Mighty Muredach's power past Jarlath's in Connacht A Championship

CONNACHT PPS SENIOR A CHAMPIONSHIP 

ROUND 1

St Muredach's Ballina 1-13

St Jarlath's Tuam 0-10

In Ardnaree

MARK it down! This was a special day for St Muredach's. The Moysiders turned in an excellent team-display to overcome their renowned visitors from Tuam, and were clear and deserving winners at the end.

This was a hugely entertaining encounter between two talented teams determined to get their championship challenge off to a flying start.

The intensity of the first half had to be seen to be believed. Space was nowhere to be found as both sides tore into one another from first whistle to last. Scores were hard to come by, but Muredach's were a point clear at the break, 1-2 to 0-4, the goal coming from Conor Breslin after 22 minutes.

At the other end, Corofin's Killian Joyce was in fine form, but he came up against a defensive unit where Cahair Tighe, Kenzie McKee and goalkeeper Conor Bohan were excellent.

The scores were level ten minutes into the second half, but Muredach's were winning all the big battles with Conor Jordan, Oisin McCann, Dylan Sweeney, Oisin Gavin and Nathan Roddy to the fore.

They hit four points in a row in the next five minutes and when Alexander Smyth raced through for another point after 48 minutes the boys in red were closing in on a famous victory.

Jack Finn, Joyce and Adam Healy tried to drag Jarlath's back into it but Muredach's sensed victory was in their own hands and late points from Patrick Carr, Roddy and Sean Foody sealed a memorable victory in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.

A full report will be carried in Tuesday's Mayo News.