Understrength Maigh Cuilinn ease past Leitir Móir

Winners without Sean Kelly, Peter Cooke and Dessie Conneely

Maigh Cuilinn 1-16

Leitir Móir 0-8

By Mike Rafferty

At Pearse Stadium

HOLDERS Maigh Cuilinn stepped on the gas with the elements in their favour and were quickly out of sight as they opened their Senior Football Championship Group 3 account with a comfortable win at Pearse Stadium on Saturday evening.

Eight points up at the break, they strolled through the second half and while the resistance of Naomh Anna Leitir Móir made matters a little more difficult for them, a comeback was never on the cards.

While the names of Sean Kelly, Peter Cooke and Dessie Conneely are listed in the official programme, there was no sign of them on this occasion. Before the game, a minute’s silence was observed for former stalwart Paul Clancy who passed away recently. The club have also rested the number 10 jersey for the remainder of the year.

With Niall Walsh very much to the fore, Maigh Cuilinn were quickly into their stride and they were to deliver quick ball into an active attack. Eleven scores in the opening half was a fitting reward.

Points by Sean O'Connor, Fionn McDonagh, Charlie Cox and Paul Kelly (free) had them four clear before Iarla Ó Curraoin slotted over a two point free for Leitir Móir's only score of the half.

The south Connemara side were not short of possession as Maitias Éoin Bairéad, Warren Seoighe, Tomás Ó Curraoin and Kasey Ó Ceallaigh continually tried to give their side momentum, but their slow build-up left a talented inside life frustrated and starved of possession.

Maigh Cuilinn had no such issues as they gradually secured eight more points before the break. Fionn McDonagh and Charlie Cox ended good moves with scores, before James McLaughlin slotted over their only two-pointer of the game as they led by 0-8 to 0-2 after 20 minutes. Paul Kelly (free), Walsh, Fiachra McDonagh and McLaughlin were to add further scores as they led by 0-12 to 0-2 at the interval.

The spirit of Naomh Anna can never be questioned and a Tomas Ó Curraoin score gave them an early incentive. But it was shortlived as the ball was in the net at the other end a minute later as Fiachra McDonagh applied a fisted finish to a Cillian Gallagher lay off for a goal. While David Wynne and Dylan Seoighe (free) exchanged points shortly afterwards, the tempo of the game dropped off quickly as matters lay at 1-13 to 0-4 in favour of Maigh Cuilinn.

Aidan Claffey, David Wynne, James McLaughlin and Paul Kelly continued to enhance their reputations, but for now the ball was moving slower and the opportunities of earlier were not on offer.

Cillian Gallagher, Fiachra McDonagh and Paul Kelly (free) completed their scoring on 50 minutes. As ever tried to maintain their challenge,

Late scores from Dylan Seoighe (free) and Fionn Mac Donnacha (two) were only of statistical worth for a Leitir Móir side that will face Monivea-Abbey next time out.

Maigh Cuilinn, with former Mayo manager James Horan offering background assistance, take on Dunmore MacHales.

MAIGH CUILINN: N. O'Donnell; C. Corcoran, E. Kelly, E. Fox; M. Hynes, D. Wynne (captain, 0-1), A. Claffey; P. Kelly (0-3, 0-3 frees), J. McLaughlin (0-3, one 0-2 score); S. O'Connor (0-1), N. Walsh (0-1), C. Cox (0-2); Fionn McDonagh (0-2), Fiachra McDonagh (1-2), C. Gallagher (0-1). Subs: E. Gallagher, for O'Connor, 35 mins; M. Moughan, for Fox, 48 mins; Fox, for Cox inj., 58 mins.

NAOMH ANNA LEITIR MÓIR: C. Ó Flatharta: M. Ó Cualáin, E. Ó Flatharta (captain), S.A. Ó Ceallaigh: Darren Seoighe, E. Ó Loingsigh, T. Ó Curraoin (0-1); M.E. Bairéad, K. Ó Ceallaigh: C. Ó Catháin, W. Seoighe, I. Ó Curraoin (0-2, 0-2 free): Dylan Seoighe (0-3, one 0-2 free, 0-1 free), O. Mac Donnacha, F. Mac Donnacha (0-2). Subs: C. Seoighe, for K. Ó Ceallaigh inj., 27 mins; E. Mac Donnacha, for I. Ó Curraoin, 49 mins; E. Ó Fátharta, for Ó Loingsigh, 51 mins; J. Ó Griofa, for Darren Seoighe, 55 mins.

REFEREE: Noel Dempsey.

HERALD SPORT MAN OF THE MATCH:

Niall Walsh (Maigh Cuilinn).