It gets better and better for Conroy and Duane-powered St James's

By NOEL CARNEY St. James's .2-14 Killanin .0-7 THESE TWO TEAMS will have very different ambitions for the rest of the Championship following their clash that opened a double-bill at sun-drenched Pearse Stadium, Salthill last Saturday evening. St James's, who won far more easily than they could have imagined, march confidently into the next round while the losers Killanin will have survival on their minds as they try to maintain their senior status. St. James's, blending youth and experience, fielded quite a few of their all-conquering U-21 County Championship winners at the start including Cathal Walsh, Aaron Connolly, Ronan O'Connell and Eoghan O'Regan, and they introduced Lee Vahey and All-Ireland winning minor hurler Owen Teagle as the game went on. They had Galway seniors Jonathan Duane, who was surprisingly placed at centre half-forward, and Paul Conroy in their side too, while Eoin Concannon made a comeback after a long period out through injury. While he probably needed the game and was withdrawn during the second half, he showed some nice touches, got two points and was unlucky to see a bullet of a drive come back off a post.[private] Killanin lost some of last year's panel and had to line out without Galway U-21 star Patrick Sweeney who suffered a bad collarbone injury when playing against Mayo in the Connacht Championship. He is a long-term absentee. They were hanging on grimly, 0-8 to 0-2 behind, when a killer goal by Alan O'Donnell on the stroke of half-time dealt them a devastating blow. To turn around after the break and try to overhaul a nine-point deficit was a huge task for Killanin and though they were game to the last and never stopped playing their hearts out, they did not look capable of getting back. If St James's were more direct instead of going across the field with elaborate passing movements, the margin could have been bigger. The Renmore-Mervue-Ballybane lads had been quickly into their stride with Paul Conroy winning possession from the throw-in and setting up young Eoghan O'Regan who drove over a fine point with less than ten seconds gone. Even though Killanin's promising corner-forward Joe Heaney quickly levelled matters from a free, Eoin Concannon converted one at the other end and St James's were not headed after that. With ten minutes gone it was 0-4 to 0-1 thanks to further scores from Paul Conroy who sent over a 45-metre free and Alan O'Donnell who scored after fielding a Jonny Duane delivery. Conroy, who was in rampant form, drove a brace of excellent points from play either side of one by Killanin's Joe Heaney who was rounding off a nice passing move. An Eoghan O'Regan free then made it 0-7 to 0-2. It got worse for Killanin when Paul Conroy landed another great score but they were relieved to see a Tommy Walsh 'point' ruled out for an earlier infringement as the interval approached. However, St James's were keeping up a relentless series of attacks and a last-gasp bout of passing ended with raiding corner-back Cathal Walsh breaking through and placing Alan O'Donnell who netted. Half-time: St James's 1-8 Killanin 0-2. Killanin hopes flickered on the resumption when Stephen Kavanagh who lined out at full-forward but operated out the field for most of the game sent over a well-taken free. Then a Paul Conroy ball into space was seized by Eoin Concannon who sent it between the posts from a tricky angle. Centre-back Ronan Caldwell went up and helped his attack with a Killanin point after taking a Johnny Heaney pass. Another probing ball by Paul Conroy set up a move that ended with Eoghan O'Regan driving over for a 1-10 to 0-4 lead and within seconds Ronan O'Connell added another for the city boys. The hard working Niall Walsh cut the deficit early in the final quarter and it was two in a row for Killanin when Paul Maloney converted a difficult free from way out on the right touchline. That gave Killanin some reward for their sterling efforts but they were finding the going tough against superior opposition. Young Castlegar hurler Owen Teagle, who looks promising at both the big and small ball games, made it 1-12 to 0-6 with a lovely score and it took an outstanding save by Killanin goalkeeper Patrick O'Holleran to prevent a Paul Conroy goal after the county man got through the defence. The ever reliable Alan O'Donnell proved his worth yet again with a late point and there was drama in the Killanin goalmouth when Ronan O'Connell got through and while his low drive was brilliantly stopped by Patrick O'Holleran the young full-forward was dragged back as he shot and referee Martin Flaherty awarded a penalty. Tommy Walsh did the honours and his well-placed spot kick made it 2-13 to 0-6. Corner-back Declan Davin got a second yellow card for his part in the penalty incident and was thus ordered off, before points at either end by Johnny Heaney and Eoghan O'Regan wrapped up proceedings. This was a strong all-round display by the winners whose real worth will not be seen until they meet more powerful opposition. With a new manager in David Waldron and Michael O'Neill and Terry O'Regan as selectors this blend of youth and experience is showing promise. Killanin's immediate objective is to protect their senior status and survive in the top flight. With players like Patrick O'Holleran, Ronan Caldwell, Paul Maloney, Niall Walsh, Johnny Heaney, Stephen Kavanagh and the Sweeney twins Patrick and Cathal when fully fit they have the nucleus of a team that can succeed in doing just that if they can increase their scoring returns. St. James's: J. Egan; C. Walsh, A. Deacy, C. Glynn; T. Walsh (1-0, penalty), J. Burke, M. Kelly; A. Connolly, P. Conroy (0-4, one free); S. Boyle, J. Duane, E. O'Regan (0-4, one free); E. Concannon (0-2), R. O'Connell (0-1), A. O'Donnell (1-2). Subs., O. Teagle (0-1), for Concannon; L. Vahey, for Boyle. Killanin: P. O'Holleran; P. J. Gorham, P. Fahey, D. Davin; R. Gibbons, R. Caldwell (0-1), P. Maloney (0-1, free); C. Sweeney, D. Walsh; J. Walsh, N. Walsh (0-1), E. McDonagh; D. Gibbons, S. Kavanagh (0-1, free), J. Heaney (0-3, one free). Subs., F. O'Holleran, for Heaney, inj., C. Lydon, for D. Gibbons. Referee: Martin Flaherty. Herald Sport Man of the Match: Paul Conroy (St. James's).[/private]