inspired Uibh Laoire to lay down a McCarthy Insurance Group Premier IFC marker against Kiskeam in the opening Group 3 game at Macroom.

A fully deserved for the recently crowned Division 3 league winners, Uibh Laoire were assured in defence and throughout the field, they engineered the time and space to dictate the pace for much of the hour with Jones claiming a 2-9 tally.

There was no questioning Kiskeam's commitment to the cause shooting five two-pointers in the second half yet they had to yield to the attractive verve in Uibh Laoire’s play.

Both sides took time to work the scoreline before Uibh Laoire broke the deadlock with a massive two-pointer by Barry O’Leary from the wing. Kiskeam grew into the game for a spell, points from Thomas Casey and Seán O’Sullivan tied up matters. 

Uibh Laoire regained the lead courtesy of points from Timmy Roberts and Jones, Kiskeam responding with a Daniel Fitzgerald for their third and last score in the opening half.

For the next 15 minutes, Uibh Laoire’s game took on a new dimension, availing of the powerful play of Seán O’Leary, Cathal Vaughan, Barry O’Leary and Jones. A short Kiskeam restart was turned over, Jones fed Sean O'Riordan to point. Now Uibh Laoire turned the screw, landing a telling blow in the 20th min., Ciaran O’Riordan and Sam Pikering setting up Jones to goal.

Now the Muskerry side held the whip hand, Jones took a pass from team captain Seán O’Leary to goal followed by a Vaughan two-pointer to enjoy a commanding 2-11 to 0-2 grip at the interval. Jones added to his tally on the restart, only for Kiskeam to gather some momentum after Thomas Casey's two-pointer.

However Uibh Laoire answered with a sweet Pickering goal. Credit Kiskeam on responding to the intimidating challenge, their ability to shoot two pointers saw Seán O’Sullivan and Michael Herlihy bisect the uprights.

Still, Uibh Laoire saw out the game with little fuss, the best possible start to the campaign, next up are Castletownbere. Improvement required by Kiskeam when they encounter Macroom over the weekend of August 23-24.

Scorers for Uibh Laoire: C Óg Jones 2-9 (1 2pt f, 0-1 f), S Pickering 1-0, C Vaughan 0-3 (1 2pt, 0-1 f), B O’Leary 0-2 (2pt), T Roberts, S O’Riordan, S O’Leary, C O’Riordan 0-1 each.

Kiskeam: S O’Sullivan 0-9 (2 2pt f, 1 2pt), T Casey 0-4 (1 2pt, 0-1 f), M Herlihy 0-3 (1 2pt), D Fitzgerald, S O’Riordan 0-1 each. 

UIBH LAOIRE: J Creedon; B Murphy, D O’Donovan, D O’Riordan; C O’Riordan, S O’Leary, C Galvin; T Roberts, C O’Leary; S O’Riordan, C Vaughan, B O’Leary; B Cronin, C Óg Jones, S Pickering. 

Subs: K Manning for C Galvin (inj 43), A O’Donovan for B Cronin (45).

KISKEAM: B Daly; J O’Connor, S Meehan, J Daly; A J O’Connor, K O’Connor, Mike Casey; G Casey, Maurice Casey; D Fitzgerald, T Casey, P O’Callaghan; S O’Sullivan, D Scannell, A Dennehy. 

Subs: S O’Riordan for P O’Callaghan (ht), D Murphy for M Casey (ht), M Herlihy for D Fitzgerald (46), R Carroll for A Dennehy (48), M Collins for G Casey (53).

Referee: James Bermingham (Bride Rovers).