St Ultans 1-13 Syddan 0-12
St Ultans and Syddan met in the opening round of Junior Championship in Kilmainham.
The pitch and facilities were in top condition and a large crowd was in attendance on a perfect evening for football. Syddan had the aid of a slight breeze in the first half. The sides exchanged early frees with Conor Finnegan pointing for Ultans and Daire Rowe replying quickly for Syddan. Wing back Luke Griffin scored a point after a good run but Syddan replied quickly to draw the sides level. Ultans were reduced to 14 for a black card offence but Conor Finnegan making his Championship debut gave Ultans the lead from a tight angle. Syddan reeled off the next three scores to lead by two. The sides exchanged further points with fine efforts from midfielder Cian Mc Bride and Tommy Buchanan for the men in black.
Ultans reduced the gap to one from the restart with midfielder Emmet Costello raising a white flag. Syddan extended their lead to three with further points. Ultans and Syddan then exchanged points Ultans with scores from Buchanan, Griffin and McBride. An excellent mark from Luke Cahill was the spark needed for Ultans and this was followed then by Tommy Bucahanan raising a green flag finishing to the net after his initial effort was saved. Conor Finnegan extended the lead to five with five minutes plus injury time remaining but resolute defending by all players on the field restricted Syddan to just one more score.
Next up for St Ultans is Moylagh in two weeks and Syddan will meet Slane.
Ultans and Syddan met again on Sunday in the Premier Div 6 Championship fixture. Ultans were victorious on a score of 3-13 to 0-9 despite trailing by two points at the break. Ruairi Buchanan (2) and Alex Casserly with the goals for St Ultans.
St. Ultans: Gary Rogers, Darren Mallon, Sean Herward, Tadhg Murray, Darren Hughes, Declan Ball, Luke Griffin 0-2, Cian McBride 0-2, Emmet Costello 0-1, Lee Hennessy, Tommy Buchanan 1-2, Mark Allen, Luke Cahill 0-1, Adam Rogers, Conor Finnegan 0-5 (3f’s) Subs Used Gearoid Rennicks, Darren Costello